Paying Bond at Rowan County Jail: cash, fees, and using commissary funds

At Rowan County Detention Center, any bond that requires money as security has to be paid in cash - and you need to bring the exact amount. Plan ahead for the exact-change rule so you don’t get stuck at the window needing to break bills.

You’ll also need a picture ID when you pay bond. If you’re heading to the jail to handle the payment, put your photo ID on the short list of must-bring items so you don’t have to turn around and come back.

On top of the bond itself, Rowan County Detention Center requires fees at release for anyone bonding out: a $50 booking fee and a $5 jail bond fee. Build those into your total so you’re not surprised at the finish line when release paperwork is being completed.

Rowan County Detention Center does allow commissary money to be used toward bond in some situations. The key detail is the order: the person bonding out has to have all required fees covered first (including the $50 booking fee and the $5 jail bond fee). After those fees are paid, money in the inmate’s commissary account may be applied toward the bond amount.

If you’re trying to make this work from the outside, the policy also allows family or friends to add money to an inmate’s commissary account specifically for the purpose of posting bond. That can be a helpful option when you’re coordinating funds quickly and want the money available on the inmate’s account.

Checklist

• ✓ Bring cash for any bond that requires monetary security, and make sure it’s the exact amount
• ✓ Bring a picture ID for the person paying bond
• ✓ Include the required release fees in your total: $50 booking fee + $5 jail bond fee
• ✓ If you’re using commissary funds, remember they can only be applied toward bond after all fees are paid

1. Confirm what you need to pay - make sure you’re accounting for the bond amount plus the required $50 booking fee and $5 jail bond fee due at release.
2. Prepare payment the way the jail requires - if the bond requires monetary security, bring cash in the exact amount (and have your picture ID with you).
3. Cover fees first, then apply commissary if you’re using it - required fees have to be paid before any commissary money can be applied toward the remaining bond.