Shelby County TN Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court 2026

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Shelby County, Tennessee · Arrest, jail, warrant and criminal-court guide

Shelby County Booking & Criminal Record Search: From 201 Poplar to the Court Docket

A Shelby County arrest can create several records that live in different systems. The jail shows custody and booking information. Sheriff Records & Identification can provide adult arrest and jail-verification records. General Sessions tracks misdemeanors and felony preliminary hearings, while Criminal Court handles felony cases that advance into that court.

This guide brings the important search rules, fees, request procedures, office contacts, release information, bond steps, jail-mail rules, current video-visitation process, warrant checks, statewide background checks and expungement guidance into one page. Leave this page mainly when the final live search, payment, account setup or government submission must be completed.

Run the live jail search Search criminal cases Get an official arrest record
An arrest is not a conviction. A jail booking records an accusation and custody event. Prosecutors can decline or change charges, courts can dismiss cases, and defendants can be acquitted. Match multiple identifiers and review the final court disposition before describing the outcome.
Live jail lookup

Correctly spelled full name; birth date is helpful.

Jail Downtown

901-222-4703

Arrest ticket

$15 through Sheriff R&I.

Jail verification

$20 through Sheriff R&I.

Source review

August 14, 2026.

Record router

Four Shelby County systems answer four different questions

1
Who is in jail now?

Use the Shelby County Sheriff’s live inmate search. This is the fastest source for current custody and booking information.

2
Need proof of the arrest?

Use Sheriff Records & Identification for an adult Record of Arrest, arrest ticket, jail-release verification or fingerprint-related service.

3
Misdemeanor or early felony stage?

General Sessions Criminal Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings in felony cases, plus traffic and environmental matters.

4
Felony case after indictment?

The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk maintains felony Criminal Court records, case documents, dispositions, costs and certified copies.

Best complete search: Find the booking → save the booking and case identifiers → determine whether the matter is in General Sessions or Criminal Court → read the newest docket entries → obtain the official arrest record or certified disposition only if you actually need documentary proof.

Choose the problem you need to solve

The important instructions are inside the article; the buttons are reserved mainly for final live actions.

Official inmate search

How to search Shelby County jail records without missing the person

Shelby County’s Justice Initiatives guidance says the Sheriff’s inmate system can be used to determine whether a person is in custody. The county says you need the person’s full name with the correct spelling; date of birth is helpful but not required.

Start with the exact legal name Enter the first and last name as accurately as possible. Do not begin with a nickname unless you have already tested the legal name.
Use birth information to separate similar names When more than one person appears, compare date of birth, age and other displayed identifiers before opening or relying on the booking.
Read the entire booking Record every charge, booking identifier, bond entry and case number. One arrest can involve several criminal counts or separate cases.
Identify the arresting agency This tells you where to request the underlying incident or offense report if you later need the narrative of what allegedly occurred.
Save the booking number Shelby County uses booking information for jail, mail, court and other inmate-service tasks. Copy it exactly.
Check whether the person is still physically in custody A release order, bond payment or status change does not mean physical release has already been completed.
Continue to the Criminal Justice System Portal Jail information answers the custody question. Court records show the prosecution and disposition.
Open Who’s In Jail Call Jail Downtown: 901-222-4703
Booking decoder

What a Shelby County arrest result can—and cannot—tell you

Arrest and jail fields explained
Record field What it tells you What it does not prove What to do next
Booking number Identifies a particular jail booking. It does not establish guilt. Save it for jail, court and records questions.
Booking or arrest date Places the custody event in time. It may not be the same date the alleged offense occurred. Use it to separate multiple arrests for the same person.
Charge The allegation associated with the arrest or booking. It may later be amended, declined or dismissed. Read the General Sessions or Criminal Court docket.
Bond amount The currently recorded release condition for a charge when one exists. One payable bond may not resolve every case or hold. Call Jail Information and confirm all charges.
Case number Links the arrest to a court case. One booking may contain multiple cases. Search every case separately in the CJS portal.
Arresting agency Identifies the law-enforcement agency responsible for the arrest. That agency may not maintain the court disposition. Request the incident report there; get the disposition from the court.
Release information Shows that the jail custody event ended or release processing began. Release does not mean the case was dismissed. Check the court case for the current legal status.
Booking photo When publicly displayed, it documents the booking event. A photograph does not prove guilt or final identity by itself. Confirm birth data and official identifiers.
Same-name protection: Never send money, contact an employer, publish an accusation or make a safety decision based only on a matching name or photograph. Match at least two reliable identifiers and check the court outcome.
Troubleshooting

