Find Booking Reports in Houston County
The Houston County Sheriff's Office creates and stores booking reports for all arrests in the county. Dothan serves as the county seat where the main sheriff's office is located. An online jail roster provides free access to current inmate information. Under Alabama law, these records are public and available for inspection during business hours.
Houston County Quick Facts
Houston County Sheriff Contact
The Houston County Sheriff's Office handles all booking reports and jail operations for the county. Contact them directly for official records requests, to verify if someone is in custody, or for information about jail procedures. Staff can answer questions about the booking process and explain what records are available.
| Address | 411 North Foster Street, Dothan, AL 36303 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 677-4882 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | houstoncosoal.gov |
When calling about booking reports, have the full name and date of birth ready if possible. This helps staff locate records quickly. For formal records requests, you may need to visit in person with valid photo identification. Alabama residents have the right to inspect public jail records under Code of Alabama § 36-22-8.
How to Search Houston County Booking Reports Online
The Houston County Sheriff's Office provides free online access to current inmate information. You can search the jail roster without creating an account or paying any fees. The system shows current inmates along with booking details, charges, and bond amounts. Results appear instantly when you enter a name.
To search for booking reports in Houston County, visit houstoncosoal.gov and look for the inmate roster or jail search section. Enter the person's name to see if they are currently in custody. The roster updates regularly as new bookings occur and inmates are released. You can view mugshots on most entries.
If you need historical booking information or official copies, contact the sheriff's office directly. Online rosters typically show only current inmates and recent releases. For court records tied to arrests, use Alacourt Access at pa.alacourt.com which charges $9.99 per name search.
Houston County Booking Report Fees
Searching the online jail roster is free. Anyone can view current inmate information without payment. Official copies of booking records may have fees that vary by request type. Contact the sheriff's office for current fee schedules.
General fee guidelines for Houston County records:
- 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
For state-level background checks, ALEA charges $25 and requires fingerprint submission. Court records through Alacourt Access cost $9.99 per name search. These alternatives may be useful if you need records beyond what the county provides directly.
How to Request Records in Houston County
You can request booking records in Houston County through several methods. Each option works better for different situations. Choose based on what you need and how quickly you need it.
For quick status checks, call the sheriff's office at (334) 677-4882. Staff can tell you if someone is currently in custody. They can provide basic booking information over the phone. This is the fastest way to confirm an arrest.
For official copies, visit the sheriff's office in person at 411 North Foster Street, Dothan, AL 36303. Bring valid photo identification. Ask for the records division. Specify exactly what records you need. Staff will process your request and tell you any fees. Processing time depends on the complexity of your request and current workload.
Houston County and the Peanut Festival
Houston County is Alabama's youngest county, formed in 1903. Dothan, the county seat, is known as the Peanut Capital of the World. The National Peanut Festival draws over 200,000 visitors annually. This makes Houston County a hub for the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama.
The sheriff's office serves a growing population in a regional center. The inmate listing is available online for free searches. Dothan's position as a regional hub means the jail sees bookings from a wide service area. Some inmates may be from neighboring counties or states.
The county's relatively young age means many records systems are modern. Online access to booking reports reflects this forward-thinking approach. The sheriff's website provides clear access to jail information and inmate searches.
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 book must include names, ages, charges, commitment dates, and release dates. The records must be available for public inspection.
Section 36-12-40 gives Alabama residents the right to inspect and copy public records. This includes booking reports held by the Houston County Sheriff. You do not need to provide a reason for your request. However, Alabama is one of only seven states that limits public records access to state residents.
Some records have privacy restrictions. Juvenile records are confidential under § 12-15-133. Records of ongoing investigations may be withheld under § 12-21-3.1. Expunged records must be removed from public access under Chapter 15-27. The sheriff's office follows all state requirements when responding to records requests.
Nearby Alabama Counties
These counties border Houston County. If you are unsure which county handles a specific arrest, the location of the arrest determines jurisdiction. Contact the appropriate sheriff's office based on where the incident occurred.