Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Phone Number, Address & Locations
If you are trying to reach the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Memphis, the right number depends on what you need. General Sheriff questions go to one line. Non-emergency dispatch uses another. Men and women in custody are housed at different locations, while court records, public-record requests, warrants and incident reports each have their own office.
This guide brings those pieces together so you can quickly find an inmate, check a warrant safely, understand the 201 Poplar versus 225 Poplar address issue, request Sheriff records, schedule jail visitation, deposit money, locate court information and reach the correct Shelby County office without being bounced from one department to another.
Which Shelby County Sheriff Number Should You Call?
If you need… |
Start here |
Phone |
What to prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
Emergency help |
911 |
911 |
Exact location and immediate safety information |
Non-emergency deputy response |
Sheriff Dispatch |
901-379-7625 |
Address, incident type and description |
General Sheriff information |
Sheriff’s Office |
901-222-5500 |
The division or service you need |
Male inmate / Main Jail |
Downtown Jail Information |
901-222-4703 |
Legal name and booking number when known |
Female inmate / Jail East |
Jail East |
901-222-6600 |
Legal name and booking number when known |
Warrant question |
Fugitive Division |
901-222-5620 |
Legal name and any known case information |
Public records request |
TPRA Coordinator |
901-222-5656 |
A specific description of the record |
Civil process |
Civil Division |
901-222-6002 |
Court-issued process and docket information |
Who Is the Shelby County Sheriff in 2026?
Anthony J. Buckner is the current Sheriff of Shelby County, Tennessee. Before becoming Sheriff, Buckner served as Chief Deputy and had already spent more than two decades with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
The official county biography lists experience in Fugitive, Patrol, Gang Unit, Narcotics, Crime Prevention, Internal Affairs, Training and senior command roles. He was elected August 6, 2026 and sworn in August 31, 2026.
- Confirm the current Sheriff’s name.
- Review the current administration contact information.
- Use the link to the Sheriff’s operational website for jail, warrants and division services.
What the Sheriff handles
The Sheriff’s Office performs countywide functions including adult jail operations, warrant execution, court security, civil process, investigations, patrol, emergency communications support and sex-offender registration functions.
Shelby County is different from a small rural county because Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington and other incorporated communities also have municipal police functions. The Sheriff still performs countywide jail, warrant, court and civil-process duties even when another law-enforcement agency made the original arrest.
Important Shelby County Sheriff and Jail Locations
Location |
Address |
Use it for |
Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
Sheriff Administration |
201 Poplar Ave, Suite 902, Memphis, TN 38103 |
General administration and Sheriff services |
901-222-5500 |
Main Jail / Criminal Justice Center |
201/225 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 |
Male inmate housing, jail services and visitation-area functions |
901-222-4703 |
Jail East |
6201 Haley Rd, Memphis, TN 38134 |
Female inmate housing and Jail East services |
901-222-6600 |
Bureau of Professional Standards |
1080 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 |
Employee complaints and sex-offender registry office |
901-222-5700 |
Sheriff Substation |
11670 Memphis-Arlington Rd, Arlington, TN |
Sheriff substation services |
Verify through SCSO directory |
How to Search Shelby County Jail Inmates
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office provides an official inmate lookup for people held in the county adult jail system. Start with that free source before using private arrest or mugshot websites.
- Search using the person’s legal name.
- Try a broader surname search if the exact spelling produces nothing.
- Open the matching record carefully.
- Save the booking number and charge information.
- Confirm whether the inmate is downtown or at Jail East.
- Call the appropriate jail information line if the arrest is very recent or the result is unclear.
How large is the Shelby County jail system?
Shelby County’s current Jail & Inmate Information page reports an average daily census of roughly 2,800 inmates across the men’s and women’s facilities and about 56,000 bookings per year. Those figures show why new arrests, release processing and telephone wait times can involve several steps.
Main Jail and Jail East Serve Different Inmate Populations
Facility |
Address |
Population |
Jail information |
|---|---|---|---|
Main Jail |
201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 |
Male inmates |
901-222-4703 |
Jail East |
6201 Haley Rd, Memphis, TN 38134 |
Female inmates |
901-222-6600 |
The downtown Main Jail is part of the Criminal Justice Center complex. The Sheriff’s Main Jail page lists a current total of 2,813 beds after historic expansions.
Jail East is a separate two-story direct-supervision facility in east Memphis. The Sheriff’s current facility page identifies its housing capacity as 382.
- Confirm whether the inmate is housed downtown or at Jail East.
- Use the correct facility phone number.
- Review the latest jail notices before travelling.
- Use the inmate-search link for individual custody information.
