Kern County jails and inmate search
Kern County sits at the northern edge of Southern California. Most of its jail operations are in and around Bakersfield.
How the Kern County jail system works
The Kern County Sheriff's Office runs the Central Receiving Facility in downtown Bakersfield and the Lerdo jail complex northwest of the city.
Most arrests in the county, including those by the Bakersfield Police Department, are booked at the Central Receiving Facility. People who stay in custody are often moved to one of the Lerdo facilities.
Kern County covers mountain, desert and valley communities, so travel to Bakersfield can take a while. Plan ahead before a visit.
Searching for someone in Kern County
- Use the Sheriff's online inmate search to see the booking number, current facility and bail information.
- Lerdo has several separate buildings. Confirm which one the person is in.
- Check the Sheriff's posted visiting schedule, which may be based on the person's last name or housing unit.
The official source is the Kern County Sheriff's Office website. For a general walkthrough, see our guide to finding someone in jail.
Practical details for families in Kern County
Posting cash bail
In Kern County, cash bail is usually posted at jail facilities or bail windows designated by the Kern County Sheriff's Office, and sometimes at the Superior Court of California, County of Kern once a case is filed. Check the Sheriff's official bail page for current locations, hours and accepted payment types. Learn more: How to Post Cash Bail in Southern California.
Property and account money
Property stored at booking is usually released only to someone the person in custody authorizes in writing, and that person needs a photo ID. Money on the person's account has to be released by them. Check facility rules on the Kern County Sheriff's Office website. See How to Pick Up an Inmate's Property and How to Release Money From an Inmate's Account.
Release and parking
Releases can happen at any hour. In large counties, people are sometimes released from a different facility than the one where they were housed. Downtown facilities usually rely on nearby public parking that's shared with the courts, while facilities outside downtown generally have visitor lots. See Picking Someone Up After Release From Jail and Parking and Arriving for a Jail Visit.
Cars towed after an arrest
The arresting agency issues the vehicle release. That's the city police department, the Kern County Sheriff's Office in unincorporated areas or contract cities, or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on freeways. See Getting a Car Back After an Arrest: Impounds in Southern California.
After a court hearing
Check the Superior Court of California, County of Kern online case search and the Sheriff's inmate search. See Who to Contact for an Update After Court.