Ellis County Sheriff Inmate Search | Jail Custody Ellis County Sheriff Inmate Search

Ellis County, Texas · Current jail roster, booking, bond and custody help

Find Who Is in Ellis County Jail—and What to Do Next

If someone was recently arrested in Ellis County, start with the Sheriff’s live inmate roster rather than a third-party mugshot site. The roster is built for current custody, so confirm the name, booking information, charge and bond while the person is still listed.

If the name is missing, that does not automatically mean there was no arrest. The person may still be booking, may already have been released, may be listed differently or may have moved to another custody system.

Once you find the correct person, this page shows the practical next steps: verify bond, call the jail, schedule video visitation, add money, send mail correctly, handle phone calls, find the criminal court case and request appointed counsel if needed.

Open the current Ellis County roster Schedule visitation Person not showing?

Full legal name Date of birth if known Approximate arrest time Booking number Arresting agency

ELLIS COUNTY CUSTODY STATUS LIVE ROSTER

BOOKING → HOUSING → RELEASE

1 Booking PROCESS

2 Housing ASSIGN

3 Current roster IN CUSTODY

4 After release OFF ROSTER

BOOK

CURRENT CUSTODY CONFIRMED

Booking is not conviction. A jail roster shows custody and booking information. Charges are accusations, and the jail page should not be used as proof that a person was convicted.

Current roster

The Sheriff removes people after they leave Ellis County custody.

Jail information

972-825-4931

Facility

Wayne McCollum Detention Center in Waxahachie.

Visitation

Tuesday–Saturday, noon–8 p.m.; last sign-in 7:30 p.m.

Official review

Local procedures checked August 21, 2026.

Choose your situation

What are you trying to confirm right now?

ARRESTED RECENTLY Check the live roster first

Search the current Sheriff roster and open the correct person before calling or sending money.

Follow the inmate-search steps

NOT FOUND Do not assume the person was released

Booking, housing assignment, another county or a different name spelling can explain a missing result.

Run the no-result checks

BOND OR RELEASE Confirm every charge first

Call jail information before paying because another charge, warrant or hold can affect release.

Check bond and release

VISIT TODAY Make sure housing is assigned

Ellis County says it can take up to 24 hours after arrest before an inmate receives a housing assignment.

Check the visitation rules

SEND MONEY OR MAIL Get the booking number first

The booking number is needed for personal mail and helps prevent deposits or correspondence going to the wrong person.

Money, mail and calls

WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT? Leave the jail roster and check the case

Use the County Clerk for Class A/B misdemeanors and the District Clerk for felony records.

Find the criminal case

Official Sheriff roster

How to run the Ellis County inmate search

The Sheriff’s current inmate-search link opens a hosted Ellis County roster at ecso.llhostings.com. The roster is for people presently in Ellis County custody.

Open the Sheriff’s live roster Do not begin with a commercial arrest database when current custody is the question. Open Ellis County Inmate Search

Search the person’s legal name Start with the name most likely used during booking. Check spelling carefully.

Open every plausible match Similar names are common. Do not rely on a photograph alone.

Compare the booking details Look for the booking date or time, age or identifying information, arresting agency and known circumstances when displayed.

Save the Sheriff’s Office or booking number This becomes especially useful for mail, jail calls and records requests.

Read every displayed charge One person may have several allegations or cases. Do not stop after the first line.

Check each bond entry One bond amount does not guarantee release if another charge or hold remains.

Write down the arresting agency The agency that arrested the person may be different from the Sheriff’s Office that houses them.

Call if the status affects an immediate decision Confirm custody, bond or release through Jail Information before driving to Waxahachie or paying money. Call 972-825-4931

Important current-roster limitation: Ellis County states that once an inmate is no longer in its custody, the person is removed from the current list. A missing name therefore does not prove that the person was never booked.

Result decoder

What to save from an Ellis County jail record

Read the record as custody information, not as a final court judgment
Item	Why it matters	What it does not prove	Next move
Booked name	Helps keep jail, mail and court searches tied to the same person.	Identity by name alone.	Compare another identifier.
Booking number	Identifies the current intake event and is required for inmate mail.	The final court result.	Save it before closing the roster.
Booking date/time	Helps distinguish a new arrest from an older case.	The exact time an alleged offense occurred.	Compare with the arrest report.
Charge	Shows an allegation connected with the booking.	Conviction or guilt.	Check the appropriate criminal court record.
Bond	Shows a release-related amount or status when available.	That payment alone will cause release.	Confirm every charge and hold with the jail.
Arresting agency	Tells you who may hold the offense or arrest report.	That ECSO created the police narrative.	Request reports from the agency that created them.
Court	Helps route a misdemeanor or felony to the right clerk.	The court setting has not changed.	Search the live court record.
Disposition	May provide limited case-status information when displayed.	That every count is finally resolved.	Read the clerk’s actual docket or judgment.

