Passaic County Jail Roster Search
The Passaic County jail roster tracks all inmates held at the county jail in Paterson, New Jersey. Passaic County is one of the most densely populated counties in the state. The Sheriff's Office oversees the jail through its Bureau of Corrections, and the facility has a rated capacity of roughly 1,500 inmates. On a typical day, between 1,000 and 1,300 people are in custody. This page explains how to look up records on the Passaic County jail roster, how visiting works, and how to submit public records requests.
Passaic County Jail Quick Facts
Passaic County Sheriff's Office and the Jail Roster
The Passaic County Jail operates under the Sheriff's Office, which manages all aspects of the facility through its Bureau of Corrections. The jail is located at 77 Hamilton Street in Paterson, NJ 07505. More than 500 personnel work at the facility, handling everything from booking and inmate housing to transport and courthouse security. The jail roster for Passaic County is maintained by this operation and updated as new people are booked in or released.
With a rated capacity near 1,500 and a daily population that often falls between 1,000 and 1,300 inmates, the Passaic County jail is one of the larger county facilities in New Jersey. The Bureau of Corrections oversees day-to-day operations inside the jail, while other divisions of the Sheriff's Office handle duties like warrant execution, civil process, and courthouse security. All of these functions feed into the jail roster in one way or another. An arrest on a warrant leads to a booking. A court order to detain leads to a new record. Every path into the Passaic County jail begins with an entry on the jail roster.
The image below shows the New Jersey OPRA system, which can be used to request records related to the Passaic County jail roster.
The state OPRA portal provides guidance on how public records requests work across New Jersey, including requests for jail roster records in Passaic County.
| Facility |
Passaic County Jail Sheriff's Office - Bureau of Corrections 77 Hamilton Street Paterson, NJ 07505 Phone: (973) 389-5900 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Website | passaiccountynj.org - Sheriff |
How to Search the Passaic County Jail Roster
To find out if someone is on the Passaic County jail roster, the most direct approach is to call the jail at (973) 389-5900. Staff at the facility can look up a person by name and tell you whether they are currently in custody. This line is available around the clock. You can also visit the Passaic County inmate information page for guidance on how to access records and what information is available to the public.
The Passaic County jail roster is a working document that changes throughout the day. New bookings add records. Releases and transfers remove them. Because of this constant turnover, the roster at any given moment may differ from what it was just hours earlier. If you are trying to locate someone and they do not appear on the roster, it could mean they were released, transferred, or booked under a different name. Calling the facility directly is the best way to resolve any questions about whether a specific person is in Passaic County custody.
Note: When calling the jail, have the full name and date of birth of the person you are looking for. This helps staff search the Passaic County jail roster quickly and give you an accurate answer.
What Passaic County Jail Roster Records Contain
Each record on the Passaic County jail roster is created during the booking process at the jail on Hamilton Street. The intake staff collect identifying information, photograph the person, take fingerprints, and document the charges. All of this becomes part of the jail roster record.
A typical record on the Passaic County jail roster includes:
- Full name, date of birth, and physical description
- Booking number and date of intake
- Charges at the time of booking
- Bail status and amount if applicable
- Housing unit assignment
- Arresting agency
Charges listed on the jail roster are those on record at the time of booking. They may change as the case progresses through the Passaic County courts. New charges can be added, or existing ones may be reduced or dismissed. The jail roster record reflects the booking snapshot, not necessarily the current legal status of the case. For up-to-date charge information, contact the Passaic County Superior Court or the prosecutor's office.
Passaic County Warrant Squad and the Jail Roster
The Passaic County Sheriff's Office operates a warrant squad that is responsible for tracking down fugitives and executing active warrants. This unit works in coordination with the New Jersey State Police and other law enforcement agencies. When the warrant squad locates and arrests someone, that person is brought to the county jail and booked onto the Passaic County jail roster.
The warrant squad handles cases that range from people who missed court dates to those wanted on serious charges. Their work is a significant source of new entries on the jail roster. The unit also accepts anonymous tips from the public. If you have information about a person with an active warrant in Passaic County, you can contact the Passaic County warrant squad through the Sheriff's Office website or by calling (973) 389-5900.
Visiting an Inmate at the Passaic County Jail
Family and friends of people on the Passaic County jail roster can visit them at the facility. Visits must be scheduled in advance. The county requires visitors to arrive at least 30 minutes before their visit time. This allows staff to process check-in, verify identification, and screen visitors before entry.
Visitors must have a valid photo ID. The jail enforces a strict dress code. No electronics, bags, or outside items are allowed inside. The facility monitors all visits. If you want to send mail to someone on the Passaic County jail roster, address it to the inmate's full name at Passaic County Jail, 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. Money can be added to an inmate's account through online services, kiosks at the jail, or by mail. For current visit schedules and full rules, visit the Passaic County inmate information page.
Note: Visit schedules change from time to time. Always check the latest information before making the trip to the Passaic County jail. Call (973) 389-5900 if you have any questions about visiting an inmate.
New Jersey Government Records and Passaic County
The Passaic County jail roster covers inmates at the county level. For people who have been sentenced to state prison or who are on parole, the New Jersey Department of Corrections and the State Parole Board maintain separate databases. If someone was on the Passaic County jail roster but is no longer there, they may have been transferred to a state facility or released under parole supervision.
The image below shows the New Jersey Government Records Council, which oversees public records access across the state, including records tied to the Passaic County jail roster.
The Government Records Council handles disputes when public records requests are denied. If you submit an OPRA request for Passaic County jail roster records and the county denies it, the GRC is the body that reviews appeals. Their website has guidance on how the process works and what your rights are under New Jersey law.
Public Records Requests for Passaic County Jail Records
Passaic County accepts public records requests through the Open Public Records Act. You can submit an OPRA request to get records from the jail roster or other county departments. Requests can be filed electronically, by mail, by fax, or in person. The Passaic County OPRA page has the forms and instructions you need to get started.
The county has seven business days to respond to your request. If the records are public and available, Passaic County will provide them. Some jail roster records may be exempt from disclosure due to active investigations, security issues, or other legal reasons. Basic booking information is generally accessible. Be specific in your request. Include the person's full name, approximate booking dates, and the type of records you want. This helps the county process your request faster and reduces the chance of delays.
Passaic County Civil Process Division
The Sheriff's Office also runs a civil process division that serves legal documents throughout Passaic County. This division handles writs, subpoenas, and other court papers. While civil process is separate from the jail roster, it is part of the same office that runs the jail. The Passaic County civil process page has details about services and how to submit documents for service.
In some cases, civil matters can lead to criminal charges. A failure to appear in court, for instance, can result in a warrant. If that warrant leads to an arrest, the person ends up on the Passaic County jail roster. So while civil process and the jail roster are different functions, they are connected through the legal system that the Sheriff's Office supports.
Cities in Passaic County
Passaic County is home to several cities and boroughs across northern New Jersey. It is one of the most densely populated counties in the state. Arrests made by local police in any of these communities may lead to a booking at the county jail and a new record on the Passaic County jail roster. Below are cities in Passaic County with their own pages on this site.
Other communities in Passaic County include Hawthorne, Pompton Lakes, Ringwood, Wanaque, West Milford, and Totowa. Inmates from all of these areas may appear on the Passaic County jail roster.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Passaic County. If you are searching for someone who may have been arrested near the county line, check the jail roster for the neighboring county as well. The person could be held at a different facility depending on where the arrest occurred.