No Shelby County arrest record found? Follow this sequence

The arrest happened only a few hours ago Intake, fingerprinting, photography, medical review, warrant checks and database processing may still be underway.
The name may not match exactly Verify spelling, legal first name, surname, suffix, maiden name and compound or hyphenated names.
The person may already be released A current jail search is not the same as an historical arrest-history search. Use Sheriff R&I for an official adult arrest record.
The person is at Jail East Women are housed at Jail East, 6201 Haley Road. Use the same custody search and call Jail East if operational confirmation is necessary.
The case exists but the person is not jailed Search the CJS court portal. The defendant may be on bond, released on recognizance or associated with an older case.
The arrest was juvenile Sheriff R&I says its Record of Arrest service covers adults. Juvenile records require the Juvenile Court records process.
The arrest occurred outside Shelby County Search the county or jurisdiction where the arrest actually occurred.
The record may be restricted Sealed, expunged, juvenile or legally confidential information may not be publicly visible.
Useful jail-information script “I am trying to verify the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have booking number [number] and case number [number]. Can you confirm current custody, charges, bond, court date, or whether the person has been released or transferred?”
Booking to court

What happens after an arrest in Shelby County?

Booking and identification Intake can include fingerprints, photographs, warrant checks, NCIC processing, property handling and medical review.
Release Assessment interview Shelby County’s Release Assessment section interviews arrested individuals and reviews background information and arrest history to help determine release conditions.
Misdemeanor release review Release Assessment operates 24 hours a day and has authority to release qualified misdemeanor offenders on non-financial conditions.
Felony bail information For felony matters, gathered information is presented to a judge or judicial commissioner who sets bail.
General Sessions stage Misdemeanors remain within General Sessions. Felony cases commonly begin there for matters such as first appearance or preliminary hearing.
Criminal Court stage Felony cases that proceed into Criminal Court are maintained by the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk.
Release or continued custody A defendant may remain in custody, post bond, qualify for release on recognizance, remain because of another hold or be transferred.
Final disposition The case may end through dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, conviction, acquittal or another legally recognized disposition.
Release Assessment — Male Facility

901-545-4209

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Release Assessment — Female Facility

901-379-7902

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Facility guide

Know which Shelby County facility you are dealing with

Main Shelby County custody and records locations
Facility or office Address What happens there Phone
Main Jail / 201 Poplar 201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103 Male jail custody, inmate services and Criminal Justice Complex functions. 901-222-4703
Jail East 6201 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134 Shelby County’s current women’s jail facility. 901-222-6600
Sheriff Records & Identification 201-271 Poplar Avenue, Jail Annex, Room 10-06, Memphis, TN 38103-1945 Adult arrest records, jail verification and fingerprint services. 901-222-4944
General Sessions Criminal Court 201 Poplar, Suite LL-81, Memphis, TN 38103-2093 Misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, traffic and related matters. 901-222-3500
24-Hour Clerk’s Office 271 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103 General Sessions criminal clerk service available around the clock. 901-222-3600
Criminal Court Clerk 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3034, Memphis, TN 38103 Felony Criminal Court cases, records, copies, costs and expungement matters. 901-222-3200
Juvenile Court Central Records 616 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105 Questions about juvenile records that adult Sheriff R&I does not provide. 901-222-0601
Why 201 Poplar appears repeatedly: The Criminal Justice Complex concentrates jail, court, clerk, Sheriff and related criminal-justice functions in a small downtown area, but they are separate offices with separate records.
Official arrest record

How to obtain a Shelby County Record of Arrest or jail verification

The Sheriff’s Records & Identification Section (R&I) is the key office when you need an official adult arrest-related record rather than a live inmate-search result.

Office hours

8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Closed on observed holidays.

Misdemeanor citation processing

7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Law-enforcement access

R&I lists law-enforcement hours as 24/7.

Requesting in person

Complete the R&I Request for Service Form Identify the arrest or jail-verification service you need.
Bring valid identification R&I accepts a valid state-issued photo ID such as a driver license or state ID, or a valid government-issued passport.
Prepare the exact payment Payment is by money order or cashier’s check. R&I does not currently accept cash, debit cards or credit cards.
Submit the request at R&I Requests are processed first come, first served.

