Seminole County Released Inmate Database
Seminole County maintains records of released inmates through the Sheriff's Office in Sanford. The jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving county sentences. When inmates are released, their information appears in the inmate search database. The Sheriff's Office is at 211 Eslinger Way, Sanford, Florida 32773. You can call (407) 665-1200 for information about current inmates or recent releases. The online inmate search tool helps you find out if someone is still in custody or has been let go from the Seminole County Jail.
Seminole County Jail Facts
Sheriff's Released Inmate Lookup
The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and keeps all inmate records. The main office is at 211 Eslinger Way in Sanford, Florida 32773. For general questions about inmates, call (407) 665-1200. The staff can help you find out if someone is in jail or has been released. They can also tell you about bond amounts, charges, and release dates.
The online inmate search is available through the Sheriff's Office website. It shows current inmates and may include recent releases. You can search by name to find booking details, charges, and bond information. The database updates regularly to reflect new bookings and releases. For the most current information, calling the jail directly is the best option. The staff can check the live jail roster and give you real-time details.
How to Search for Released Inmates
The inmate search tool is on the Sheriff's Office website. Enter the person's first name and last name. The system returns matching results. You can see booking photos, charges, and bond amounts. The search shows current inmates and may show people who were recently released. If someone does not appear in the results, they may have been released or transferred to another facility.
For state prison inmates, use the Florida Department of Corrections database at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. This portal searches all state facilities. The Inmate Release Information Search updates nightly and shows people who have been released or are scheduled for release from state prisons. County jail records only cover people held in Seminole County. State inmates appear in the FDC system, not the county search.
Sometimes the online search does not have full release details. You might see a booking date but no release date. This can happen when the release is very recent and the system has not updated yet. Call (407) 665-1200 to speak with jail staff. They can look up the inmate in the live roster and confirm whether the person is still in custody or has been released.
Release Process in Seminole County
Inmates get released in several ways. The most common is posting bond. A judge sets a bond amount at first appearance. The inmate or their family can pay the bond to secure release. Some people use a bail bondsman who posts the bond for a fee. Once the bond is paid and processed, the jail releases the inmate. This can take a few hours depending on how busy the jail is.
Some inmates serve their full sentence and are released when their time is done. For short sentences, this might be just a few days. The jail calculates release dates based on the sentence and any good time credits. When the release date arrives, the inmate is let go. Some people get released when charges are dropped or cases are dismissed. If the state attorney decides not to prosecute or a judge throws out the case, the inmate walks out right away.
In some cases, inmates are transferred to other facilities instead of being released. They might go to state prison after sentencing or to another county if they have charges pending there. Transfers are not the same as releases. If you're looking for someone and they don't appear in the Seminole search, check with the Sheriff's Office to see if they were transferred.
Public Records Law in Florida
Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, is the Public Records Act. It requires government agencies to provide access to most records. Jail records in Seminole County fall under this law. You can request records about an inmate's arrest, booking, and release. To request records, contact the Sheriff's Office in writing or by phone. Provide the inmate's name and as much detail as you can.
Some information is confidential and cannot be released. Section 945.10 lists exemptions for medical records, mental health files, and substance abuse treatment records. Victim statements and witness protection information also stay confidential. Juvenile records are exempt under Section 985.04, Florida Statutes. If a record contains confidential details, the Sheriff's Office will redact those parts before releasing the document. You may need to pay fees for copies or extensive searches. Section 119.07 allows agencies to charge for labor and copying costs.
Florida Department of Corrections Databases
Seminole County Jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short county sentences. For people convicted of felonies and sent to state prison, use the Florida Department of Corrections database. The FDC Offender Search is at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. This portal searches all state facilities including prisons, work camps, and release centers.
The FDC system includes several databases. The Inmate Population Information Search shows current state inmates. This database refreshes weekly, with release dates and location changes updated nightly. The Inmate Release Information Search shows people who have been released or are scheduled for release. The Supervised Population Information Search lists offenders on probation or parole. The Absconder/Fugitive Information Search tracks people who stopped reporting to supervision.
If someone was sentenced to state prison from Seminole County, they will not appear in the county jail search once transferred to FDC custody. You must use the state database to track their status and release date. For questions about state inmates, contact the Bureau of Admission and Release at (850) 488-9167 or email dc.release@fdc.myflorida.com. The Bureau of Classification and Central Records can help with inmate population information at (850) 488-9859.
Other Resources for Finding Released Inmates
If you can't find the person you're looking for in the Seminole County system, they might be held elsewhere. Check nearby counties like Orange County or Volusia County. Each county has its own jail and inmate search system. The Florida Department of Corrections runs state prisons and maintains the statewide Offender Search at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com.
For federal inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. Federal inmates are held for federal crimes and do not appear in state or county databases. The BOP locator is separate from the Florida systems. If you think someone might be in federal custody, search the BOP database directly. Each system is separate and does not share data with the others.
Nearby Counties
Other counties near Seminole also maintain their own jail systems and inmate records.