Before leaving the search: save the booked name, booking number, booking date, arresting agency, each charge, each bond and the listed court. Those details prevent repeated searching later.

No-result troubleshooting

If the person is not showing in the Ellis County roster

The person may still be booking Intake, identification, medical screening and classification happen before normal housing.

Housing may not be assigned yet Ellis County warns that assignment to a housing unit can take up to 24 hours after arrest.

The person may already be released The Sheriff removes people from the current roster after they leave custody.

The name may be different Try another spelling, suffix, maiden name, hyphenated surname or legal name.

The arrest may belong to another county The city where the incident happened is not always where the person was booked.

The person may have gone to court or another facility Confirm custody directly before assuming a transfer or release.

The event may not have involved jail custody A citation or notice to appear can create a criminal case without a normal jail stay.

The person may now be in state or federal custody Use TDCJ or the federal locator only after Ellis County custody no longer fits the situation.

What to say when you call

I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], was booked or is currently in Ellis County custody. The arrest may have happened around [time/date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is still processing, housed, released or transferred, and whether there is a booking number I should use?

Ellis County Jail Information: 972-825-4931
Sheriff’s Administration: 972-825-4901
Dispatch, 24/7: 972-937-6060

Wayne McCollum Detention Center

What happens after someone enters Ellis County Jail

The Wayne McCollum Detention Center is operated by the Ellis County Sheriff and has a published maximum population of 856 prisoners. The jail uses both podular housing and direct-supervision housing.

Booking and property The processing area is the inmate’s first contact with the facility. Property and financial accounts are recorded during this stage.

Medical and initial screening The facility has medical-exam areas and provides basic medical, mental-health and dental services in-house.

Classification Staff consider criminal history and physical, mental, social and behavioural factors before assigning housing.

Housing assignment Until assignment occurs, normal visitation may not be available.

Bond, fine or release processing The processing area includes public-access bond and release areas where qualifying transactions are handled.

Do not promise a family member an exact booking time. The Sheriff publishes no universal “everyone appears online within X minutes” rule. Housing alone can take up to 24 hours after arrest.

Read official jail services Call jail information

Bond and release

Do not pay until you know what is keeping the person in custody

Confirm the correct inmate Use the name and booking number from the Sheriff roster.

Write down every charge A person can have more than one case or allegation.

Check the bond for each charge Do not assume the first amount shown is the total needed for release.

Call Jail Information Ask whether there is another charge, warrant, hold, magistrate action or other release condition. 972-825-4931

Ask exactly where and how the bond may be posted The detention center has public bond and release areas, but payment rules depend on the type of bond and current court order.

Verify a surety before paying Ellis County maintains a Bail Bond Board. Do not rely on a stale third-party “best bail bonds” list.

Get a receipt Save the inmate name, booking number, case information, amount paid and company details.

Expect release processing after bond Posting bond does not mean the person instantly walks out. Jail staff still have to clear the release.

Open Ellis County Bail Bond Board Confirm current bond with jail

Scam check: If an unknown caller demands immediate payment for “Ellis County release,” stop and independently call 972-825-4931. Verify the person, booking number, charges and current bond before sending money.

After the jail search

Find the Ellis County criminal case, not just the booking

Ellis County now offers online court-record searching through its official LGS Online Records Search. Searching is free. A guest login can view index information, while a registered account provides additional image-purchase capability.

Class A & B misdemeanors

Start with the Ellis County Clerk Criminal Misdemeanor Division.

Handles criminal records for County Court at Law 2 and County Court at Law 3.
Includes offenses such as DWI, theft and assault when prosecuted as Class A or B misdemeanors.
Criminal Division: 972-825-5062.
Main County Clerk line: 972-825-5070.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Felony cases

Start with the Ellis County District Clerk.

Maintains district-court criminal records.
Phone: 972-825-5091.
109 S. Jackson Street, second floor, Waxahachie.
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The new 504th District Court states that, by local agreement, it handles Ellis County felony criminal cases; the live docket remains the controlling assignment for an individual case.

Open Ellis County Online Records Search Open the official records portal

Choose the correct office Select County Clerk for misdemeanor records or District Clerk for felony district-court records.

Select Criminal Avoid mixing the search with civil, probate or property records.

Search the defendant name or cause number A cause number is safer when you already have it.

