Boca Raton city inmate records are public files kept by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The city of Boca Raton does not run its own jail.
Every person arrested by Boca Raton Police goes to the Palm Beach County jail system. The Sheriff’s Office books them, holds them, and keeps all records. You can search these records online, by phone, or in person. All the data, from the booking number to the release date, is open to the public. The current setup in 2026 gives the public full access to current inmate data, recent releases, and basic court dates tied to each person in custody.
What Boca Raton Inmate Records Include
Boca Raton inmate records are official jail files created when someone is arrested. They show who was arrested, when the arrest happened, and what charges were filed. These files are part of the public record under Florida law. Most of the data is open to anyone who wants to look at it. Some parts stay sealed, like records for juveniles or active investigation cases. The Sheriff’s Office adds to the record as the case moves through the court system.
Who Keeps Boca Raton Inmate Records
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and holds all booking records. They are the main source for current inmate data in the county. The Florida Department of Corrections holds records for people who move to state prison. The Clerk of Courts keeps court records linked to each inmate. Boca Raton Police Department keeps arrest reports for crimes that happen in the city limits. All four agencies work together but keep separate files.
What Data You Can See
Most inmate records show the full name of the person. You will see the date of birth, race, and gender. The booking number is a unique ID for each arrest. Charges are listed by statute number and short description. Bond amounts show up if a judge has set bail. The housing unit tells you where the person is held in the jail. Release dates appear once the person leaves custody. Some records also show a mugshot taken at booking.
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description
- Booking date, time, and facility
- Criminal charges with Florida statute numbers
- Bond amount or no bond status
- Current housing unit and pod
- Scheduled court dates and case number
- Release date, time, and release reason
How the Booking Process Works
Booking is the formal set of steps the jail uses when someone is brought in after an arrest. This creates the official inmate record. It happens every time a person enters the county jail, even for old charges, new warrants, or transfers from other agencies. Booking sets up all the data you will see in the public record.
Steps After a Boca Raton Arrest
When Boca Raton police arrest someone, the officer takes the person straight to the Palm Beach County jail. Staff at the jail check the person’s ID and run a full background check through state and federal systems. They take fingerprints and a mugshot photo. They check for any active warrants from other counties or states. Medical staff do a basic health screening. The person gives a list of emergency contacts. Then they get assigned a housing unit based on gender, charge type, and security risk. The full set of steps usually takes two to four hours.
Time Before Records Appear Online
Records often appear on the public booking blotter within one to three hours after booking. Sometimes it takes longer if the jail is busy or the person was arrested late at night. Records for people booked after midnight may not show up until the next morning. The online system updates many times each day. Old records that were sealed by a judge never appear on the public site.
Where Boca Raton Inmates Are Held
Boca Raton does not have a local jail. All city arrestees go to the main Palm Beach County facility. The county runs more than one jail site for different security levels, inmate types, and programs. Each site has its own rules for mail, visits, and phone calls.
Main Jail Complex Location
The main Palm Beach County jail sits at 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. This is where most people from Boca Raton are held after arrest. The complex has separate buildings for men, women, and people who need medical or mental health care. It also has a building for people who just got booked. The phone number for the main jail is (561) 688-3000. Visiting hours and rules differ by housing unit.
Other County Jail Sites
Palm Beach County runs the West Detention Center in Belle Glade for people arrested in the western part of the county. The county also has a stockade for people who break the rules while in jail or who need higher security. Some inmates get moved to these sites based on their behavior, sentence length, and security level. Court-ordered medical treatment can also move inmates to other sites.
| Facility | Location | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Main Jail | 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach | Booking, pretrial, county sentences |
| West Detention Center | Belle Glade, FL | Western county inmates |
| Stockade | West Palm Beach area | Disciplinary and high-security housing |
County Jail vs State Prison
It is important to know the difference between county jail and state prison. Each system has its own records and search tools. Mixing up the two leads to wrong search results and missed cases.
When Someone Stays in County Jail
People stay in the Palm Beach County jail if they are waiting for trial. They also stay there for sentences of one year or less. Many misdemeanor charges end in county jail time. People who cannot make bond also stay in the county jail until their court date. The county jail also holds people arrested on warrants from other Florida counties while they wait to be picked up.
