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How to send a letter to an inmate at Polk County Jail

To write to someone held at Polk County Jail, address the envelope to the inmate's full name and inmate number, Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313-2517. Polk County Jail is the jail for Polk County, Iowa, run by the Polk 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 — Polk County Jail

[Inmate's full name]  [inmate number]
Polk County Jail
1985 NE 51st Place
Des Moines, IA  50313-2517

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

Verified August 2026polkcountyiowa.gov

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Your name
Your return address

Polk County Jail1985 NE 51st PlaceDes Moines, IA 50313-2517

Your letter, printed and mailed for you.

Key facts

  • Send mail to Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313-2517 — the jail's own mailroom.
  • Write the inmate's full name and inmate 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; photos must be 4x6 or smaller (no Polaroids).
  • Blue or black ink; no glitter, confetti, or drawings on the envelope.
  • No packages or property — USPS mail only.
  • 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office's online inmate roster to confirm they're still at Polk County Jail — and get their inmate number — before you mail anything.

  2. 2

    Address it correctly

    First line: the inmate's full name and inmate number. Then Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313-2517. 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; photos must be 4x6 or smaller (no Polaroids). 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 Polk County Jail?

Put the inmate's full name and inmate number on the first line, then Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313-2517. Include your full return address in the top-left corner of the envelope.

Is mail to Polk 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office's inmate roster to confirm they're still at Polk County Jail before you send.

What can I send to Polk County Jail?

Letters and postcards are accepted; photos must be 4x6 or smaller (no Polaroids). Blue or black ink; no glitter, confetti, or drawings on the envelope. No packages or property — USPS mail only. 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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