How Do I Find an Inmate's Mailing Address?

The most common obstacle people run into when trying to send mail is not knowing the exact facility address or the inmate's full registration number, both of which are required for mail to be delivered correctly.

The first step is pinning down which facility your loved one is in. Aaron Hernandez is a common name and without knowing the state it is nearly impossible to narrow down which facility and which person you are looking for. There are inmates by that name in correctional systems across the country.

If you know the state, start with that state's department of corrections inmate search. Most state DOC websites have a public facing search tool where you can look someone up by name and pull their current facility assignment and mailing address directly from the record.

For federal inmates, the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov lets you search by name and returns the facility, address, and register number you need to send mail correctly.

InmateAid also offers an inmate location service that searches across multiple systems including state, federal, and county facilities. If you are not sure which system your cousin is in or the state DOC search is not returning results, InmateAid can help you track down the right facility and get the correct mailing address so your letter actually arrives.

Once you have the address, make sure to include the inmate's full legal name and register number on the envelope. Missing either one is one of the most common reasons mail gets rejected or returned.