Find an inmate in Idaho | inmate.solutions

Which system is holding them in Idaho?

There is no single search that covers everyone. Match the situation to the right official locator — most families start with the first one.

If the arrest was recent

Start with the county jail

Someone just arrested in Idaho is held in a COUNTY JAIL run by the county sheriff, not in the state prison system.

Many Idaho sheriffs publish an online jail roster (for example Ada County, Boise).

VINELink — run in Idaho by the Idaho Sheriffs' Association and connected to county jail booking systems in near real time — covers the state and is the best single starting point (toll-free 1-866-9VINE-ID).

Idaho has 44 counties, each sheriff running its own jail roster (some with no online search); there is no unified statewide county-jail search, so use VINELink or the arresting county's sheriff roster.

Search VINELink (choose Idaho)

If they were sentenced to prison

Use the state prison locator

The Idaho Department of Correction's Resident/Client Search (formerly labeled 'offender search') lists people under IDOC state custody or supervision — incarcerated in state prison, or on parole or probation.

Search by last name or IDOC number.

It does NOT cover county jails, where recently arrested people are held.

IDOC main line: (208) 658-2000.

Open the Idaho inmate locator

If the charge is federal

Search the Federal Bureau of Prisons

A federal charge means the person is in the federal system, not a Idaho state or county facility. Search the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator by name or register number — it is separate from every state and county tool.

Search the Federal BOP locator

Finding your person in Idaho, step by step

Work through these in order. Each step points to an official source — you do the searching there, on the government site.

Step 1

Figure out where they are likely held

Recently arrested in Idaho usually means a COUNTY JAIL run by the county sheriff. Someone sentenced to prison is with the state DOC (IDOC). Someone arrested on a FEDERAL charge is in federal custody (use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator).
Official source
Step 2

If just arrested, check the arresting county sheriff's jail roster or search Idaho VINELink

Use the sheriff's jail roster for the county of arrest (for example Ada County posts one). If you don't know the county, VINELink covers Idaho jails statewide (Idaho Sheriffs' Association, toll-free 1-866-9VINE-ID) and lets you register for alerts.
Official source
Step 3

If sentenced to state prison, search the Idaho DOC Resident/Client Search

Use the IDOC Resident/Client (offender) search by last name or IDOC number for people in Idaho state custody or supervision.
Official source
Step 4

If there is no online roster or you are unsure, call the county jail booking or records line

The county sheriff's jail booking or records desk can confirm whether someone is in custody and their booking status.
Official source
Step 5

For a federal arrest, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator

If the charge is federal, search the BOP inmate locator instead of the state or county tools.
Official source

What you’ll need to search

You can start with just a name, but these make a match faster and surer.

The person's full legal name (plus any aliases or maiden name).
Date of birth, which helps confirm the right person when names match.
An IDOC number (state) or county booking number if you already have one (helpful but not required).

Use official, free sources — and a few things to watch for

Use only official sources: the county sheriff's jail roster, VINELink, or the Idaho DOC Resident/Client Search. Confirm a match by full name and date of birth, since name-only matches are common.
Be wary of paid data-broker 'inmate search' and mugshot sites. They are not official, often charge fees, and may post stale, incomplete, or expunged records.
Custody data can lag. Someone booked into a county jail within the last few hours may not appear online yet; call the jail's booking or records line to confirm.
This tool only links to official sources. It does not store, search, or republish any inmate records itself.

If you need to bail them out in Idaho

Finding the person comes first. Once you know where they are, this is how getting them out works in Idaho.

Commercial bail available

In Idaho, commercial bail exists. If a judge sets money bail, it can be posted in cash directly with the court or through a licensed bail bond agent for a fee. A judge may also release the person on their own recognizance or on set conditions, so ask the court or the jail what applies before paying anyone.

Idaho has a legal commercial bail-bond industry.

Bail agents are licensed and regulated by the Idaho Department of Insurance under Idaho Code Title 41, Chapter 10 (Sec. 41-1037 through 41-1045).

A person can be released by posting a surety bond through a licensed bail agent, by posting the full cash bond with the court, by posting a property bond, or on their own recognizance (OR) where a judge allows it.

Bail is commonly set by a countywide bond schedule after arrest and can be reviewed by a magistrate.

Where a surety bail bond is used, the bail agent charges a non-refundable premium at the rate established by the surety insurer (in practice commonly around 10% of the bond amount). Idaho Code Sec. 41-1042 limits additional charges: beyond the premium and collateral, an agent may only recover actual reimbursable expenses such as a verification/administrative fee not to exceed $50 and certain travel costs, and may not add other service charges.

The person’s rights. The person in custody has the right to talk to a lawyer about their case, and if they cannot afford one, the court can appoint a public defender.

Other official Idaho contacts

County jails are run by the sheriff where the arrest happened — call that jail’s booking or records line for a very recent booking or the bail amount. These statewide sources can also help.

If there is also a warrant to deal with

Two companion guides pick up where this one leaves off — checking for a warrant, and resolving it on your own terms.

Check for a warrant in Idaho Worried the person has an open warrant too? Check first, state by state. Resolve a warrant in Idaho If they need to resolve a warrant, this walks through turning yourself in calmly.

Common questions about finding someone in Idaho

How do I find someone who was just arrested in Idaho?

Someone just arrested in Idaho is held in a COUNTY JAIL run by the county sheriff, not in the state prison system. Many Idaho sheriffs publish an online jail roster (for example Ada County, Boise). VINELink — run in Idaho by the Idaho Sheriffs' Association and connected to county jail booking systems in near real time — covers the state and is the best single starting point (toll-free 1-866-9VINE-ID).

How do I find someone in state prison in Idaho?

The Idaho Department of Correction's Resident/Client Search (formerly labeled 'offender search') lists people under IDOC state custody or supervision — incarcerated in state prison, or on parole or probation. Search by last name or IDOC number. It does NOT cover county jails, where recently arrested people are held. IDOC main line: (208) 658-2000.

Is there a free way to check if someone is in custody in Idaho?

Yes. VINELink (the free national custody service) covers Idaho. Search by name for custody status and register for free alerts. County jail rosters and the state locator are also free and official.

What do I need to look someone up in Idaho?

The person's full legal name (plus any aliases or maiden name). Date of birth, which helps confirm the right person when names match. An IDOC number (state) or county booking number if you already have one (helpful but not required).

Does Idaho have commercial bail bondsmen?

Yes. Commercial bail exists in Idaho: if a judge sets money bail, it can be posted in cash with the court or through a licensed bail bond agent for a fee, and a judge may also grant own-recognizance or conditional release.

Sources & last verified

Everything here links out to official government or public-safety sources. We don’t store, search, or republish records.

Last verified 2026-07-23 · 15 sources

How do I find someone in jail or prison in Idaho?