Broward County Jail (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Looking for someone who was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hollywood or elsewhere in Broward County? The Broward Sheriff's Office operates four county jail facilities, with Central Intake at the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale serving as the primary booking location. Use this guide to search for an inmate, check charges and bond, determine the person's current jail, arrange visitation, send money or mail, find court information, and understand what happens after an arrest.
Broward County Main Jail, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Someone Was Arrested in Broward County. What Should You Do?
Start with the official Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search. It is the fastest way to determine whether the person is currently in the Broward County jail system and where the person is housed.
BSO's Central Intake Bureau is located within the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale and processes arrests from Broward County law-enforcement agencies.
After intake, a person who is not released may be assigned to one of Broward County's four detention facilities depending on classification, security level, medical needs, behavioral considerations and available housing.
Search the arrest record
Confirm that the person is currently in Broward County custody.
Find the arrest number
Keep the arrest/CIS number available for bond, money and mail.
Check charges and bond
Review the current charge and bond information.
Check the jail location
Confirm which Broward detention facility currently houses the inmate.
Plan the next step
Find visitation, phone, money, mail, court and release information below.
Broward County Jail Inmate Search
Use the official Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search to locate someone who has been booked into the Broward County jail system.
BSO's online arrest database is updated approximately every 15 minutes.
Search results can identify the inmate, arrest number and current jail location. Clicking the arrest number opens more detailed booking information, including the booking photograph and additional arrest details.
SEARCH BROWARD COUNTY INMATES →Opens the official Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search.
Where Are People Booked After an Arrest in Broward County?
Broward Sheriff's Office operates its main Central Intake Bureau inside the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Central Intake Bureau
555 SE 1st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Central Intake processes arrests from Broward County law-enforcement agencies and handles intake, pre-magistrate holding, court activities, confinement status, inmate releases and transfers.
BSO also operates a remote booking site in Pompano Beach.
OFFICIAL CENTRAL INTAKE INFORMATION →Which Broward County Jail Is the Inmate In?
Broward Sheriff's Office currently operates four detention facilities. Check the official Arrest Search for the inmate's current location before traveling or sending mail.
Main Jail Bureau
555 SE 1st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
The Main Jail is located beside the Broward County Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale and includes the county's Central Intake Bureau.
Phone: (954) 831-5900
GET DIRECTIONS →Main Jail handles Central Intake, but inmates may later be assigned to any of the four Broward County detention facilities.
Always check the inmate's current location first.
How to Bond Someone Out of Broward County Jail
Check the inmate's charges and current bond amount through the BSO Arrest Search before attempting to post bond.
Cash Bond
Broward Sheriff's Office allows a cash bond to be posted for the full bond amount when the inmate is eligible.
Current payment methods listed by BSO include:
- Cash in person
- Credit or debit card through the approved online system
- Money order
- Cashier's check
Credit or debit card payments currently carry a non-refundable 2.5% service fee. Gift cards are not accepted.
Surety Bond
A licensed bail bond agent may also post a surety bond for an eligible inmate. The bondsman normally charges a fee for the service.
OFFICIAL BROWARD BOND INFORMATION →Broward County Jail Video Visitation
Broward Sheriff's Office uses video visitation for inmates housed at the Main Jail, North Broward Bureau, Paul Rein Detention Facility and Joseph V. Conte Facility.
Create a Visitor Account
Visitors must complete a one-time registration before receiving access to scheduled or remote video visits.
1 to 7 Days Ahead
Appointments may be scheduled, modified or cancelled no less than one day and no more than seven days in advance.
Two One-Hour Center Visits
BSO currently states that inmates receive two one-hour visits per week through the Video Visitation Center, subject to availability.
BSO Video Visitation Center
2926 State Road 7
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313
BSO currently states that video visitation is available seven days a week, although exact available appointment times and restrictions are shown during scheduling.
Visitor accounts can take up to 48 hours to be approved.
OFFICIAL VIDEO VISITATION INFORMATION →How to Receive Calls From a Broward County Jail Inmate
Broward County inmates cannot receive incoming telephone calls. BSO staff also do not deliver ordinary personal messages to inmates.
After receiving a housing assignment, an inmate can use jail telephones to contact family and friends.
Broward Sheriff's Office currently uses Securus Technologies for inmate telephone services, including prepaid or direct-bill account assistance.
OFFICIAL INMATE PHONE INFORMATION →How to Send Money to a Broward County Jail Inmate
Wait until the inmate has received a permanent housing assignment before attempting to deposit money into the inmate's commissary account.
Lobby Kiosk
Cash deposits may be made at designated BSO jail facility lobby kiosks.
BSO currently lists lobby deposit hours as: 7:15 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Access Corrections
Friends and family can use Access Corrections for secure online or telephone deposits using a credit card.
Western Union
Broward also allows inmate-account deposits through Western Union online, by telephone or through participating locations.
Sending a Care Pack to a Broward County Jail Inmate
Broward Sheriff's Office currently allows approved inmate care packages to be purchased through Access SecurePak.
BSO currently limits purchases to one care pack every seven days.
OFFICIAL CARE PACK INFORMATION →How to Send Mail to a Broward County Jail Inmate
Broward Sheriff's Office currently uses a postcard-only system for ordinary incoming personal mail. Ordinary envelopes and personal letters are not accepted as routine incoming inmate mail.
Routine Mail Rules
- Routine personal mail must be an acceptable pre-stamped postcard.
- The postcard must be at least 3½ × 5 inches and no larger than 4¼ × 6 inches.
- Writing must be in blue or black ink.
- Include the inmate's full name and arrest number.
