Ellis County Booking Records | Charges, Bond and Release

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Ellis County, Texas · Booking status, charges, bond and release

Find the Booking First—Then Check What Is Keeping the Person in Jail

If someone was arrested in Ellis County, start with the Sheriff’s current inmate roster. Once you find the correct person, save the booking number before doing anything else. Ellis County uses that number for mail and other jail services, and it gives you a cleaner reference when calling the detention center.

Next, look at the charges and bond information together. One charge may have a bond while another case, warrant or hold can still prevent release. If the online record leaves that unclear, call the Wayne McCollum Detention Center before paying anyone or driving to Waxahachie.

Search the official inmate roster Call Jail Information: 972-825-4931 Check bond & release steps
Booked legal name Date of birth if known Booking number Arrest date Arresting agency
WAYNE McCOLLUM BOOKING DESK STATUS CHECK
CURRENT INMATE ROSTER
CHECK 1 CHARGES
CHECK 2 BOND / HOLD
CHECK 3 RELEASE
RELEASE CHECK COMPLETE
A booking is not a conviction. An Ellis County jail entry shows custody and booking information. The listed accusation may later be changed, rejected, dismissed or resolved differently in court.
Official jail

Wayne McCollum Detention Center.

Jail information

972-825-4931.

Jail address

300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie.

Best detail to save

The Sheriff’s booking number.

Facility capacity

HCSO lists a maximum population of 856.

Start with the problem

What do you need from the booking record?

ARRESTED RECENTLY Confirm the person reached county jail

Run the roster search first. If nothing appears, call Jail Information rather than assuming the arrest did not happen.

Follow the search steps
WHAT ARE THE CHARGES? Read every charge separately

A booking may contain more than one accusation. The court filing can later differ from the booking label.

Understand the charges
CAN THEY BOND OUT? Check every case and hold

Never assume one displayed bond amount is the total amount needed for release.

Check bond correctly
WHEN WILL THEY LEAVE? Separate bond payment from release

Posting bond starts part of the process. The Sheriff does not publish a guaranteed release time.

Read the release checklist
NEED THE COURT CASE? Use the correct Clerk

Class A/B misdemeanors route through the County Clerk; felony cases route through the District Clerk.

Search court records
BOOKING PHOTO OR REPORT? Current inmate and old record use different routes

A current booking photo may appear in the roster. After release, use the Sheriff’s open-records process.

Request the record

Go directly to the Ellis County task

You do not need to read the entire page if the arrest just happened. Search the roster, verify the booking number, then jump to charges, bond or release.

Booking record decoder

Do not read a jail record like a final court judgment

What to save, what it means and where to verify it
Booking detail What it helps answer What it does not prove Next move
Booked name Which identity was used during jail intake. That a similar-name result belongs to the person you know. Compare another identifier.
Booking number Which jail intake record you are referring to. The final court outcome. Save it for calls, mail and record requests.
Booking date When the jail intake occurred. The exact date or time of the alleged offense. Compare it with the police report and court filing.
Charge What allegation was associated with booking. Guilt, conviction or the final filed offense. Search the correct criminal court record.
Bond Whether a monetary or other release condition is shown. That paying one amount will produce release. Ask about every active charge and hold.
Custody status Whether the person is currently shown as held. That the criminal case ended after release. Check court records after custody ends.
Booking photo Visual identity associated with the current booking record. Guilt or identity without other matching facts. Match name and booking details.
Two-detail rule: before sending money, arranging a bond or publishing an allegation, match the booking to at least one additional identity or event detail.
No-result help

Someone was arrested—but the Ellis County roster shows nothing

Booking is still underway Processing, identification and classification can occur before the person reaches a normal housing unit.
The person has not reached county detention A municipal or arresting agency may still have custody before transfer to Wayne McCollum.
The person was released A short custody event may no longer appear in the same way as a current inmate.
The name format is different Try a shorter version of the legal name, an alternate surname or different spelling.
The arrest happened in another county Search the actual booking jurisdiction rather than the person’s home county.
The matter did not require county-jail detention Some citations, warrants or court matters can exist without a normal county booking.
What to say when calling the jail
I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], was booked into Ellis County after an arrest on or around [date]. Can you tell me whether the person is still processing, currently in custody, released, transferred, or listed under another booking name or number?
Ellis County Jail Information: 972-825-4931
24/7 Sheriff Dispatch: 972-937-6060
Charge verification

The booking charge and the court charge are not the same question

A booking record tells you what allegation entered the jail system. To see what was formally filed and what eventually happened, move from the roster to the criminal court record.

