FMC Butner Inmate Search. Find Someone with the BOP Locator

How to Search

Go to bop.gov/inmateloc/ and enter the person’s first and last name. You can also search by their 8-digit BOP register number if you have it. The locator searches all BOP facilities nationwide, so it returns a result whether the person is at FMC Butner or has been moved elsewhere.

What the Search Returns

The result shows the person’s full name, BOP register number, and current facility assignment. If they are at FMC Butner, you will see “FMC Butner” listed as the institution. Write down the full register number from this screen.

Note on the Butner campus: FCC Butner has four separate institutions: FCI Butner Low, FCI Butner Medium I, FCI Butner Medium II, and FMC Butner. The locator tells you exactly which one the person is assigned to. Do not assume they are at FMC Butner if you have not confirmed it. The mail addresses and visiting schedules are different for each institution.

Why this matters especially for FMC Butner: FMC Butner and FCI Butner Medium II both use P.O. Box 1500. Confirming the institution name in the locator is the only way to know which facility to write on your envelope.

What the Register Number Is Used For

The 8-digit BOP register number is how the Bureau of Prisons identifies each person in federal custody. You need it for:

• Money deposits: MoneyGram, Western Union, and USPS money orders all require the register number plus the person’s last name as the account reference.
• Mail: Put the register number on every envelope so mailroom staff can match your letter to the right person.
• CorrLinks email: When the inmate adds you to their contact list from inside, they use your email address. You link to them by register number when you set up your account at corrlinks.com.
• Visit planning: Confirming the register number helps you verify you have the right person and the right institution before making the trip.

If You Cannot Find the Person

A few things can explain why a search comes back empty:

• Recently transferred: The BOP updates the locator regularly, but there can be a lag of one to two days after a transfer or initial commitment. Wait and try again.
• Name spelling: Try alternate spellings or enter just the last name to see all results.
• Released: If the person was released, they will no longer appear in the locator.
• Pre-trial detainee: People awaiting trial in federal court are sometimes held at contract facilities that are not in the BOP locator. Check with the U.S. Marshals Service or the holding facility directly.

If you still cannot find the person, call FMC Butner at (919) 575-3900.

Confirming Before a Visit

Because FMC Butner is a medical center, it is worth calling before you travel even after confirming the person is there in the locator. If your family member is an inpatient, a standard visiting room visit may not be available. Call (919) 575-3900 and ask to speak with the Unit Team to confirm visit status before you make the trip. See the visitation guide for full details on the inpatient visit process.

After You Find Them

Use the register number to set up communication and visits:

• Send money through MoneyGram, Western Union, or USPS money order.
• Plan a visit on Saturday, Sunday, or a federal holiday.
• Set up phone calls and CorrLinks email so they can reach you between visits.
• Send a letter or photos to Federal Medical Center, P.O. Box 1500, Butner, NC 27509.