Ellis County, Texas · Current inmates, booking numbers, jail services and court follow-up
Find the Current Ellis County Inmate Before You Call, Visit or Send Money
The Ellis County Sheriff links to a live inmate roster for people currently listed in county custody. The roster shows its own inmate count and list-generated time, so use the live page instead of relying on an old screenshot or third-party booking list.
Once you find the right person, save the inmate number, booking number and arrest date. You will need those details for mail, visitation, deposits, court research and most useful calls to the Wayne McCollum Detention Center.
If the person was arrested only a few hours ago and is not listed yet, do not assume they were released. Booking and housing assignment are separate steps, and the Sheriff advises that an inmate may take up to 24 hours to reach an assigned housing unit for visitation.
Full legal name
Approximate age
Arrest date if known
Inmate number
Booking number
ELLIS COUNTY BOOKING BOARD
LIVE ROSTER
WAYNE McCOLLUM DETENTION CENTER
LIST GENERATED
ID
WHAT TO SAVE
INMATE NUMBER
BOOKING NUMBER
ARREST DATE
BOOKING ADDED TO CURRENT ROSTER
A jail roster is a custody record, not a conviction record.
Being listed in the Ellis County inmate roster means the person is associated with current county detention information available through that system. It does not establish guilt or tell you the final outcome of a criminal case.
Official roster
Use the Sheriff-linked LockupLists inmate page.
Jail facility
Wayne McCollum Detention Center in Waxahachie.
Jail information
972-825-4931 for current custody questions.
Published capacity
The Sheriff describes a maximum population of 856.
Source review
Official procedures reviewed August 21, 2026.
Start with the problem
What do you need from the Ellis County jail roster?
ARRESTED RECENTLY
See whether booking has posted
Open the live roster, search the person and compare the arrest date with what you know.
Follow the roster steps
CURRENTLY IN JAIL?
Confirm the person is still listed
Roster status can change after bond, court, transfer or release processing.
Verify the correct inmate
BOND OR RELEASE
Save the booking number first
Then call the jail and confirm every active charge, hold and release requirement.
Check bond and release
WANT TO VISIT?
Wait for housing assignment
All social visits are video visits, and the inmate must be in an assigned housing unit.
Review visitation
SEND MAIL OR MONEY
Do not guess the address or provider
Personal mail, legal mail, deposits and phone calls use different systems.
Use the correct service
FINAL CASE OUTCOME
Leave the roster and check court records
County Clerk handles Class A/B misdemeanor records; District Clerk handles felony records.
Find the criminal case
Live inmate and booking list
How to search the Ellis County inmate roster
The Sheriff’s older inmate-list URL now redirects users to the newer Ellis County inmate roster hosted through LockupLists. The live roster displays an inmate count and a list-generated timestamp, so always check those before assuming a copied list is current.
Check when the list was generated
The roster shows its own generated date and time. This matters when you are checking a very recent arrest or possible release.
Use the roster search box
Start with the surname. Add more of the person’s name when the result list is too broad.
Clear the search if nothing appears
Misspellings, suffixes, middle names and hyphenated names can prevent a match. Reset the roster and try a broader name.
Open the possible inmate row
Compare the displayed age, arrest date and other identity details instead of trusting the name alone.
Save the inmate number
The roster separately identifies the inmate number. Keep it with your notes.
Save the booking number
Ellis County’s mail instructions specifically require the Sheriff’s Office booking number, so this is one of the most useful fields on the roster.
Write down the arrest date and time
It helps distinguish a current booking from an older arrest involving the same person.
Look for the booking-photo icon
HCSO states that booking photos for people still in custody can be accessed through the inmate search. Do not use a photo alone to identify someone.
Recheck the roster before acting
Search again before driving to the jail, posting bond, arranging a visit or sending money because custody can change.
Write these five items down:
exact booked name, inmate number, booking number, arrest date and the time the roster itself was generated.
The roster is not an archive of every Ellis County arrest.
Its strongest use is current inmate/custody lookup. For a person who is no longer in custody, use the Sheriff’s open-records process and county court records.
