Tallahassee city booking reports are the official records created each time a person is arrested and processed into custody inside Leon County. Tallahassee is the capital of Florida and the county seat of Leon County.
Every arrest made by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, or any other local agency results in a booking report at the Leon County Detention Facility. These reports are public records under Florida law. Anyone can ask to see them, copy them, or check them online. This page explains what these reports show, who holds them, and how to get them in 2026.
What Tallahassee City Booking Reports Cover
A booking report is the first official paper trail that starts after an arrest. It records the person, the time, the place, and the reason for the arrest. In Tallahassee, these reports sit at the center of the local criminal justice process. They connect the police, the jail, the courts, and the public records system.
Who Creates Booking Reports in Tallahassee
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office creates every booking report in Tallahassee. The Tallahassee Police Department and other city agencies make arrests, but they send arrestees to the Leon County Detention Facility for booking. Sheriff’s deputies at the jail intake desk take fingerprints, photographs, and personal details. They then enter all of this into the official booking system. This same process applies no matter which law enforcement agency made the original arrest.
What Each Booking Report Contains
Each booking report holds a standard set of facts about the arrest and the person arrested. Most reports include the full legal name of the person, any known aliases, date of birth, race, sex, height, and weight. They also include the date and time of the arrest, the agency that made the arrest, the location of the arrest, and a list of charges. Booking photos, fingerprint data, and bond amounts are also part of the record.
- Full name and aliases of the person arrested
- Date of birth, race, sex, height, and weight
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- List of charges and Florida statute references
- Booking photo and fingerprint data
- Bond amount and current custody status
Booking Reports vs Arrest Reports
Booking reports and arrest reports are close but not the same. An arrest report is written by the officer who made the arrest. It explains what happened on the scene, who was involved, and what the officer saw. A booking report is created later at the jail. It covers what happened during intake. Both records are public in Florida. People often need both to get the full picture of an arrest.
Where Tallahassee Booking Records Are Held
Booking records for Tallahassee are stored at several places depending on the stage of the case. The jail holds the most current records. The police department holds investigation records. The courts hold records after a case moves forward. State agencies hold records once a person enters the state prison system.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit is the main office for booking records. The office sits at 535 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. The Records Director is Elethia Chase. The unit answers questions, processes written requests, and provides copies of booking reports. The public phone line for the Records Unit is (850) 606-3317. People can also fax or mail written requests to this same address.
Tallahassee Police Department Records
The Tallahassee Police Department keeps arrest reports and related paperwork. Once a case moves to the county jail, the booking report lives at the Sheriff’s Office. The Police Department can still help with incident reports, accident reports, and some arrest details. For most booking record needs, the Sheriff’s Office is the right contact.
Leon County Detention Facility
The Leon County Detention Facility is the jail where all Tallahassee bookings happen. It is at 535 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. The jail phone number is (850) 606-3500. The detention facility also holds the inmate search system that the public can use online. This system shows who is currently in custody and their booking details.
How to Get Booking Reports in Tallahassee
Florida law gives the public several ways to get booking reports. People can go in person, call, write, email, or search online. Each method works for a different situation. In-person visits are best for same-day needs. Online searches work for current inmates only.
In Person Requests at the Sheriff’s Office
People can visit the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit at 535 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. Office hours run Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Visitors should bring a photo ID and the full name of the person they are looking for. A date of birth helps narrow the search. Staff can pull the booking report and provide copies for a small fee per page.
Phone and Mail Requests
Phone requests work for basic booking questions. The Records Unit phone line is (850) 606-3317. Callers can ask if a person was booked, when the booking happened, and what the charges are. For full copies of the booking report, a written request is faster. Mail the request to the Records Unit at the Appleyard Drive address. Include the full name, date of birth, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office then mails back the copies.
Online Inmate Search Tool
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office runs an online inmate search on its official website. The tool shows people who are in custody right now. It lists the booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status. The search updates every few hours. Past bookings drop off the search once the person is released.
The public records request form lives on the Sheriff’s Citizen Center page. The page has a link to submit a public records request or a local background check. People can use this form for booking reports that are not on the current inmate list. The Records Director, Elethia Chase, oversees all such requests.
Florida Public Records Law and Booking Reports
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes covers all records made or received by any government agency. Booking reports fall under this law. The law says that providing access to public records is a duty of each agency. There is no residency requirement and no need to explain why the records are wanted.
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 lists the types of records that are public. It includes “all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material” made or received by any agency. Booking reports fit this definition. The Records Custodian at each agency must allow people to inspect booking records at any reasonable time. They can charge a copy fee. Sensitive details can be blacked out, but the rest of the record must be released.
Section 901.43 on Booking Photos
Section 901.43 of the Florida Statutes controls booking photos. It makes it against the law for websites to charge for removing booking photos from public view. The civil penalty is $1,000 per day for noncompliance and $5,000 per day if a site republishes a removed photo. People who want a booking photo removed can send a written request under this law. The site must remove the photo within ten days.
Juvenile Booking Records
Juvenile booking records are not public in Florida. This rule applies across the state, including in Tallahassee. Only certain agencies, courts, and approved parties can see juvenile records. Parents and legal guardians can ask about their child’s case, but the public cannot get copies. This rule protects minors and supports the goal of rehabilitation over public exposure.