Class A & B misdemeanors

Ellis County’s County Clerk maintains criminal misdemeanor records for County Court at Law 2 and County Court at Law 3.

  • DWI and other Class A/B misdemeanor cases are handled here.
  • Criminal Division: 972-825-5062.
  • County Clerk main line: 972-825-5070.
  • Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Open the misdemeanor division

Felony cases

Ellis County directs felony record questions to the District Clerk rather than the County Clerk.

  • District Clerk: 972-825-5091.
  • 109 S. Jackson St., second floor.
  • Waxahachie, TX 75165.
  • Office hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Open the District Clerk
Useful sequence: booking record → charge/case information → correct Clerk → criminal case → final disposition.
Bond check

Before paying bond, ask whether anything else can block release

The Sheriff describes the Wayne McCollum processing area as containing property, bond and release areas accessible to the public. People can post bonds, pay qualifying fines or retrieve authorised inmate property through this processing area.
Confirm the correct booking Use the booked name and booking number before discussing money.
Read every charge A person can have more than one active accusation.
Write down every bond amount or status Do not assume the largest or first amount shown is the only release condition.
Ask whether another warrant or hold exists Another court or jurisdiction may prevent immediate release.
Confirm whether the bond has changed Court action after booking can change release conditions.
Ask what payment or surety method is currently accepted Do this directly with the jail before travelling with funds.
If using a bail bond company, verify licensing Ellis County maintains a Bail Bond Board and publishes local bonding rules.
Keep the receipt and paperwork Preserve the booking number, case information, amount and payer details.
Verify bond with Jail Information Ellis County Bail Bond Board
No bondsman endorsement: use the county’s licensed-surety information rather than choosing a company because it contacted you immediately after an arrest.
Release status

Bond posted does not mean “walking out now”

The Ellis County Sheriff does not publish a guaranteed number of minutes or hours from bond payment to release. That is important: a generic “2–4 hour” promise would be guesswork.

Bond or release authority is received The jail needs valid authority for each active matter.
Other charges and holds are checked A second case or hold may keep the person in custody.
Release processing is completed The detention center maintains release transactions through its processing area.
Property and account matters are handled Personal property and financial-account information may need to be reconciled.
Custody status changes Recheck the roster or call Jail Information when pickup timing matters.
Release-status call script
I am calling about [full booked name], booking number [number]. I understand a bond or release action may have been completed. Can you confirm whether every active case and hold has been cleared, whether the person is currently in release processing, and whether there is anything else preventing release?
Do not drive to Waxahachie based only on a third-party release estimate. Call 972-825-4931 when the timing affects transportation or pickup.
Court-record lookup

Use Ellis County’s online search to see what was actually filed

Open Ellis County’s online records system Open Online Records Search
Choose the correct county office Use the County Clerk for the county-level criminal misdemeanor record and the District Clerk for felony criminal matters.
Select the Criminal record type Do not mix the search with property, probate or unrelated civil records.
Search by cause number when you have it A cause number is usually cleaner than a broad name search.
Otherwise search the person’s name Compare filing dates and case information with the arrest timeline.
Open More Information Read the available case index and docket details.
Preview images when available A guest login can view index information and previews, but purchasing full images requires registration.
Read the disposition rather than stopping at the charge name That is where you determine what happened after booking.
Guest login

Ellis County says guests can view index information and image previews.

Registered account

Registration is needed when you want to purchase available record images.

Transaction fee

The county instructions currently state that each completed image purchase includes a mandatory $0.30 transaction fee.

