How to Send Money to Someone at Nueces County Jail: Compare the 4 Deposit Methods

Nueces County Jail accepts deposits four ways: a lobby kiosk (cash or Visa/MasterCard), phone deposits with a Visa/MasterCard, online deposits through AccessCorrections, and mailed cashier's checks or money orders. Need the money available immediately? Go with the kiosk, phone, or online - all three post instantly. The kiosk is your only cash option, and it charges a flat fee. Mailing a cashier's check or money order can help you dodge card-based fees, but expect more paperwork and a longer wait.

For kiosk, phone, and online deposits, funds are available to the inmate right away. The inmate gets a deposit receipt within 3–4 days.

Kiosk

• ✓ Accepts cash (bills $5 or higher) and credit/debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo
• ✓ Deposits go directly into the inmate’s account
• ✓ Cash deposits have a $3.00 fee that’s automatically deducted from the cash you enter (maximum deposit $300.00)
• ✓ Credit/debit card fees depend on the deposit amount: $2.95 for $0.01–$19.99; $5.95 for $20.00–$99.99; $7.95 for $100.00–$199.99; $9.95 for $200.00–$300.00
• ✓ Kiosks are available 24 hours a day

Kiosks are located in the Main Jail lobby at 901 Leopard Street and at the McKenzie Annex at 745 North Padre Island Drive.

Kiosk deposits post immediately - the inmate can use the funds right away. They'll receive a receipt within 3–4 days.

Phone deposits work with Visa or MasterCard. The service fee gets charged directly to your card.

Phone deposits max out at $300.00, and fees scale with the amount. A deposit between $0.01–$19.99 costs $3.95, while deposits in the $200.00–$300.00 range run $10.95.

Like kiosk deposits, phone deposits make funds available immediately. The inmate receives a receipt within 3–4 days.

Online deposits go through AccessCorrections. You'll need to create an account before you can send money.

Online deposits work the same as other electronic methods: funds are available immediately, and the inmate gets a receipt within 3–4 days.

Mail

• ✓ Accepted forms: cashier’s checks and money orders only (no personal checks)
• ✓ Payee line must read: “Inmate Trust Fund,” C/O the inmate who is receiving the money

Mailing a cashier's check or money order? Include the inmate's date of birth and their Nueces SID# (not the State SID#). This ensures the funds get credited to the right account.

Don't try to hand-deliver money, checks, or money orders at the Jail Information Booth, the McKinzie Jail Annex, or during visitation. Those payments won't be accepted.

Thinking about fees? The kiosk is your only cash option - it charges a flat $3.00 fee (deducted automatically) for deposits up to $300. Card deposits, whether at the kiosk or by phone, have tiered fees: smaller amounts cost less, larger ones cost more. Mailing a cashier's check or money order avoids card fees entirely, but it takes longer and requires more effort on your end.

Mail makes sense if you want predictable costs and don't mind the extra steps. Just be sure to include the inmate's date of birth and Nueces SID# so the funds get credited correctly.

1. Write the payee exactly - Make cashier’s checks and money orders payable to “Inmate Trust Fund,” C/O the inmate who is receiving the money.
2. Add the right identifiers - Include the inmate’s date of birth and the inmate’s Nueces SID# (not the State SID#).
3. Use the right ink - Fill everything out in black or blue ink only; don’t use silver, gold, metallics, glitters, or other gel-pen colors.

Need the money available fast? Stick with the kiosk, phone, or online - those deposits post immediately. Keep your confirmation, and know that the inmate's receipt typically arrives within 3–4 days.