DeKalb County Jail Roster

DeKalb County jail roster data is managed by the Sheriff's Office in Fort Payne. This northeast Alabama county has a Detention Center that holds about 245 inmates. The facility books thousands of people each year. You can search for inmates on the Sheriff's website or call the jail. This guide shows you how to look up booking records in DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff runs the Detention Center. The main office has a 24-hour phone line for non-emergency calls. The Detention Center is on Jordan Road in Fort Payne. This is where all county bookings take place.

DeKalb County sits in the northeast corner of Alabama. It borders Georgia to the east. The county is known for Lookout Mountain and outdoor tourism. The jail handles arrests from Fort Payne, Rainsville, and other towns. Staff process about 2,800 people each year. The average daily count is around 235 inmates.

Note: The Detention Center operates around the clock for booking and release.

How to Search DeKalb County Jail Records

The Sheriff has a full online roster. Go to dekalbcountysheriff.org and find the roster link. You can view current inmates or those released in the past 48 hours. This makes it easy to track recent activity.

The online roster lets you search by name. Results show the person's name, booking photo, booking number, age, gender, race, address, booking date, charges, and bond. The list updates when people are booked in or released.

To search DeKalb County jail records, you will need:

• Full name of the person
• Last name is usually enough to start
• Booking number if known

If the online roster does not help, call the jail. Staff can look up inmates by name. They will tell you if someone is in custody, what charges they face, and what the bond is. The phone line is open at all times.

The jail recently changed how inmates contact people outside. As of January 2026, inmates can use phone calls, video visits, messages, and electronic mail. These new methods help families stay in touch.

What DeKalb County Jail Records Contain

Alabama law requires the sheriff to keep a jail book. Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 says this book must be open for the public to view. It must list each person brought to the jail.

A DeKalb County jail record will usually include:

• Full legal name of the inmate
• Age, sex, and race
• Home address
• Arresting agency
• Charges filed
• Date and time of booking
• Bond amount if set
• Booking photo

The mugshot is part of the record. Staff take this photo during intake. It shows what the person looked like when they were brought in. Alabama treats mugshots as public records.

Alabama Jail Record Laws

The Open Records Act is in Alabama Code Section 36-12-40. It gives residents the right to see public records. Jail logs are public records. You do not need to give a reason to see them.

Alabama Code Section 36-22-8 says the sheriff must keep a jail book. It must have the name, age, sex, race, charges, and dates for each inmate. The law says this book must be open for viewing during work hours at the jail.

When someone is booked in DeKalb County, the data goes to the state within 24 hours. This rule is in Alabama Administrative Code 265-X-2-.03. The info goes to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. This keeps a statewide database of arrests.

If charges are dropped, the person can ask to seal the record. Alabama Code Section 15-27 covers expungement. Once sealed, the record is no longer public. The jail roster will not show that entry anymore.

DeKalb County Detention Center

The Detention Center is on Jordan Road in Fort Payne. It is a medium-security facility that can hold about 245 inmates. The jail processes around 2,800 people each year. This makes it one of the busier jails in northeast Alabama.

The jail holds people waiting for trial, those convicted of misdemeanors, and those waiting for transfer to state prison. The average stay varies based on the charges and court schedule. Staff work around the clock to manage the facility.

Inmates can now contact family through several methods. Phone calls remain an option. Video visitation lets people see each other on screen. Messaging and electronic mail are newer options. These changes took effect in January 2026.

Statewide Search Tools

If you cannot find someone in DeKalb County, they may be in state prison. The Alabama Department of Corrections has a search tool at doc.alabama.gov. It shows people serving longer terms.

Alabama VINE lets you track custody status. You can sign up for alerts when an inmate moves or is released. The service is free. Go to vinelink.com or call 877-846-3425.

For court records, use Alacourt at pa.alacourt.com. This is the state court system. You can look up criminal and civil cases in DeKalb County. There are fees for detailed searches.

Search DeKalb County Records

Use this tool to find jail records and other public records in DeKalb County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County. Check them if you are not sure where someone was arrested.