State and Regional Booking Resources
Tallahassee is the state capital. Several state agencies sit in the city and can help with booking records at the state level. These agencies cover state prison inmates, statewide criminal history, and victim notification services.
Florida Department of Corrections
The Florida Department of Corrections has its main office at 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida. The general phone number is (850) 488-7052. The public records request line is (850) 717-9774. The Office of Citizen Services helps people who need records about inmates in state custody. Once a person moves from the Leon County jail to a state prison, their records shift to this department. The state inmate database covers all state prisons and gets refreshed every week.
FDLE Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a statewide criminal history search. The tool pulls data from all county bookings across Florida, including Leon County. The system uses the fingerprint and photo data sent by each county under Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes. People can request a criminal history report for a small fee. This report shows all arrests and dispositions linked to a person’s fingerprints.
Florida VINE Service
Florida VINE is a free service that alerts people when an inmate is released or transferred. The system tracks inmates in county jails and state prisons. Family members and victims can sign up for phone or email alerts. The service is free to the public. The Leon County Detention Facility feeds booking data into this system as part of normal operations.
The Tallahassee Booking Process Step by Step
Every arrest in Tallahassee follows the same booking path. State law sets each step. The process is designed to protect the rights of the person arrested and create a clear record for the courts and the public.
Arrest and Transport to Jail
An arrest starts when a law enforcement officer takes a person into custody. The arresting officer must have probable cause. After the arrest, the officer transports the person to the Leon County Detention Facility. The trip can take minutes or hours depending on the location and the time of day. The jail intake desk receives the person and starts the booking process.
Fingerprinting and Photographs
At intake, deputies collect fingerprints and a booking photo. Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes requires these steps for every adult charged with a felony or misdemeanor. The fingerprints and photo go into the FDLE criminal justice information system. This data links the booking to the person’s full criminal record. The data also feeds state crime reports and statistical tools.
Charges and First Appearance Hearing
After fingerprinting, deputies enter the charges into the booking system. The person then waits for a first appearance hearing. This hearing happens within 24 hours of the arrest. A judge reviews the charges, sets a bond amount, and decides release conditions. If the person can pay the bond, they leave jail. If not, they stay in custody until the case is resolved. The booking report stays in the system no matter what happens next.
Official Contact Details and Map
The main office for Tallahassee city booking reports is the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit. The office is at 535 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. People can call (850) 606-3317 for records questions. The detention facility main line is (850) 606-3500. The Leon County Sheriff Warrants and Civil Division sits at 3333 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. The Florida Department of Corrections is at 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, Florida. The phone number is (850) 488-7052 and the public records line is (850) 717-9774. The Florida Department of State is at the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. The statewide jail directory from the Department of State lists all 67 county jails with addresses, phone numbers, and online search links for backup checks outside Leon County.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have the same questions about Tallahassee city booking reports. The answers below cover the most common ones. Each answer comes from Florida law, sheriff’s office policy, and public records practice as of 2026. The goal is to give clear, direct facts that solve real problems.
How soon does a booking show up online in Tallahassee?
Most bookings show up on the Leon County inmate search within two to four hours of intake. The system pulls data from the jail management software. Updates run on a short cycle, but there can be delays during heavy booking periods. If a person does not appear in the search, the booking may still be in process. Calling the Records Unit at (850) 606-3317 can confirm the booking status right away.
Can someone remove a booking photo from the internet?
Yes, under Section 901.43 of the Florida Statutes. People can send a written request to any website that posted their booking photo. The site must remove the photo within ten days of the request. If the site fails to remove it, the civil penalty is $1,000 per day. If the site republishes the photo later, the penalty rises to $5,000 per day. People should keep proof of the removal request in case of a dispute.
Are old booking reports still public in Tallahassee?
Yes, booking reports stay public even after a person is released. Florida law does not set a time limit on access to these records. People can request old booking reports through the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit. Older reports may take longer to pull. Some details may be blacked out under Florida law, but the main booking facts stay public for years.
What is the difference between the Leon County jail and the Tallahassee city jail?
Tallahassee does not run a separate city jail for long-term holds. The Leon County Detention Facility handles all bookings for the city and the county. Some short-term holding areas may exist at the Tallahassee Police Department, but booking reports are created at the county jail. This is why all booking record requests go through the Sheriff’s Office rather than the Police Department.
Can employers use Tallahassee booking reports for background checks?
Yes, employers can use booking reports as part of a background check. Many local businesses in Tallahassee run these checks during hiring. The Sheriff’s Office offers a paid local background check service. Statewide criminal history reports are also available through the FDLE. Employers must follow federal and state rules on how they use arrest and conviction records in hiring decisions.
What if the person was never charged after booking?
The booking report still exists even if the State drops all charges. The booking facts stay in the public record. The case disposition may show “no formal charges” or “released without charge.” This status becomes part of the public booking record. People who want to clear their name can seek an expungement or sealing under Florida law, but that is a separate court process from the booking report itself.
Can a person see their own booking report before anyone else?
Yes, the person who was arrested can see their booking report right away. The booking report is part of the discovery process in any criminal case. Defense lawyers can also get copies. The general public can ask for the same report through the Records Unit. There is no priority order under Florida law. Anyone can file a public records request at the same time.