Verify the Full Shelby County Release Situation Before Paying Bond
The Sheriff’s inmate FAQ says the 24-hour Court Clerk’s office is located in the Jail Annex visitation area. A cash bond can be posted there, or a licensed bonding company can be used when the bond permits it.
The Sheriff’s Office does not recommend a particular bonding company.
Before paying a bond
- Confirm every current charge.
- Confirm the exact bond amount and bond type.
- Ask whether another warrant or hold exists.
- Confirm which court controls the case.
- Ask whether paying the visible bond makes the inmate otherwise eligible for release.
Release processing can take several hours
The Sheriff explains that release involves fingerprinting, photographs, warrant checks, NCIC processing and medical-related steps. The agency says actual release can occur 3 to 6 hours after release is ordered, even when the internal processing average is shorter.
Inmate property release
An inmate can authorize property to be released to another person. The inmate must initiate the property-release request. Proper identification is required when property is collected, and property held as evidence or subject to a law-enforcement hold cannot be released through the normal process.
Shelby County Jail Visitation Uses GettingOut and GTL/ConnectNetwork Systems
The current Sheriff visitation page explains two different visit experiences: incoming remote video visits through the GettingOut Visits app and onsite video visits scheduled through the Shelby County GTL visitation portal.
Incoming remote video visits
For GettingOut video visits, visitors must be approved on the inmate’s phone PAN list, and the PAN telephone number must match the phone number on the visitor’s GettingOut account.
The Sheriff explains that an inmate can initiate a video call without the visitor scheduling a traditional appointment, but the visitor must have the GettingOut Visits app open and be logged in to receive it.
- Decide whether you need remote GettingOut visitation or onsite video visitation.
- Make sure your phone number matches the inmate’s approved PAN information.
- Create the correct provider account.
- For onsite visits, use the scheduling link supplied by the Sheriff.
- Bring valid photo identification for onsite check-in.
- Review current scheduling availability because visit times are subject to change.
Onsite visitor restrictions
The Sheriff’s prohibited-items page lists restrictions on electronic devices, food, drinks, tobacco products, purses and similar personal belongings in the visitation area. Public lockers are available for some items.
The policy also restricts some visitors who have recent arrest histories or are wearing electronic monitoring devices.
Current Shelby County Inmate Deposits Use CorrectPay / VendEngine
The Sheriff’s current inmate-deposit page says VendEngine, a Tyler Technologies company, handles inmate account deposits.
Method |
Current official route |
Important note |
|---|---|---|
Lobby kiosk |
Visitation lobby |
Accepts cash and debit/credit cards under current guidance |
Online |
CorrectPay.com / CorrectPay app |
Verify the inmate before submitting payment |
Telephone |
1-855-836-3364 |
Provider fees may apply |
In-person inmate account |
201 Poplar or Jail East |
Current Sheriff page publishes 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., seven days a week |
- Confirm the inmate is still in Shelby County custody.
- Choose CorrectPay, telephone deposit or lobby kiosk.
- Verify the inmate name and identifying information.
- Review the provider fee before paying.
- Keep your confirmation until the inmate confirms the deposit.
How to Send Mail to Shelby County Jail
Facility |
Address format |
Key rule |
|---|---|---|
Main Jail |
Full name + booking number + floor/pod if known + 201 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 |
Complete return address required |
Jail East |
Full name + booking number + housing location if known + 6201 Haley Rd, Memphis, TN 38134 |
Complete return address required |
The Sheriff’s current inmate guidance says soft-back books and magazines must come directly from the publisher.
Court clothing
Court clothing may be brought to the Main Jail or Jail East 24 hours a day. The Sheriff requires conservative court clothing and specifically states that tennis shoes and inappropriate items such as shorts or pants with multiple zippers are not accepted.
Medical concerns
The inmate FAQ says the jail has contract medical care available around the clock. Families with medical questions should call Jail Information at 901-222-4703 for the Main Jail or 901-222-6600 for Jail East.
Where to Check Shelby County Court Dates and Criminal Cases
The Sheriff manages custody and courthouse security, but court records belong to the relevant Clerk. Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary felony matters, while Criminal Court handles felony cases after indictment.
Office |
Location |
Phone |
Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
General Sessions Criminal Court Clerk |
201 Poplar, Suite LL-81 |
901-222-3500 |
Misdemeanor and General Sessions criminal case information |
After-hours General Sessions line |
201 Poplar |
901-222-3600 |
Published after-hours/weekend Clerk information |
Criminal Court Clerk |
201 Poplar, 4th Floor |
901-222-3200 |
Criminal Court / felony case information |
General Sessions Civil Division |
140 Adams Ave, Room 106 |
901-222-3400 |
Civil General Sessions matters |
- Choose the criminal court-date or case-information option.
