Birmingham Recent Bookings
Birmingham recent bookings go to two different facilities. The city has its own 76-bed jail. The Jefferson County Jail also handles Birmingham arrests. This is Alabama's largest metro area with about 196,000 city residents. Birmingham is one of only four Alabama cities with its own jail. You can search both facilities online for free. This guide explains how to find Birmingham arrest records.
Birmingham Quick Facts
Where Are Birmingham Bookings Kept?
Birmingham has two jail options. The city jail holds short-term cases. The Jefferson County Jail handles longer stays. You may need to check both.
The Birmingham City Jail has 76 beds. It sits at 425 6th Avenue South. This facility holds people on city charges. More serious cases transfer to the county.
Jefferson County Jail is much larger. It has about 1,200 beds. County charges go here. Many city arrests end up here too.
| Birmingham City Jail |
425 6th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 Phone: (205) 254-6369 |
|---|---|
| Jefferson County Jail |
2200 Rev Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: (205) 325-5670 |
Birmingham Police Department
The Birmingham Police Department is one of the largest in Alabama. BPD has about 880 sworn officers. They patrol the city around the clock.
Police decide where to book people. City charges may go to the city jail. County charges go to Jefferson County. Some cases start at one and move to the other.
| Main Office |
Birmingham Police Department 1710 1st Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone: (205) 254-1700 |
|---|---|
| Records Division | Phone: (205) 254-6308 |
| Website | police.birminghamal.gov |
How to Search Birmingham Bookings Online
Birmingham has its own inmate search portal. Use it for city jail inmates. The Jefferson County roster shows county jail inmates.
Start with the city jail search. If you do not find the person, try the county roster. Some people are in one, some in the other.
To find Birmingham booking records:
- Search the city jail portal first
- Then check Jefferson County roster
- Have the full name ready
- Date of birth helps narrow results
City Jail Search: Birmingham City Jail Roster
County Jail Search: Jefferson County Jail Roster
Birmingham's City Jail
Birmingham is one of four Alabama cities with its own jail. The others are Montgomery, Hoover, and Dothan. Most cities use county jails only.
The city jail has 76 beds. It handles minor city charges. DUI cases often start here. Misdemeanors may stay here. Felonies transfer to the county.
The jail has deep history. It held civil rights protesters in 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" while held here. A marker now stands at the historic site.
Birmingham hired its first Black officer in 1966. Johnnie Johnson Jr. became the first Black police chief in 1992. The department has evolved since the civil rights era.
The police force has about 880 sworn officers today. Community policing programs reach all neighborhoods. The Citizens Academy teaches residents about law enforcement.
Alabama Booking Records Laws
Booking records are public in Alabama. Code of Alabama Section 36-22-8 requires sheriffs to keep prisoner logs open for inspection.
Section 36-22-13 makes these records available free of charge. City jails follow similar rules.
The Alabama Open Records Act protects public access to government records.
Search Birmingham Arrest Records
Use the search tool below to find recent bookings in Birmingham.
Jefferson County Information
Birmingham is in Jefferson County. For more about the county jail and booking records, visit the county page.
Other Alabama Cities
These major Alabama cities also have booking record information available.