Open More Information Compare the name, charge, filing date and court before treating the case as a match.

Read the disposition Look for the actual court outcome rather than assuming release from jail means dismissal.

Online-record tip: Ellis County says a subscription is not required simply to search. Guest access is limited to index information. Registered users can preview and purchase qualifying images; the county’s instructions currently list a mandatory $0.30 transaction fee on purchases.

District Clerk copy costs

Current District Clerk fee schedule
Copy type	Published cost
Regular paper copy	$1 per page
Certified copy	$1 per page plus $5 certification per document
Electronic copy, pages 1–10	$1 flat
Electronic copy, 11+ pages	$0.10 per page

Video visitation

Ellis County Jail visitation rules that matter before you drive

All social visits are video visits, whether the visitor is using the on-site system or a remote option.

Current Ellis County Sheriff visitation schedule and limits
Rule	Current Sheriff guidance
Visit days	Tuesday through Saturday.
Hours	12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Last sign-in	7:30 p.m.
Scheduling	Visitors must schedule a visit. Same-day scheduling does not guarantee availability.
Inmate eligibility	The inmate must be assigned to a housing unit.
Visits per inmate	Two 20-minute visits per week.
Visitor sign-up	One visit per visitor per day.
Adults	Up to two adults per visit.
Children	A person under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; only one child per adult is allowed in the visitation area.

Confirm the inmate is actually housed Ellis County says housing assignment can take up to 24 hours after arrest.

Create the video-visitation account The Sheriff instructs new users to select “Video Call” and create an account. Open official visitation instructions

Schedule instead of walking in blindly Same-day visits are not guaranteed.

Bring approved identification Accepted adult IDs include a current state driver license, state ID, passport or immigration card, and military ID under the Sheriff’s rules.

Arrive on time Late arrival cuts into the visit. A no-show causes the inmate to lose that scheduled visit.

Leave restricted items outside Cell phones, purses, packages, umbrellas, handbags and other container-type items are not allowed inside the jail facility.

Dress code matters. The Sheriff’s rules prohibit mini-skirts, tank tops, biker shorts, spandex, stretch pants or shorts, transparent clothing and other provocative clothing. Shorts should not be more than about one or two inches above the knee.

The Sheriff does not publish a dedicated visitor-parking instruction on the visitation page reviewed. If you have not been to 300 S. Jackson before, call the jail before leaving and ask which entrance and parking area visitors should use that day.

Money, mail and phone calls

Three Ellis County rules families commonly get wrong

1. Inmate money uses TouchPay

Lobby kiosk accepts cash, credit or debit card.
Online deposits are available through TouchPay.
Telephone deposits: 866-232-1899.
The Sheriff says an account may take about 24–48 hours after book-in to become active.

Open TouchPay Call TouchPay

2. Personal letters do not go to the jail

Ordinary personal mail currently goes to the JailATM processing address:

JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail
Inmate ID: Full name and booking number
2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809
Fort Worth, TX 76109

Mail is scanned for the inmate and then destroyed. Do not send irreplaceable originals.

3. Jail staff do not pass messages

During booking, an inmate can make certain free local calls and collect calls. Once housed, calls are collect calls through the jail phone service.

Correct Solutions support: 877-618-3516

Phone windows after housing

Weekdays: 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
The recipient is responsible for collect-call charges.
Detention officers cannot relay written or verbal messages.

Personal mail checklist

Include the inmate’s full booked name

Include the Sheriff’s Office booking number

Include your complete return address

Keep the mailing within 8.5 x 11 inches

Maximum five pages per mailing

Write on front sides only

Maximum one photograph per mailing

Do not send anything you need returned

If you send more than one photo, the entire mailing can be rejected. The Sheriff’s current procedure limits an inmate to one photograph per personal mailing.

Legal, medical and publisher mail uses a different address

Inmate Full Name
Inmate Book-In Number
C/O Wayne McCollum Detention Center
300 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Soft-cover books, magazines and newspapers must come by subscription from the publisher under the Sheriff’s current policy. The page specifically says not to send them from a retail vendor such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Check current inmate-mail rules Check inmate-phone rules

Health and daily jail services

If your concern is medical, mental health or basic needs

Medical care

The detention center provides basic clinical, medical and dental services in-house and has examination space in processing and the infirmary.

Mental-health concerns

Classification considers physical, mental and social conditions. For an urgent concern, contact the jail and clearly state that the call involves an inmate health or safety issue.

Commissary

The Sheriff describes a mobile commissary cart that operates seven days a week in eligible dorm areas and offers hygiene items, snacks and other approved products.