Ellis County states that searching is free without a subscription. Users can purchase up to five available court or property images before the system requires a subscription.
Older booking photos and reports

If the person is no longer in custody, move from the roster to open records

HCSO specifically says a booking photo for someone who is currently in custody may be accessed through the inmate search. If the person is no longer in custody, submit an Open Records Request.
Identify the exact record Examples include an offense report, accident report, booking photo, 911 audio, dash-camera video or body-camera record.
Prepare the event identifiers Include the report or service number, incident date, time, location and involved person when known.
Submit a written request The Sheriff states that only a written request triggers Public Information Act duties.
Provide valid contact information Include your name, mailing address and telephone number.
Expect legal review when required HCSO states that gathered material is sent to the District Attorney’s Office to determine what can legally be released.
Pay the applicable copy charge The Sheriff states that a per-page fee may apply and that the District Attorney’s Office will notify you when records are ready.
Important website inconsistency: HCSO’s dedicated Open Records page lists in-person, mail, fax and email submission methods, while its Public Information Officer page says open-record requests are accepted by the designated email method. Because these official instructions are not perfectly aligned, check the live Open Records page or call 972-825-4901 before submitting a time-sensitive request.
Read current HCSO Open Records instructions Open the Sheriff request form
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Records
300 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Main: 972-825-4901
Fax: 972-825-4941
Short records-request wording
Under the Texas Public Information Act, I request the releasable booking, arrest and/or offense records concerning [full name] for the incident or arrest on [date] at approximately [time/location]. Known identifiers are booking number [number], report/service number [number] and arresting agency [agency]. Please notify me of any applicable charge before processing if possible.
Video visitation

Do not schedule the visit until the inmate reaches a housing unit

Ellis County states that all visits—remote or on-site—are conducted by video.
Current Wayne McCollum visitation rules
Item Current Sheriff guidance
Visit days Tuesday through Saturday.
Visit hours 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Last sign-in 7:30 p.m.
Scheduling A visit must be scheduled. Same-day scheduling does not guarantee a visit.
Housing assignment The inmate must be assigned to a housing unit. HCSO says this can take up to 24 hours after arrest.
Visitor frequency A visitor may sign up for one visit per day.
Inmate visits The inmate is allowed two 20-minute visits per week.
Adult identification Visitors age 18 or older must provide authorised identification.
Check the inmate roster again Make sure the person is still in Ellis County custody.
Create a video-visitation account The Sheriff directs first-time users to select Video Call and create an account.
Schedule rather than arriving unannounced Same-day appointments are not guaranteed.
Do not arrive late Ellis County warns that late arrival reduces the available visit time.
Keep food and drinks out of the visiting area Smoking is also prohibited.
Open video visitation Read all visitation rules
Personal mail

Ellis County personal mail is scanned off-site—not delivered as the original letter

Ordinary personal mail is routed through the JailATM processing address. After scanning and electronic delivery, the physical material sent to that processing facility is destroyed and is not returned.

Ordinary personal mail

JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail
Inmate ID: [Full Name + Booking Number]
2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809
Fort Worth, TX 76109
  • Include the inmate’s name and Sheriff booking number.
  • Include a complete return address.
  • Maximum paper size: 8.5 × 11 inches.
  • No more than five pages per mailing.
  • Write on the front side only.
  • Maximum one photo per mailing.

Legal, medical & qualifying publications

[Inmate Full Name]
[Book-In Number]
C/O Wayne McCollum Detention Center
300 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
  • Legal and medical mail use the facility address.
  • Softback books, newspapers and magazines must come by subscription from the publisher.
  • Retail-vendor shipments such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble are not accepted under the published rule.
  • Subscriptions are limited.
Do not send something irreplaceable to the scanning address. Ellis County states that mail processed at the off-site JailATM address will be destroyed after electronic delivery.
Check current inmate-mail rules
Inmate phone calls

The first booking call and later housing-unit calls use different rules

During booking

Ellis County says an inmate can make free local calls during the booking process to arrange bail, inform family or contact an attorney.

Booking phones can make collect calls outside the local dialing area.

After entering population

Calls are collect calls through the jail telephone service.

The Sheriff directs account/support questions to Correct Solutions.

