Missouri Inmate Search: How to Find Someone in Prison or Jail
Looking for someone in a Missouri prison or jail? This guide shows you where to search, what each tool covers, and what to do when the name doesn’t show up.
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Quick Answer 🏛️
To find an inmate in Missouri, use the Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) Offender Web Search at web.mo.gov/doc/offSearchWeb. Search by first and last name. If the person was arrested recently, check the inmate roster of the county sheriff’s office where the arrest happened.
- State prison, probation, or parole: MODOC Offender Web Search
- Recent arrest: County sheriff’s jail roster
- St. Louis City: St. Louis City Inmate Locator (exact name only)
- Federal prison: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
- Release or transfer alerts: MOVANS
Missouri doesn’t have one search that covers every inmate in the state. People in state prisons and people on probation or parole are listed in the MODOC Offender Web Search. People held in a county jail after an arrest are listed by that county’s sheriff’s office. Federal inmates are tracked by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
So the right tool depends on where the person is being held.
Disclaimer: MOCaselookup.com is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri Courts, or any sheriff’s office. Content is researched and prepared by Jawad Ahmed, Legal Research Contributor. For official offender information, always use web.mo.gov/doc/offSearchWeb.
Which Missouri Inmate Search Should You Use?
Use this table to pick the right place before you start searching.
| If the person is… | Search here |
|---|---|
| Serving a sentence in a state prison | MODOC Offender Web Search |
| On probation or parole | MODOC Offender Web Search |
| Recently arrested or waiting for court | County sheriff’s jail roster |
| Held in the City of St. Louis | St. Louis City Inmate Locator |
| Charged with a federal crime | BOP Inmate Locator |
| Someone you want release alerts for | MOVANS |
How to Use the Missouri DOC Offender Search
The MODOC Offender Web Search is the official, free tool from the Missouri Department of Corrections. You don’t need an account to use it.
Step 1: Open the Official Offender Search
Go to web.mo.gov/doc/offSearchWeb. At the top of the page, a red line shows when the offender data was last updated. It is refreshed once a day, and both times we checked it showed 9:00 PM of the previous day.
Tip from our testing: When we opened the search from a connection outside the U.S., the page showed an “Access denied” message from the site’s security filter. If you see this, try again from a regular home or mobile connection without a VPN.
Step 2: Complete the CAPTCHA
Below the welcome text, you’ll see a CAPTCHA image with a short code. Type that code into the box next to “Enter the letters and numbers from the image”, then click Proceed to Offender Search.
If the code is hard to read, click Get New Image to load a new one. You can also click Read Image to hear the code out loud.
Step 3: Search by Name or DOC ID
On the next page, you get two ways to search: by Doc ID, or by First Name and Last Name. Fill in one option and click Search.
If you have the person’s DOC ID number, use it. It takes you to one exact record instead of a long list of names. If you search by name, the search also checks aliases, so someone may show up under a nickname or a former last name.
Note: The site doesn’t allow the * wildcard in the Doc ID or name fields, so type the name as fully and correctly as you can.
The search page also carries a warning: using this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass someone can lead to criminal charges or civil liability.
Step 4: Open the Matching Record
If the name is common, compare the age and other details with what you know about the person before opening a record. The offender record can show the DOC ID, current supervision status, where the person is assigned (a prison or a Probation and Parole office), and offense and sentence details.
What the DOC Search Won’t Show
- Discharged offenders. Once someone finishes their sentence and supervision, they no longer appear.
- People in county jails who have not been sent to a state prison.
- Some protected records. MODOC withholds certain records for safety, security, or confidentiality reasons.
- Real-time changes. The data is updated on a schedule, not live, so a transfer from today may not show yet.
MODOC also says that specific questions about an offender’s status should go to the institutional caseworker or the Probation and Parole officer handling the case.
How to Find Someone in a Missouri County Jail
If the person was arrested in the last few days, they are most likely in a county jail, not a state prison. County jails are run by the local sheriff’s office, and each one keeps its own inmate roster.
- Find out which county the arrest happened in.
- Go to that county sheriff’s office website.
- Look for a link called “Inmate Search,” “Jail Roster,” or “Current Inmates.”
- If the county has no online roster, call the jail directly.