- Use the case, docket or booking number when available.
- Confirm the defendant carefully.
- Review the latest hearing information.
- Contact the Clerk for an official or certified record.
Local court-location tip
The Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar houses criminal and General Sessions criminal court functions. The historic county courthouse at 140 Adams is associated with civil court functions. Do not assume every Shelby County court matter is handled at the same building.
Use the Shelby County Fugitive Division for Warrant Information
The Sheriff’s Fugitive Division is responsible for execution and maintenance of many outstanding warrants in Shelby County. The division publishes an outstanding-warrant search and a Mid-South Most Wanted resource.
- Use the Outstanding Warrants Search link on the page.
- Verify the legal name carefully.
- Do not attempt to apprehend a wanted person yourself.
- Use the Fugitive Division telephone number for appropriate public inquiries.
- Use CrimeStoppers if you are reporting information about a wanted person.
How to Request Shelby County Sheriff Public Records
The Sheriff’s Office has a Public Records Request Coordinator for requests made under the Tennessee Public Records Act.
The Sheriff states that public-record requests may be submitted by mail, fax or email under the current policy. The office also notes that public-record request payments are accepted by business check, money order or cashier’s check.
- Read the current policy and fee information.
- Download or open the request form.
- Describe the specific record you want.
- Include a useful date range, case number or division when known.
- Use the current submission method on the form.
- Wait for a fee or availability response before sending unnecessary payment.
Sheriff Public Records, Memphis Police Reports and R&I Are Different
This is one of the easiest places to lose time in Memphis. A Shelby County jail booking does not automatically mean the Sheriff created the original incident report.
Memphis Police incident and crash reports
The Sheriff’s current law-enforcement FAQ directs citizens seeking ordinary crime, incident or vehicle-accident reports to Central Records at 170 North Main, Room 7-11, telephone 901-636-3650.
Sheriff Records & Identification services
The Sheriff’s Records & Identification section provides specialized services such as jail-release verification, fingerprints and arrest tickets.
Service |
Published fee |
|---|---|
Jail release verification |
$20 |
Fingerprint card — first card |
$15 |
Each additional fingerprint card |
$5 |
Arrest ticket |
$15 |
Additional copies |
$5 |
The current fee page says payment must be the exact amount by money order or cashier’s check; cash is not accepted for these listed R&I fees.
- Choose the specific service you need.
- Confirm the current fee.
- Prepare the exact accepted payment type.
- Verify current service hours before travelling.
Formal background checks
The Sheriff’s records page says SCSO does not conduct general background investigations for the public. For a Tennessee criminal-history background check, use the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
- Choose the type of background check you actually need.
- Review the identity information and fee requirements.
- Follow the TBI process instead of substituting a jail roster.
Shelby County Sex Offender Registry Information
The Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry unit is located at 1080 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. The Sheriff directory lists 901-222-5700 for additional information.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains the statewide public Sex Offender Registry, which is updated using information supplied by registering agencies.
- Locate the Sex Offenders Registry section.
- Confirm the current Shelby County registration-office contact.
- Use the linked Tennessee registry for public offender searches.
- Report suspected registry errors to the responsible registering agency.
What the Shelby County Sheriff Civil Division Does
The Civil Field/Levy Division serves and returns civil process ordered by Shelby County courts. Common civil matters can include warrants, levies, writs and eviction-related process.
If you are starting a civil action, the first step generally occurs at the appropriate court clerk rather than by walking into the Sheriff’s Office with an unfiled complaint.
- Identify the court that has jurisdiction over the civil action.
- File the required action with the Clerk.
- Obtain the court-issued process.
- Follow the Clerk and Sheriff instructions for service.
- Keep the docket number and service information.
How to File a Complaint About a Shelby County Sheriff Employee
The Bureau of Professional Standards and Integrity handles complaints alleging misconduct by Sheriff’s Office employees.
- Write down the date, time and location.
- Identify the employee when known.
- Describe what happened in chronological order.
- Preserve supporting documents or recordings lawfully in your possession.
- Use the current in-person or email complaint route provided by BPSI.
Shelby County Details That Save Time
- 201 Poplar is more than a jail. The complex includes Sheriff administration, adult jail operations, General Sessions Criminal Court and Criminal Court functions.
- 225 Poplar is not necessarily a different jail. Shelby County uses 201/225 Poplar references for parts of the same downtown criminal-justice complex, particularly visitation/annex directions.
- Women are housed at Jail East. Use 6201 Haley Road and 901-222-6600 rather than assuming every adult inmate service is downtown.
- The current Sheriff changed in 2026. Older pages naming Floyd Bonner Jr. as Sheriff are outdated after Anthony Buckner’s August 31, 2026 swearing-in.
