How to Find Someone at San Mateo County (Maguire Facility): Step-by-Step and What to Do If They Don’t Appear
Trying to find out if someone is in custody at San Mateo County's Maguire Facility? The county's inmate locator is your fastest option. Here's how to search it, what to expect when information changes, and what to do if the person doesn't show up.
Go to the San Mateo County inmate locator and enter both the person's first and last name. Click the FIND INMATE button. No match? Double-check the basics. A missing letter, a nickname instead of a legal name, or swapped first/last names can all throw off your search.
- ✓ Enter both the first name and last name (not just one)
- ✓ Check spelling carefully, including hyphens or spacing
- ✓ Try common alternate spellings if you’re unsure
- ✓ Use the person’s legal name rather than a nickname, if you have it
- ✓ Click the FIND INMATE button after both fields are filled in
When you find a result, keep in mind: the locator shows the most recent information the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has at that moment. Details can shift as someone moves through the judicial process, so a listing that looks different later isn't unusual. If you're checking right after an arrest, it may take time for the system to catch up.
Tip: If something looks off, check again later - updates happen as the case progresses. For automatic notifications instead of constant re-checking, sign up for California VINE alerts.
No result doesn't always mean the person isn't in custody. San Mateo County notes that some names may not appear due to exemptions under Government Code section 6254(f).
- Search again using the exact format the site expects - enter both first name and last name, then click FIND INMATE.
- Give it a little time and re-check - the locator reflects the most recent information known to the Sheriff’s Office, and that information can change as someone moves through the judicial process.
- Contact the local jurisdiction for information - if the name still doesn’t appear, the county directs you to reach out to the local jurisdiction, which may be able to confirm custody or explain why the listing is omitted (including when exemptions apply).
Reminder: If the person’s name doesn’t appear in the locator, contacting the local jurisdiction is the next step the county points you to for answers.
Want updates without running searches over and over? The San Mateo County inmate locator points you to California VINE for custody status changes and case information. Register, choose how you want to be contacted, and VINE sends notifications when something changes.
- Go to California VINE (vinelink.com) - this is where San Mateo County directs you to register for custody status changes and case information.
- Search for the person - use the name (or other identifying details the site offers) to locate the correct record.
- Choose your notifications - select the updates you want and enter the contact method(s) you want VINE to use.
You might come across third-party services - like messaging platforms - that claim to help you connect with someone in custody. These can be useful, but don't treat a vendor listing as proof someone is at Maguire Facility. Always start with the county inmate locator, and confirm directly with the facility or appropriate agency before relying on any third-party setup.
- ✓ Confirm the service is actually enabled for San Mateo County (Maguire Facility) before signing up
- ✓ Verify any fees, funding steps, and account requirements before you add money or personal information
- ✓ Make sure you understand what the facility allows (and what it blocks) for messaging or communication
- ✓ If you’re using a vendor to locate someone, cross-check with the county inmate locator search using both first and last name
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Search the county locator using both first name and last name, then click FIND INMATE
- ✓ If results seem off, re-check later - the locator reflects the most recent information known to the Sheriff’s Office and can change as the judicial process moves forward
- ✓ If the person doesn’t appear, remember omissions can happen due to Government Code 6254(f) exemptions
- ✓ If the name still doesn’t appear, contact the local jurisdiction for information
- ✓ Register for custody status changes and criminal case information through California VINE at vinelink.com
- ✓ If you use any third-party messaging or account service, confirm it’s supported for Maguire Facility before relying on it
Note: A missing listing can be an exemption issue, not a “not in custody” answer. If you need confirmation, contacting the local jurisdiction is often the fastest next step.
Find an Inmate at San Mateo - Maguire Facility, CA
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