How to Send Money to Someone at Nueces County Jail: Comparing Kiosk, Phone, Online and Mail
Need funds to arrive fast? The kiosk, phone, and online options all post immediately to the inmate's account. The lobby kiosk is your best bet if you can get there in person - it takes cash ($5 bills or higher) and Visa/MasterCard, and cash deposits carry a lower flat fee than card transactions. Phone and online deposits work great when you can't make the trip, though card service fees climb as your deposit amount increases. Mailing a money order or cashier's check is an option if you're not in a rush, but it's slower and more likely to get returned if anything's filled out incorrectly.
Nueces County Jail has deposit kiosks at two locations: the Main Jail lobby at 901 Leopard Street and the McKenzie Annex at 745 North Padre Island Drive. You'll need to visit one of these spots in person to use the kiosk.
- ✓ Cash (bills $5 or higher)
- ✓ Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
Both kiosks are available 24 hours a day - helpful if you work odd hours or can only make the trip late at night.
Fees & limits: Kiosk deposits max out at $300 per transaction. For cash deposits from $20 to $300, the cash fee is $3.00 (automatically deducted from the cash you enter). If you use a card, the fee depends on the amount: $5.95 for $20–$99.99, $7.95 for $100–$199.99, and $9.95 for $200–$300.
To deposit online, create an account at AccessCorrections.com. Once you're set up, you can add funds to the inmate's account from anywhere - no trip to the jail required.
The big advantage of electronic deposits? Speed. Kiosk, phone, and online transactions all post immediately. The inmate should receive a paper receipt within 3–4 days, giving them a record even if you can't confirm the transaction with them right away.
Fee expectations: Card-based deposits typically cost more than cash at the kiosk. At the kiosk, cash deposits from $20–$300 have a $3.00 fee, while card fees rise with the deposit amount ($5.95 for $20–$99.99, $7.95 for $100–$199.99, and $9.95 for $200–$300).
Sending money by mail? Nueces County Jail only accepts cashier's checks and money orders. Make them payable to "Inmate Trust Fund," C/O the inmate receiving the money. Following this format exactly helps prevent your payment from being rejected or returned.
- ✓ Include the inmate’s date of birth (DOB)
- ✓ Include the inmate’s Nueces SID# (not the State SID#)
Personal checks aren't accepted. And don't try dropping off money, checks, or money orders at the Jail Information Booth, the McKinzie Jail Annex, or during visitation - those payments will be turned away.
When timing matters, go electronic. Kiosk, phone, and online deposits are immediately available, and the inmate gets a receipt within 3–4 days. Mailed payments can work, but they take longer - and if something needs to be returned and re-sent, you're looking at even more delay.
Delays and Avoidance
- ✓ Don’t send personal checks - Nueces County Jail won’t accept them.
- ✓ Use only a cashier’s check or money order, and make it payable to “Inmate Trust Fund,” C/O the inmate receiving the money.
- ✓ Write the inmate’s date of birth and Nueces SID# (not the State SID#) on the money order/cashier’s check.
- ✓ Fill it out in black or blue ink.
- ✓ Avoid silver, gold, metallics, glitters, and gel-pen colors.
One thing that catches people off guard: all non-legal and non-commercial mail to Nueces County Jail must go through JailATM.com - either sent electronically or mailed to their PO Box for Nueces County. The mail gets scanned and delivered to the inmate digitally, and the original is destroyed. If you're trying to send physical items or originals, they won't arrive the way you expect.
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