Smith County Sheriff Inmate Search | Jail Custody

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Smith County, Texas · Tyler jail custody, booking search, bonds and family help

Find Who Is in Smith County Jail and What to Do Next

If you are trying to find someone who may have been arrested in Tyler or elsewhere in Smith County, start with the county’s official jail search. Open the likely match, confirm the person carefully, and save the booking details before calling the jail, paying a bond, sending money or planning a visit.

Smith County uses both a downtown jail and a Low/Medium Risk facility, and the second location is also where public inmate visitation takes place. This guide explains the search, missing-result fixes, jail locations, visitation, mail, phone calls, commissary, personal bonds, court records and help after release.

Search Smith County Jail Open jail + court records Person not showing?
Full legal name Date of birth Approximate arrest date Inmate or booking ID if known Arresting agency if known
SMITH COUNTY CUSTODY DISPATCH LOCATING
CENTRAL JAIL 206 E. ELM ST.
TYLER
LOW / MEDIUM RISK 2811 PUBLIC RD.
VISITATION SITE
CUSTODY LOCATION CONFIRMED
A jail entry does not prove guilt. An inmate record tells you about a custody event and related case information available through the system. Charges can change, cases can be dismissed, and release from jail does not tell you the final court outcome.
Official jail search

Smith County Public Jail Search.

Jail custody line

903-590-2800.

Central Jail

206 E. Elm St., Tyler.

Visitation site

2811 Public Road, Tyler.

Official review

Checked August 20, 2026.

Start with the immediate problem

Which Smith County jail question are you trying to solve?

ARRESTED RECENTLY Check the jail search first

Search the official jail database, then verify the likely record before relying on charges or bond.

Follow the search steps
STILL IN CUSTODY? Confirm the current location

Call 903-590-2800 when the online result is unclear or the person may be moving between jail locations.

See the two adult facilities
NEED TO VISIT? Go to the Low-Risk Facility

Public visitation is provided by video link at 2811 Public Road—not at the inmate’s cell or housing floor.

Check the schedule
NEED TO SEND MONEY? Use the Sheriff-linked provider

The current Sheriff page directs commissary deposits, inmate email and video-call users to JailATM.

Deposit safely
BOND OR RELEASE? Check every charge and condition

Smith County also operates a personal-bond program for qualifying defendants, subject to judicial approval.

Review release options
WHAT HAPPENS IN COURT? Separate felony and misdemeanor records

Felony records go through the District Clerk; Class A and B misdemeanors are maintained by the County Clerk.

Find the correct clerk

Go directly to the Smith County task

Official inmate lookup

How to use the Smith County Sheriff inmate search

Best starting point: use the dedicated Smith County Jail Search first. The Sheriff’s own website links to the county’s Odyssey inmate-search system, and Smith County also maintains a broader Public Search site for both jail and court records.
Open the direct jail search Open Smith County Jail Search
Enter the available name information Start with the legal name you believe was used during booking. Avoid adding uncertain details that could hide a correct result.
Try a broader name if nothing appears Remove the middle name, try a hyphenated or former surname, or search the family name with a shorter first-name variation.
Open each plausible record Do not assume the first same-name result belongs to the person you know.
Compare the booking details Use the identifiers and arrest information displayed by the portal to confirm the match.
Save the inmate or booking identifier You may need it for calls, correspondence, commissary and follow-up searches.
Record every listed charge and bond A person may have more than one charge, case or release condition.
Check whether the person is still in custody The online record is useful, but call the jail when release or transfer is time-sensitive.
Use the broader Public Search portal when needed Open Smith County Public Search
Follow the jail result into the court case Court records answer questions that a custody page cannot, including filed charges and later case activity.
Browser problem? The Smith County jail application requires JavaScript and cookies. If the dedicated page reports a browser or cookie error, enable them or use the broader Public Search portal in a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or another supported browser.
Direct Jail Search Jail + Court Public Search Smith County Sheriff
Before acting on a result