- Use the correct mailing address for the inmate's current facility.
- Do not send cash or personal checks through the mail.
Picking Up Property From a Broward County Jail Inmate
An inmate may authorize personal property to be released to a family member, friend or another designated recipient.
BSO's current inmate handbook states that property release forms must identify the designated recipient and be witnessed by jail staff.
After release or transfer, unclaimed inmate property is generally held for a limited period before it may be disposed of.
Find a Broward County Criminal Court Case
Jail information and court information are separate. After finding someone in the Broward County jail system, use the Broward County Clerk of Courts Case Search to locate the criminal case.
Cases can be searched online by party name or case number. Access to particular documents may depend on the type and age of the case.
SEARCH BROWARD COUNTY COURT CASES →When Will Someone Be Released From Broward County Jail?
There is no single release time that applies to every Broward County inmate. Even after bond is posted or a judge authorizes release, jail processing must still be completed.
What Happens Before Release?
Central Intake is responsible for inmate confinement status, court processing and custody releases throughout the Broward jail system.
Release may depend on:
- Bond processing
- Court orders
- Verification of other holds
- Identification and paperwork
- Property processing
- Transfers or other agency requirements
Check the Arrest Search or contact BSO for the inmate's current custody status.
Can't Find Someone in the Broward County Jail Search?
A missing search result does not necessarily mean the person was never arrested or is no longer in custody.
A recent arrest may still be moving through Central Intake and may not appear immediately.
Try the person's full legal name and check spelling carefully.
The person may already have posted bond or received another form of release.
The person may have been transferred to another jurisdiction, state prison, federal custody or another government agency.
For current Broward County jail information, call (954) 831-5900.
Broward County Jail FAQ
How do I find someone in Broward County Jail?
Use the official Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search. It provides current Broward jail location and arrest information and is updated approximately every 15 minutes.
How do I find someone who was arrested in Fort Lauderdale?
Search the BSO Arrest Search first. Broward County's jail system serves Fort Lauderdale and other municipalities throughout the county.
Where are people booked after an arrest in Broward County?
Broward Sheriff's Office operates its main Central Intake Bureau inside the Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. BSO also operates a remote booking location in Pompano Beach.
What is the Broward County Jail phone number?
Broward Sheriff's Office lists (954) 831-5900 for jail and inmate information.
Where is Broward County Main Jail?
The Main Jail is located at 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, beside the Broward County Courthouse.
How many Broward County jails are there?
Broward Sheriff's Office currently operates four detention facilities: Main Jail, Joseph V. Conte Facility, North Broward Bureau and Paul Rein Detention Facility.
How do I find out what jail a Broward inmate is in?
The official BSO Arrest Search displays the inmate's current jail location. Check it before traveling or mailing anything.
How do I check a Broward County inmate's bond?
Bond information is available through the BSO Arrest Search. You can also call the bond information lines at (954) 982-6924 or (954) 982-6925.
Is Broward County's bond information window open 24 hours?
Yes. BSO currently states that the information window in the Main Jail lobby is open 24 hours a day.
Can I pay a Broward County cash bond with a credit card?
Yes. BSO currently provides an approved online credit- and debit-card option. A non-refundable 2.5% service fee currently applies.
How do I visit a Broward County jail inmate?
BSO uses video visitation for inmates at its four jail facilities. Visitors must register and schedule visits in advance.
Where is the Broward Video Visitation Center?
BSO currently lists its Video Visitation Center at 2926 State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33313.
Can a Broward County inmate receive telephone calls?
No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. After receiving a housing assignment, inmates can make outgoing calls using the jail telephone system.
What phone company does Broward County Jail use?
Broward Sheriff's Office currently uses Securus Technologies for inmate telephone service and video visitation.
How do I send money to a Broward County inmate?
After the inmate receives a permanent housing assignment, friends and family can deposit money using designated lobby kiosks, Access Corrections or Western Union.
Can I send cash through the mail?
No. Broward Sheriff's Office says cash deposits are not accepted by mail.
Can I send a care package to a Broward County inmate?
Yes. Approved care packs can currently be purchased through Access SecurePak. BSO currently limits orders to one care pack every seven days.
Can I mail a letter to a Broward County inmate?
Ordinary incoming personal mail currently uses a postcard-only system. Routine envelopes and personal letters are not accepted. Legal and privileged mail follows different rules.
What information goes on a Broward inmate postcard?
Include the inmate's full name, arrest number and the correct mailing address for the facility where the inmate is housed.
How do I find a Broward County criminal court case?
Use the Broward County Clerk of Courts public Case Search. Cases may be searched by party name or case number.
How long does release from Broward County Jail take?
There is no fixed release time. Even after bond or a court release order, jail staff must complete custody checks, paperwork, property processing and any other required release procedures.
More Florida Jail & Inmate Search Guides
Looking for someone outside Broward County? Browse our other Florida county jail guides or search all 25 GotLockedUp jail and inmate-search guides.
Broward County Jail & Court Resources
These links take you directly to Broward Sheriff's Office and Broward County court resources.
Search the Broward County Jail
Use the official Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search to check current custody, jail location and arrest information.
Last verified: September 2026. Jail policies, schedules, addresses, phone numbers, vendors, bond procedures and visitation rules can change. Confirm important information with Broward Sheriff's Office before traveling, sending money, posting bond or making other decisions.
GotLockedUp.com is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Broward County, the Broward Sheriff's Office, Broward County Clerk of Courts, any detention facility, law-enforcement agency, court, vendor or government entity.
Information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. An arrest or criminal charge is an allegation and does not establish guilt.