Bringing Your Child to Visit at Allen‑Oakwood: Paperwork You Need

Before your child can visit for the first time, you need to complete the Minor Visitor Application (DRC2238). It has to be completed and signed by the child’s custodial parent or legal guardian, and it must be submitted and approved before that first visit happens.

Along with the DRC2238, you'll need documents proving both the child's identity and the custodial parent or legal guardian relationship. That usually means a birth certificate and, if custody has changed, paperwork showing the current custody arrangement.

Identity Custody Docs

• ✓ Birth certificate (used to verify the child’s identity and the custodial parent/legal guardian relationship)
• ✓ Change of custody documents, if applicable
• ✓ Custodial court order (custody paperwork)

If the custodial parent or legal guardian won't be present during the visit, you must provide a notarized Authorization for Minor Child Visitation form. This form specifies which guardian(s) on the approved visiting list can bring the child. It also grants permission for the child to be photographed and searched during the visit process.

Once a child is designated as an "approved minor" in the DOTS Portal, they cannot deposit money into the incarcerated person's account. If you're planning to add funds, an adult who is permitted to do so will need to handle that separately.

Approved minors also cannot conduct video visits unless a parent or legal guardian is present. At Allen‑Oakwood, video visitation (and calls) are handled by Viapath through the Getting Out App. Plan for the adult to be part of any video visit if your child will be on the call.

These limits are tied to how the child is recorded in the system. If your child is marked as an "approved minor" in DOTS, that designation controls what they can and cannot do (like deposits and video visits), even if they're otherwise cleared to be on the visiting list.

Allen‑Oakwood records verified minor visitor information in the DOTS Portal. Once the process is complete, the child is marked as an "approved minor" and the verification details are entered into DOTS.

1. Reserve the visit - Allen‑Oakwood visitation is available by reservation only.
2. Confirm the hours before you leave - Visiting hours can change without notice, so call the institution to confirm the current schedule.
3. Keep the institution’s contact info handy - Allen‑Oakwood Correctional Institution is at 2338 North West Street, Lima, OH 45801. The phone number is (419) 224-8000.