Requesting by mail

Complete the Request for Service Form
Include the exact required fee
Use money order or cashier’s check
Make payment payable to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Include valid state-issued identification
Have the ID notarized for a mail request
Include a proper mailing address
Include a valid contact telephone number
Mail the completed request to
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Records and Identification
201-271 Poplar Avenue – Jail Annex – Room 10-06
Memphis, TN 38103-1945
No appointments: R&I says it does not currently accept appointments. You can appear in person or use the mail process for an eligible Record of Arrest or jail verification. Fingerprint cards must be completed in person.
Open the R&I form for final submission Call R&I: 901-222-4944
Published Sheriff fees

Shelby County arrest-record and identification fees

Sheriff Records & Identification service fees
Service Current published fee What it is useful for
Jail Release Verification $20 Official proof of incarceration and release information.
Fingerprint Card — first card $15 Manual ink fingerprint service when a card is required.
Each additional fingerprint card $5 Additional card completed during the service.
Arrest Ticket $15 Official arrest-ticket record when eligible for release.
Additional copies $5 Additional copies under the R&I fee schedule.
Payment rules matter: R&I requires the exact amount. It accepts cashier’s checks and money orders, not cash, debit or credit cards, and states that overpayments will not be refunded.
Processing time

How long does Shelby County R&I take?

In-person request

Processed first come, first served.

The Sheriff says processing can range from approximately 15 minutes to 2–3 days when an archived record must be retrieved.

Mail request

The Sheriff states that mail requests average a minimum of 7–10 business days from the date the request is received.

Sending the request by express delivery does not move it ahead of other requests.

Need express return delivery? R&I says you must include a prepaid express-mail return envelope if you want the completed response sent back through an express-mail service.
Record restrictions

When Sheriff R&I cannot release the arrest record

Active-case restriction: R&I states that it does not release an arrest ticket or Record of Arrest when the record is part of an active case, active investigation or active prosecution.
Active investigation The requested arrest record may be withheld while the investigative restriction applies.
Archived record The record may be available but require additional retrieval time.
Juvenile arrest R&I directs juvenile-record questions to Juvenile Court Central Records.
Court disposition requested R&I is not the court-record custodian. Obtain the final disposition from the court that handled the case.

Can another person pick up the record?

R&I says a representative such as a family member, friend or attorney may request an eligible Record of Arrest after validation that the record can legally be released. The representative must present valid state-issued identification, and the active-case restriction still applies.

Do not confuse these records

Arrest record vs. police report vs. court disposition

Which document answers which question?
Document What it normally contains Where to obtain it
Jail booking Current custody, booking identifiers, charges and related jail information. Sheriff Who’s In Jail system.
Record of Arrest / Arrest Ticket Official adult arrest-record information maintained by Sheriff R&I. Sheriff Records & Identification.
Incident / offense report Law-enforcement narrative and incident information, subject to disclosure restrictions. The law-enforcement agency that maintains the report.
Court disposition The legal result of the criminal case. General Sessions or Criminal Court Clerk, depending on the case.
Statewide criminal history Tennessee adult criminal-history information under the chosen TBI service. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Memphis Police incident and offense reports

The Shelby County Sheriff’s records guidance specifically directs users seeking police reports to the Memphis Police Department Central Records Division.

Memphis Police Department Central Records
170 North Main Street
7th Floor, Suite 7-11
Memphis, TN 38103
Contact and hours

901-636-3650

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., except holidays.

Outside Memphis: If Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington or another law-enforcement agency made the arrest, use the arresting agency shown in the booking rather than automatically sending the report request to Memphis Police.
Sheriff TPRA request

How to request other Shelby County Sheriff public records

A Tennessee Public Records Act request is useful when the record you need falls outside the routine R&I arrest-record service or when you are seeking specifically identified Sheriff records.