Official Missouri County Jail Search Links
If you know which county the person was arrested in, use the county’s official inmate search service.
- Jackson County: Official Inmate Online Search — Accept the terms of use to search for individuals held at the Jackson County Detention Center.
- Jefferson County: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office — Select “Inmate Search” to find current custody records.
If your county is not listed, visit the relevant county sheriff’s official website and look for “Inmate Search” or “Jail Roster.” If no online search is available, contact the detention facility directly.
Keep in mind that most people in a county jail have not been convicted. They are usually waiting for a court date or for bond to be posted.
St. Louis City Inmate Locator
The City of St. Louis has its own locator for people held at the City Justice Center or in police custody. You need the person’s exact first and last name, because the system only returns exact matches. Results show the name, year of birth, race, sex, and facility.
If you can’t find the person but believe they are in police custody, the City says to call the St. Louis Police Department Prisoner Processing unit at 314-241-8339.
Note that St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate. A person arrested in St. Louis County will not show up in the city locator.
How to Search for a Federal Inmate in Missouri
If someone was charged with a federal crime, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. You can search by name or by BOP register number. The locator covers federal inmates from 1982 to the present.
The BOP notes that release dates may not be up to date while sentences are recalculated under the First Step Act.
How to Check a Missouri Inmate’s Release Date
The DOC search is a good starting point, but it is not the final word on a release date. Dates can change because of parole decisions, credit for time served, or new court orders.
For the most accurate answer, contact the institutional caseworker at the prison. If you want to be told when the person is released or moved, sign up for MOVANS.
Get Custody Alerts with MOVANS
The Missouri Victim Notification Portal (MOVANS) sends alerts when an offender’s custody or court status changes. It covers people held in county jails and in the Department of Corrections, plus upcoming court events.
- You can search by DOC Offender ID or Booking ID. The ID must be exact.
- Alerts come by text or email.
Since the May 5, 2026 system update, MOVANS notifications are available through text messages and email. Phone call and VINELink app notifications are no longer supported in Missouri. Existing users who had not selected text or email notifications needed to update their registration to continue receiving alerts.
Source: Missouri Department of Corrections — Victim Notification System Changes Underway
Check the Court Case on Case.net
An inmate search tells you where someone is held. It doesn’t show the full court case. To see the charges, hearing dates, and docket entries, use Case.net Litigant Name Search.
If you’re checking whether someone has an open warrant instead, see our guide on how to do a Missouri warrant search.
How to Request Official Offender Records
For records beyond what the online search shows, you can make a request under Missouri’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo). The Department of Corrections accepts requests by email:
- Office of the Director: OD.SunshineRequest@doc.mo.gov
- Missouri Parole Board: ParoleBoard.SunshineRequest@doc.mo.gov
For general questions, MODOC directs people to Constituent Services at constituentservices@doc.mo.gov.
FAQs About Missouri Inmate Search
Is the Missouri inmate search free?
Yes. The MODOC Offender Web Search, county sheriff rosters, and the BOP Inmate Locator are all free. Some third-party sites charge for the same information, but you don’t need to pay to find an inmate.
Can I search for a Missouri inmate by name?
Yes. The MODOC Offender Web Search lets you search by first and last name, including known aliases.
Why can’t I find someone in the Missouri DOC search?
The person may be in a county jail or a federal prison, may have been discharged, or the name may be spelled differently. Some records are also withheld for safety reasons.
What is a Missouri DOC ID number?
It is the unique number the Department of Corrections gives each offender. You’ll need it for things like sending mail, setting up visits, and signing up for MOVANS alerts.
Does Case.net show if someone is in jail?
No. Missouri Case.net shows court cases and docket entries, not current custody. Use the DOC search or a county jail roster to see if someone is in custody.
How often is the Missouri offender search updated?
It is updated on a regular schedule, not in real time. Check the “current as of” date at the top of the search page.
Can I see mugshots in a Missouri inmate search?
Some county jail rosters show booking photos. It depends on the county.
Conclusion
A Missouri inmate search starts with one question: where is the person held? For state prisons, probation, and parole, use the MODOC Offender Web Search. For a recent arrest, check the county sheriff’s jail roster. For federal cases, use the BOP Inmate Locator. If you need to know the moment someone is released or moved, sign up for MOVANS.
