Davidson County Sheriff Office: Inmates, Records & Services
The Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office is different from many county sheriff agencies. In Davidson County, the Sheriff is heavily focused on corrections, inmate custody, civil process, court-related services, pretrial programs and community programs, while the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department handles most ordinary police patrol, criminal investigations and criminal-warrant operations.
That division matters. If someone was arrested, start with the Sheriff’s inmate system. If you need the police incident report, you may need Metro Police. If you need the criminal case or updated bond, use the Criminal Court Clerk. If you need eviction papers or other civil process served, the Sheriff’s Civil Warrants Division is the correct route.
Which Nashville / Davidson County Office Handles Your Question?
If you need… |
Start here |
Phone / route |
Why |
|---|---|---|---|
Current inmate |
DCSO Active Inmate Search |
615-862-8123 |
Sheriff controls Davidson County jail custody information. |
Updated criminal bond |
Criminal Court Clerk |
615-862-5670 |
The Sheriff inmate search warns that courts can change bond amounts. |
Criminal court case |
Criminal Court Clerk |
ccc.nashville.gov |
Court filings and disposition are different from jail custody. |
Police report / collision report |
Metro Nashville Police |
MNPD records process |
DCSO says its inmate-record office is not the place for Metro police reports, accident reports or mugshots. |
Jail or offender record |
DCSO Records Center |
615-862-8123 |
The Sheriff maintains offender jail records. |
Outstanding criminal warrant |
MNPD Criminal Warrants Division |
In-person verification |
Nashville criminal-warrant information is handled through Metro Police, not the Sheriff’s civil-warrant desk. |
Eviction / civil paper |
Court Clerk, then DCSO Civil Warrants |
615-862-8174 |
Civil process generally begins with the court and is then served or executed by the Sheriff. |
Custody release notification |
TN SAVIN |
1-888-868-4631 |
Free statewide custody-status notification service. |
Davidson County Sheriff Office Address and Phone Number
Sheriff Daron Hall was elected to a seventh term in 2026. The current Metro Nashville department page lists the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office headquarters at One Jerry Newson Way, Nashville, TN 37206.
- Use 615-862-8123 for immediate offender information.
- Use 615-862-8170 for administrative-office questions.
- Use the department mailing address when the specific service instructs you to mail paperwork.
- Do not use an email form for an emergency.
- Call 911 for immediate danger.
The Davidson County Sheriff Is Not Nashville’s Main Police Department
This is one of the most important facts for anyone using this page.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail system, transports and supervises offenders, serves civil process, provides court-related services and operates several community and pretrial programs. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department handles ordinary city police patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement and the Criminal Warrants Division.
Task |
Usually handled by |
|---|---|
Find current jail inmate |
Davidson County Sheriff |
Inmate visitation / mail / commissary |
Davidson County Sheriff |
Offender jail record |
Davidson County Sheriff |
Civil warrant / eviction process |
Davidson County Sheriff after required court filing |
Police offense or collision report |
Metro Nashville Police when MNPD handled the event |
Outstanding criminal warrant inquiry |
MNPD Criminal Warrants Division |
Criminal case, docket or updated bond |
Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk |
How to Search Davidson County Jail Inmates
DCSO’s official Active Inmate Search accepts first name, last name and several advanced identifiers such as date of birth, OCA number, warrant number and CIS number.
The inmate detail can show identifiers such as the JMS number and Control Number, current facility, booking dates, active charges, warrants, bond and sentencing details where applicable.
- Search by name first.
- Use date of birth when the name is common.
- Open the matching result.
- Save the JMS number.
- Save the Control / OCA number.
- Note the current facility and active charges.
- Check each bond entry.
- Call 615-862-8123 when current custody is unclear.
For an even more focused walkthrough, the site’s existing Davidson County inmate-search and arrest-record guide covers the custody workflow separately.
Davidson County Uses Multiple Correctional Facilities
A Davidson County inmate may not remain at the Downtown Detention Center after booking. The DDC is the first stop for arrestees, and housing can later change based on classification, sex, sentence, programming, medical needs and security level.