Roster field decoder
What the Ellis County booking-list fields mean
Do not treat one roster field as the whole criminal record
| Roster item |
What it helps confirm |
What it does not prove |
What to do with it |
| Booked name |
The identity name used in the current jail system. |
That two people with the same name are the same person. |
Compare age, arrest date, inmate number and booking number. |
| Inmate number |
An identifier associated with the person in the roster system. |
That it represents only one lifetime arrest. |
Keep it for jail-related questions. |
| Booking number |
The booking identifier shown for the current intake event. |
Final guilt or court disposition. |
Use it for mail, records requests and jail questions. |
| Arrest date |
When the displayed arrest entered the roster timeline. |
The exact time of the alleged offense. |
Compare it with the police report and court filing. |
| Race / gender / age |
Additional identity context used to distinguish similar names. |
Identity without another matching field. |
Use only as supporting identification. |
| Booking photo |
A custody photograph associated with a current roster entry. |
Guilt, conviction or that a charge remains pending. |
Match the booking number and court case. |
| Roster generated time |
How recently the displayed list was generated. |
Nothing changed after that timestamp. |
Refresh immediately before taking action. |
Minimum identity check:
Match at least two independent details before sending money, publishing an allegation or treating a roster entry as belonging to a particular person.
Avoid a same-name mistake
Confirm the correct inmate before you do anything else
Full booked name is consistent
Middle name or suffix makes sense
Age is consistent
Arrest date matches the known event
Inmate number has been saved
Booking number has been saved
Known arresting agency or location fits
Court case follows the same timeline
If the name is common:
do not send a TouchPay deposit until the jail or roster information gives you enough identifiers to distinguish the correct person.
Person not listed
Why someone arrested in Ellis County may not appear yet
The booking is still being processed
Intake includes property, booking, classification and other screening before normal housing.
Housing is not assigned yet
The Sheriff states that it can take up to 24 hours after arrest for an inmate to be assigned to a housing unit for visitation.
The person was released quickly
Bond, fine payment, citation handling or another release decision may occur before you search.
The name appears differently
Try the surname alone, alternate spelling, suffix, maiden name or another known legal name.
The arrest was made elsewhere
The person may be booked into another county even when they live in Ellis County.
The event did not require county booking
Some citations and fine-only matters can move directly into a court system.
The person was transferred
State, federal or another-county custody may require a different inmate locator.
The record is not publicly available
Juvenile and legally restricted records do not follow ordinary public-roster rules.
Useful jail-information call
I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], approximately age [age], was booked into Ellis County on or around [date]. The person is not appearing in the current roster. Can you tell me whether the person is still processing, housed, released, transferred, or listed under another booking identifier?
What happens after arrest
Booking, classification and housing are separate steps
Wayne McCollum Detention Center describes booking as an inmate’s first contact with the detention facility. The processing area also handles property, bond and release functions.
Arrival and intake
Property and identifying information are processed after the person enters the facility.
Booking record
The jail creates the identifiers that later appear in roster and service workflows.
Classification
Staff evaluate criminal history plus physical, mental and behavioural information when choosing an appropriate housing assignment.
Housing assignment
The inmate must reach assigned housing before ordinary visitation can occur.
Bond, court or continued detention
Release depends on the active legal cases and orders, not simply on whether the person has finished booking.
Wayne McCollum Detention Center
300 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Jail Information:
972-825-4931
The Sheriff describes the facility as a three-phase detention center with a maximum population of 856. The current jail uses a direct-supervision model in many housing areas.
Bond, holds and release
Do not assume one bond amount guarantees release
The detention center’s processing area includes public-accessible bond and release functions. Before paying, identify the correct booking and confirm every active charge or hold.
Confirm the inmate and booking number
Do not discuss money until you know you have the correct person.
Ask about every active charge
A person can have more than one case, and the release condition can differ between them.
Ask specifically about holds
Another county, state agency, probation/parole matter or other legal hold may affect release.
Confirm whether the bond is cash, surety or another condition
Use the current jail information rather than a third-party bond estimate.
Use a properly licensed bondsman when using surety
Ellis County maintains a Bail Bond Board and official bail-bond rules.
Keep receipts and the written agreement
Save the booking number, case information, amount, premium and collateral terms.
Recheck custody after payment
A posted bond does not mean the person walks out immediately; release processing must still be completed.
Bond and release call script
I am calling about [full booked name], booking number [number]. Please confirm all active charges, each current release condition, whether there are any outside holds, and what must be completed before the inmate can be released.
Release scam warning:
Do not send cryptocurrency, gift cards or money to an unsolicited caller claiming they can privately “clear” an Ellis County hold. Verify the inmate and release requirement through the jail first.
