Berrien County 24 Hour Booking Lookup
Berrien County 24 hour booking records are available through an online inmate search system run by the sheriff's office. The Berrien County Jail sits at 919 Port Street in St. Joseph, Michigan. There is also a substation in Niles. The online search tool lets you look up inmates by name or booking date. You can call 269-983-7141 with extension 7231 or 7777 for booking questions. This page covers the search tools, record details, visitation info, and other ways to access Berrien County booking data.
Berrien County Booking Overview
Berrien County Online Booking Search
The Berrien County Inmate Search is the main online tool for checking 24 hour booking records. The system shows current inmates with their booking information and charges. You can use the Quick Search feature to filter by booking date. The inmate lookup tool provides real-time information, though recently booked inmates may take up to 24 hours to appear in the system.
The screenshot below shows the Berrien County inmate search page.
This search tool is the fastest way to check if someone is currently held at the Berrien County Jail.
For the most current information, the county recommends using the Inmate Lookup Tool rather than calling. But if you need details that are not on the website, call the main office at 269-983-7141 and press extension 7231 or 7777. The sheriff's office handles booking inquiries during business hours. Mugshots are not posted online for Berrien County, but you can request them through the media relations office by sending a mugshot request to the sheriff's department.
Note: Recently booked inmates at Berrien County may not appear in the online search for up to 24 hours after their arrest and processing.
Berrien County Jail Booking and Visitation
Berrien County uses the GTL VisitMe system for scheduling jail visitation. After someone is booked at the Berrien County Jail, family and friends can set up visits through this online portal. The system handles scheduling so you do not need to call the jail to set up a visit.
The screenshot below shows the Berrien County GTL visitation scheduling system.
The visitation system confirms that someone is in custody, which can also help verify a recent 24 hour booking.
The Berrien County Jail at 919 Port Street in St. Joseph is the main booking facility. There is also a Niles Substation at 1205 North Front Street, Niles, MI 49085. The Niles office can be reached at 269-983-5274. Depending on where the arrest happens, processing may start at the substation before the person is transferred to the main jail in St. Joseph.
Request Berrien County Booking Records
Under Michigan's FOIA law at MCL 15.233, you can request detailed 24 hour booking records from Berrien County. Send your written request to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office at 919 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Include the person's name, date range, and any booking numbers you have. For mugshot requests specifically, address your letter to "Media Relations - Inmate Mugshot Request."
The county has five business days to respond under MCL 15.235. Copy fees are about $0.10 per page. Extensions of up to 10 days apply for complex requests. Low-income requesters get the first $20 in fees waived under MCL 15.234. Exemptions at MCL 15.243 cover active investigations, juvenile records, and anything that could endanger a person. Basic adult booking info like names, charges, and bond amounts is public.
Berrien County is one of the larger counties in southwest Michigan. The sheriff's office handles a significant volume of bookings. FOIA requests for older records or large batches of data may take longer to process than requests for a single recent booking.
State Search Tools for Berrien County
Beyond the local inmate search, statewide databases help track Berrien County arrests. The Michigan OTIS system tracks offenders under Department of Corrections supervision. If someone booked in Berrien County goes to state prison, OTIS shows their record with offense details, release dates, and supervision conditions. Records stay three years after discharge under MCL 791.235.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system costs $10 per search and covers criminal history across the state. It pulls felony and serious misdemeanor data under MCL 28.241 through MCL 28.246. For free court records after a Berrien County booking, the MiCOURT Case Search shows charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. Berrien County is part of the 2nd Circuit Court. VineLink offers free custody alerts around the clock for Berrien County inmates.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of FOIA and jail statutes at MCL 801.1 through MCL 801.81. These laws set the rules for how Berrien County operates its jail and handles booking records.
Note: Berrien County has both a main jail in St. Joseph and a substation in Niles, so booking records may come from either location depending on where the arrest occurred.
Nearby County Booking Records
These southwest Michigan counties border Berrien County.
Major Cities Near Berrien County
These larger Michigan cities are in the Berrien County region with their own booking pages.