Federal vs County vs ICE: Which Locator to Use
Last updated: August 26, 2026 · Inmate Information Service
Three custody systems sit on top of each other in California. They do not share a roster. They do not honor the same bond. If you search only the county jail after a federal arrest, you will conclude the person vanished.
County jail (sheriff or city)
This is the system most families mean by “they got arrested last night.” Use the county hubs on this site, starting with how to find someone in a California jail. Release, if it exists, is cite-out, cash to that jail or court, a California surety bond, or a court-ordered release. Holds can still block the door: holds guide.
Federal custody
Federal cases may begin in a county jail on a U.S. Marshals hold, then move to a federal facility. Search the federal inmate locator with name or BOP register number. County visiting hours do not apply to BOP institutions. A county surety bond written on a state case does not satisfy a federal detention order.
ICE detention
Immigration custody uses the ICE Online Detainee Locator. Start with immigration inmate locator. An immigration bond is not the same product as a California 10 percent county bail premium. Do not sign a county indemnity agreement expecting it to end ICE detention.
How to tell which system you are in
- Arrest by a city PD or county sheriff, local charges only → county locator.
- FBI, DEA, HSI, or “federal hold” on the county roster → federal locator plus the county page until they move.
- Border arrest, detainer language, or “ICE” on the roster → ICE locator, then call the listed detention facility.
When two systems apply at once (county charges plus an ICE detainer), the person can clear one and still not go home. That is the fact pattern in the first 24 hours and release options guides.
Where a county bail company fits
Licensed California bail agents work county and state surety bonds. They are the wrong first call for a pure BOP designation or a pure ICE case. If you have confirmed a county jail, a set bail, and no hold, one independently owned licensed company that maintains its own site is Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds. This site does not write bonds of any kind. Verify California licenses with the Department of Insurance. For federal or immigration cases, speak with counsel who handles that system.
Frequently asked questions
The county roster says “USM hold.” What now?
The U.S. Marshals have asked the jail to hold the person. Search federal channels and ask records whether any local bail would even be accepted.
Can I visit a federal inmate using county video software?
No. Use the federal facility’s own visiting process.
Why list a bail company on a federal/ICE page?
Because many files are mixed. The link is for the county-charge scenario only.
This site is not sponsored by BOP, ICE, or any county jail. It is a third party providing public information, not legal advice.