Temple Booking Reports and Arrest Records
Temple booking reports are public records under Texas law. The Temple Police Department operates its own city jail for short-term detention, and longer-term detainees are held at the Bell County Jail in Belton. Both agencies handle public records requests under the Texas Public Information Act. This page covers how to reach the right office, what the records contain, and how to find information on current or past Temple arrests.
Temple Overview
Temple Police Department and City Jail
The Temple Police Department is at 209 E Avenue A, Temple, TX 76501. The main line is (254) 298-5500. This number also connects you to records staff for booking report requests. The department maintains a city jail for short-term detainees, which is separate from the Bell County Jail. If someone was arrested by Temple PD and held at the city level, the department records division is the right place to request that booking information.
Temple Police Department records requests are accepted in writing. Under the Texas Public Information Act at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the department has ten business days to respond. If you need to find out whether an arrestee is still at the city jail or has been transferred to Bell County, call (254) 298-5500 and ask. Transfer status matters because it determines which agency holds the official detention record at that moment.
| Office | Temple Police Department - Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 209 E Avenue A Temple, TX 76501 |
| Phone | (254) 298-5500 |
| Website | templetx.gov/police |
| Request Methods | In-person, written requests |
The screenshot below shows the Temple Police Department website at templetx.gov, which provides information on the department and links to city services including records requests.
The Temple Police Department handles city-level booking records and can confirm whether a detainee has been transferred to the Bell County Jail.
Bell County Jail and Sheriff Records
The Bell County Jail is in Belton, the county seat, at 113 W Central Ave, Belton, TX 76513. The Bell County Sheriff's Office handles county-level booking records and manages the jail. Call (254) 933-5400 to reach the sheriff's office. For records requests at the county level, the sheriff's records division processes requests under the Texas Public Information Act.
Bell County uses the iDocket online system for misdemeanor records. This system is available through the county's website and lets you search criminal case records by name or case number. It covers misdemeanor court filings and can help you trace a case from arrest through the court process. For felony records, contact the Bell County District Clerk directly rather than relying on iDocket.
Bell County criminal record searches cost $5.00 per name. Have the person's full legal name and approximate arrest date ready when you contact the sheriff's office. This keeps the search simple and reduces the chance of the wrong record coming back. The county also processes requests by mail; call ahead to get the correct mailing address for your request type.
Third-party sites like RecentlyBooked.com and TempleCityJailTX.org publish booking data for Temple and Bell County. These can be useful for a quick check, but the official county sources are the most reliable for complete and up-to-date information.
Note: Criminal record searches at Bell County cost $5.00 per name. Call the Bell County Sheriff's Office at (254) 933-5400 before submitting a request to confirm current fees and the preferred submission method.
How to Get Temple Booking Reports
Start by checking the Bell County inmate search online. This free tool shows current detainees in the county jail and is the fastest way to confirm whether someone is still in custody.
For records from the city jail, contact the Temple Police Department at (254) 298-5500. Staff can tell you whether a person was booked at the city level and whether records are available for release. For records held at the county jail, contact the Bell County Sheriff's Office at (254) 933-5400.
When submitting a formal written request, include the subject's full name, date of birth if you know it, the approximate date of arrest, and any incident or case number. State clearly that you are filing under the Texas Public Information Act. Both the city and county must respond within ten business days. If records are partially withheld, the agency must explain which portions are exempt and why.
For statewide records, the Texas DPS Crime Records Division at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records gives access to criminal history across all Texas jurisdictions. Use this if you are unsure which agency in Temple or Bell County processed a particular arrest.
Temple Booking Report Data
Temple booking reports are created at the time of arrest. They document the booking facts as recorded by the arresting agency at that moment.
Temple booking reports typically include the arrestee's name, booking date and time, the charges filed, bond information, and transfer status to the county jail. Records held at the Bell County level will also show physical descriptors, booking photographs, and more detailed charge information. The arresting agency field notes whether the Temple Police Department or the Bell County Sheriff made the arrest. The bond amount and any bail conditions are part of the booking record as well.
A booking does not constitute a conviction. Charges can be dropped or the person may be found not guilty after the booking record is created. To check the final outcome of a Temple case, contact the Bell County District Clerk. The District Clerk maintains all criminal court records for Bell County and can provide case disposition information.
Bell County Booking Records
Temple is in Bell County, and longer-term detainees from Temple are held at the Bell County Jail in nearby Belton. The Bell County Sheriff's Office maintains county jail records and handles records requests for the region. For more on Bell County booking reports, visit the county page.