Federal Inmate Records, Expungement and Presidential Pardon

How to Find a Federal Inmate

The Federal Bureau of Prisons keeps records on every person who has been in federal custody going back to 1982. The public can search this database for free. Here is how to do it.

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  Go to JailGuide or BOP.gov directly.Use our JailGuide federal inmate search which links directly to the official BOP locator at bop.gov. Both are free and require no registration or account.
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  Search by name or BOP register number.Enter the person's first and last name. If you have their BOP register number, which appears on all federal court documents, you can use that for an exact match. Names with common spellings may return multiple results.
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  Review the results.The BOP locator shows the inmate's name, BOP register number, age, race, sex, projected release date, and current facility name and location. It covers inmates currently in custody and those released going back to 1982.
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  Contact the facility if you need more information.Use the facility name from the search result to find contact information in our US prison directory. The facility can confirm visitation procedures, mail address, and phone account setup for the inmate.
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  Try the ICE detainee search if BOP shows no results.If someone was detained for an immigration matter rather than a criminal conviction, they may be in ICE custody rather than BOP custody. Use our ICE detainee search as a follow up if you cannot find them in the BOP system.

What Is in a Federal Inmate Record?

Federal inmate records contain different amounts of information depending on where you are looking. Here is a breakdown of what each source provides.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Bureau of Prisons is the most comprehensive way to get detailed records. Submit a FOIA request at bop.gov or in writing to the BOP Central Office in Washington DC. There is no fee for simple requests. Complex requests that require extensive search and processing may have fees.

Common Federal Crimes That Lead to Federal Records

Federal crimes are different from state crimes. You get a federal record when you are convicted in federal court by a federal prosecutor. Here are the most common offenses that result in federal records.

Federal Expungement -- What You Need to Know

• Federal First Offender Act (FFOA) for drug possession.First time drug possession offenders who completed probation may be eligible for dismissal of charges under 18 U.S.C. 3607. This applies only to simple possession, not trafficking or distribution, and only if the court made a specific finding at sentencing. Even then, the arrest record may still appear in some databases.
• Juvenile federal records.Federal records from offenses committed before age 18 have stronger expungement rights under 18 U.S.C. 5038. Juveniles adjudicated in federal court may petition for sealing of their records after meeting specific conditions including good behavior following release.
• Constitutional violations in your case.If your arrest or prosecution involved a serious constitutional violation, such as an illegal search that produced the key evidence, a federal court can in rare cases expunge the record as a remedy. This requires a lawyer and is not guaranteed even when violations occurred.
• Dismissed or not guilty cases.If federal charges against you were dismissed or you were found not guilty, you may be able to have the arrest record sealed in some districts. This is different from an expungement of a conviction. Contact a federal criminal defense attorney about this option.

Presidential Pardon vs. Expungement -- What Is the Difference?

Many people confuse pardons and expungement. They are very different things with very different effects on your record and your life.

For most people with a federal conviction, a presidential pardon is the most realistic path to official relief. It does not erase the conviction but it does represent formal forgiveness from the government and restores important rights.

How to Apply for a Presidential Pardon

A presidential pardon is one of the most powerful forms of relief available to federal convicts. It comes directly from the President of the United States under Article II of the Constitution. Here is how the process works from start to finish.

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  Wait the Required Time

  Most applicants must wait at least five years after release from custody or after sentencing if no prison time was served before applying. The Office of the Pardon Attorney may consider applications filed earlier in exceptional circumstances but this is rare. The waiting period is meant to show that you have used your time productively and lived as a law abiding citizen.

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  Gather Your Documents

  You will need certified copies of the judgment and commitment order from your case, your presentence investigation report if available, court transcripts, and any other records related to your conviction. You will also need personal documentation including employment history, financial records, and anything that shows your life since conviction.

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  Write a Personal Statement

  The pardon petition requires a detailed personal statement. This should cover your background, the offense and your role in it, what you have done since your release, how the conviction has affected your life, and why you deserve a pardon. Honesty matters here. Do not minimize the offense. Show genuine understanding of the harm caused and what you have done to make things right.

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  Collect Letters of Support

  Strong pardon applications include letters from employers, community leaders, religious leaders, family members, and others who know you well and can speak to your character and rehabilitation. These letters should be specific, not generic. They should describe actual interactions with you and why the person believes you deserve a pardon. Three to five strong personal letters are more valuable than ten generic ones.

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  Complete the Official Petition Form

  Download the petition for pardon form from the Office of the Pardon Attorney website at justice.gov/pardon. Fill it out completely and accurately. Do not leave any section blank. Incomplete applications are rejected. The form asks about the offense, your personal background, employment, financial situation, and the specific reason you are seeking a pardon.

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  Submit the Application

  Send your completed petition and all supporting documents to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, US Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20530. Keep copies of everything you send. The Office will send an acknowledgment letter confirming receipt of your application.

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  Wait for the Review Process

  The Office of the Pardon Attorney reviews your application and conducts a background investigation. They contact references, review law enforcement records, and assess the application. The Pardon Attorney then makes a recommendation to the Deputy Attorney General who makes a recommendation to the President. This process typically takes several years.

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  The President Decides

  The President has complete discretion to grant or deny any pardon application. There is no legal requirement for the President to act on any application. Most applications are denied. If your application is denied you may reapply after two years. If a pardon is granted you will receive an official warrant of pardon signed by the President.

What a Presidential Pardon Does and Does Not Do

• Restores the right to vote in federal elections and typically in most states where voting rights were lost due to the conviction.
• Restores the right to hold federal office and serve on federal juries, which are blocked by a federal felony conviction.
• May restore federal firearms rights that were lost. However, state law still applies and some states impose their own restrictions regardless of a federal pardon. Always consult an attorney before assuming your firearms rights are restored.
• Does not erase the conviction from your record.The conviction remains visible in background checks. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards can still see it.
• Does not automatically restore professional licenses revoked due to the conviction. State licensing boards make their own decisions about reinstatement.
• Does not remove immigration consequences in most cases. A federal pardon generally does not prevent deportation for non-citizens convicted of certain crimes unless it specifically relates to the ground of removal.
• Does not entitle you to back pay or lost benefits that resulted from the conviction.

Federal Good Time Credit and Early Release

While not the same as expungement, good time credit can significantly reduce the time a federal inmate actually serves. Under the First Step Act, federal inmates can earn up to 54 days of good time credit per year of sentence imposed, not time served. This change applied retroactively to inmates already serving sentences.

How to Request Federal Records Through FOIA

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives you the right to request copies of federal agency records. For BOP records this includes detailed information about an inmate's case, sentence, and custody history that is not available through the public search tool.

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  Determine which agency holds the records you need.BOP holds custody and prison records. The FBI holds arrest and investigative records. The US Sentencing Commission holds sentencing data. The US Courts hold case files. Each agency has its own FOIA process.
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  Submit your FOIA request in writing.For BOP records, submit online at bop.gov or by mail. Clearly describe the records you are requesting, the inmate's name and register number, and what specific information you are looking for. Include your contact information for the response.
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  Know what may be withheld.FOIA has nine exemptions that allow agencies to withhold certain types of information. These include information that would endanger someone's safety, ongoing law enforcement investigations, personal privacy of third parties, and classified national security information. Medical and mental health records are often withheld or heavily redacted.
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  Appeal a denial if necessary.If your FOIA request is denied or you receive heavily redacted documents, you have the right to file an administrative appeal within 90 days. If the appeal is also denied, you can file a lawsuit in federal district court to compel release of the records.

Federal Records FAQ