Hoover Booking Reports and Jail Information
Hoover booking reports are maintained by the Jefferson/Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Hoover Police make arrests within city limits and transport individuals to the county jail for booking. The sheriff's staff create the official booking record during intake. You can search for current inmates online through the county's jail roster.
Hoover Quick Facts
Where Hoover Booking Reports Are Kept
The Jefferson/Shelby County Sheriff's Office maintains all booking reports for Hoover. Like most Alabama cities, Hoover does not operate its own jail. City police arrest people within city limits. They then transport those individuals to the county facility for booking and detention.
The sheriff's office creates the official booking record during the intake process. This record includes personal information, charges, mugshot, and bond amount. The county maintains these records as required by Code of Alabama § 36-22-8. The law mandates public access to jail books during office hours.
| Sheriff's Office | Jefferson/Shelby County Sheriff |
|---|---|
| Address | Both Jefferson and Shelby County Sheriff offices |
| Phone | Jefferson: (205) 325-5700 | Shelby: (205) 670-6000 |
| Online Roster | sheriff.jccal.org |
Hoover Police Department
The Hoover Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. Officers respond to calls, investigate crimes, and make arrests. When an arrest occurs, the officer creates an arrest report documenting the incident. This is separate from the booking report created at the county jail.
After an arrest, Hoover Police transport the individual to the Jefferson/Shelby County jail. The sheriff's staff take over from there. They complete the booking process including fingerprints, photographs, and entering data into the system. The booking report becomes part of the county's records, not the city's.
For questions about the arrest itself, contact Hoover Police. For questions about booking status, jail conditions, or release information, contact the Jefferson/Shelby County Sheriff. Each agency has different responsibilities and maintains different records. The city website is at hooveralabama.gov.
How to Search Hoover Booking Reports Online
The Jefferson/Shelby County Sheriff provides free online access to current inmate information. You can search without creating an account or paying any fees. The system shows everyone currently in custody plus recent releases. This includes people arrested in Hoover by city police.
To search for booking reports, visit sheriff.jccal.org. Look for the inmate search or jail roster section. Enter the person's name to see if they appear. Results show booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. Most entries include mugshot photographs.
If you cannot find someone online, they may have already been released. Online rosters typically show only current inmates. For historical booking information, contact the sheriff's office directly at Jefferson: (205) 325-5700 | Shelby: (205) 670-6000. Staff can search archived records that may not appear online.
Hoover Booking Report Fees
Searching the online jail roster is free. You can check if someone is in custody without paying anything. This applies to all Hoover residents using the Jefferson/Shelby County system. Phone status checks are also free during business hours.
Fees apply when you need official copies of records. General fee guidelines include:
- Online roster search: Free
- Phone status check: Free
- Copy of booking record: $0.50 to $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5 to $25 depending on type
State-level background checks through ALEA cost $25 and require fingerprint submission. Court records through Alacourt Access cost $9.99 per name search. These alternatives show records beyond what the county jail roster provides. Visit pa.alacourt.com for court records.
Hoover Spans Two Counties
Hoover is unique among Alabama cities because it spans two counties. The majority of Hoover lies in Jefferson County. The southeastern portion extends into Shelby County. This affects which sheriff handles booking reports depending on where an arrest occurs within the city.
If the arrest happens in the Jefferson County portion of Hoover, the booking goes to the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham. Use the Jefferson County inmate search at sheriff.jccal.org. Call (205) 325-5700 for Jefferson County inquiries.
If the arrest happens in the Shelby County portion, the booking goes to the Shelby County Jail in Columbiana. Use the Shelby County inmate listing at inmatelisting.shelbyal.com. Call (205) 670-6000 for Shelby County inquiries. If you are not sure which county, call both or check both online rosters.
Hoover Police patrol the entire city regardless of county lines. They transport arrested individuals to the appropriate county jail based on the location of the arrest. Both counties maintain their own booking records. There is no consolidated Hoover roster because the city does not operate its own jail.
Alabama Booking Report Laws
Alabama law requires booking reports to be public records. Code of Alabama § 36-22-8 mandates that sheriffs maintain a public record book for all prisoners. This includes people arrested by Hoover Police and booked at the county jail.
Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to inspect public records. You do not need to explain why you want the information. However, Alabama is one of only seven states that limits this right to state residents. Out-of-state requests may be denied.
Some records have privacy restrictions. Juvenile records are confidential under § 12-15-133. Records of ongoing investigations may be withheld until the case concludes. Expunged records must be removed from public access. The Jefferson/Shelby County Sheriff follows all state requirements when handling records requests.
Jefferson/Shelby County Booking Records
Hoover is located in Jefferson/Shelby County. All booking reports for Hoover arrests go through the county sheriff's office. For complete information about the county jail, fees, and procedures, visit the Jefferson/Shelby County page.
Other Major Alabama Cities
These are the other major cities in Alabama with populations over 50,000. Each uses its county sheriff for booking reports. Select a city to learn about jail access in that area.