Current inmate calling windows published by ECSO
Day Published call window
Weekdays 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Weekends 10:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
Correct Solutions support: 877-618-3516
Detention officers are not permitted to pass ordinary written or verbal messages to inmates. Use the approved correspondence or phone system instead.
Case-safety reminder: ordinary jail telephone calls are not the place to discuss witnesses, evidence, passwords, alibis or defense strategy. Use confidential attorney communication for legal advice.
Inmate funds & commissary

Ellis County uses different vendors for different inmate services

This is easy to get wrong: JailATM appears in Ellis County’s visitation and scanned-mail system, Correct Solutions handles inmate telephone service, while the Sheriff’s current visitation rules direct money deposits through TouchPay.
Verify the correct inmate first Save the booked name and booking number.
Allow for account activation after a new booking The Sheriff states that an inmate account can take approximately 24–48 hours to become active after book-in.
Use TouchPay for the deposit route currently published by ECSO Do not assume the visitation or mail vendor is also the deposit vendor.
Deposit in the Sheriff’s Office lobby when appropriate The published rule states that cash, credit and debit deposits are available in the lobby.
Online and telephone options are also published TouchPay supports card deposits online or by telephone.
Keep the payment confirmation Save the transaction number and booking information in case the account is not credited as expected.
TouchPay telephone deposits: 866-232-1899
Commissary: the Wayne McCollum Detention Center describes a mobile commissary cart that goes into housing areas seven days a week, excluding segregation units. Available products include hygiene supplies, snacks and other approved items.
Court-appointed counsel

If the person cannot afford a lawyer, Ellis County has a specific appointment office

Ellis County’s Indigent Defense Coordinator handles applications and assignments for people who qualify for court-appointed representation under the District Court and County Courts at Law indigent-defense plans.

Indigent Defense Coordinator
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Susan Soros: 972-825-5385

Maria Urias: 972-825-5482 — Spanish assistance listed.

Email: IDC@elliscountytx.gov

Before applying
  • Contact the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Applications sent by email or ordinary mail must be notarized.
  • Complete every applicable financial field accurately.
  • The court determines eligibility for appointed counsel.
If the defendant posts bond after requesting an appointed attorney: Ellis County’s felony accused instructions tell defendants to contact the Indigent Defense Coordinator at 972-825-5385 to obtain the appointed lawyer’s name and contact information.
Open Indigent Defense Coordinator
Victim and case assistance

If you are the victim, you do not have to rely on the jail roster for case updates

Ellis County & District Attorney
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Criminal Division: 972-825-5035

Victim Assistance: 972-825-5035

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

What this office can help explain
  • Prosecution status
  • Victim-assistance services
  • Protective-order resources
  • Criminal-case process
  • Questions about records maintained by the prosecutor’s office
For an emergency or an immediate threat, call 911 rather than a records or prosecutor office.
Open County & District Attorney
Human-review note

One official Ellis County page contains contact information we would not publish without rechecking

The Sheriff’s current inmate-medical page displays several direct telephone numbers that do not match the local Ellis County jail contact pattern used elsewhere on the Sheriff’s site. Rather than copy potentially stale or misrouted medical numbers into this guide, use Jail Information at 972-825-4931 and ask to be routed to the appropriate detention or medical contact.

This is also why this page does not automatically repeat every number found on an official website. A useful local guide should flag inconsistent source material instead of presenting it as verified simply because it appears online.

Contacts and locations

Ellis County jail and criminal-record contacts

Wayne McCollum Detention Center / Sheriff
300 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Jail Information: 972-825-4931

Sheriff Administration: 972-825-4901

Sheriff Dispatch

24/7 non-emergency dispatch:

972-937-6060

For emergencies, dial 911.

Ellis County Clerk — Criminal Misdemeanor
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Criminal Division: 972-825-5062

Main: 972-825-5070

Ellis County District Clerk — Felonies
109 S. Jackson St., Second Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5091

Indigent Defense Coordinator
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5385

IDC@elliscountytx.gov

County & District Attorney
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5035

Parking: the Sheriff pages reviewed for this guide do not publish a dedicated public parking instruction for jail visitors, bonding or release pickup. Confirm parking and the correct public entrance with Jail Information before a time-sensitive trip instead of relying on an unofficial parking description.

Map to Wayne McCollum Detention Center

Map to Ellis County Courts & Administration

Before you act

Six Ellis County mistakes that are easy to avoid

Paying from a name-only match

Verify that the booking belongs to the correct person first.

