This is a private reference site, not a government office. We cannot confirm custody, release anyone, post bond, schedule a visit, or retrieve an official booking record. Contact the office that holds the record.
Official Buchanan County Contacts
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and its Correctional Facility share the current Sheriff, Communications, and Corrections building. Administrative hours differ from round-the-clock jail and dispatch operations.
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office
210 5th Ave NE
Independence, IA 50644
Main and non-emergency: (319) 334-2568
Fax: (319) 334-6542
Administrative and Civil: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., holidays excluded
Patrol, Communications, and Corrections: 24 hours a day
Correctional Facility and Records
Current jail line: (319) 334-2017
Records Clerk: Michelle Thoma, mthoma@co.buchanan.ia.us
Administrative Office Deputy: Brittney Brecht, bbrecht@co.buchanan.ia.us
Ask the records clerk whether an existing booking record or intake identification photograph is available, what fee estimate applies, which delivery formats are offered, and what retention series governs it. Use the following route for each need:
- For a booking record or mugshot request, follow the focused steps on the home page, then contact the Sheriff’s records clerk.
- For current county jail custody or a release alert, call the jail and use Iowa VINE. Buchanan County has no public online roster.
- For a possible warrant, use the Most Wanted guidance and contact the Sheriff, clerk, or legal counsel.
- For what happened after booking, search Iowa Courts Online and contact the Buchanan County Clerk of Court at (319) 334-2196.
- For a sentenced state prisoner, use the Iowa Department of Corrections offender search.
- For federal custody, use the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. For immigration detention, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
Public visitation takes place Tuesday through Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., holidays excluded, with preapproval and one visit per week. Confirm the current rules with the jail before traveling. Those hours concern visits, not access to booking photos.