Mercer County 24 Hour Booking Lookup
Mercer County 24 hour booking records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Celina, Ohio. The jail at 4835 State Route 29 books about 1,000 male and 400 female inmates each year. The county runs a dedicated online inmate search system that shows who is in custody right now. You can search by name or filter by booking date to find specific records. This page walks through how to use the Mercer County booking search, what data each record holds, and the state tools that tie into the county system. Call 419-586-5753 for jail inquiries.
Mercer County Overview
Mercer County Sheriff's Office and Jail
The Mercer County Jail is a minimum to maximum security facility at 4835 State Route 29 in Celina, OH 45822. Staff monitor inmates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The jail books an average of 1,400 inmates per year total. After booking, officers watch inmate behavior as part of normal jail duties. The fax number is 419-586-9142 if you need to send paperwork.
The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in Mercer County. The Enforcement Division patrols 472 square miles that include 14 townships, one city, and all villages. Patrol deputies handle criminal investigations, issue citations and warnings, and enforce traffic laws. The Corrections Division runs the jail side of things. An online public records request form is available on the Mercer County Sheriff's Office website. All records go through proper redaction under Ohio public records laws before release.
Searching Mercer County 24 Hour Booking Data
The Mercer County Jail Inmate Search is the best tool for looking up current bookings. The system lets you filter by active or inactive status. You can also set a date range using From Booking Date and Thru Booking Date fields. Results come back in alphabetical order by last name. Each row shows full name, age, and a link to view details.
Click "View Details" on any entry to see the full record. Each charge shows the statute number, disposition status, bail amount, bond type, assigned court, and case number. For inmates with more than one charge, every count is listed on its own line with its own bail figure. The system also displays the current inmate count so you know how many people are in custody at that moment. A recent check showed 54 inmates.
The site has a disclaimer. It notes that the Sheriff's Office cannot guarantee all data is current or accurate. It also states that all people listed are innocent until proven guilty. A Certificate of Arrest comes from the arresting agency and may not match the final court charges or disposition.
24 Hour Booking Records and Ohio Public Records
Mercer County booking data falls under Ohio Revised Code 149.43. This law says public records must be made available when someone asks. Jail rosters and booking logs count as public records. Exemptions exist for medical data, Social Security numbers, juvenile records, and certain law enforcement files. But the core booking info like name, charges, bail, and dates is open to the public.
You can submit a formal records request through the online form on the Sheriff's website. Written requests work too. Send them to the jail at 4835 State Route 29, Celina, OH 45822. Standard copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per document plus per page fees. The Ohio Sunshine Laws Manual lays out these rules and the process for appeals if a request gets denied.
Mercer County Inmate Tracking Tools
The Mercer County inmate search also lets you sign up for release notifications. Enter your info and pick an inmate. The system will tell you when that person is let go. Beyond the local tool, VINELink provides statewide tracking. Register for free and get alerts by text, email, or phone when a custody status changes. VINELink covers more than 2,900 facilities across the country.
The Sheriff's Office also runs a NIXLE alert system. Register your email or cell phone to get weather alerts, amber alerts, news releases, and road closure notices for Mercer County. It is a separate service from VINELink but adds another layer of local awareness. The office also posts a most wanted list on the website with mugshots, physical descriptions, last known addresses, and a tip line.
State Resources for Mercer County Records
The Ohio DRC Offender Search tracks inmates in state prisons. If someone from Mercer County was sentenced and sent to a state facility, they show up in this database. You can search by name, offender number, or county of commitment. The system shows sentence details, parole dates, and current location. County jail inmates are not in this system. It is only for the state prison population.
For BCI background checks, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation runs the statewide criminal history database. Fingerprint based checks pull data from all Ohio law enforcement agencies. Fees range from $30 to $50. WebCheck locations handle submissions. The Mercer County Sheriff's Office may serve as a local WebCheck site.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office home page is shown below.
The site features the inmate search tab right on the home page for fast access to Mercer County booking data.
Mercer County Jail Visitation and Mail
Visiting hours at the Mercer County Jail come in two types. Offsite daily visits run from 8am to 10:50am, 1pm to 4pm, and 6pm to 10pm. Onsite visits happen on Tuesday from 8am to 11am, Saturday from 1pm to 4pm, and Sunday from 6pm to 9pm. All visitors need an account on the InmateSales website to schedule time.
Mail goes to: Inmate Name, Mercer County Jail, 4835 State Route 29, Celina, OH 45822. All letters get opened and checked. Money for inmate commissary accounts can be added online at the JailATM website or in person at the jail lobby kiosk. The jail also offers educational classes, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings as part of its inmate programs.
Nearby Counties
These neighboring counties each run their own jail and booking system for 24 hour booking records.