Contact vs. Non-Contact Visits at CNMCF and How to Prove Kinship
In-person visits at CNMCF are non-contact by default—you'll be separated by a barrier. Want a contact visit? You'll need to qualify as "immediate family" under NMCD rules and prove your relationship.
In-person visits at CNMCF are non-contact by default. You and your loved one will sit on opposite sides of a physical barrier - face-to-face, but without any physical contact. The only exception? Immediate family members who've submitted proof of kinship.
Non-contact means no touching: You won’t be allowed to touch, kiss, hug, or hold hands during a non-contact face-to-face visit.
NMCD has a specific definition of "immediate family." It includes: legal spouse, parents (natural, adoptive, step, or foster), grandparents, brothers and sisters, and children (natural or adopted) - including stepchildren and grandchildren.
Some relationships that feel like close family don't qualify. Aunts, uncles, and cousins aren't included unless there's a documented foster relationship. Common-law partners also don't count as immediate family for visitation purposes.
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- ✓ Bring official paperwork that shows your relationship (for example, a marriage certificate for a legal spouse, or birth/adoption records for parent-child relationships).
- ✓ Have your documents ready before you start the visiting approval process, so you can provide proof of kinship when asked.
- ✓ Follow the facility’s instructions on how and where to submit proof of kinship - ask for the preferred method rather than guessing.
The approval process starts with your loved one - they need to request that your name be added to their visiting list. After that, you'll receive a visiting application to complete and return. The facility reviews it and either approves or denies your request based on their guidelines. One thing to remember: visitor approvals expire. NMCD requires renewals every two years.
Not sure if your relationship qualifies? Start by talking with your loved one so they can add you to the visiting list and find out what documentation the facility needs. As a rule, common-law partners won't qualify as immediate family, and aunts, uncles, and cousins generally don't either - unless there's a documented foster relationship. If you'd rather skip the kinship question entirely, video visits are always non-contact by design.
Screening reminder: Expect to be questioned about contraband at entry. The facility may use canine or mechanical drug detection. If staff order a strip search and you refuse, your visit will be cancelled - and you could be suspended from visiting altogether.
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