When Someone Moves to State Prison
People move to Florida state prison if they get a sentence longer than one year. This happens for most felony convictions. Once they transfer, the Florida Department of Corrections takes over their records. You then need to search the state database, not the county one. State prison records show parole status, release dates, and prison transfers.
How to Search for Boca Raton Inmates
Three main ways let you search for someone in the Palm Beach County jail. All three are free to use. You do not need to create an account or pay any fee for basic searches.
Online Booking Blotter Search
The booking blotter on the PBSO website is the fastest way to search. You can search by last name, first name, or booking number. Partial names work if you do not know the full spelling. The tool shows all current inmates plus recent releases from the last few days. The link is pbso.org/booking-blotter. The site works on phones, tablets, and computers. No login is needed for basic searches.
Phone and Email Requests
You can call the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Records Department at (561) 688-3000. Staff can check if someone is in custody right now. They can also tell you the housing location and bond amount. For older records, you may need to send a written request by email or mail. The Sheriff’s Office answers most phone questions during normal business hours. Allow extra time during peak hours.
Florida Department of Corrections Lookup
If you think the person is in state prison, use the FDC offender search at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. You can search by name or Department of Corrections ID number. The state database shows people who got sentenced to more than one year. It shows their current prison, parole status, and release date. State records also show escape history and disciplinary actions.
What the Online Booking Blotter Shows
The booking blotter has a simple layout. Each row in the search results shows one inmate. Clicking on a name opens more details about that person. The page also shows recent releases from the last 24 to 72 hours.
Personal Data Section
This part shows the inmate’s full name, date of birth, age, and gender. The booking number is at the top of each record. You will see when the person was booked into jail. The address listed is often the address on file, not a current home address. The booking photo is a small mugshot taken at intake. Some records also list height, weight, and eye color.
Charges and Bond Section
This part lists each charge the person faces. The statute number is a Florida law code. The description is a short phrase like “battery” or “DUI.” The bond amount is next to each charge. Some charges have no bond, often because the crime is very serious or the person has a long record. Bond can be set, denied, or changed at any court hearing.
Status and Court Section
This part shows if the person is still in jail or has been released. The current housing unit tells you the building and pod. The next court date is shown if one has been set. The release reason appears once the person leaves. This could be “posted bond,” “time served,” “transferred,” or “released on recognizance.” Court outcomes also show up after final sentencing.
Visits, Phone Calls, and Money
Once you know an inmate is in custody, you may want to contact them. Palm Beach County has set rules for visits, calls, and money deposits. These rules are strict and enforced by the jail. Breaking the rules can lead to a loss of visiting privileges or even new charges.
Visitation Rules
Visits happen by video at most housing units. In-person visits are limited and require advance approval. You must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list. A valid photo ID is required. Visitors under 18 must come with a parent or legal guardian. The Sheriff’s Office website has the full schedule and rules. Visits are usually 20 to 30 minutes long.
Phone Calls and Messages
Inmates can make outgoing calls using a jail phone system. The system uses a third-party provider. Calls cost money, and the receiver often pays the fee. Friends and family can also send electronic messages through the jail’s approved messaging service. All messages get screened before delivery. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls, only place outgoing ones.
Depositing Money to Inmate Accounts
Family can add money to an inmate’s account in three ways. The online deposit portal is the fastest way. Kiosks are placed in the jail lobby for walk-in deposits. Money orders sent by mail are also accepted. Inmates use these funds for commissary purchases, phone calls, and other jail services. Cash is not accepted at the jail window.
Boca Raton Police and Local Records
Local police records show what happened before and during the arrest. These records are separate from jail records but are linked to the same case. They help fill in details that the jail record does not cover.
Boca Raton Police Department Records
The Boca Raton Police Department keeps arrest reports, incident reports, and crime data for the city. Their records division is at 100 NW Boca Raton Blvd. You can call (561) 338-1234 to ask about open cases or recent arrests. Some police reports are public and can be picked up in person. Reports for active investigations may be sealed by a court order.
Crime Statistics and Public Data
The Boca Raton Police Department posts crime data online. You can see monthly crime reports and year-end stats. This data is separate from inmate records but helps paint a full picture. The data covers theft, burglary, assault, DUI, and other crimes in the city. It also shows arrest trends over time and response times for emergency calls.
