Marin County Jail Bookings
Marin County recent bookings appear on the public booking log website soon after arrest. The Marin County Sheriff maintains an online database that shows inmates booked in the last 48 hours plus all current inmates. You can search this free resource any time to find arrest information. The booking log includes names, ages, charges, and bail amounts for people in custody. Marin County releases this information under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code 6254(f)(1). The system updates regularly as new bookings happen and people get released from the county jail in San Rafael.
Marin County Jail Quick Facts
View Marin Booking Log Online
The Marin County public booking log shows two lists. One displays people booked in the last 48 hours. The other shows the complete current inmate population. Both lists update throughout the day as the jail processes new arrivals and releases.
Each entry shows the person's name and age. The booking date tells you when they arrived at jail. Charges appear with brief descriptions. Bail amounts indicate what money is needed for release. A warning on the site explains that bail amounts may be approximations. Always verify exact bail with the jail if you plan to post bond.
Call the Marin County Jail at (415) 473-6653 for more information about inmates. Staff can answer questions about custody status, visiting hours, and release procedures. The jail is located in San Rafael near the Civic Center. This facility serves all of Marin County for adult detention needs.
The website makes clear that this information comes from the Sheriff's booking system. It is released to comply with California public records law. Government Code 6254(f)(1) requires agencies to share contemporaneous arrest information. This means booking data gets published soon after someone arrives at the jail.
What the Booking Log Shows
Marin County booking records include essential arrest details. Names appear as recorded during intake. Ages help identify the right person when multiple people share a name. The booking date and time show exactly when someone arrived at the jail.
Charges list the crimes the person is accused of. These might use California Penal Code sections or other statute references. Common charges include PC 496 for possession of stolen property, HS 11377 for drug possession, and PC 242 for battery. The descriptions help you understand what allegations the person faces.
Bail amounts vary widely based on the charges and the county bail schedule. A misdemeanor might have bail of a few thousand dollars. Serious felonies can have bail in the hundreds of thousands. Some charges carry no bail which means a judge must decide before release can happen. The booking log warns that these amounts are estimates and you should verify them with jail staff.
The two separate lists serve different purposes. The 48-hour list helps you find recent arrests quickly. The complete inmate list shows everyone currently in custody regardless of when they were booked. If you cannot find someone on the recent list, check the full list. They might have been booked more than two days ago.
Marin County Jail Details
The Marin County Jail sits near the Civic Center in San Rafael. This is the only jail facility in Marin County. All adult arrestees from across the county come here for booking and custody. The jail has capacity for several hundred inmates in different housing units.
Staff work around the clock to process new bookings. When someone arrives, they go through intake procedures. This includes fingerprinting, photos, and medical screening. Personal property gets inventoried and stored safely. The whole process can take a few hours depending on how busy the jail is that day.
Classification determines where each inmate will be housed. Some go to maximum security units. Others fit in minimum security housing. Women are housed separately from men. Staff consider the charges, behavior, and any special needs when making these decisions. This sorting helps keep everyone safe and maintains order in the facility.
Visiting happens during set hours throughout the week. Check the jail website or call ahead to confirm visit times. Some visits happen in person through glass partitions. Video visiting offers another option. You need to follow strict rules about what you can bring and wear. The jail staff will explain all requirements before your first visit.
Note: Call (415) 473-6653 for current visiting hours and rules.
Request Additional Records
The online booking log provides basic information for free. More detailed records require a formal request under the California Public Records Act. Contact the Marin County Sheriff's Office to start this process. Tell them exactly what records you need.
Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. Specific requests get processed faster than vague ones. The agency has 10 days to respond under state law. They can take a 14-day extension for unusual circumstances. Most simple booking records come back within the initial 10-day window.
Fees depend on the type and volume of records you request. Copying costs run about 10 cents per page for standard documents. Certified copies cost more. Some requests involve staff time for research which adds to the total. Ask for a fee estimate before you finalize your request. You can modify or cancel if the cost is higher than expected.
Certain records have privacy protections. Criminal history information is confidential under California Penal Code section 11105. Juvenile records also have special rules. The agency will explain any exemptions that apply. You can appeal a denial if you believe the records should be public.
Cities Using Marin County Jail
Marin County has several cities but no city operates its own jail. San Rafael is the county seat and largest city. San Rafael Police make arrests throughout the city. All those bookings go to the county jail. Novato sits in northern Marin County. Novato Police also use the county jail for all custody needs.
Smaller cities like Mill Valley, Sausalito, and Tiburon rely on county facilities too. Some have their own police departments. Others contract with the Sheriff for law enforcement services. Either way, all adult arrestees end up at the Marin County Jail in San Rafael. This centralized system ensures consistent standards and saves cities the cost of running separate jails.
VINE Custody Alerts
VINE provides custody notifications in Marin County. This service is free and available to everyone. Call 1-877-411-5588 or visit vinelink.vineapps.com/state/CA to register. Search for an inmate by name and other identifying information.
Once registered, you receive alerts when that person's status changes. VINE sends notifications by phone, text, or email based on your preference. The system updates every 15 minutes from jail records. You get timely information about releases and transfers. Crime victims use this to track offender movements. Families use it to know when someone will be released. Your registration is confidential and anonymous.
Nearby California Counties
Marin County sits north of San Francisco Bay. It borders several other counties with their own jail systems. Check these nearby counties if you cannot find someone in Marin County: