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Sending Money

How to Send Money to Someone at Martinez Detention Facility: Accepted Methods and Options

Getting money onto someone's account is straightforward once you know the accepted methods. Martinez Detention Facility takes money orders and cashier's checks by mail, plus credit or debit card deposits through kiosks, phone, or online.

• 2 min read Verified from official sources

Martinez Detention Facility accepts money orders for inmate funds. If you're sending money by mail, this is one of the approved options.

Cashier's checks work too. If you'd rather use a bank-issued check instead of a money order, the facility accepts those.

Don't send cash or personal checks. Both will be returned to you, envelope and all.

Make your money order or cashier's check payable to "Office of the Sheriff." Getting this right keeps your deposit from being delayed or rejected.

  • ✓ Write the inmate’s name on the front.
  • ✓ Write the inmate’s booking number on the front.

If your money order or cashier's check isn't made out to the Office of the Sheriff, or it's missing the inmate's information, it won't be deposited. Instead, it gets sealed in the inmate's property. If they're released, it goes back to you.

  1. Use a lobby kiosk at Martinez Detention Facility. Credit and debit card deposits are accepted through the kiosk located in the lobby.
  2. Use a lobby kiosk at West County Detention Facilities. The facility also accepts credit and debit card deposits through kiosks located in that lobby.
  3. Stick to the approved card methods. At this facility, credit and debit cards are only accepted through the kiosk, phone, or website deposit options.

Prefer to deposit by phone? Call 1-866-0460 with a credit or debit card. This works well if you can't make it to a lobby kiosk.

You can also deposit online through the SmartDeposit website. This is often the easiest option if you want to handle everything from home.

Tips Mistakes

  • ✓ Do not mail cash or a personal check. It will be returned to the sender.
  • ✓ Do not forget to put the inmate’s name and booking number on the front.
  • ✓ Do not make the payment out to the wrong payee. It must be payable to the Office of the Sheriff.

Tip: If mailing a money order feels risky, use a card deposit instead (lobby kiosks, 1-866-0460 by phone, or the SmartDeposit website). Whichever method you choose, double-check the inmate's name and booking number before you send.

Wrong payee or missing inmate info? Your money order or cashier's check ends up sealed in the inmate's property instead of deposited. If they're released, it comes back to you. Getting those details right the first time saves hassle.

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How to Send Money to Martinez Detention Facility (CA)

To add money to someone's account at Martinez Detention Facility, you'll need to use a money order or cashier's check. These are the only forms the facility accepts. Using the right one from the start saves you from delays or rejected mail.