About the DeKalb County Jail
DeKalb County Jail is officially listed as the DeKalb County Alabama Sheriff's Office Detention Center in Fort Payne, Alabama. The facility is operated by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Nick Welden, with Carl White serving as Chief Jail Administrator.
The Detention Center is a county jail and pretrial detention center. It houses pretrial detainees, state-sentenced inmates serving less than one year, inmates awaiting transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections, municipal hold arrests, and federal inmates under contract. Agencies using the jail include the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, the United States Marshals Service, and municipal police departments in Fort Payne, Fyffe, Sylvania, Rainsville, Geraldine, Henagar, Collinsville, Crossville, Powell, Valley Head, and Hammondville.
- Facility
- DeKalb County Alabama Sheriff's Office Detention Center
- Address
- 2801 Jordan Road SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968
- Mailing Address
- 2801 Jordan Road SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968
- Main Phone
- 256-845-8565
- Operated By
- DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
How the DeKalb County Inmate Search Works
The roster at the top of this page is the DeKalb County inmate search tool for current booking information. Users can search by name using the text-based search box, review current inmates, and use the “48 Hour Release” roster view for individuals released from the Detention Center within the preceding 48 hours.
The DeKalb County Alabama Sheriff's Office Detention Center Inmate Roster includes confirmed fields such as name, booking number, age, booking date, charges, bond, and release date. The roster also supports sorting by booking time or release time descending, along with quick tabs for “Current Inmates” and “48 Hour Release.”
Use “View Details” or expanded roster details when available to review additional booking information shown on the page. The Sheriff’s Office states that it cannot certify the accuracy or authenticity of roster information, so users should confirm bail, charges, case numbers, custody status, or release information with the jail at 256-845-8565 before taking action.
The DeKalb County jail roster is not the court docket and is not a court records search. Jail roster data is a temporary, uncertified booking log managed by the Sheriff’s Office for custodial tracking and public convenience, while court records are permanent, official, legally binding case files maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Confirmed court-record systems include AlaCourt for monthly subscribers and “Just One Look” for case-by-case searches.
Posting Bail at DeKalb County Jail
Bail is set by the court, not by DeKalb County Jail. Before coming to the facility or contacting a bonding company, call Detention Center staff at 256-845-8565 to confirm the current bail amount, charges, case numbers, and permitted bond type.
To start the bail process in DeKalb County, first confirm the current bail amount, charges, case numbers, and allowed bond type with Detention Center staff. After that information is confirmed, proceed according to the bond type authorized by the court: ROR, licensed private bonding company, property bond, or cash bond.
Licensed private bonding companies are officially accepted for release. Bonding companies should coordinate with Detention Center staff at 256-845-8565 to verify charges, case numbers, and the exact bail amount before attempting release. For cash bond payments, call 256-845-8565 before coming to confirm the accepted form of payment.
Sending Money to an Inmate
Online commissary deposits for DeKalb County Jail are processed through JailFunds. The Detention Center also has a VendEngine lobby kiosk at 2801 Jordan Road SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968, where cash and debit card deposits can be made.
Money orders are accepted and may be mailed to the facility or placed in the physical Drop Box located just outside the Detention Center doors. Each money order must include the inmate’s full name, inmate ID number, depositor’s full name, and a physical return address.
Money orders are physically collected and posted Monday through Friday by Jail Administrative Assistant Tracie Hamilton. VendEngine kiosk transactions include a convenience fee, but the exact fee schedule is not confirmed. For current deposit fees or account requirements, call the jail at 256-845-8565 before sending money.
Inmate Communication
DeKalb County Jail phone provider, account setup, message rules, and incoming-message options are not confirmed in the available county data. Call the jail at 256-845-8565 to confirm how inmate phone accounts work and whether inmates can receive messages or only place outgoing calls.
Mail for inmates should be sent using the full facility mailing address: DeKalb County Alabama Sheriff's Office Detention Center, 2801 Jordan Road SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968. Include the inmate’s full name and identifying information when available so staff can route the mail properly.
Inmate calls and mail may be monitored, except confidential legal communication. Avoid sending sensitive personal, financial, or case information through regular inmate mail or non-legal phone communication.
Visitation at DeKalb County Jail
DeKalb County Jail visitation is confirmed for Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Visits must be scheduled in advance through JailFunds or by using the self-service lobby kiosk at the Sheriff's Office. Each visit session is 30 minutes.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if required by current facility rules.
- Minors may need a parent or legal guardian present.
- Follow jail dress code and conduct rules.
- Confirm whether court, transport, discipline, or classification issues affect visitation.
- Call 256-845-8565 before visiting to confirm that the inmate is cleared to receive visitors.
| Visitation Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Visiting Days | Monday through Friday |
| Visiting Hours | 9:00 am to 3:30 pm |
| Advance Scheduling | Required |
| Scheduling Method | JailFunds or the self-service lobby kiosk at the Sheriff's Office |
| Visit Duration | 30 minutes per session |
Before visiting, confirm current facility requirements that may affect entry or approval:
DeKalb County Court Information
Criminal cases in DeKalb County are handled through District Court and Circuit Court. District Court handles misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, and non-capital felony guilty pleas. Circuit Court, part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Alabama, is the highest trial court, and its criminal division handles felony prosecutions and associated misdemeanors.
The court handles arraignment, bail hearings, pretrial proceedings, trial, sentencing, and related case proceedings. Hearing notices control the date, time, location, and format of a court appearance, so users should follow the court notice or contact the clerk before appearing.
Confirmed court-record access includes AlaCourt for monthly subscribers and “Just One Look” for case-by-case searches. Available search methods are primarily name search and case-number search, while docket searches are available through AlaCourt subscriptions and setting-date filters are restricted. Court case details may include party names, case status, setting dates, court actions, financial history, and a detailed case action summary.
The official court-record system covers trial court records across Civil, Criminal, Domestic Relations, Child Support, Traffic, Small Claims, Warrants, and Juvenile divisions. Electronic court records may not include confidential, sealed, juvenile, or otherwise restricted records under Alabama court rules. AlaFile access is limited to authorized users such as state-licensed attorneys, registered pro se litigants, and account managers.
In-custody defendants may appear for preliminary hearings and minor proceedings on-site through the Detention Center’s video conferencing system. If physical appearance is ordered, defendants are transported to the courthouse by the Sheriff’s Patrol Division.
- Court
- DeKalb County Circuit Court / DeKalb County District Court
- Address
- Circuit Clerk / Circuit Court: DeKalb County Courthouse, 300 Grand Avenue South, Suite 200, Fort Payne, AL 35967; District Court: 300 Grand Avenue, Suite 101, Fort Payne, AL 35967
- Phone
- Circuit Clerk: (256) 845-8525; District Civil Clerks: (256) 845-8525 option 6
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
- Judicial District / Circuit
- Ninth Judicial Circuit of Alabama
- Clerk
- Todd Greeson, Circuit Clerk