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How to send a letter to an inmate at Black Hawk County Jail

To write to someone held at Black Hawk County Jail, address the envelope to the inmate's full name and inmate ID number, Black Hawk County Jail, 225 East 6th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703. Black Hawk County Jail is the jail for Black Hawk County, Iowa, run by the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office. Mail is opened and inspected — include your full return address, and double-check the person is still in custody, since people are released or moved from a county jail quickly.

Inmate mail — Black Hawk County Jail

[Inmate's full name]  [inmate ID number]
Black Hawk County Jail
225 East 6th Street
Waterloo, IA  50703

Put the inmate's full name and inmate ID number on the first line, and your full return address in the corner — mail without either is usually rejected.

Verified August 2026bhcso.org

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Your name
Your return address

Black Hawk County Jail225 East 6th StreetWaterloo, IA 50703

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Key facts

  • Send mail to Black Hawk County Jail, 225 East 6th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703 — the jail's own mailroom.
  • Write the inmate's full name and inmate ID number on the envelope, plus your full return address, or the letter is returned.
  • All incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband before it reaches the inmate.
  • Do not enclose cash, checks, gift cards, or anything other than paper — prohibited items get the whole letter rejected.
  • Letters and postcards are accepted with the sender's full name and return address.
  • Blue or black ink only; no glitter, confetti, or markers.
  • Books and magazines must come directly from the publisher or an approved retailer.
  • County jails move fast — people are released, bailed out, or transferred within days. Confirm the person is still in custody before mailing anything time-sensitive.
  • PostPal prints and mails your letter for you the next business day for $5 — with your return address printed so they can write back, and no printer, envelope, or stamp needed.

How to send your letter

  1. 1

    Confirm the person is still at the jail

    County-jail populations turn over quickly. Check the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office's online inmate roster to confirm they're still at Black Hawk County Jail — and get their inmate ID number — before you mail anything.

  2. 2

    Address it correctly

    First line: the inmate's full name and inmate ID number. Then Black Hawk County Jail, 225 East 6th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703. Add your full return address in the top-left corner.

  3. 3

    Keep the contents allowed

    A plain letter on white paper is always safest. Letters and postcards are accepted with the sender's full name and return address. No cash, gift cards, or any object other than paper.

  4. 4

    Send it without a printer

    Write or upload your letter in PostPal with this address prefilled, and we print, envelope, and mail it via USPS the next business day for $5 — your return address printed so they can reply.

Common questions

How do I address a letter to an inmate at Black Hawk County Jail?

Put the inmate's full name and inmate ID number on the first line, then Black Hawk County Jail, 225 East 6th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703. Include your full return address in the top-left corner of the envelope.

Is mail to Black Hawk County Jail opened or read?

Yes. All incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband before delivery, and non-legal mail can be read.

What if they've been released or moved?

It happens fast at a county jail — people bond out or transfer within days, and the letter won't be forwarded. Check the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office's inmate roster to confirm they're still at Black Hawk County Jail before you send.

What can I send to Black Hawk County Jail?

Letters and postcards are accepted with the sender's full name and return address. Blue or black ink only; no glitter, confetti, or markers. Books and magazines must come directly from the publisher or an approved retailer. When in doubt, a plain letter on white paper is always accepted.

Can the inmate write back to me?

Yes, if you include a complete return address. PostPal prints your return address on the letter for you.

Sources

Addresses verified August 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.

See the full US county & city jails rules — what you can and can’t send, photos & more →

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