How to Send Money to Someone in the Third Judicial District (Iowa DOC): All Options & Where to Mail Money Orders

For anyone in the Iowa DOC system - including the Third Judicial District - commissary deposits go through one central location: Fort Dodge Correctional Facility (FDCF). You can't drop off a money order at a different site. All funds are received and processed at Fort Dodge, then routed to the person's account. This centralized setup keeps deposits consistent even when someone transfers between facilities. The tradeoff? Details matter. Whether you mail a money order or use an electronic service, follow Iowa DOC's instructions exactly so your deposit doesn't get delayed or returned.

Sending money by mail? Iowa DOC only accepts cashier's checks or money orders. Cash and personal checks won't work. Make the cashier's check or money order payable to IDOC offender Fiduciary Account, then mail it to: IDOC Offender Fiduciary Account 1550 L Street, Suite B Fort Dodge, IA 50501

• ✓ Offender name
• ✓ Offender number
• ✓ Sender’s name
• ✓ Sender’s complete address

Prefer to send money electronically? Iowa DOC accepts deposits through three services: Access Corrections, JPay, and Western Union.

Access Corrections charges fees starting at $3.49 for online deposits. You can pay with Visa- or MasterCard-branded credit or debit cards. JPay also takes Visa or MasterCard, with fees ranging from $3.95 to $10.95 depending on how much you send.

Western Union lets you pay with cash or a debit card. You'll need two pieces of information: the recipient's commissary number and the name of the correctional facility. The commissary number is the unique ID tied to the person you're sending money to. Depending on the facility, this might be their commissary number or the inmate number they received at intake.

Need to pay with cash? Western Union is your best bet. Some cash deposit options through Access Corrections have a $900 maximum limit per transaction, so plan ahead if you're sending a larger amount.

Here's a practical approach: set up the transfer online or in the app, then pay in person with cash. When you create a "pay later" transaction through send2corrections.com, you'll get a tracking number called an MTCN. Take that to a Western Union agent to complete the payment. Either way, have the recipient's commissary number and facility name ready - Western Union requires both.

Checklist Before Sending

• ✓ Offender’s full name
• ✓ Offender number (or the commissary number, if that’s what the service asks for)
• ✓ Your full name
• ✓ Your complete mailing address (for mailed money orders/cashier’s checks)
• ✓ Clear, legible writing on any mailed deposit

Most returned or delayed mail deposits come down to small details: wrong payee name, missing information, or illegible handwriting. For Iowa DOC, the check or money order must be payable to IDOC offender Fiduciary Account and mailed to the Fort Dodge address. Include the offender's name and number, plus your name and complete address. If you followed the instructions and something still seems off, contact the business office where the person is currently located. Deposits are processed centrally at Fort Dodge, but questions about incoming money go to the business office at their facility.