SCSO TPRA Coordinator
Office of the Shelby County Sheriff
201 Poplar Avenue, Room 9-15
Memphis, TN 38103
Request contact

Phone: 901-222-5656

Fax: 901-222-5657

Email: publicrecords@shelby-sheriff.org

Information to put in a useful request

Full legal name of the person involved
Exact or narrow date range
Incident or arrest location
Arresting or investigating unit if known
Booking or arrest number
Incident or report number
Specific document type
Preferred delivery method
Copy-ready records request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable records maintained by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office concerning [full name] and the incident or arrest occurring on or about [date] at [location]. Known identifiers are booking number [number], arrest/report number [number] and court case number [number]. I specifically request [identify the document]. Please advise me of any required fee or clarification before processing if the estimated cost will exceed $[amount].
Do not ask the records custodian to investigate for you. Identify existing records as specifically as possible. Government offices generally do not have to create a new report or compile new research to answer a public-record request.
Submit the final Sheriff records request
Court record router

General Sessions vs. Criminal Court: search the right Shelby County case

General Sessions Criminal Court

Handles approximately 100,000 cases annually according to the court, including misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases, traffic matters and environmental violations.

Shelby County Criminal Court

Handles felony criminal cases that proceed into Criminal Court. The Criminal Court Clerk maintains those case records and related documents.

Portal change: The old General Sessions JSSI site has been replaced following the ICJIS upgrade. Shelby County now directs users to the Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal, and users are requested to register to access General Sessions case information.

Search workflow

Copy the case number from the jail result If more than one case number appears, search every case separately.
Open the Criminal Justice System Portal Use the current Shelby County CJS portal rather than an old JSSI bookmark.
Confirm the defendant Match name and other available identifiers before assuming the court result belongs to the person you are researching.
Determine the court level A misdemeanor may remain in General Sessions. A felony can begin there for preliminary proceedings and later move into Criminal Court.
Read entries chronologically Look for charging documents, hearings, bond orders, continuances, indictment information, pleas and disposition entries.
Find the actual outcome Do not treat “closed” as a conviction. Locate the dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, judgment, acquittal or other disposition.
Order an official copy when proof matters A screenshot is not a substitute for a certified document when a court, licensing body, attorney or other institution requires certification.
General Sessions Criminal Court
201 Poplar, Suite LL-81
Memphis, TN 38103-2093

901-222-3500

Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

24-Hour Clerk’s Office
271 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103

901-222-3600

Open 24/7.

Mullins Station Office
1075 Mullins Station Road, Room W115
Memphis, TN 38134

901-222-7900

Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

Criminal Court Clerk
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3034
Memphis, TN 38103

901-222-3200

Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Privacy tip: The Criminal Court Clerk FAQ says full name, date of birth and Social Security information may assist staff in locating a record. Never place a Social Security number into an unofficial search page, email or third-party people-search service. Provide sensitive identifiers only through an authorized Clerk process when genuinely required.
Search the Shelby County CJS portal
Criminal Court documents

Copies, certified records and Criminal Court public-record fees

Routine record-request copy

The Criminal Court Clerk FAQ currently lists $0.50 per printed page.

Certified copy

The Criminal Court Clerk FAQ currently lists a $5 certification fee.

Separate TPRA public-record pricing

Published Criminal Court Clerk public-record policy charges
Item Published amount Important condition
Inspection of open public records $0 The policy states there is no charge merely to inspect open records.
Black-and-white standard copy $0.50 per page Letter- or legal-sized records.
Color standard copy $1 per page Letter- or legal-sized records.
CD / electronic media $15 When media is used to deliver records.
Flash drive up to 128GB $15 Higher-capacity media has higher listed prices.
Retrieval fee $18 Listed in the office’s public-record policy.
Outside vendor Actual cost Applies when an outside vendor is required.
Postage / shipping Actual cost Applies when physical delivery is requested.
Large requests: The Criminal Court Clerk policy allows labor charges in qualifying requests that require substantial production work and permits the office to provide an itemized estimate and require prepayment. Narrowing the request to a case number and exact documents can reduce both cost and delay.

Public-record request requirements at Criminal Court Clerk

  • Requests should identify the desired record by name, serial or case identifier, or another unique characteristic.
  • The office does not have to create generalized research, analytics or records that do not already exist.
  • The published policy requires proof of Tennessee citizenship by valid Tennessee driver license for inspection and/or copies under that TPRA process.
  • The Public Records Request Coordinator acknowledges a qualifying request within seven business days and then provides the appropriate response, clarification, denial or production information.
  • Confidential information can be redacted before release.
Submit a Criminal Court public-record request
Bond and release

How Shelby County bond and release work after booking

Fastest bond check: The Sheriff says Jail Information at 901-222-4703 is available 24 hours a day for current charges, bond amounts and pending court-date information.
24-hour clerk

A 24-hour court clerk office is located in the Jail Annex visitation area.

