Finding someone in the system is stressful. You’re likely here because a friend or family member didn't come home, and you suspect they’re at the "Martinez Jail." First, a quick correction: there is technically no "Martinez County." Martinez is the city that serves as the seat for Contra Costa County. If you are looking for an arrestee in this area, you are looking for the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF).
It’s a massive, high-security concrete fortress right in the middle of downtown. It's where almost everyone arrested in the county goes first. Whether they were picked up in Concord, Walnut Creek, or Martinez itself, this is the primary intake point.
How to actually use the Martinez county inmate search
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office doesn't make this a "one-click" experience like shopping on Amazon. You have two main digital paths. Honestly, the most reliable way to start is the In-Custody Locator on the official Sheriff’s website.
You need the person’s legal name. Middle names help, but they aren't always required. If you have the Booking Number, use it. It’s the "social security number" of the jail system and eliminates any confusion with people who have common names.
- Go to the Official Contra Costa Inmate Locator.
- Enter the Last Name and First Name.
- Be prepared for a lack of results if they were booked within the last 2-4 hours.
The system doesn't update in real-time. If the arrest just happened, the paperwork is likely sitting on a desk or being processed in the "Live Scan" fingerprinting station. If you can't find them online and it’s been a few hours, call the jail directly at (925) 335-4600. They are open 24/7.
The Public Report trick
Sometimes the search tool is glitchy. There is a "secret" second way: the Inmate Booking Report. This is a daily PDF or web list of every single person booked into the system in the last 24 hours. It’s useful if you aren't sure of the exact spelling of someone’s name or if the search engine is acting up.
Why you can't find them (and it's not a glitch)
Sometimes a martinez county inmate search comes up empty even when you know they were arrested. This happens for a few reasons that aren't always obvious.
First, they might have been moved. Contra Costa County has three main facilities: Martinez (MDF), West County (WCDF) in Richmond, and Marsh Creek (MCDF) in Clayton. MDF is for high-security and intake. West County is more of a campus-style facility. Marsh Creek is "the farm"—low security for sentenced inmates. If they’ve already been processed, they might have been bussed to Richmond.
Second, they might be in the "Pre-Booking" stage. Until an inmate is fully processed, fingerprinted, and medically cleared, they don't exist in the public database. This can take six hours on a busy Friday night.
Third, look at the charges. If it's a "cite and release" situation for a minor misdemeanor, they might be getting processed and let out the back door before the website ever refreshes.
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What happens after the search?
Once you find them, you'll see a few key pieces of data:
- Booking Number: Write this down. You need it for mail, money, and visits.
- Housing Location: This tells you which facility they are in.
- Bail Amount: This is the big one.
If you see "No Bail," it usually means a judge hasn't set it yet, or the charges are serious enough (like certain felonies or parole violations) that bail isn't an option. If there is a dollar amount, you can contact a bail bondsman. Just keep in mind that the jail doesn't take credit cards for bail at the window; it's usually cash, cashier's checks, or a surety bond from a licensed agent.
Sending money and "The Commissary"
Inmates need money for everything from extra soap to phone calls. You can't just hand them a twenty-dollar bill. You have to deposit it into their "Inmate Trust Account."
Most people use the kiosks in the jail lobby at 901 Court Street. They take cash and cards. You can also do it online via third-party services like TouchPay or iCare. Just be ready for the fees. They’re steep. It’s kinda frustrating, but it’s the only way to make sure they can buy a snack or a phone card.
Visiting 901 Court Street
Visiting is a whole different beast. You can't just show up. You have to be on the inmate’s pre-approved visitor list. If you aren't on the list, you aren't getting in. Period.
The Rules (They are strict):
- Arrival: You must arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled slot. If you're late, you're out.
- ID: You need a valid government photo ID. A passport or CA Driver's License works.
- Dress Code: No "revealing" clothing. No gang attire. No hats. No camouflage. They will turn you away for wearing a tank top or a skirt that’s too short.
- Minors: If you’re bringing kids, you need their original birth certificates.
The visiting hours change, but generally, they run blocks in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Thursdays are often weird because that's when they do a lot of internal movements. Always check the schedule on the day you plan to go.
Actionable steps for your search
If you are currently looking for someone, do these things in this exact order:
- Check the Online Locator first. It saves you a phone call and a long hold time.
- Note the Booking Number. You will be asked for this every single time you call or visit.
- Wait at least 4 hours post-arrest. Searching too early just leads to unnecessary panic.
- Call (925) 335-4600 if the web fails. Ask specifically if the person is "in the process of being booked."
- Verify the facility. Make sure they haven't been moved to the West County Detention Facility in Richmond before you drive to Martinez.
The system is slow, and the staff is often overworked. Being polite on the phone actually goes a long way. If you have the booking number ready and your questions are specific, you’ll get the information you need much faster.