How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Finding Mugshots Online

2Searching for Arrest Records

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Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: April 19, 2024Fact Checked

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Mugshots and arrest records are available to the public, so they're actually pretty easy to find. Whether you're looking for your own mugshot or researching a case, we've got everything you need to know right here. Read on to learn how to find mugshots online using the best websites and apps. Plus, we'll teach you how to search arrest records to get more information on a particular offender or case.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Finding Mugshots Online

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  1. 1

    Search the FindMugshots website. Go to the website here: https://www.findmugshots.com/. Enter the first and last name, as well as the state. Click “Search.”

    • You can also browse if you don’t have a name. Go to https://www.findmugshots.com/states, click on the state you want to search, and then select the county or city.
    • After selecting the county or city, you can browse by first letter of the last name.
  2. 2

    Browse on the PrisonHandbook website. Visit here: http://prisonhandbook.com/mugshot-search/. At the website, choose your state. You will be taken to a list of jails.

    • Select a jail and read how to view mugshots. There might be a link to the jail’s website, where you can search for mugshots. The links will be at the bottom of the page under “Links and Resources,” so scroll all the way down the page.
    • Not all jails let you view mugshots online.

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  3. 3

    Visit your state’s department of corrections website. Every state in the U.S. should have a website, and you can use the inmate locator to find information about the prisoner. Some states will also publish mugshots.

    • Type “your state” and “department of corrections” into your favorite web browser.
    • You can find links to state department of corrections websites here: https://www.usa.gov/corrections.
    • At the website, look for a link that says “Prisoner Search,” “Offender Search,” “Prisoner Locator” or something similar. You can usually search by prisoner number or name.
  4. 4

    Search your state’s sex offender registry. In the U.S., every state has a sex offender registry, which you can find by searching on Google. A sex offender registry is a good resource because it will contain mugshots even in states that don’t normally provide mugshots.

    • You can search using basic information, such as the offender’s name. If you want to see all of the offenders in your area, there should be an option to search by location as well.
    • The person must have been convicted of a sex offense for their information to appear in the registry. Accordingly, the number of mugshots might be limited.
  5. 5

    Check your local sheriff and police department websites. Some law enforcement agencies host mugshots online, which you can view for free. Not many do, however, so this shouldn’t be your first place to check. You’ll need to know the county where the person was booked.

  6. 6

    Use an app. You can download some apps to your smartphone and search for mugshots. One popular app is JailBase. You can search millions of arrest records for free. The app does not have records for all counties in the U.S., but it is adding to its list daily.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Searching for Arrest Records

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  1. 1

    Stop into the police station. Your local police station should have arrest records for the city. Stop in during normal business hours to request a report. You may need to fill out a form and pay a processing fee.

    • Arrest records are public records, so they should be generally available. However, the true availability depends on your location. In some places, only a lawyer can get the records, whereas other records might have identifying information removed.[1]
  2. 2

    Visit the county courthouse. Smaller counties usually don’t have an online database you can search. Instead, you need to visit the courthouse. Go to the courthouse for the county where the person was arrested.[2]

    • If the courthouse is far away, call and ask how you can find arrest records. The clerk should explain the process.
  3. 3

    Search a state or county website. Some states have arrest records online for free. Check the websites for both the county courthouse and the local police department. Enter as much information as you have about the person, including their name and date of birth.[3]

  4. 4

    Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. In the U.S., people convicted of federal crimes will be held in federal prison. You can search for inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.[4]

    • This website doesn’t have arrest records available. However, it will tell you whether a person was ever in federal prison and when they were released. The website has information as far back as 1982.
  5. 5

    Pay for a background check. Many online websites collect arrest records. You can search by the person’s name and the state where you think they were arrested.

    • Be warned that most online sites will charge you. Often, they don’t advertise this fact on their home page. Instead, they run their report and then tell you how much you have to pay to access it.
    • Some websites might offer the information for free, but you’ll have to dig to find them. By far, most websites requirement payment.
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  • Question

    Are all mugshots public record?

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

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    Staff Answer

    This varies from one area to another. For example, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, many states do not have laws specifying whether mugshots should or should not be public record. In these cases, it’s up to individual agencies to decide whether or not to release their records.

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  • Question

    How long do mugshots stay online?

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    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (19)

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    This partially depends on where the mugshots are being hosted. Many commercial mugshot websites now state that they will only keep mugshots available for 90 days. In some states in the U.S., mugshot websites are obligated to remove the images within 30 days upon request.