Video visitation
Ellis County visits are video visits—even when you go to the jail
The Sheriff’s current rules state that all visits, remote or on-site, are conducted through video. First-time visitors are directed to JailATM to create an account and schedule.
Make sure the inmate has assigned housing
An inmate cannot receive visitation while still waiting for a housing assignment.
Schedule before travelling
The Sheriff warns that a visit is not guaranteed when scheduled the same day.
Arrive before the final sign-in
On-site visitation runs Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8:00 p.m., with last sign-in at 7:30 p.m.
Bring approved photo identification
Adult visitors must provide an authorised ID.
Leave bags and phones out of the visitation area
The rules prohibit cell phones, purses, packages, umbrellas, handbags and similar containers.
Dress conservatively
Mini-skirts, tank tops, biker shorts, spandex, transparent or provocative clothing may result in denied entry.
Current Ellis County on-site video visitation rules
| Item |
Published rule |
| Days |
Tuesday through Saturday. |
| Hours |
12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Last sign-in |
7:30 p.m. |
| Visit type |
All social visits are video, including on-site visits. |
| Visitor limit |
A visitor may sign up for one visit per day. |
| Inmate allowance |
Two 20-minute visits per week. |
| Adults |
Maximum two adult visitors per visit. |
| Children |
Minors must be accompanied by an adult; the rules allow one child per adult in the visitation area. |
Accepted adult identification listed by the Sheriff
Current DPS-issued driver licence
Current DPS-issued state ID
Official passport
Eligible immigration identification
Mexican Consulate green-coloured card
Military ID
A Texas driver licence that has been expired for more than six months does not satisfy the Sheriff’s published visitation-ID rule.
Do not drive there only because the roster shows the inmate.
Confirm housing and the scheduled visit first. The public Sheriff pages do not publish a reliable dedicated visitor-parking instruction, so callers with accessibility or unusual vehicle needs should ask Jail Information before travelling.
Money, commissary and mail
Three different systems are involved—do not mix them up
Video visits
JailATM is the provider linked by the Sheriff for video-visitation account creation and support.
Inmate money
The current Sheriff visitation rules direct deposits through TouchPay, including lobby, online and phone options.
Personal mail
Ordinary personal mail is now routed to an off-site JailATM processing address, scanned, then delivered electronically.
Depositing money through TouchPay
Confirm the inmate and booking number
Never select a same-name person without checking identifiers.
Allow for new-account activation
The Sheriff states that it may take approximately 24–48 hours after book-in for an inmate account to become active.
Use the Sheriff’s lobby or TouchPay
The published rules allow cash, credit or debit deposits at the Sheriff’s Office lobby and credit/debit deposits through TouchPay.
Keep the transaction receipt
Save the inmate identifier, amount, date and confirmation number.
Commissary
Wayne McCollum Detention Center describes commissary as a mobile cart carrying hygiene products, snacks and other approved items. The cart is brought into housing areas seven days a week except segregation units.
The Sheriff does not publish a dependable current public price sheet for every commissary item. Do not quote prices from third-party jail directories.
Current personal-mail procedure
Personal mail processing address
JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail
Inmate ID: Inmate full name and booking number
2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Include inmate full name
Include Sheriff’s Office booking number
Include sender return address
Maximum paper size 8.5 × 11 inches
Maximum five pages per mailing
Write on front sides only
Maximum one photo per mailing
Do not send legal or medical mail to the scanning center
Your original personal mail will not be returned.
The Sheriff states that material sent to the off-site processing address is scanned for electronic inmate access and then destroyed. Do not mail an irreplaceable original photograph or document.
Important conflict resolved:
an older general visitation-rules section still mentions up to three pictures, but the newer dedicated inmate-correspondence page states one photo per mailing. Follow the newer dedicated mail instructions immediately before sending anything.
Legal, medical, newspaper, magazine and publisher mail
Use the jail itself for these categories:
Inmate Full & Last Name
Inmate Book-In Number
c/o Wayne McCollum Detention Center
300 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Soft-backed books, magazines and newspapers must come by subscription from the publisher. The Sheriff specifically says these items cannot be sent from a retail vendor such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Subscriptions are limited to no more than two at a time.
Inmate telephone calls
The first call during booking works differently from later jail calls
During booking
The Sheriff states that inmates can make free local calls during booking to arrange bail, notify family or reach an attorney.
Booking phones can make collect calls outside the local dialling area.
After entering population
Calls are collect calls through the jail phone system.