Facility |
Address |
Current role / note |
Published facility phone |
|---|---|---|---|
Downtown Detention Center |
200 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37201 |
First stop and intake / booking facility; multiple security levels |
615-862-8224 |
Correctional Development Center — Male |
5113 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211 |
Minimum-security male housing and programming |
615-862-8187 |
Correctional Development Center — Female |
5115 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211 |
Female pretrial and locally sentenced housing |
615-862-8187 |
Maximum Correctional Center |
5119 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211 |
Medium / maximum male housing and locally sentenced felons |
615-862-8187 |
Annex |
5131 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211 |
Minimum / medium housing |
615-862-8187 |
- Use the inmate search to identify the person’s current facility.
- Open that facility’s page.
- Review its visitation, phone and account instructions.
- Do not assume the same schedule applies at every DCSO building.
Use the Criminal Court Clerk for Updated Bond and Case Status
DCSO’s inmate search explicitly warns that bond amounts may be changed by the court and directs users to the Criminal Court Clerk for updated bond information.
- Choose “Search Case Information.”
- Search the exact case or defendant.
- Compare the case with the inmate-search charge.
- Review docket and disposition information.
- Use the Bond Office when you need the current bond amount.
- Use the Clerk—not the jail roster—for official criminal court copies.
Cash bond refunds
The Criminal Court Clerk says a cash bond can generally be refunded after the case reaches final disposition. Refunds go to the person who posted the bond, subject to applicable deductions when the defendant posted their own bond and owes court costs.
DCSO Operates 24/7 Pretrial Screening
Davidson County Sheriff’s Pretrial Services program screens defendants for potential release under non-financial conditions and supervises qualifying defendants after release.
The Pretrial Screening Office is located in the booking area of the Downtown Detention Center and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Read the difference between screening and case management.
- Use the 24/7 screening number for booking-stage pretrial questions.
- Use the Case Management number after release when a person is under pretrial supervision.
- Follow the extension instructions based on the client’s last name or case type.
Davidson County Inmate Visits Are Video-Based Except Attorney Visits
DCSO’s current visitation page says inmate visits are video only except attorney visits. Actual visit availability depends on the facility and housing unit.
The Downtown Detention Center, for example, publishes separate remote schedules for housing areas and currently states that families are not being allowed to conduct visits from the DDC lobby.
- Confirm the inmate’s current facility in the inmate search.
- Open the corresponding facility page.
- Find the housing-unit visitation schedule.
- Use the provider link currently displayed for that facility.
- Confirm the visit before paying or travelling.
Inmate Phone Accounts Use ICSolutions on Current Facility Pages
Current DCSO facility pages direct families to ICSolutions for inmate prepaid phone accounts and list 1-888-506-8407 as the toll-free setup number.
The provider asks for information such as the account holder’s name and address, the telephone number the inmate will call and the correctional facility.
- Create the account in your own correct information.
- Select the inmate’s current Davidson County facility.
- Use the phone number you want the inmate to call.
- Review all fees before adding money.
- Keep the transaction confirmation.
Davidson County Inmate Deposits: Confirm the Account Type First
DCSO facility pages currently list several ways to add money to inmate commissary accounts, including online deposits, lobby kiosks, participating cash retailers and postal money orders.
Method |
Current DCSO guidance |
|---|---|
Online |
CorrectPay or JailATM on current facility pages |
CorrectPay telephone deposits |
1-855-836-3364 |
JailATM telephone support / deposits |
1-636-888-7004 on DCSO facility pages |
Lobby kiosk |
DCSO lists kiosks in public areas of the Downtown Detention Center and Correctional Development Center |
Walk-in retailer |
CashPayToday barcode at participating retailers |
Postal money order |
Mail separately from personal inmate correspondence |
- Find the Commissary Deposits section.
- Confirm the provider currently listed.
- Verify the inmate’s OCA / Control number.
- Review the fee before paying.
- If mailing a money order, call DCSO to confirm the current address first.
Address Davidson County Inmate Mail Using the OCA Number
DCSO scans physical inmate mail and distributes it electronically through inmate tablets and commissary kiosks.