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  • Question

    How do I find out where somebody is locked up?

    How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (20)

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    Have their name and other information on hand if you want to find out where someone is locked up. If you find the city or area where the person was arrested, call the police department and ask to speak to the arresting officer as they may know where the inmate ended up.

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      About This Article

      How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (35)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 1,683,130 times.

      347 votes - 30%

      Co-authors: 17

      Updated: April 19, 2024

      Views:1,683,130

      Categories: Law Enforcement

      Article SummaryX

      If you want to find a mugshot, visit findmugshots.com, then search by entering the person's first and last name, and the state. If you don't know their name, you can also browse through the listings. Alternatively, go to your state's Department of Corrections website, where you'll find an inmate locator tool to help you find a particular prisoner. Finally, if you'd rather search for mugshots on your phone, download an app such as JailBase, which includes millions of arrest records. For tips on how to search for arrest records you can't find online, read on!

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      How to Find Mugshots: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How do I access local mugshots? ›

      Your local police station should have arrest records for the city. Stop in during normal business hours to request a report. You may need to fill out a form and pay a processing fee. Arrest records are public records, so they should be generally available.

      Can you look up mugshots in California? ›

      California arrest records are accessible to the public, allowing individuals to check for recent arrests and view mugshots. However, it's essential to understand that criminal records are confidential and can only be accessed by certain authorized entities.

      How do I find recent arrests in PA? ›

      Interested individuals can find and obtain recent arrests in Pennsylvania by contacting the appropriate arresting agency. Finding this type of record involves knowing where an arrest happened and tracking down the correct department.

      How to look up local arrests? ›

      The public can find recent arrests within a California county or city through a sheriff or police department. These agencies often publish online arrest logs that provide summaries of recent arrests within a period. This period could be a few days, a month, or may date back to a few years.

      Are all arrests public record in California? ›

      Arrest records are public records in the State of California. This means that if you were arrested for a crime, you have the right to look them up or access them as a matter of California law. This right is provided by: the Public Records Act, and.

      What is the best free public records search? ›

      In the United States, you can Access Court Records Electronically through the US Courts website as part of the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) project. This website also informs you of whether or not a case is actively involved in litigation. PACER allows you to search for cases through all US courts.

      Are mugshots public in Florida? ›

      After an arrest in Florida, law enforcement agencies record the suspect's personal information and fingerprints and capture two photographs – a front view and a profile. These mugshots become an integral part of an individual's Florida arrest records, which are generally open to the public unless expunged or sealed.

      Does Texas post mugshots? ›

      In the state of Texas, mugshots and other arrest information are public information. And due to documents like the Freedom of Information Act, there can be no Texas arrest laws barring the publication or distribution of that data.

      How to look up someone's charges in Texas? ›

      Statewide Criminal History Check

      Criminal history information, including for both Travis County and the State of Texas, is available with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Please use the TDPS Criminal History Search, or call (855) 481-7070. Fees for this service may apply.

      Are mugshots public record in USA? ›

      They're public depending on the city/county/state if arrest records are public or not. They don't publish mugshots just for fun like a high school yearbook, its because they need it for the arrest record. And yes, this arrest record is public whether or not the person is guilty.

      Is it illegal to record police in Virginia? ›

      The pervasive use of smartphones now makes it easier than ever to record instances of wrongdoing by the police against the public. The law in Virginia allows the public to record the police if: It is in public and. The person doing the recording does not hamper the work of the police.

      Are DC mugshots public? ›

      Public Availability of Mugshots

      Mugshots are considered to be part of a publicly available arrest record which can be accessed by anyone who goes through the proper channels with the DC government to obtain them. However, unlike many other states, mugshots are not available in DC cases through common Internet searches.

      Can you look up mugshots in Wisconsin? ›

      Arrest records in Wisconsin are generally available to the public, except where the law restricts public access. An arrest record contains the name of the arrested person, time and date of arrest, location of arrest, charges, a mugshot, and bail information.

      Are mugshots public record in New York City? ›

      Specifically, the New York Mugshot Law allows the release of mugshots to the public and news organizations when it serves a particular purpose.

      How to find Michigan mugshots? ›

      For most mugshots having convictions, you can view them online through the Offender Tracking Information System of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and the Sex Offender Registry of the MSP. You can also obtain a mugshot record in person by visiting the local law enforcement agency.

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