Correct Solutions is the provider linked by the Sheriff for phone-account help.
Ellis County inmate calling hours published by the Sheriff
| Period |
Published calling window |
| Weekdays |
10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m. |
| Weekends |
10:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m. |
Detention officers do not pass personal messages.
The Sheriff specifically states that officers cannot pass written or verbal messages to inmates.
Case-safety tip:
ordinary jail phone calls are not a good place to discuss evidence, witness statements, passwords, alibis or legal strategy. Use the defendant’s attorney for confidential legal communication.
Roster → court record
Use the court system when you need the actual case outcome
Ellis County divides criminal records by court level: Class A and Class B misdemeanors are maintained by the County Clerk, while felony records are maintained by the District Clerk.
Class A or B misdemeanor
Examples listed by the County Clerk include DWI, theft and assault misdemeanor cases handled through County Courts at Law 2 and 3.
Criminal Misdemeanor Division: 972-825-5062
Felony case
Use the Ellis County District Clerk for felony criminal records and district-court case information.
District Clerk: 972-825-5091
How to use Ellis County Online Records Search
Choose the correct clerk and record type
Select criminal records under the office responsible for the case level.
Search by name or cause number
Use the cause number when you have it because it is more precise than a common name.
Use Guest Login for basic index research
Ellis County explains that guest access allows users to view index information but not purchase the full record image.
Create an account when you need images
Registration requires access to a valid email address for verification.
Open More Information before buying anything
Confirm the party, case type and filing timeline match the booking you found.
Read the disposition—not only the original charge
A booking allegation can be reduced, rejected, dismissed or otherwise resolved differently in court.
Ellis County states that searching is free. A registered user can purchase up to five court-case images before a subscription is required. The online instructions also list a mandatory $0.30 transaction fee for purchases.
County Clerk
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Main:
972-825-5070
Criminal Misdemeanor:
972-825-5062
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
District Clerk
109 S. Jackson St., Second Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone:
972-825-5091
Published office hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Older booking or report
When the person is no longer on the current roster
The Sheriff specifically directs users looking for a booking photo of someone who is still in custody to the inmate search. When the person is no longer in custody, use an open-records request.
Identify exactly what you need
Ask for a booking record, booking photo, offense report, incident report or another identified Sheriff record.
Put the request in writing
The Sheriff states that written requests trigger the governmental body’s duties under the Texas Public Information Act.
Include useful identifiers
Provide the name, booking number, arrest date, incident date, location and report number when available.
Provide valid contact information
The Sheriff asks for the requester’s full name, mailing address and phone number.
Use the official form if convenient
The Sheriff provides an Open Records Request Form but states that the form itself is not mandatory.
Expect legal review where required
HCSO explains that gathered information is sent to the District Attorney’s Office to determine what can lawfully be released.
Ellis County Sheriff Open Records
In person: 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie, TX 75165
Mail: Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie, TX 75165, ATTN: Open Records Clerk
Fax: 972-825-4941
Main phone:
972-825-4901
Copy-ready Ellis County booking-record request
Under the Texas Public Information Act, I request the releasable booking record and booking photograph for [full legal name] relating to an arrest on or about [date]. The known Sheriff’s Office booking number is [number], if applicable. If available, please also provide the releasable incident or offense report associated with report number [number]. My contact information is [name, mailing address, phone and email].
If responsive information cannot be produced within ten working days, the Sheriff’s open-records page states that the District Attorney’s Office will provide written notice of a reasonable availability date and time.
Roster is not a warrant search
A missing inmate does not tell you whether a warrant exists
Someone can have an active warrant without being booked into Wayne McCollum Detention Center. Likewise, a person can be released from jail while the court case remains active.
Sheriff Warrants Division
The Warrants Division handles orders issued by Ellis County District and County Courts and also attempts qualifying warrants from other agencies.
Information line: 972-825-4901
Court record check
Search the County Clerk or District Clerk record system for docket information instead of assuming a blank roster means no active case or warrant.
Search Ellis County court records
Safety rule:
do not confront, detain or attempt to transport someone because you believe they have a warrant. If a warrant may involve you, contact a qualified lawyer or the appropriate court before deciding how to respond.
Court-appointed attorney
Ellis County has an Indigent Defense Coordinator—not a general jail lawyer
A person who cannot afford private counsel may apply for court-appointed representation under the Ellis County indigent-defense plans. The county’s Indigent Defense Coordinator manages the assignment process.
