Understanding Allegan County's Inmate Lookup: What the Results Mean (and Don't Mean)

Allegan County's online inmate lookup only shows people who are currently in custody. If someone was released, transferred, or simply isn't being held right now, they may not appear in the results, even if they were recently booked.

The Sheriff's Office and Corrections Center also makes it clear that the information posted in the lookup is not guaranteed to be current, accurate, or complete. Think of it as a snapshot, not an official record.

To search Allegan County's inmate lookup, you need to enter a complete last name. Partial last names may not return the results you expect.

• ✓ First Name (at least 1 character)
• ✓ Booking Date

Jail rosters can shift fast. Allegan County says inmate information changes quickly, and what you see online may not reflect someone's current status. That matters if you're trying to figure out whether a person is still being held or if something changed after booking.

A name match is not the same as identity confirmation. Allegan County points out that a person may use false identification, so true identity can only be confirmed through fingerprint comparison. If the booking information was based on a false name or incorrect personal details, the lookup could be wrong about who someone actually is.

Seeing someone listed in the inmate lookup does not prove they were convicted. Allegan County states that an arrest does not mean the inmate has been convicted of a crime or a civil infraction. The county also says the posted information should not be relied on for any type of legal action. Don't use it as your "official" source for decisions that carry legal consequences.

1. Use the lookup as a starting point - It can help you check whether someone appears to be in custody, but it is not guaranteed to be current, accurate, or complete.
2. Contact the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and Corrections Center to confirm - If you need an official answer about status or details, get it directly from the agency.
3. Report errors you find - The county directs people to contact the Sheriff’s Office and Corrections Center to report inaccuracies in posted information.
4. Do not use the roster for legal action - Allegan County says the posted information should not be relied on for any type of legal action.