- Use CorrectPay for current commissary deposits. Older FAQ wording about prior vendors can still appear online.
- Memphis Police reports and Sheriff public records are not the same request. Confirm which agency created the record.
- A visible bond is not a guaranteed release time. Shelby County says actual release may take 3–6 hours after release is ordered.
- Keep the booking number. It helps with mail, property, deposits and court follow-up.
- Do not pay an unsolicited warrant caller. Independently verify warrants through the Sheriff and court.
- A booking is not a conviction. Check the court case for what happened after arrest.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Contact Information
Memphis, TN 38103
Main: 901-222-5500
Non-emergency dispatch: 901-379-7625
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Memphis, TN 38103
Jail Information: 901-222-4703
Memphis, TN 38134
Jail East: 901-222-6600
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-222-5656
Fax: 901-222-5657
Main Sheriff / Criminal Justice Center map
Jail East map
Shelby County Sheriff Office Checklist
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office FAQs
What is the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office phone number?
The general Shelby County Sheriff’s Office phone number is 901-222-5500. Non-emergency dispatch is 901-379-7625. Call 911 for an emergency.
Who is the current Shelby County Sheriff in Tennessee?
Anthony J. Buckner is the current Shelby County Sheriff. He was elected on August 6, 2026 and sworn in on August 31, 2026 as the county’s 48th Sheriff.
Where is the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office located?
The Sheriff’s administrative office is at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 902, Memphis, TN 38103.
How do I search for a Shelby County jail inmate?
Use the official Shelby County Sheriff inmate search at shelby-sheriff.org/inmate-search. Search by legal name and verify the booking details before relying on the result.
Where are male and female Shelby County inmates housed?
Male inmates are housed at the downtown Main Jail at 201 Poplar Avenue. Female inmates are housed at Jail East, 6201 Haley Road in Memphis.
How do I schedule Shelby County jail visitation?
Use the Sheriff’s Jail Visitation page. Remote incoming video visits use the GettingOut Visits app, while onsite video visits use the Shelby County GTL visitation scheduling system. Visitor approval and valid photo ID rules apply.
How do I put money on a Shelby County inmate account?
The current Sheriff deposit page uses VendEngine / CorrectPay. Deposits can be made by lobby kiosk, online through CorrectPay, through the CorrectPay app or by telephone at 1-855-836-3364.
How do I check a Shelby County warrant?
Start with the official Sheriff Fugitive Division page and its Outstanding Warrants Search. The Fugitive Division phone number is 901-222-5620. Do not attempt to apprehend a wanted person yourself.
How do I request Shelby County Sheriff public records?
Use the Sheriff’s Public Records Requests page. The TPRA Coordinator is at 201 Poplar Avenue, Room 9-15, Memphis, TN 38103, phone 901-222-5656 and fax 901-222-5657.
How do I find a Shelby County inmate’s court date?
Use Shelby County General Sessions or Criminal Court case resources depending on the case. General Sessions Criminal Court is at 201 Poplar, Suite LL-81, phone 901-222-3500. The Criminal Court Clerk is at 201 Poplar, 4th Floor, phone 901-222-3200.
Primary Shelby County and Tennessee Resources
Main law-enforcement, jail, warrant, court-security and public-service website.
Open official Sheriff websiteCurrent county adult custody search.
Open official inmate searchMain Jail, Jail East, jail operations and current facility information.
Open official jail informationGettingOut remote visits, onsite visitation and provider links.
Open visitation informationCorrectPay / VendEngine deposit instructions and lobby account information.
Open inmate deposit informationOutstanding warrants, wanted-person information and Fugitive Division contact.
Open Fugitive DivisionTennessee Public Records Act process for Shelby County Sheriff records.
Open Sheriff public-record request pageCriminal and civil case information, court dates, Clerk contacts and payments.
Open General Sessions CourtState offender search when a person has moved from local jail custody into Tennessee correctional supervision.
Open Tennessee FOIL searchEditorial review: this page was re-audited against Shelby County government, Shelby County Sheriff, General Sessions Court and Tennessee public resources on September 27, 2026.
Freshness: inmate status, warrants, court dates, release timing, provider apps, deposit fees, visitation availability, office hours and public-record procedures can change. Recheck the official source immediately before paying money, travelling or relying on a date.
Legal and privacy notice: an arrest or jail entry may contain allegations rather than convictions. Juvenile, sealed, confidential, medical, investigative and otherwise protected information may not be publicly available. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
FCRA notice: do not use a jail roster, warrant search, arrest record or this guide as a substitute for a legally compliant consumer report when making employment, housing, credit, insurance or another decision governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar law.
If there is an immediate threat to life, a crime in progress or another 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.