English-language assistance
Susan Soros, Indigent Defense Coordinator
972-825-5385
Spanish assistance
Maria Urias, Indigent Defense Coordinator
972-825-5482
County page notes Spanish assistance.
Indigent Defense Coordinator
109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Email:
IDC@elliscountytx.gov
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Contact the office to schedule an appointment.
Applications submitted by email or ordinary mail must be notarized according to the county’s current instructions.
Victim and survivor help
If you are tracking the inmate for safety, use victim services too
A jail roster can tell you whether someone is currently listed, but it is not a substitute for victim notification, protective-order help or direct communication with the prosecutor’s office.
Ellis County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance
109 S. Jackson St., 4th Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone:
972-825-5035
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
If you are in immediate danger or a crime is occurring now, call 911 rather than relying on a roster refresh.
If Ellis County no longer has the person
Try the next custody system instead of repeating the same roster search
Texas state prison
Use TDCJ when the person has entered Texas state-prison custody.
Search TDCJ
Federal custody
Use the Bureau of Prisons locator for a person in the federal prison system.
Search Federal BOP
Another Texas county
Search the county where the person was actually booked rather than the county where the alleged offense began.
Before you leave this page
A five-minute checklist after finding the inmate
Save the exact booked name
Save the inmate number
Save the booking number
Save the arrest date
Note when the roster was generated
Confirm bond/holds before paying
Confirm housing before scheduling a visit
Use the current mail address
Use TouchPay only after matching the inmate
Check the court case for the legal outcome
10 Ellis County roster questions
Ellis County jail roster questions answered
How do I search the Ellis County Texas jail roster?
Open the current inmate roster linked by the Ellis County Sheriff at ecso.llhostings.com. Check the list-generated timestamp, use the roster search field to locate the person and open the matching entry. Save the inmate number, booking number and arrest date before using jail services or researching the court case.
What information does the Ellis County inmate roster show?
The current roster displays identifying information including the booked name, inmate number, arrest date, race/gender/age information and booking number, and it provides access to a booking-photo indicator for listed inmates. The page also displays the current inmate count and when the roster was generated.
Why is someone arrested today not showing in the Ellis County roster?
The person may still be in booking, may be listed under another spelling, may have been released quickly or may have been booked in another jurisdiction. The Sheriff also states that housing assignment can take up to 24 hours after arrest. Call Jail Information at 972-825-4931 when a recent arrest remains unclear.
What is the phone number for Ellis County Jail inmate information?
The Ellis County Sheriff lists 972-825-4931 for Jail Information. The Sheriff’s Administration number is 972-825-4901, and 24-hour Dispatch can be reached at 972-937-6060.
Where is the Ellis County Jail located?
The Wayne McCollum Detention Center and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office jail are located at 300 S. Jackson Street, Waxahachie, Texas 75165. The Sheriff describes the detention center as a three-phase facility with a maximum population of 856 prisoners.
How do I visit an inmate in Ellis County Jail?
All social visits are conducted by video. Register and schedule through the JailATM process linked by the Sheriff. On-site visitation is Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with last sign-in at 7:30 p.m. The inmate must already be assigned to a housing unit.
How do I send money to an Ellis County inmate?
The Sheriff’s current rules direct inmate deposits through TouchPay. Deposits may be made through the Sheriff’s Office lobby or through TouchPay using supported payment methods. Telephone deposits are available at 866-232-1899. The Sheriff notes that an inmate account may take about 24 to 48 hours after book-in to become active.
What is the mailing address for an Ellis County Jail inmate?
Ordinary personal mail is sent to JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail, Inmate ID: inmate full name and booking number, 2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Legal and medical mail and qualifying publisher subscriptions go directly to Wayne McCollum Detention Center at 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie, TX 75165.
How do I find an old Ellis County booking after the person is released?
The live jail roster is primarily useful for current custody. The Sheriff states that booking photos for people no longer in custody should be requested through an Open Records Request. Submit a written request with the person’s name, arrest date, booking number and other known identifiers.
How do I find the final court result after an Ellis County booking?
Use Ellis County Online Records Search after finding the booking. The County Clerk maintains Class A and Class B misdemeanor court records, while the District Clerk maintains felony district-court records. Find the matching cause and read the disposition rather than assuming the original jail allegation was the final court outcome.
Official resources
Ellis County links used in this guide
Communication and records