The Sheriff explains that the OCA number is the CONTROL_NUMBER shown in the active inmate-search result.
- Search the inmate first.
- Copy the CONTROL_NUMBER / OCA number.
- Use the exact inmate name and OCA number on the envelope.
- Mail correspondence through the U.S. Postal Service.
- Review the accepted and rejected item lists.
- Do not include commissary money orders with a personal letter.
Current mail restrictions
- Greeting cards with glitter or embellishments are rejected.
- Stamps, envelopes and writing paper are not accepted as mailed items.
- Emergency packages are not accepted.
- Inmate-to-inmate correspondence requires qualifying immediate-family approval.
- DCSO says mailed publications and books are not accepted under the current mail policy.
Mail after release
DCSO says released inmates can use the digital mail-recovery system to download scanned mail for a limited period after release, using the mail recovery PIN established while incarcerated.
Request the Right Davidson County Record From the Right Agency
The DCSO Records Center is open for general offender jail records without an advance appointment during its published weekday hours.
- Decide whether you actually need a jail / offender record.
- Use the inmate’s name and OCA number when known.
- Describe the exact record requested.
- Use Metro Police instead for an MNPD incident or collision report.
- Use the Criminal Court Clerk for court documents.
Copy and research fees
DCSO’s public-record policy allows copying and, for larger requests, labor charges under Tennessee public-record rules. The policy says staff time beyond the first hour may be charged when substantial research or production work is required.
Criminal Warrant Information Is Handled by Metro Nashville Police
DCSO has a Civil Warrants Division, but ordinary outstanding criminal-warrant inquiries are handled by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Criminal Warrants Division.
MNPD states that it will not discuss outstanding-warrant information over the phone because warrants can contain confidential information. A person seeking warrant information must appear in person with photo identification.
- Read the current in-person warrant-information rule.
- Bring photo identification.
- Confirm the current hours before travelling.
- Do not expect staff to disclose warrant details by telephone.
- Consider legal advice when a warrant may expose you to arrest.
Davidson County Sheriff Civil Process, Evictions and Orders of Protection
DCSO’s Civil Warrants Division serves civil process, orders of protection, criminal subpoenas and summonses and carries out certain court-ordered property and eviction actions.
Eviction terminology
Document |
General purpose described by DCSO |
|---|---|
Detainer Warrant |
General Sessions process commonly used by a plaintiff seeking possession of real property. |
Writ of Restitution |
Issued after judgment; Sheriff coordinates peaceful transfer of possession. |
Writ of Possession |
Directs the Sheriff to take possession and return the property to the plaintiff under the court order. |
Execution / Levy |
Court process involving seizure of qualifying property or money to satisfy a judgment. |
How a self-represented plaintiff starts a civil paper
- Start at the General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office.
- Obtain the correct court document and instructions.
- Pay the required filing fee.
- Provide complete defendant information, including useful address and employment details when available.
- Allow sufficient time for service before the court date.
- The Clerk generally sends qualifying process to DCSO for service.
TN SAVIN Can Notify You About Davidson County Custody Changes
DCSO participates in TN SAVIN, the Tennessee Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification service, formerly commonly referred to as VINE.
The service is free and can provide automated custody-status information and notifications, including release notifications.
- Open the statewide registration route.
- Search and confirm the correct inmate.
- Register the contact method you want to use.
- Create and remember your PIN when prompted.
- Keep your telephone or email information current.
DCSO Also Operates DUI, Day Reporting and Reentry Programs
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office is not only a jail operator. It runs several court-connected and reentry programs.
Day Reporting Center and DUI School
The current DCSO Day Reporting page lists services such as drug and alcohol assessment, batterer intervention, DUI Safety School, anger management, education classes, parenting / responsible behavior programming and victim impact programming.
- Find the specific program ordered or requested.
- Check whether a court or probation referral is required.
- Review the current class schedule and fee.
- Call 615-862-8355 before paying if your referral came from another jurisdiction.