Read the inmate record as a custody record—not a verdict

What to verify after you find a Smith County jail match
Information
Why it matters
What it does not prove
Next action
Booked name
Confirms how the person is recorded in the jail system.
Identity by itself when several people share a name.
Compare another identifier and arrest date.
Inmate / booking ID
Helps distinguish the correct jail record.
The final criminal outcome.
Save it for jail services and follow-up calls.
Booking date
Connects the custody record to a particular arrest period.
The exact offense time.
Compare it with the police or court case.
Charge
Shows the allegation currently tied to the custody record.
Guilt or that prosecutors kept the same charge.
Search the clerk’s court record.
Bond
Shows a release condition when one has been set.
That paying one amount will clear all holds or cases.
Confirm every active charge before paying.
Custody status
Helps determine whether the person is still held.
The case ended when custody ended.
Call 903-590-2800 if release is urgent.
Court information
Points you toward the pending criminal case.
That a listed setting has not changed.
Check the current judicial record.
Identity rule: compare more than a name before sending money, contacting a bondsman or treating a record as belonging to someone you know.
No-result troubleshooting

Why someone may not appear in Smith County Jail Search

The booking is still being processed A recent arrest may not immediately become searchable.
The person was released quickly Check court records or call the jail instead of assuming no arrest occurred.
The name is recorded differently Try another spelling, former surname, hyphenated surname or reduced first-name information.
The person was booked elsewhere Search the county where the jail intake actually occurred.
The person was transferred State-prison, federal or other county custody uses a different locator.
The matter did not require adult jail booking A citation, juvenile arrest or other process may not appear in the adult roster.
What to say when you call the jail
I am trying to confirm the current custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have happened on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is currently booked, has been released, was transferred, or may be listed under another booking name or inmate ID?
Smith County Jail: 903-590-2800
Smith County Sheriff: 903-590-2661
Sheriff non-emergency: 903-566-6600
Two adult jail campuses

Know which Smith County jail location you are dealing with

Central Jail

206 E. Elm Street
Tyler, TX 75702

Jail phone: 903-590-2800

Smith County’s jail study describes the downtown campus as the Central Jail. It uses both traditional linear housing and direct-supervision areas.

Low / Medium Risk Facility

2811 Public Road
Tyler, TX

Jail phone: 903-590-2800

Smith County’s jail study describes this as the North Jail for low- and medium-risk housing. All public inmate visitation is provided by video link from this facility.

Tyler Police arrests: the Tyler Police Department states that adults age 17 or older who are arrested by Tyler officers are incarcerated in Smith County Jail. Juveniles age 16 or younger use the separate Smith County Juvenile Services process.
Smith County Juvenile Services:
2630 Morningside Drive, Tyler, TX
903-535-0850
Local visitation system

Smith County visits happen by video at 2811 Public Road

Do not drive to the downtown jail expecting a normal social visit. Smith County states that all inmate visitation is provided by video link at the Low-Risk Facility.
Current Smith County visitation schedule
Visitor group
Visit day
Sign-up
Visit hours
Women inmates
Tuesday and Sunday
12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Men inmates
Monday and Saturday
12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Trustees
Check current Sheriff instructions
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Visit length
—
—
20 minutes

What to do before leaving home

Recheck that the inmate is still in Smith County custody
Bring required identification
Use the Low-Risk Facility at 2811 Public Road
Plan to sign up during the published same-day window
Wear clothing that satisfies the jail dress code
Allow extra time because visits are limited to 20 minutes

Dress rules the Sheriff specifically publishes

Do not wear
  • Revealing or see-through clothing
  • Spandex or tights
  • Dresses, skirts or shorts above mid-thigh
Also prohibited
  • Sleeves shorter than halfway down the upper arm
  • Obscene or offensive wording or drawings
  • Clothing displaying gang affiliation
Check live visitation rules
Smith County does not publish a dedicated visitor-parking instruction on the current visitation page. Follow posted parking signs at the Low-Risk Facility rather than relying on old third-party directions.
Personal correspondence

Address Smith County inmate mail exactly as the Sheriff instructs

Personal mail format

Sender First Name + Last Name
Sender Home Address
City, State ZIP

Inmate ID: Inmate Full Name
C/O Smith County Jail
2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Letters may be no larger than 12 × 15 inches
Writing supplies are available through commissary
Indigent inmates are furnished writing supplies
Up to four unframed photos may be enclosed
Photos may be no larger than 4 × 5 inches
Unsupported self-developing Polaroid-style photos are not accepted
Do not address ordinary personal correspondence to 206 E. Elm Street. Use the current Sheriff-published correspondence route above unless the Sheriff updates its instructions.
The Sheriff states that contraband received in correspondence is placed in inmate property and is unavailable until release. The jail is responsible only for mail actually delivered by the U.S. Postal Service; lost-mail tracing must be handled through USPS.
Verify the current mail rules
Commissary, email and video communication