Meals and laundry

Meals are prepared on site and delivered to housing units. Laundry services are also operated within the facility.

Religious support

The jail chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support, and religious programming is among the services described by the Sheriff.

Education and programs

Available programming can include counseling, drug rehabilitation, library services, religious activities, recreation and inmate-worker opportunities.

Emergency medical information should not be sent through ordinary inmate mail. Call the facility when a current health or safety concern needs staff attention.

Open current inmate-medical contacts Call jail information

Court-appointed counsel

If the inmate cannot afford a private criminal lawyer

Ellis County has an Indigent Defense Coordinator who processes applications for court-appointed counsel in qualifying criminal cases.

Indigent Defense Coordinator

109 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Susan Soros: 972-825-5385

Spanish assistance: 972-825-5482

Email: IDC@elliscountytx.gov

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

What the application requires

The financial affidavit asks about income, employment, household obligations and expenses.

Applications submitted by email or regular mail must be notarized under the county’s current instructions.

Contact the office to schedule an appointment when needed.

Important after release on bond: Ellis County’s felony instructions state that if a defendant has already requested appointed counsel and then posts bond, the defendant should contact the Indigent Defense Coordinator to obtain the appointed lawyer’s contact information.

Open Indigent Defense Coordinator View attorney application

Older bookings and police records

If the person has already disappeared from the live inmate roster

Booking photograph: the Sheriff says a current inmate’s booking photo can be accessed through the inmate search. If the person is no longer in custody, submit an Open Records Request.

Identify the document Ask for a specific booking photo, offense report, arrest-related document or other identifiable record.

Include enough detail to locate it Provide the person’s name, arrest date, approximate time, location, report number or booking number when known.

Make the request in writing Ellis County states that written requests trigger its obligations under the Texas Public Information Act.

Provide valid contact information Include your name, mailing address and telephone number.

Watch for the District Attorney review The Sheriff’s page states that gathered records are sent to the District Attorney’s Office to determine what can lawfully be released.

Ellis County’s own pages currently contain a submission-method inconsistency. The Sheriff’s dedicated Open Records page lists in-person, mail, fax and email submission methods, while the PIO page states that open-record requests are accepted by email under its updated notice. Because of that conflict, call 972-825-4901 before sending a time-sensitive request and confirm the currently preferred method.

Sheriff Records / Administration
300 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: 972-825-4901
Fax: 972-825-4941

Copy-ready records wording

Under the Texas Public Information Act, I request the releasable booking and arrest records concerning [full legal name] for the arrest or booking on or about [date/time]. Known information includes booking number [number], arresting agency [agency], location [location] and report number [number]. Please advise me of any applicable copy charge before processing if the cost will exceed $[amount].

Read ECSO Open Records instructions Open the Sheriff request form

Victim and protective-order help

If you are checking custody because you are worried about your safety

Ellis County Victim Assistance

109 S. Jackson St.
4th Floor
Waxahachie, TX

Phone: 972-825-5035

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Protective orders

Victim Assistance also handles information related to protective orders. The office advises that either the applicant or alleged abuser must live in Ellis County for the route described on its site.

If there is an immediate threat or a crime is happening now, call 911. Do not rely on a jail-search result to determine whether approaching someone is safe.

Open Ellis County Victim Assistance

After county custody

Where to look when Ellis County no longer has the person

Released from jail

A person can disappear from the current inmate roster after release while the criminal case continues.

Search Ellis County court records for the next setting or disposition.

Transferred to Texas prison

Use TDCJ when a person has entered state-correctional custody.

Search by TDCJ number, SID or the required name combination.

Open TDCJ Inmate Search

Booked in another county

Search the jail system for the county where the person was actually taken, not simply the city where the incident happened.

Federal custody

When the matter is federal rather than local or state, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator after confirming the custody route.

Open federal inmate locator

Contacts and location

Ellis County Jail and court contacts

Wayne McCollum Detention Center / Sheriff

300 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Jail Information: 972-825-4931

Administration: 972-825-4901

Dispatch

24 hours:

972-937-6060

Call 911 for emergencies.

Ellis County Clerk – Criminal

109 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Criminal: 972-825-5062

Main: 972-825-5070

Ellis County District Clerk

109 S. Jackson Street, 2nd Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5091

Indigent Defense Coordinator

109 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5385

Spanish: 972-825-5482

Victim Assistance / District Attorney

109 S. Jackson Street, 4th Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5035

Map to Wayne McCollum Detention Center

Before driving: confirm the inmate is still in custody, verify that a visit is scheduled when applicable and ask jail staff which visitor entrance or parking area should be used. The official visitation page does not currently publish detailed parking instructions.