Cash bond

The Sheriff states that a cash bond may be posted through the jail-area court clerk process.

Bonding company

You may use a Tennessee-licensed bonding company of your choice. The Sheriff does not recommend a particular company.

Confirm every charge One person may have several cases, warrants or holds.
Ask whether every matter is bondable A visible amount on one case does not prove that all other matters permit release.
Confirm outside holds Another jurisdiction, warrant or legal hold can prevent physical release even after one Shelby County bond is satisfied.
Save the receipt Keep the case number, booking number, transaction details and time of payment.
Wait for release processing Do not assume payment means the person is standing outside the jail.

How long does physical release take?

The Sheriff says there is no exact release time. Release processing can require fingerprints, photographs, warrant checks, NCIC processing, medical review and other clearance steps.

Average processing

The Sheriff says the average processing time is less than two hours.

Actual physical release

The Sheriff warns that actual release may occur approximately 3–6 hours after release is ordered.

Bond scam protection: Verify the booking and bond directly with the Sheriff or Clerk before paying anyone. Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency or money to a personal account because someone claims it will guarantee immediate release.
Outstanding warrants

How to check a Shelby County warrant safely

The Sheriff’s Fugitive Division handles Shelby County warrant inquiries, and the Sheriff states that its online warrant search covers warrants issued by courts in Shelby County.

Search the official Shelby warrant system Use the complete legal name and review all identifiers shown.
Do not rely on the name alone A similar name may belong to another person.
Record the warrant details Save the warrant or case identifier and charge information.
Confirm before taking action The warrant room verifies warrants for law enforcement prior to arrest because status can change.
Resolve your own possible warrant through a safe channel Contact the court, Fugitive Division or a Tennessee-licensed attorney for case-specific guidance.
Sheriff Fugitive Division

901-222-5620

CrimeStoppers

901-528-CASH (2274)

Never confront a wanted person. Do not attempt to detain someone or visit a location because of an online warrant result. Give the information to law enforcement.
Run the live warrant search
Commissary deposits

How to put money on a Shelby County Jail inmate account

The Sheriff’s current inmate-contact page identifies VendEngine, a Tyler Technologies subsidiary, as the deposit service and directs users to CorrectPay for electronic deposits.

Lobby kiosk

Deposit kiosks are available in the visitation lobby and the current Sheriff instructions state they accept cash or debit/credit cards.

Online or mobile

Use CorrectPay.com or the CorrectPay mobile app.

Telephone deposit

1-855-VendEng (836-3364)

In-person inmate account offices

Main Jail

Visitation lobby
201 Poplar Avenue

Jail East

6201 Haley Road

Published in-person deposit hours: 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Verify before depositing: Match the inmate’s exact name and booking information before sending money. Do not depend on a screenshot, social-media post or third-party mugshot page.
Make the final CorrectPay deposit
Inmate mail

Shelby County Jail mailing addresses and rules

Main Jail mail
Inmate’s Full Name
Booking Number
Floor and Pod, if known
201 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Jail East Women’s Facility
Inmate’s Full Name
Booking Number
Housing Location, if known
6201 Haley Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Use the full name exactly as shown in jail records
Include the correct booking number
Include floor/pod or housing location when known
Place a complete return address on every letter
Softback books must come directly from the publisher
Magazines must come directly from the publisher
Do not copy another county’s digital-mail rules: Shelby County currently publishes direct 201 Poplar and Jail East mailing addresses. Always use the Shelby instructions for a Shelby inmate.
Court clothing

Bringing clothes for an inmate’s court appearance

Court clothing may be brought to the main jail lobby at 201 Poplar or to Jail East. The Sheriff says court clothing is accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Choose conservative courtroom clothing
Confirm the inmate and upcoming court appearance first
Do not bring tennis shoes
Do not bring shorts
Avoid pants with multiple zippers
Expect inappropriate clothing to be refused
Property release

How to collect property from a Shelby County inmate

The inmate starts the process The incarcerated person must request a property-release form from the pod officer.
The inmate completes the authorization The form identifies the person authorized to collect the property.
The completed form goes to the property office The Sheriff says the form is sent to Aramark’s office in the Jail Annex visitation area.
The recipient presents proper identification Property can be released after staff verifies the authorization and ID.
Property cannot always be released. The Sheriff states that property cannot be released when it is being held as evidence or when law-enforcement officers have placed a hold on it.
Current 2026 visit process

Shelby County video visitation, messaging and phone-account setup

Current remote-video rule: The Sheriff’s current visitation page says incoming remote video visits through the GettingOut Visits app do not need to be scheduled in advance. The inmate initiates the video call when available, similar to a traditional phone call.