Official Contact Details
Use the contact details below to reach the right office. The Sheriff’s Office handles inmate searches and jail records. The Police Department handles city-level arrest data and incident reports. The Clerk of Courts handles court files and case outcomes.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Main Jail Address: 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Phone: (561) 688-3000
Website: pbso.org
Records Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Boca Raton Police Department
Address: 100 NW Boca Raton Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone: (561) 338-1234
Website: bocaraton.org/police
Records Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts
Address: 205 N Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2991
Website: clerkpbc.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Common Questions About Boca Raton Inmate Records
Many people have similar questions when they search for inmate records. The answers below cover search limits, fees, sealed records, and what to do if a record is wrong. These are the most common questions from Boca Raton residents, family members, attorneys, and employers running background checks. The answers reflect current Palm Beach County policy and Florida public records law as of 2026.
How Far Back Do Online Records Go?
The PBSO online booking blotter shows current inmates and recent releases from the last few days. Older records, going back months or years, are not on the public site. To get older records, you need to file a public records request with the Sheriff’s Office. Requests for very old records may take weeks to process because staff must pull physical files. The Florida Department of Corrections keeps state prison records for many decades, with most data available back to the 1990s. The Clerk of Courts also keeps court files tied to each inmate for the life of the case plus retention periods set by state law. For most misdemeanor cases, the retention period is five to seven years. For felony cases, the retention period can be 20 years or longer.
Is There a Fee to Search Inmate Records?
No. The Palm Beach County booking blotter is free to search. The Florida Department of Corrections search is also free. You do not need to pay for basic inmate data like name, charges, and bond amount. Some detailed records, like full court files or certified copies, may have a small fee set by the Clerk of Courts. Certified copies of court orders usually cost a few dollars per page. Long faxed or mailed records requests may have a small per-page fee. The Sheriff’s Office does not charge for basic inmate lookups by phone or in person.
What If the Person’s Name Does Not Show Up?
A name may not show up for several reasons. The person may have been released already and the record has rolled off the public site. The person may be in a different county or in state prison. The name may be spelled differently in the system. Try a partial name search using just the last name. Try alternate spellings. If the person was arrested in Boca Raton, you can also call the Boca Raton Police Department for help. They can check local arrest logs even if the inmate was transferred. For very old arrests, the Clerk of Courts archives may be the only place to find the data.
Are Juvenile Records Available?
No. Juvenile records are sealed under Florida law. They do not appear on the public booking blotter. The only way to view juvenile records is through a court order. Parents or legal guardians can ask the juvenile court for case data. The Department of Juvenile Justice handles these cases. Some juvenile arrest data is shared with the FBI for national crime stats, but the personal data stays sealed. Juvenile records can sometimes be expunged when the person turns 21, depending on the charges.
Can I Remove an Inmate Record?
You can only remove a record through a legal process called expungement or sealing. This requires a court order. You must file a petition with the clerk of courts. Not all cases qualify. Most misdemeanor and felony convictions cannot be sealed. Cases that were dropped, dismissed, or ended in acquittal often can be sealed. The process can take three to six months and may require a court hearing. A criminal defense attorney can help with the paperwork and represent you at the hearing. Once sealed, the record is no longer public.
What Is the Difference Between a Detainee and a Convict?
A detainee is someone waiting for trial or court hearings. They have not been found guilty yet. They are in jail because they cannot make bond or were denied bond. A convict is someone who pleaded guilty, no contest, or was found guilty at trial. They are serving a sentence in jail or prison. Detainees and convicts can be in the same jail building. The record shows the case status, not the housing type. The same person can move from detainee to convict once the court enters a final judgment. Some detainees spend months or years in jail before trial if they cannot make bond.
How Often Is the Booking Blotter Updated?
The booking blotter updates many times a day. New bookings appear within hours of intake. Release data updates as soon as someone leaves custody. The system refreshes automatically. There is no set time for updates. New data can show up at any hour of the day or night. Weekend and holiday updates happen at the same pace as weekday updates. If you do not see a recent arrest, wait a few hours and check again. Very late-night bookings may not appear until the next morning shift.