DCSO Provides Curbside Bulk-Item Removal
One locally distinctive Davidson County Sheriff service is bulk-item removal. DCSO says qualifying residents can request removal of approved bulky household items placed at the front curb.
Examples of approved items include furniture, mattresses, some appliances, bicycles, rugs, televisions, exercise equipment, certain vehicle parts, pallets and properly disassembled structures.
Examples DCSO says it cannot remove include tires, motor oil, household hazardous chemicals, glass or mirrored items, drywall, roofing, propane tanks, batteries, paint cans and vehicles.
- Check whether your property type qualifies.
- Review the accepted and prohibited-item lists.
- Call 615-880-3897.
- List the items, service address and resident contact information.
- Put approved items at the front curb by the required time.
- Allow the Sheriff’s stated business-day removal window.
Davidson County Sheriff Mistakes That Cost Time or Money
- Calling the Sheriff for an MNPD police report. Jail records and police incident reports are different.
- Calling Civil Warrants about a criminal warrant. Criminal warrant information belongs to MNPD’s Criminal Warrants Division.
- Using bond from an old jail screenshot. The Sheriff itself directs users to the Criminal Court Clerk for updated bond amounts.
- Using the wrong inmate number. Save both JMS and Control / OCA numbers when shown.
- Assuming every inmate is at the Downtown Detention Center. DCSO operates multiple facilities.
- Funding a provider before checking the inmate’s current facility. Official DCSO pages currently show multiple communication and visitation vendors.
- Putting a money order inside a personal letter. DCSO specifically separates commissary funding from inmate correspondence.
- Mailing books directly to an inmate. Current DCSO mail policy says mailed publications are not accepted.
- Going to the wrong headquarters address without checking. Current official pages use both One Jerry Newson Way and 710 S. Fifth Street.
- Treating arrest as conviction. Use the Criminal Court Clerk record for disposition.
Davidson County Sheriff Office Checklist
Davidson County Sheriff Office FAQs
What is the Davidson County Sheriff Office phone number?
The Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office offender-information number is 615-862-8123 and is published as available 24/7 for current and released offender questions. Administrative Offices can be reached at 615-862-8170.
Where is the Davidson County Sheriff Office in Nashville?
Metro Nashville currently lists Sheriff headquarters at One Jerry Newson Way, Nashville, TN 37206. A DCSO headquarters page also displays 710 S. Fifth Street, so use the address supplied by the specific department or appointment you are visiting.
How do I search for a Davidson County inmate?
Use the official DCSO Active Inmate Search at dcso.nashville.gov. Search by name or use Advanced Search with date of birth, OCA number, warrant number or CIS number. Save the JMS and Control / OCA numbers from the correct result.
How do I confirm a Davidson County inmate’s bond?
The inmate search may display bond information, but DCSO warns that courts can change bond. Contact the Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk Warrant / Bond Office at 615-862-5670 for updated information.
How do I visit an inmate in Davidson County Jail?
DCSO currently uses video visitation except for attorney visits. First identify the inmate’s facility, then open that facility’s current visitation schedule and provider instructions. DCSO pages currently contain differing vendor references, so confirm before paying.
How do I send mail to a Davidson County inmate?
Address personal correspondence to the inmate’s name and OCA number, Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 196383, Nashville, TN 37219-6383. The OCA number is shown as CONTROL_NUMBER in the inmate search.
How do I send commissary money to a Davidson County inmate?
Current DCSO facility pages list CorrectPay and JailATM for remote commissary deposits, along with lobby kiosks and other options. Confirm the inmate’s facility and current provider first, and call DCSO before mailing a money order because official DCSO materials currently show different money-order address instructions.
How do I get a Davidson County Sheriff jail record?
Use the DCSO inmate and public-record request process or contact offender information at 615-862-8123. The Sheriff Records Center handles jail and offender records, not Metro Nashville Police incident reports or accident reports.
How do I check for a criminal warrant in Nashville?
Outstanding criminal-warrant information is handled by the Metro Nashville Police Criminal Warrants Division. MNPD says warrant information is not disclosed by phone and directs people seeking warrant information to appear in person with photo ID.
Does the Davidson County Sheriff handle evictions?
