Public Records Guide
How to Find a Federal Inmate
Federal inmates are held in the Bureau of Prisons system — separate from state prisons and county jails. Here’s how to locate one for free, read the results, and make contact.
Open the BOP Locator →Step by step
1. Confirm it’s a federal case
Federal inmates were convicted of a federal crime and sentenced in a U.S. District Court — think drug trafficking, wire fraud, immigration, or firearms offenses. If the case was in state court, the person is in a state prison or county jail instead, and you’ll search those systems, not the BOP.
2. Use the BOP Inmate Locator
The Federal Bureau of Prisons runs a free locator covering federal inmates from 1982 to today. Search by first and last name (add race/age/sex to narrow results) or, if you have it, by BOP register number for an exact match.
3. Read the BOP register number
Every federal inmate has a unique register number in the format XXXXX-XXX (e.g., 12345-678). It stays with the person across transfers, so it’s the most reliable way to track someone and is required for mail and many services.
4. Find the facility and how to contact them
The locator shows the current facility. From the BOP facility page you can find the mailing address, phone number, and visiting rules. Federal inmates can’t receive calls, but you can send mail (follow the facility’s exact addressing format) or set up a phone/visiting arrangement.
5. If they’re not federal, check state or county
No result in the BOP locator usually means the case isn’t federal. Search the state Department of Corrections for a prison sentence, or the county jail roster for someone awaiting trial.
What the BOP locator shows
Frequently asked questions
Are federal inmate records free?
Yes. The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is free and official. You never have to pay to look up a federal inmate.
What is a BOP register number?
A unique federal inmate ID in the format XXXXX-XXX. It follows the inmate across facility transfers and is required for mail and most services — the most reliable identifier to search by.
Can I find someone released from federal prison?
Often yes. The BOP locator includes federal inmates released back to 1982, so you can confirm a past federal incarceration and its release date.
How do I contact a federal inmate?
Federal inmates can’t receive incoming calls, but you can write to them (use the facility’s required addressing format with the register number) or arrange approved phone calls and visits through the facility.
How do I know if a case is federal vs. state?
Federal cases are prosecuted in U.S. District Court for federal crimes; state cases are in state court. If the BOP locator has no record, the person is likely in a state prison (DOC) or county jail instead.