Use JailATM only after matching the correct inmate

The Smith County Sheriff’s current inmate-visitation page directs users to JailATM for inmate email, video-call services and commissary-account deposits.
Confirm custody before paying Reopen the Smith County jail record and verify the inmate’s name and ID.
Open JailATM from the Sheriff-linked service Open JailATM
Sign in or register Use your own account information rather than another person’s login.
Locate Smith County Jail and the correct inmate Compare the displayed inmate information before selecting an account or communication service.
Review the amount and fee before checkout Do not assume online service fees remain unchanged.
Save the receipt Keep the payment confirmation until the balance or service is visible.
Wrong-inmate payments can be difficult to fix. Match the inmate ID and name before submitting funds.
Telephone service

Smith County Jail currently routes inmate phone service through NCIC

NCIC phone account

The Sheriff’s current visitation page links directly to NCIC for inmate telephone service.

NCIC support: 800-943-2189

Open NCIC
Funding option

The Sheriff also states that funds for inmate telephone service can be added through JailATM.

Verify the inmate and facility before paying either provider.

Case-safety tip: ordinary jail calls and electronic messages should not be treated as confidential attorney-client communication. Avoid discussing evidence, witnesses, passwords, alibis or legal strategy.
Release options

Check whether a Smith County personal bond is possible

Smith County’s Pre-Trial Release Office provides judges and magistrates with information when a defendant may qualify for release on a personal bond. Approval is not automatic.

Published fee

$20 or 3% of the bond amount, whichever is greater.

Contact

903-590-2620

Office

200 E. Ferguson, Room 213, Tyler, TX 75702.

County-published minimum requirements

Resident of Smith County or within a 50-mile radius
In jail on local offenses
Must not be on probation or parole
Must appear for scheduled court dates
Must report weekly while the case is pending
Must report address, phone or employment changes
Call Pre-Trial Release A family member may contact the office, or the person in jail can begin the process.
The defendant completes an application The office interviews the defendant and conducts a background investigation.
The application goes to the appropriate judge The judge decides whether to approve or deny the personal bond.
Pay the required personal-bond fee after approval The county states that the office accepts cash, money order or cashier’s check for this fee.
The jail begins release processing Approval of the personal bond does not mean the person instantly exits the facility.
Smith County Pre-Trial Release
200 E. Ferguson, Room 213
Tyler, TX 75702
903-590-2620
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Read personal-bond requirements Open Bail Bond Board
Do not choose a bondsman from an unsolicited jail-related solicitation without checking the company. Smith County has a Bail Bond Board and local licensing rules. Verify current status before signing a contract or pledging collateral.
After jail custody

Use the charge level to find the correct Smith County court record

Class A or B misdemeanor

Smith County’s County Clerk maintains criminal misdemeanor records for Class A and B cases arising from offenses in Smith County.

The office can provide the case number, court assignment, court date, attorney name or bondsman name.

Misdemeanor Division: 903-590-4680

Records begin: 1976

Felony case

Felony case records are maintained by the Smith County District Clerk and are available online through the county public search system.

District Clerk: 903-590-1660

100 N. Broadway, Room 204
Tyler, TX 75702
Search jail and court records District Clerk felony records County Clerk misdemeanors

Current copy information

Useful Smith County criminal-record costs
Service
Published information
Office
District Clerk emailed regular copy, 0–15 pages
$1 per page
District Clerk
District Clerk emailed regular copy, 16+ pages
$15 per document
District Clerk
Paper or certified District Clerk copy
$1 per page
District Clerk
Misdemeanor criminal background search
$5, plus $1 per printed page
County Clerk Criminal Division
For misdemeanor copies, Smith County publishes crimcopies@smith-county.com or 903-590-4680.

Court appearance details worth knowing

Misdemeanor arraignment

Smith County publishes 2026 County Court-at-Law misdemeanor arraignment schedules. Proceedings begin at 8:00 a.m.

The county warns that arraignment can be an all-day proceeding.

Check misdemeanor arraignment
Felony appearance

Smith County separately publishes a 2026 felony appearance schedule for unindicted arrests and certain capias situations.

Always verify the current assigned setting before travelling.

Check felony appearance schedule
Downtown court parking tip from Smith County: for misdemeanor arraignment, the county recommends avoiding time-limited meter parking because the proceeding can last all day. The Smith County Parking Garage is at 210 E. Ferguson Street, beside the Annex Building and a short walk to the Courthouse.
Sheriff reports and public records

Need the arrest narrative rather than the jail roster?

