The King County Jail Roster is a public resource that allows you to find out who is currently in custody at King County, Washington facilities. Public information about current and recently released inmates can be found on the KingCourt.us website. Additionally, data is available through the official online tool Subject Lookup of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), by phone at 206-296-1234, and in person at facility lobbies. The roster is maintained by DAJD, updated regularly, and hosted on the county portal.
Search Current Inmates in King Jail
The fastest way to check if a person is in custody is to use the online tool Subject Lookup. This portal shows adult inmates in the county's two main facilities.
Online Search — Step-by-Step Guide
- Go to the Subject Lookup page.
- Enter the last name — this is a required field. Optionally, add the first name.
- Click the search button. The system will display a list of individuals matching the criteria, indicating the facility and the arresting agency.
You need to know the person's full legal last name to search. If the booking number is known, it will speed up identification. Information about minors (under 18) is not displayed in the public roster — for youth inquiries, call 206-263-2635.
You can also search court information through KingCourt.us.
Search by Phone
Call the county facility line:
- General Line: 206-296-1234 — the automated system allows you to find out the detention status.
In-Person Visit
You can contact the lobby of one of the two facilities directly:
King County Correctional Facility (KCCF)
Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC)
Lobby hours may vary. Confirm the schedule by phone before visiting.
Find King Jail Booking Records Online
A booking record is created at the moment a detained person is registered at the facility. It captures key arrest data and is part of the public roster.
Each record contains:
- Booking number
- Date and time of intake
- Charges filed
- Arresting agency (e.g., Seattle PD, King County Sheriff)
- Detention facility (KCCF or MRJC)
Basic booking information can be seen directly in the Subject Lookup. To obtain full copies of records or additional documents, you need to submit an official public records request.
The King County Sheriff's Office Public Disclosure Unit accepts requests in accordance with RCW 42.56 — more details on the KCSO Records Request page. If the person has already been transferred to a Washington state facility, check the Washington Department of Corrections Inmate Search.
Search the King Jail Roster by Last Name or Booking Number
The Subject Lookup tool supports two main search methods.
By Last Name
Enter the last name in Latin letters exactly as it is recorded in official documents. Common mistakes include extra spaces, shortened name forms, or incorrect transliteration. If the system finds nothing, try:
- Entering only the last name without the first name — this will broaden the results.
- Checking alternative spellings (e.g., hyphen or apostrophe).
- Using only the first letter of the first name if the field supports partial input.
By Booking Number
The booking number is a unique identifier assigned at registration. It provides an accurate result without the risk of confusion with namesakes. This number is usually communicated to relatives during the first contact with the facility.
What to Do If the Search Yields No Results
- Ensure the last name is entered correctly.
- The person may not have been registered yet — the booking process takes time.
- The person may have already been released, transferred to another facility, or handed over to federal authorities.
- Call 206-296-1234 for clarification.
To check court cases by name or case number, use the Washington State Courts Search.
Jail Roster Updates and Search Limitations in King
The online roster is updated throughout the day, but it does not happen instantly. Several hours may pass between physical arrest and the appearance of a record in the system — especially at night, on weekends, or during mass arrests.
Main limitations to be aware of:
- Registration delay. The booking process includes identification, medical examination, and data entry. Until it is completed, the name will not appear in the search.
- Disappearance after release. When a person is released on bail, by court decision, or after serving their term, their record disappears from the active roster. Subject Lookup only displays those currently in custody.
- Not an archive. The roster does not store the history of all past bookings. To obtain archival data, submit a public records request through the King County Public Records Program.
- Data entry errors. The last name may be recorded incorrectly during booking, complicating the search.
To check criminal history (not just current detention), contact the Washington State Patrol — they maintain a centralized registry based on fingerprints.