Before the inmate can video call you

Be approved on the inmate’s phone PAN list The Sheriff says all visitors must be approved on the PAN list.
Use the same telephone number The PAN must match the phone number attached to your GettingOut account.
Create the GettingOut account Enter accurate information and complete any account-verification steps required by the provider.
Install the GettingOut Visits app Current remote video visits are received through the app on supported Android or iOS devices.
Keep the app open and logged in The Sheriff specifically warns that the app must be open and logged in when the inmate initiates the call.

Communication account contacts

GettingOut

Family/friends messaging and remote video-visit account functions.

Support: 866-516-0115

ConnectNetwork

The Sheriff also lists ConnectNetwork for PIN debit-related account functions.

Support: 877-650-4249

On-site visits are different: The current Sheriff page says the existing on-site scheduling process remains in effect. Available times are displayed during scheduling, are subject to change, and valid photo identification is required for registration/check-in.
Create or manage GettingOut account
Health and safety

Medical care, mental-health support and PREA reporting

Medical care

The Sheriff says its contract medical provider supplies 24-hour medical care, with a physician and physician assistant on duty and/or on call for emergency situations.

Main Jail medical questions

901-222-4703

Jail East medical questions

901-222-6600

Sexual abuse or harassment

PREA zero-tolerance policy: The Sheriff states that it has zero tolerance for sexual assault, rape and sexual misconduct in its facilities. An inmate or family member should report an allegation to staff immediately. The published Sexual Assault Hotline is 901-222-4781.

The Sheriff also states that mental-health staff are available for crisis care 365 days a year.

Death in the inmate’s family

A family member may contact the Corrections Deputy/CDO or ask for the Chaplain through Jail Information at 901-222-4703. Be ready to provide the deceased person’s name, relationship to the inmate and factual information that staff can verify.

Statewide history

When a Shelby County search is not enough

The Sheriff does not perform background investigations. Sheriff R&I can provide Shelby County arrest-related records and fingerprint services, but the office directs statewide or national criminal-history requests to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
TBI general-public background-check options
Check Published fee Fingerprint requirement Coverage
Tennessee Only $29 Not required Tennessee adult criminal-history search for the general public.
FBI Only / Nationwide $50 Required FBI-only nationwide criminal-history process.
Choose the required check, not the cheapest one. An employer, licensing authority, immigration matter or government agency may specify a particular fingerprint-based or agency-specific process. A Shelby County name search is not a nationwide background check.
Run the required TBI background check
Identity-theft safeguard

What if Shelby County shows an arrest that is not yours?

Sheriff R&I specifically states that it can verify a Shelby County arrest history through fingerprint review when a person suspects identity theft or believes an arrest has been associated with them incorrectly.

Save the disputed record Record the booking number, arrest date, case number and source of the information.
Bring proper identification R&I requires identification before conducting the fingerprint-based verification.
Request fingerprint review The Sheriff says this review can verify Shelby County arrest history.
Obtain the court disposition if necessary A fingerprint match or correction at R&I does not replace the court’s legal case record.
Processing: R&I says fingerprint-review results may be processed the same day unless the arrest record has been archived. A service/rolling fee applies.
Record relief

Expunging an eligible Shelby County criminal record

Current Shelby Criminal Court update: The Criminal Court Clerk states that the former $100 expungement fee is waived. Court costs, fines and restitution that must be satisfied for eligibility still have to be paid in full.

The Clerk’s current guidance reflects an updated Tennessee expungement law effective May 9, 2024 and applies to Shelby County, Tennessee cases handled through that office.

For qualifying offenses committed on or after November 1, 1989

The Criminal Court Clerk’s current eligibility summary states that, at filing:

The applicant must satisfy the statutory conviction-history requirement for the petitioned offense
At least five years must have elapsed since completion of the sentence
All requirements of the sentence must have been fulfilled
The applicant must satisfy the rule concerning prior conviction expungements

Grandfather provision for certain pre-November 1, 1989 offenses

The Clerk also publishes a grandfather provision for certain nonviolent, non-sexual offenses committed before November 1, 1989. Its summary includes specified limits involving determinate or indeterminate sentence length and prior expungement history.