The jail search answers who is in custody. A police or Sheriff report answers a different question: what the investigating agency documented about the incident.

Identify the arresting agency Do not assume Smith County Sheriff created every report for a person held in Smith County Jail.
Use the Sheriff’s Public Information Request when SCSO owns the record Open Smith County Sheriff public records request
Describe the record specifically Provide the incident date, location, involved name, report number and the exact document requested when available.
Use Tyler Police when Tyler officers created the report A Tyler Police arrest can lead to Smith County Jail even though Tyler Police maintains its own agency records.
Copy-ready public-record request
Under the Texas Public Information Act, I request the releasable arrest or incident record concerning [full legal name] for the event on or about [date] at [location]. Known identifiers include inmate or booking ID [number], case number [number] and incident number [number]. Please provide the releasable record electronically when available and advise me of any expected charge before processing if a fee will apply.
Smith County Sheriff’s Office
227 N. Spring Avenue
Tyler, TX 75702
903-590-2661
Defense help

If the inmate cannot afford a lawyer, ask about appointed counsel

Smith County uses appointed-counsel procedures for eligible indigent defendants. Do not assume that a family member can simply call a county public defender and create representation.

Misdemeanor case

The County Clerk Criminal Division can provide the attorney name when one is listed in the Class A or B misdemeanor case.

903-590-4680

Felony case

Use the District Clerk court record and assigned District Court to identify the case and lawyer information.

903-590-1660

If private counsel is being considered, verify the lawyer’s Texas license and request a written fee agreement. A bail-bond company is not a criminal defense lawyer.
State Bar lawyer referral
Crime-victim assistance

Victims and family members have a separate support route

Smith County Criminal District Attorney — Victim Services
903-590-1723 or 903-590-1742

Victim Services helps crime victims and families understand the prosecution process, stay informed about a case and connect with available support resources.

Open Smith County Victim Services
When county custody ends

Use a different locator after transfer to Texas state custody

Smith County Jail Search

Use this for current or recent Smith County adult jail custody.

Search Smith County Jail

TDCJ Inmate Information

Use the Texas Department of Criminal Justice search when the person has entered state-prison custody.

Search TDCJ
A person who disappears from the Smith County roster has not necessarily been transferred to TDCJ. Confirm release or transfer with the jail first.
Old or incorrect records

Correction, expunction and nondisclosure are different problems

Find the exact Smith County case Save the jail record, court cause number and arresting agency.
Obtain the final disposition A dismissal, conviction, deferred adjudication or other result affects the next step.
Correct inaccurate data with the record owner The Sheriff cannot independently rewrite a court judgment, and a clerk cannot rewrite an investigating officer’s report.
Evaluate expunction or nondisclosure separately Legal eligibility depends on the exact Texas case history.
Smith County District Clerk currently lists an Expunction / Non Disclosure contact at 903-590-1668.
Smith County also publishes a 2026 list of agencies and entities that may maintain criminal records for use in expunction matters. The list includes the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Jail, Criminal District Attorney, Texas DPS and other entities. It is not represented by the District Clerk as complete for every petition.
Contacts worth saving

Smith County jail and criminal-record phone directory

Smith County Jail
Central Jail
206 E. Elm Street
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-2800

Low / Medium Risk Facility
2811 Public Road
Tyler, TX

903-590-2800

Smith County Sheriff
227 N. Spring Avenue
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-2661

Non-emergency: 903-566-6600

Pre-Trial Release
200 E. Ferguson, Room 213
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-2620

County Clerk — Misdemeanor
200 E. Ferguson, Suite 300
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-4680

District Clerk — Felony
100 N. Broadway, Room 204
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-1660

District Attorney
100 N. Broadway Avenue, 4th Floor
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-1720

Victim Services

903-590-1723

903-590-1742

Records Services
1517 W. Front Street, Room 150
Tyler, TX 75702

903-590-2960

Juvenile Services
2630 Morningside Drive
Tyler, TX

903-535-0850

Map to Smith County Central Jail

Map to Smith County Low-Risk Facility

Map to Smith County Courthouse

Before driving: confirm the inmate is still in custody, verify which building you actually need, and check the live office or visitation instructions. Housing, release and court settings can change.
Local details that prevent mistakes

Five Smith County things people commonly mix up

Search portal vs. physical jail

The online database covers custody information; you do not need to drive to Elm Street simply to run a name search.