Yes, DCSO executes qualifying court-issued eviction process, but the case begins through the appropriate court. After judgment and issuance of the required writ, the Sheriff coordinates the court-ordered possession process.
Davidson County Sheriff, Jail, Court and Records Links
Main official Sheriff website.
Open official DCSO websiteCurrent Davidson County jail custody, charges, facility and identifiers.
Search active inmatesCentral route for inmate search, visitation, mail, accounts, programs and records.
Open offender servicesCurrent mailing address, OCA-number instructions and restrictions.
Open inmate-mail rulesDowntown Detention Center and Harding Place correctional facilities.
Open DCSO facilitiesJail and offender records; not Metro Police incident records.
Open Sheriff records requestCriminal cases, court dockets, updated bond information and court records.
Open Davidson County Criminal Court ClerkOfficial route for outstanding criminal-warrant information.
Open criminal-warrant informationEvictions, civil process, protection orders and court-issued service.
Open Civil Warrants DivisionFree custody-status and release notifications.
Open victim notification informationEditorial review: this guide was rebuilt from current Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff, Metro Nashville Police and Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk sources on September 27, 2026.
Known official-source differences: current government pages do not fully agree on the Sheriff headquarters street reference, commissary money-order address or visitation-provider route. Those differences are identified in this guide instead of being silently resolved with a guess.
Freshness: inmate location, bond, court dates, visitation schedules, provider systems, fees, mailing rules and facility procedures can change. Recheck the responsible official page immediately before paying, mailing or travelling.
Legal and privacy notice: an arrest or jail booking is not proof of guilt. Sealed, expunged, juvenile, victim, medical and otherwise confidential information may not be publicly available.
FCRA notice: do not use this page, a jail roster or a basic public-record search as a substitute for a legally compliant consumer report for employment, housing, credit, insurance or another regulated eligibility decision.
For immediate danger, a crime in progress or a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Find Jail Info, Inmate Search Steps, Visitation Rules, Bond Help, Warrants and Official Sheriff Links
Use this free tool before calling a sheriff office, searching a jail roster, checking arrest records, visiting an inmate, asking about bond, requesting a report, or looking for official county sheriff resources. It does not collect names, case numbers, booking numbers, or personal information.
What sheriff office task do you need help with?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest next step, what to prepare, and which official resource to check first.
Start with the official sheriff or jail roster, confirm custody by phone only when needed, then check court records for hearings or case details.
Do not pay anyone who calls demanding gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or urgent warrant payment. Verify through official sheriff channels.
Inmate Search Step Helper
Use this before searching a jail roster or inmate lookup portal. It helps you choose the best search method and avoid wrong-person matches.
Bond, Release and Custody Status Helper
Use this to organize what to check before asking about bond, release timing, facility location or court status.
Visitation, Phone and Mail Checklist
Use this before planning a jail visit, video visit, inmate phone setup, commissary deposit, or mail delivery.
Warrant Information Safety Helper
Use this if you are trying to understand warrant information safely. This tool does not confirm warrants and does not provide legal advice.
Sheriff Report and Arrest Record Request Helper
Use this before requesting accident reports, incident reports, arrest records, jail records, public records or background-related information.
Sheriff Call / Warrant Payment Scam Checker
Use this if someone called, texted, emailed or messaged you claiming to be from a sheriff office, court, jail, deputy or warrant unit.
Official Sheriff Office Resource Finder
Enter county and state to create safe searches for official sheriff websites, jail rosters, inmate lookup, warrants, visitation, records requests, court records and this site’s guide.
Sheriff Office vs Court vs Jail
- Sheriff/Jail: custody, booking, jail roster, visitation, inmate mail, some warrants.
- Court/Clerk: case status, hearings, court records, fines, court dates.
- Attorney: legal advice, warrant risk, criminal charges, bond strategy.
Best sitewide placement
Add this tool after the first inmate-search or contact section, or before FAQs. It turns a normal guide into a practical action page.
Important safety note
This tool is educational only. It is not a sheriff office, jail, court, legal service, emergency service, or official records portal. For emergencies, call 911.