Do not decide eligibility from a charge name alone. Tennessee expungement law is offense- and disposition-specific. The Criminal Court Clerk publishes separate lists of TCA codes that can and cannot qualify. General Sessions cases may also require action through that court’s clerk rather than Criminal Court.

Practical sequence

Find the final disposition Determine exactly how every count ended.
Identify the court of record Determine whether the case belongs to General Sessions or Criminal Court.
Check statutory eligibility Compare the conviction or disposition with current Tennessee requirements and the Clerk’s included/excluded charge guidance.
Confirm financial obligations Verify that required court costs, fines and restitution have been paid.
Submit the expungement inquiry or petition Follow the procedure used by the court maintaining the case.
Keep the final order Retain a certified copy of any entered expungement order for future correction or verification issues.
Legal-information notice: Expungement eligibility can depend on facts not visible in an online arrest search. This section explains the published process but is not individual legal advice.
Check the final Shelby expungement eligibility process
Custody alerts

Get notified when an offender’s custody status changes

Tennessee VINE provides a free custody-information and notification system. A victim or other eligible user can check custody information and register for automated notification when an offender’s custody status changes.

Useful when

You do not want to repeatedly refresh the jail search to find out whether an inmate has been released or transferred.

Keep your case information

Have the offender’s correct name and any booking/case identifiers available before registering.

Do not depend on a notification service for immediate personal safety. If you believe there is an imminent danger or emergency, contact 911 or the appropriate law-enforcement agency.
Register for VINE custody alerts
Quick contact matrix

Who should you call for each Shelby County arrest-record problem?

Shelby County jail, records and court contacts
Your problem Correct office Phone
Current male jail custody, charges or bond Jail Downtown Information 901-222-4703
Jail East / female custody Jail East 901-222-6600
Adult arrest ticket or jail verification Sheriff Records & Identification 901-222-4944
Sheriff public-record request SCSO TPRA Coordinator 901-222-5656
Memphis police incident report MPD Central Records 901-636-3650
General Sessions criminal case General Sessions Criminal Clerk 901-222-3500
24-hour General Sessions clerk service 24-Hour Clerk’s Office 901-222-3600
Felony Criminal Court record Criminal Court Clerk 901-222-3200
Possible outstanding Shelby warrant Fugitive Division 901-222-5620
Juvenile record Juvenile Court Central Records 901-222-0601
Public Defender Shelby County Public Defender 901-222-2800
Crime victim assistance Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center 901-222-4013
Downtown Memphis

Map of the 201 Poplar Criminal Justice Complex

Many Shelby County jail, Sheriff, General Sessions and Criminal Court functions are centered at or immediately around 201–271 Poplar Avenue. Confirm the exact suite, floor or building before traveling.

Write down the booking and case numbers before leaving home
Know whether you need the jail, R&I, General Sessions or Criminal Court
Bring the identification required for your transaction
Bring the correct payment method for R&I
Confirm current office hours
Do not assume Jail East services are handled at 201 Poplar
Before you rely on a record

Use this verification checklist

Full legal name matches
Birth date or age is consistent
Arrest date matches the event
Booking number matches the jail record
Case number matches the court record
Arresting agency matches the known location
Every criminal count has been checked
Final court disposition has been reviewed
For employment or tenant screening: Public jail and court lookups are not substitutes for complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Tennessee law or other rules that may apply to formal screening decisions.
Research methodology

What was pulled into this page from official Shelby County sources

Instead of sending readers away for basic information, this guide incorporates the current Sheriff R&I request rules, identification requirements, fees, processing times, active-case restriction, jail contacts, release timing, bond process, property-release steps, direct inmate-mail addresses, commissary deposit methods, current GettingOut video-visit workflow, medical contacts, PREA number, court responsibilities, public-record pricing, TBI background-check options and current Shelby Criminal Court expungement guidance.

Links kept for live data

Jail status, warrants and court dockets can change after this page is published, so those final searches remain live government actions.

Links kept for transactions

Government record submissions, inmate deposits, communication accounts, TBI checks and expungement inquiries must be completed in the responsible external system.

Static rules explained here

Fees, office roles, addresses, procedures and troubleshooting are included directly so readers do not have to open ten pages just to understand what to do.

