Sending Money to an Iowa DOC Inmate: Step-by-Step Checklist for First-Timers (Third Judicial District)

Gather Recipient Details

• ✓ Offender’s full legal name
• ✓ Offender’s commissary number (the unique ID used to route money correctly)
• ✓ Facility name
• ✓ Your full name (as the sender)
• ✓ Your complete mailing address (as the sender)

The

You have several options for sending commissary funds: electronic deposits through Access Corrections, JPay, or Western Union - or mailing a cashier's check or money order.

Prefer paper? Mailing a cashier's check or money order works well if you're paying with cash. One thing to know: you can't drop these off at the facility. They must be mailed to the centralized Fort Dodge address.

If you’re mailing a deposit, the cashier’s check or money order must be made payable to IDOC offender Fiduciary Account.

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

Mail it to: IDOC Offender Fiduciary Account, 1550 L Street, Suite B, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Iowa DOC processes all incoming commissary deposits at Fort Dodge - individual facilities don't accept drop-offs.

Vendor Preparation

• ✓ Visa or MasterCard-branded credit/debit card ready to use
• ✓ Expect deposit rates starting at $3.49
• ✓ Use a working email address so you receive the digital receipt
• ✓ Plan for quick availability (typically real-time, and within 24 hours)

• ✓ Visa or MasterCard-branded debit/credit card
• ✓ Budget for fees that vary by amount (about $3.95–$10.95)

• ✓ A credit/debit card (required if you’re paying in-app/online)
• ✓ The Send2Corrections app (or the online setup) if you want to start the transaction digitally
• ✓ If you plan to pay cash later, set up the transaction first so a tracking number (MTCN) is generated for in-store payment

• ✓ Recipient’s commissary number
• ✓ Name of the correctional facility
• ✓ Cash or a debit card (both are accepted)
• ✓ MTCN (if you created the transaction first through Send2Corrections and are paying later in-store)

Hold onto your proof of payment. For electronic deposits, save the digital receipt (or screenshot it). For mailed deposits, keep your postal receipt or tracking info until the funds post.

Funds not showing up? Start with the company you used - Access Corrections, JPay, or Western Union - and have your receipt handy. If a mailed deposit gets returned or the vendor can't help, contact the Business Office or fiduciary staff at the facility where your person is housed.