Tuscaloosa Booking Reports and Jail Search
Tuscaloosa booking reports are maintained by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Tuscaloosa 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.
Tuscaloosa Quick Facts
Where Tuscaloosa Booking Reports Are Kept
The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office maintains all booking reports for Tuscaloosa. Like most Alabama cities, Tuscaloosa 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 | Tuscaloosa County Sheriff |
|---|---|
| Address | 714 1/2 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 |
| Phone | (205) 752-0616 |
| Jail Phone | (205) 349-4511 |
| Online Roster | www.tcsoal.org |
Tuscaloosa Police Department
The Tuscaloosa 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, Tuscaloosa Police transport the individual to the Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa Police. For questions about booking status, jail conditions, or release information, contact the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff. Each agency has different responsibilities and maintains different records. The city website is at www.tuscaloosa.com.
How to Search Tuscaloosa Booking Reports Online
The Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa by city police.
To search for booking reports, visit www.tcsoal.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 (205) 752-0616. Staff can search archived records that may not appear online.
Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa residents using the Tuscaloosa 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.
Tuscaloosa and the University
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama, known as "The Capstone." The Alabama Crimson Tide football team plays at Bryant-Denny Stadium, which holds over 100,000 fans. Game days bring massive crowds and increased law enforcement activity. The sheriff's office is experienced with managing these events.
The city is nicknamed the "Druid City" for its large oak trees. An EF4 tornado struck on April 27, 2011, killing 53 people and causing massive destruction. The community rebuilt stronger with improved emergency systems and public safety infrastructure.
Tuscaloosa County maintains an ACA accredited jail with video visitation from within cells. This technology improves safety while allowing family connections. The university population creates a mix of students and long-term residents in booking records throughout the academic year.
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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa County Sheriff follows all state requirements when handling records requests.
Tuscaloosa County Booking Records
Tuscaloosa is located in Tuscaloosa County. All booking reports for Tuscaloosa arrests go through the county sheriff's office. For complete information about the county jail, fees, and procedures, visit the Tuscaloosa 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.