Last official-source review: August 14, 2026. Custody, warrants, bond, court events, provider instructions, fees and legal rules can change. Confirm the final live status with the responsible office when taking action.
Frequently asked questions

Shelby County TN arrest records FAQs

How do I find out whether someone was arrested in Shelby County?

Use the Sheriff’s Who’s In Jail system first. Shelby County says you need the person’s correctly spelled full name and that date of birth is helpful but not required. For an historical official adult Record of Arrest, contact Sheriff Records & Identification.

What number can tell me the charges, bond and court date?

The Sheriff’s current inmate FAQ lists Jail Information at 901-222-4703 as available 24 hours a day for current charges, bond amounts and pending court dates.

How much is an official Shelby County arrest ticket?

Sheriff Records & Identification currently lists an Arrest Ticket at $15.

How much is proof that someone was released from Shelby County Jail?

R&I currently lists Jail Release Verification at $20. The verification can identify the person’s name at arrest, booking number, arrest date and release information.

Can I pay Sheriff R&I with a credit card?

No. The current R&I instructions say the office accepts money orders and cashier’s checks and does not accept cash, debit cards or credit cards. Exact payment is required.

Can I request an arrest record through the mail?

Yes. Complete the R&I Request for Service Form, include the exact fee, include valid state-issued identification notarized for the mail request, and provide your mailing address and contact telephone number.

How long does a mail-in arrest-record request take?

R&I says mail requests take an average minimum of 7–10 business days after receipt. Express delivery to the office does not move the request ahead of others.

Why will R&I not give me the arrest ticket?

The Sheriff states that an arrest ticket or Record of Arrest cannot be released through this service while it is part of an active case, active investigation or active prosecution.

Where can I get a juvenile arrest record?

R&I provides adult Records of Arrest. Juvenile-record questions should be directed to Juvenile Court Central Records at 616 Adams Avenue, phone 901-222-0601.

What is the difference between General Sessions and Criminal Court?

General Sessions Criminal Court handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felony cases and traffic and environmental matters. Felony cases that proceed into Shelby County Criminal Court are maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk.

How much is a certified Criminal Court record?

The Criminal Court Clerk FAQ currently lists certified copies at $5 and ordinary record-request printed copies at $0.50 per page.

How long does jail release take after bond or a release order?

There is no exact time. The Sheriff says average processing is less than two hours but actual physical release may take approximately 3–6 hours after release is ordered.

Where do I send mail to a male inmate?

Use the inmate’s full name, booking number, floor and pod if known, followed by 201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. A complete return address is required.

Where do I send mail to a woman at Jail East?

Use the inmate’s full name, booking number and housing location if known, followed by 6201 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134. A complete return address is required.

Do Shelby County remote video visits have to be scheduled?

The Sheriff’s current remote-visitation instructions say no. The inmate can initiate a video call through GettingOut Visits when available. The outside participant must be approved on the PAN list and have the matching phone number on the GettingOut account.

Does the Shelby County Sheriff perform background checks?

No. The Sheriff directs background-investigation requests to TBI. TBI currently lists a Tennessee-only general-public adult criminal history at $29 without fingerprints and an FBI-only nationwide check at $50 with fingerprints required.

Can I expunge a Shelby County arrest or criminal case?

Some records may qualify under Tennessee law depending on the charge, disposition, prior history and other statutory factors. Shelby Criminal Court’s current guidance reflects the May 9, 2024 law update and says the former $100 Clerk expungement fee is waived, while required court costs, fines and restitution must be paid in full.

Does a Shelby County mugshot or jail booking mean someone is guilty?

No. A booking only documents an arrest or detention event. Search the court docket and final disposition before drawing conclusions about guilt or conviction.

Independent information, identity and presumption-of-innocence notice

County Arrest Records is an independent informational resource and is not the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Government, General Sessions Court, Criminal Court Clerk, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or a law firm.

Jail custody, bond, warrant and court information can change after publication. Records can also be corrected, restricted, sealed or expunged. Confirm identity with multiple identifiers and obtain the current official court disposition before using arrest information for a consequential decision.

An arrest, booking photograph, warrant or criminal charge is not proof of guilt. Every accused person is entitled to the legal presumption of innocence unless and until guilt is established through the judicial process.

Official-source review completed August 14, 2026.

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