How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Sonoma County Jail caps inmate trust account balances at $1,000. After initial booking, any deposit that would push the account over $1,000 will be refused. The facility Cashier may accept cash, money orders, certified checks, cashier's checks, and government checks. For money orders, certified checks, and cashier's checks, the preferred delivery method is U.S. mail. Funds in a trust account cover commissary purchases, phone time, and permitted personal items. Check posting times and any vendor rules so you know when the money becomes available. At the Main Adult Detention Facility (MADF), incarcerated people can order commissary through kiosks in housing modules and on tablets, with a spending limit of up to $100 per week.
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Putting money on someone's books is one of the quickest ways to help—but you'll need to follow the jail's limits and payment rules. Here's how the account cap works, what deposit methods the jail accepts, weekly commissary limits, and current ViaPath tablet and video pricing (effective April 1, 2025).
The facility Cashier may accept cash, money orders, certified checks, cashier’s checks, and government checks. For money orders, certified checks, and cashier’s checks, the facility prefers delivery by U.S. mail.
Yes. Inmate trust accounts are capped at a $1,000 balance, and deposits that would exceed that limit will not be accepted.
At MADF, inmates can order commissary through kiosks in housing modules and on tablets. They may purchase up to $100 per week, and common items include hygiene products, snacks, stationery, shower shoes, underwear, reading glasses, and toiletries.
Want to reach someone at Sonoma County Jail? You have two main options: schedule an in-person visit by phone, or use ViaPath for paid video calls and messaging.
Scheduling a personal visit at Sonoma County Jail is straightforward once you know the call window and what to have ready. Here's everything you need to know about the phone-only booking process.
Sending money to someone at Sonoma County Jail is straightforward once you know the deposit rules. Two things matter most: the $1,000 account limit and which payment types the Cashier accepts.
