How to Send Money to Someone in Jail

To send money to someone in jail, go to your county sheriff's website and find the page about jail accounts or deposits. Most county jails take money through a lobby kiosk, an online or phone vendor, or a money order by mail. You will usually need the person's booking or ID number. Each jail uses its own vendor and rules, so the steps below show real examples from three counties.

How jail accounts start

A jail account is usually opened when the person is booked. In Fresno County, California, the account is opened at booking to hold the person's money while they are in custody. Any cash they had on them when arrested is deposited into the account by the officer.

Jails are run by counties, not the state. That is why the rules in one county can be very different from the next one over. For more on how the two systems differ, see jail vs. prison commissary.

Before you send: find the booking number

Almost every deposit method asks for a number that identifies the person.

• Fresno County asks for the jail's facility number and the person's booking number for online and phone deposits.
• Durham County, North Carolina, asks for the Inmate ID/JCA number and the jail's facility number.
• Tulare County, California, asks for the person's ID number, their first and last name, and the facility name and location.

Most sheriff's offices have an online jail roster or lookup. If you cannot find the number, call the jail.

Four common ways to send money to someone in jail

1. The lobby kiosk

Many jails have a payment kiosk in the lobby. This is often the only way to pay with cash.

• Durham County: A TouchPay kiosk in the lobby is open 24 hours. Cash deposits at the kiosk are free.
• Ramsey County, Minnesota: A lobby kiosk at 425 Grove Street in Saint Paul is open 24 hours. It takes cash and credit cards. Cash has no fee; credit cards do.
• Fresno County: Kiosks in the jail lobbies take cash, Visa and Mastercard.

2. Online or app deposits

Most jails partner with one vendor for online deposits. Each county below uses a different one:

• Fresno County: TouchPay, at touchpaydirect.com.
• Ramsey County: TurnKey Corrections, at inmatecanteen.com. The county says deposits post within minutes.
• Tulare County: Access Corrections, by website or free mobile app.

Online deposits carry a service fee. Tulare County says the fee depends on the payment method and amount.

3. Phone deposits

Some jails let you pay by phone with a card. Fresno County and Durham County both list a TouchPay phone line, and Tulare County lists an Access Corrections line with a live bilingual agent. Ramsey County does not take deposits by phone.

4. Money orders by mail

Not every jail accepts mail.

• Ramsey County accepts only a cashier's check or money order, made payable to the person in jail. Cash or checks sent by mail are returned.
• Durham County accepts only cashier's checks or money orders, mailed to its Money Intake post office box.
• Fresno County does not accept money orders, cashier's checks or personal checks.

Never mail cash unless the jail says it is allowed.

Spending limits and basic supplies

Jails often cap how much a person can spend. Fresno County limits commissary spending to $175 a week. New arrivals there get a one-time hygiene and writing package. If someone has less than $2 in their account, they can keep getting a weekly indigent package.

To learn what people in jail can usually buy, see our prison commissary list guide.

What happens to the money at release

Leftover money goes back to the person when they leave.

• Ramsey County: At release, the account closes and the person gets a debit card or check. If they transfer to another facility, they get a check.
• Durham County: Release debit cards are handed out by the Property Division.
• Fresno County: Unused funds are returned at release, but refunds may take 2 to 3 weeks to arrange.

Release debit cards can come with their own fees. In 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took action over fees charged to people leaving jail or prison to use their own money on these cards. Ask about card fees at release. Our guide on commissary money at release covers this in more detail.

Tips to protect your money

• Use only the vendors on the sheriff's website. Bookmark the official page.
• Double-check the booking number before you pay.
• Keep your receipt or confirmation number.
• Use cash at the kiosk when it is free and you can get there.
• Ask before you send money for someone else. In Fresno, only money the person had at booking can usually be released to a third party.

If your loved one moves from jail to state prison, the deposit method will change. See how to put money on someone's commissary for prison systems.