Local mistakes to avoid

Six details that can save an Ellis County family a wasted trip

Do not wait to save the booking number

The inmate can disappear from the current roster after release, while the booking number remains useful for records and mail.

Do not schedule a visit before housing

Visitation requires a housing assignment, which Ellis County says can take up to 24 hours after arrest.

Do not mail personal letters to 300 S. Jackson

Ordinary personal correspondence currently goes through the JailATM processing address in Fort Worth.

Do not send multiple photos

The current personal-mail limit is one photograph per mailing.

Do not ask officers to pass a message

Ellis County expressly says detention officers cannot relay written or verbal messages to inmates.

Do not confuse the jail with the criminal court

Release ends custody. It does not tell you whether the charge was dismissed, filed or later resolved.

10 practical questions

Ellis County Sheriff inmate-search FAQs

How do I search for a current Ellis County jail inmate?

Use the Ellis County Sheriff’s official online inmate roster. Start with the person’s name and open the matching record carefully. Confirm the booking information, charge and bond before taking action. The roster is intended for people currently in Ellis County custody, so someone who has already been released may no longer appear.

Why is someone not showing in the Ellis County inmate search?

The person may still be going through booking, may already have been released, may be listed under a different spelling, may have been booked in another county or may have moved to another custody system. Ellis County also states that it can take up to 24 hours after arrest for an inmate to be assigned to a housing unit. Call jail information at 972-825-4931 when the current status is unclear.

What is the Ellis County jail address and phone number?

The Wayne McCollum Detention Center and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office are at 300 South Jackson Street, Waxahachie, Texas 75165. Jail information can be reached at 972-825-4931. Sheriff’s Administration is 972-825-4901 and Dispatch is available 24 hours at 972-937-6060.

What are the Ellis County inmate visitation hours?

The Sheriff’s current visitation page lists Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the last sign-in at 7:30 p.m. Visits must be scheduled. All visits are conducted by video, whether remote or on-site, and the Sheriff warns that same-day scheduling does not guarantee a visit.

How many visits can an Ellis County inmate receive?

The current Ellis County visitation rules state that a visitor may sign up for one visit per day and an inmate is allowed two 20-minute visits per week. Up to two adults may participate in a visit, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Ellis County currently uses TouchPay for inmate deposits. Money may be deposited through the Sheriff’s Office lobby kiosk using cash, credit or debit card, online through TouchPay, or by calling 866-232-1899. The Sheriff advises that an inmate account can take approximately 24 to 48 hours after book-in to become active.

What address should I use for Ellis County inmate mail?

Ordinary personal inmate mail is currently sent to JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail, with the inmate’s full name and booking number, at 2830 South Hulen Street, Box 809, Fort Worth, Texas 76109. Legal and medical mail and qualifying publisher-sent books, magazines and newspapers are mailed directly to the Wayne McCollum Detention Center at 300 South Jackson Street in Waxahachie.

Can an Ellis County inmate receive phone calls?

Inmates cannot receive ordinary calls or have detention officers pass messages to them. During booking, inmates can make certain local or collect calls. After entering the jail population, collect calling is generally available from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on weekends. Ellis County directs phone-service questions to Correct Solutions at 877-618-3516.

How do I check an Ellis County inmate’s bond and release status?

Review the inmate record first, then call Ellis County Jail Information at 972-825-4931 to confirm the current bond, every charge, any hold and the person’s release status before paying. The Wayne McCollum Detention Center has public bond and release areas in its processing section. If using a surety company, verify the company through Ellis County’s Bail Bond Board resources.

What happens to the inmate search record after someone is released?

The Ellis County Sheriff’s inmate search is a current-custody roster, and the Sheriff’s published search information states that a person is removed after leaving Ellis County custody. For an older booking, booking photograph or case outcome, use an open-records request and search the appropriate Ellis County criminal court records instead.

Official resources

Ellis County sources to recheck before taking action

Sheriff and jail

Family services

Courts and legal help

Accuracy, identity 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, District Attorney or a law firm.

Jail custody, charges, bond, visitation, mail addresses, service providers, court assignments and office procedures can change. Check the live official page or call the responsible office before travelling, paying money or making a legal decision.

Arrest and booking information does not establish guilt. Match the correct person carefully and use the criminal court record for the filed case and disposition.

Official-source review completed August 21, 2026. No VideoObject schema is included because no sufficiently relevant Ellis County inmate-search video with fully verifiable Google-required metadata was identified during review.

Ellis County Sheriff Inmate Search | Jail Custody