Housing vs. visitation

Even when the inmate is housed downtown, public visitation is provided through the Low-Risk Facility video system.

Jail vs. court record

The jail tells you about custody. The clerk record tells you what happened to the criminal case.

Misdemeanor vs. felony clerk

Class A and B misdemeanors go through the County Clerk; felonies go through the District Clerk.

Commissary vs. calls

JailATM handles commissary and other inmate services, while the Sheriff currently directs telephone users to NCIC.

Jail bond vs. personal bond

Smith County’s Pre-Trial Release program is a separate court-approved route with eligibility rules; it is not guaranteed simply because someone asks.

10 Smith County questions

Smith County inmate search and jail custody FAQs

How do I search for an inmate in Smith County Texas?

Use the official Smith County Jail Search linked by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and county government. Search the available name fields, open the likely record, and verify the person using the booking information and other identifiers shown. If the direct jail search does not load, use the Smith County Public Search portal or call the jail at 903-590-2800.

What phone number do I call to check Smith County Jail custody?

The Smith County Jail public contact number is 903-590-2800. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office administrative number is 903-590-2661. Have the inmate’s full legal name, date of birth and booking or inmate ID when available.

Where is the Smith County Jail in Tyler?

Smith County operates adult jail housing at the Central Jail, 206 East Elm Street, Tyler, Texas 75702, and the Low/Medium Risk or North Jail facility at 2811 Public Road, Tyler, Texas. All public inmate visitation is conducted by video link at the Low-Risk Facility.

Why can I not find someone in the Smith County inmate search?

A person may still be going through booking, may have been released quickly, may be listed under another spelling, may have been booked in another county, or may have moved to another custody system. Retry the name search, check Smith County court records and call 903-590-2800 when the status remains unclear.

What are Smith County Jail visitation hours?

Smith County publishes women’s visitation on Tuesday and Sunday and men’s visitation on Monday and Saturday. Visitors sign up at the Low-Risk Facility from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and visits run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visits are limited to 20 minutes. Trustee visitation is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with sign-up from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

How do I send mail to a Smith County Jail inmate?

Address personal correspondence using the sender’s full name and address, followed by the inmate ID and full name, C/O Smith County Jail, 2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809, Fort Worth, TX 76109. Letters may be no larger than 12 by 15 inches. Up to four unframed photographs no larger than 4 by 5 inches may be enclosed under the Sheriff’s current rules.

How do I add commissary money for a Smith County inmate?

The Smith County Sheriff’s current visitation page directs families to JailATM for commissary deposits, inmate email and video-call services. Verify the inmate’s identity in JailATM before submitting funds and keep the transaction receipt.

How do Smith County inmates make phone calls?

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office currently directs inmate telephone users to NCIC. NCIC accounts can be funded through its payment system, and the Sheriff’s page also states that telephone funds may be added through JailATM. NCIC customer support is 800-943-2189.

Can someone qualify for a personal bond in Smith County?

Smith County Pre-Trial Release considers qualifying defendants for personal bonds subject to judicial approval. The county lists a fee of $20 or 3% of the bond amount, whichever is greater. Eligibility includes local-offense and residency requirements and other conditions. Call Pre-Trial Release at 903-590-2620 for the current process.

Where do I check the criminal court case after finding a Smith County inmate?

Use the Smith County Public Search portal for jail and court records. Class A and B misdemeanor records are maintained by the County Clerk, while felony records are maintained by the District Clerk. The County Clerk misdemeanor division can be reached at 903-590-4680, and the District Clerk main office at 903-590-1660.

Official resources reviewed

Primary sources used for this Smith County guide

Smith County Sheriff
Smith County government
Search and support tools
Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

Texas-arrest.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Jail, Smith County government, Tyler Police Department, Smith County District Clerk, County Clerk, District Attorney, TDCJ or a law firm.

Jail custody, charges, bond, release, providers, visitation rules, court settings, office hours and fees can change. Recheck the current official source before travelling, paying money, mailing correspondence or making an important decision based on a jail record.

An arrest or jail booking is not proof of guilt. Verify identity carefully and use the court record when you need the legal outcome of a charge.

Official-source review completed August 20, 2026. No unverified YouTube video, invented parking rule, generic jail-mail address or unsupported processing time has been intentionally added.

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