Looking at one bond amount

Check every charge, case, warrant and hold.

Expecting an instant release

No guaranteed release-processing time is published.

Using JailATM for every service

Ellis County currently splits video/mail, phone and deposits among different systems.

Mailing a personal letter to the jail

Ordinary correspondence uses the off-site JailATM scanning address.

Checking only the booking charge

Search the County Clerk or District Clerk for the filed court case.

10 booking questions

Ellis County booking, bond and release FAQs

How do I search Ellis County Texas booking records?

Use the inmate roster linked by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. Search for the person and verify the record using the booked name and other available identifiers. Save the booking number because Ellis County uses it for inmate mail and other jail services. For current-custody questions that the roster does not answer, call Jail Information at 972-825-4931.

What should I do if a recent Ellis County arrest is not in the inmate roster?

A newly arrested person may still be completing booking, classification or housing assignment, may have been released, or may not yet have been transferred from another holding facility. Try alternate name spellings and call Ellis County Jail Information at 972-825-4931 when current custody cannot be confirmed online.

Does an Ellis County booking charge mean the person was convicted?

No. A booking charge records the allegation connected with the jail intake. It does not establish guilt and may not match the charge ultimately filed or resolved in court. Class A and B misdemeanor cases are maintained through the Ellis County Clerk, while felony court records are maintained through the Ellis County District Clerk.

How do I verify an Ellis County inmate’s bond?

Review the current booking record and then call Jail Information at 972-825-4931 before paying. Confirm every active charge, bond amount, bond type, warrant or hold. The Wayne McCollum Detention Center’s public-access processing area includes bond and release functions, and Ellis County maintains a Bail Bond Board for licensed sureties.

How long does release take after bond is posted in Ellis County?

The Sheriff’s current public pages do not publish a guaranteed release time. Release may depend on completing bond verification, resolving every active case or hold, receiving the correct court authorization and completing internal release processing. Call 972-825-4931 for current status rather than relying on an estimated release time.

How do I visit someone at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center?

Ellis County uses scheduled video visitation. The current Sheriff’s schedule is Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., with the last sign-in at 7:30 p.m. All visits are video visits. An inmate must be assigned to a housing unit before visitation, and Ellis County states that housing assignment can take up to 24 hours after arrest.

What is the Ellis County inmate mailing address?

Ordinary personal mail is sent to JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail, with the inmate’s full name and booking number, at 2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Legal and medical mail and qualifying publisher subscriptions use the Wayne McCollum Detention Center address at 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie, TX 75165.

How do I add money to an Ellis County inmate account?

The current Ellis County Sheriff’s visitation rules direct inmate deposits through TouchPay. Deposits may be made using cash, credit or debit card at the Sheriff’s Office lobby, online through TouchPay, or by calling 866-232-1899. The Sheriff’s page says an inmate account can take approximately 24 to 48 hours to become active after book-in.

How do I find the court case connected to an Ellis County booking?

Use Ellis County’s online records search and choose the correct clerk and criminal record type. Class A and B misdemeanor cases are handled through the County Clerk, while felony cases are handled through the District Clerk. Search by name or cause number, compare the case with the booking, and read the court record for the filed charge and disposition.

How do I get a booking photo after someone has been released from Ellis County Jail?

The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office states that a current inmate’s booking photo may be available through the inmate search. If the person is no longer in custody, submit an open-records request to the Sheriff’s Office for the booking photo or related record.

Official resources

Ellis County sources to recheck before a time-sensitive action

Sheriff & jail
Inmate services
Courts & legal help
Accuracy and legal-use notice

Texas-arrest.org is an independent informational resource. It is not the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne McCollum Detention Center, Ellis County Clerk, District Clerk, County & District Attorney or a law firm.

Booking data, bond conditions, release status, visitation rules, vendor arrangements, court information and office procedures can change. Recheck the current official source before paying money, travelling, mailing property, scheduling a visit or making a legal decision.

An arrest or booking is not proof of guilt. Use the criminal court record to determine what charge was actually filed and how the case was resolved.

Official-source review completed August 21, 2026. This guide intentionally avoids publishing an estimated release-processing time, unverified parking instruction, questionable direct medical number or unverified video metadata.

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