Birmingham City Jail: Inmate Search, Visitation, and Posting Bond
The Birmingham City Jail is run by the Birmingham Police Department’s Custody Services Division at 425 6th Avenue South, and it has its own Inmate Inquiry Portal, separate from the Jefferson County Jail search. You can call the jail at 205-254-6369 or 205-254-6370. If the person is not in the city jail, check the Jefferson County Jail next, because they are two different jails.
Ready to post bond? Call Bail Bonds of Alabama today: 205-401-8052, 24 hours a day.
Key takeaways
- The Birmingham City Jail is at 425 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205.
- It is a different jail from the Jefferson County Jail, with a different inmate search.
- In our experience, the city jail can hold someone for up to about 48 hours on an investigative hold, then transfer them to the Jefferson County Jail.
- Property drop-off for detainees serving time runs 6 to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, by last name.
- A bail bond normally costs 10% to 15% of the bail amount.
Is the Birmingham City Jail the same as the Jefferson County Jail?
No. Both jails are in downtown Birmingham, which is why people mix them up, but they are run by different agencies and searched in different places.
| Birmingham City Jail | Jefferson County Jail (Birmingham) | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Birmingham Police Department | Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office |
| Address | 425 6th Avenue South | 809 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N |
| Phone | 205-254-6369 or 205-254-6370 | 205-325-5670 |
| Inmate search | City Inmate Inquiry Portal | Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry |
If you are not sure which jail has your loved one, search both. Our Jefferson County Jail inmate search guide explains the county search step by step.
How do you find someone in the Birmingham City Jail?
Here is the fastest way to check the Birmingham City Jail:
- Open the city’s Inmate Inquiry Portal.
- Search by name. Try the full legal name first, then a middle name or a common misspelling.
- If nothing comes up, search the county. Use the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry, which covers the Birmingham and Bessemer county jails.
- Still nothing? Call the city jail at 205-254-6369 or 205-254-6370.
At first, you may not know which jail is holding him. In our experience, families usually find out one of two ways: the officer lets him call someone, for example to pick up a car or a passenger, or he calls from inside after booking. When he calls, write down the jail name, the booking number, and the charge. A bail bond company will ask for all three. Read what you need to bail someone out of jail for the full list.
How long can the Birmingham City Jail hold someone?
In our experience, the Birmingham City Jail can work as a holding center for an investigative hold. When Birmingham police arrest someone and the charge could go either way, a misdemeanor or a felony, or when officers want time to gather evidence or ask more questions, they can hold the person for up to about 48 hours. At the end of that window, they decide, and the person may be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail. If officers get what they need sooner, the transfer can happen sooner.
That timing matches a rule you should know: after an arrest without a warrant, a judge or magistrate must decide probable cause within 48 hours.
If your loved one disappears from the city search, do not panic. Search the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry. If he has been transferred, the bond is posted at the county jail.
How do you post bond for someone in the Birmingham City Jail?
Bail has to be set before anyone can post bond. The Birmingham Municipal Court lists setting bail among its duties, and you can reach the court at 205-254-2161 with questions about a city case.
Bail is set in one of two ways under Alabama’s court rules:
- Right away from the bond schedule. Under Rule 4.3(a) of the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure, an officer can release someone on a bond set from the statewide schedule.
- At the first court appearance. Otherwise a judge sets release conditions under Rule 4.4.
Once you know the bail amount, you can post the full amount in cash, or use a licensed bail bond company that posts the full bail for a fee. Bail amounts come from the schedule in Rule 7.2(b), and judges can go above or below it.
If he has been moved to the Jefferson County Jail, the county route applies. Release from the Jefferson County Jail typically takes 5 to 6 hours after the bond is posted. Read how to bail someone out of jail in Alabama, then call today.
How much does a bail bond cost?
A bail bond fee is normally 10% to 15% of the bail amount. Here is what that looks like:
| Bail amount | Bail bond fee at 10% to 15% |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | $100 to $150 |
| $5,000 | $500 to $750 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 to $1,500 |
You do not have to empty your savings to bring him home. At Bail Bonds of Alabama, creative financing is available, upon approval.
What are the visitation and property rules at the Birmingham City Jail?
The City of Birmingham posts separate visitation schedules for special visitors, general visitors, pre-trial detainees, detainees serving time, and female detainees. Check the schedule for your loved one’s group before you go.
Property drop-off follows its own rules:
| Day | Time | Detainees serving time, by last name |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6 to 8 p.m. | A to D |
| Tuesday | 6 to 8 p.m. | E to H |
| Wednesday | 6 to 8 p.m. | I to P |
| Thursday | 6 to 8 p.m. | Q to Z |
| Friday | No visitation | |
| Sunday | 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Female detainees |
- Pre-trial detainees can receive property only during visitation hours.
- Shoes cannot be sent through the U.S. Mail. Old shoes can be exchanged for another pair only during visitation.
- No mail of any kind is taken during visitation, including letters, photos, and cards.
- Prescription medication goes to the nurse, not the property room.
- Every visitor goes through security screening. Anyone who tries to bring in contraband will be prosecuted.
Rules can change, so call the jail before you drive over.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Birmingham City Jail?
The Birmingham City Jail is at 425 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205. It is run by the Birmingham Police Department’s Custody Services Division.
What is the phone number for the Birmingham City Jail?
Call the Birmingham City Jail at 205-254-6369 or 205-254-6370.
How do I look up an inmate in the Birmingham City Jail?
Use the City of Birmingham’s Inmate Inquiry Portal. It is separate from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Inmate Inquiry, so search both if you do not find the person.
Can someone be moved from the Birmingham City Jail to the Jefferson County Jail?
Yes. In our experience, the city jail can hold someone for up to about 48 hours on an investigative hold, then transfer them to the Jefferson County Jail. The transfer can happen sooner.
Can I call a bail bondsman at night?
Yes. Bail Bonds of Alabama answers 24 hours a day. Call 205-401-8052.
Where to go next
- Bail bonds in Birmingham: 24/7 emergency bail bond service
- Jefferson County Jail inmate search
- How to bail someone out of jail in Alabama
- What you need to bail someone out of jail
- Arrests & Jail Release: what to do in the first hour
Bail Bonds of Alabama has served Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties since 2014. One call. That’s all. Call today: 205-401-8052, 24 hours a day.
This page is general information about the Birmingham City Jail, based on the City of Birmingham website as of September 2026 and our own experience. Jail rules and phone numbers can change. It is not legal advice.