Video Visits in VADOC: At-Home vs. AFOI Visitor Centers and How to Set Them Up
VADOC offers two ways to do video visits: from home or at an AFOI visitor center. The right choice usually comes down to whether you have reliable tech at home and whether you'd benefit from the extra support a visitor center provides.
VADOC has two types of video visitation: at-home video visits and visits at AFOI visitor centers. At-home visits work well if you have a compatible device and a stable internet connection. You get the convenience of visiting from wherever you are. AFOI visitor centers exist for people who don't have the right technology at home (or who can't qualify for at-home video visitation) and need a location with everything set up for video visits.
- ✓ At-home video visits: Use a home computer, tablet, or Android smartphone.
- ✓ AFOI visitor center visits: Require mailed paperwork (signed forms) and a fee before you can use the visitor-center option.
For at-home video visitation, VADOC lets you connect using a home computer, a tablet, or an Android smartphone. Pick a device that runs video reliably, and make sure it can stay steady and charged for the full visit.
- ✓ If you are 18 or older, have a valid government-issued photo ID available.
- ✓ When you register to visit, use your legal name (match it to your ID).
When you're ready to register and schedule, use the ViaPath website rather than the ViaPath mobile app. Some visitors have run into trouble scheduling through the app, so a laptop or desktop computer is the most dependable route for locking in a time.
Tip: If scheduling keeps failing on the ViaPath mobile app, switch to the ViaPath website on a laptop or desktop computer.
For at-home video visits, plan to be fully signed in early. VADOC requires home visitors to be logged into the GTL system 15 minutes before the visit start time.
If you're using an AFOI visitor center, build in travel and check-in time. You need to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled visit.
Time matters: Visits run in exact scheduled time slots, and fees are not refunded for late arrivals or missed visits.
Before you can use an AFOI visitor center, you have to complete a paperwork step. Mail a signed Video Visiting List, a signed Video Visitation Rules form, and the fee to Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI) at 1 North Fifth Street, Suite 416, Richmond, VA 23219.
Troubleshooting and First Visit Prep
- ✓ Valid government-issued photo ID (required for all visitors 18 or older).
- ✓ Your legal name used on your visitor registration (it should match your ID).
- Pick a compatible device: Use a home computer, tablet, or Android smartphone for at-home video visitation.
- Do a quick tech check: Make sure your device is charged and your internet connection is stable enough for a video call.
- Schedule on a computer if the app acts up: VADOC encourages scheduling through the ViaPath website from a laptop or desktop because the mobile app has had issues for some visitors.
Rules to plan for: Don't take pictures or screenshots during the video visit. If you're going to a video visitation center, follow the dress code: clothing must cover from the neck to the kneecaps, and you must wear underwear.
Give yourself a buffer so you don't lose your time slot. For at-home visits, log into the GTL system 15 minutes early. For AFOI visitor center visits, arrive at least 20 minutes early. VADOC schedules visits in exact time slots, and fees aren't refunded for late arrivals or missed visits. Being early is the simplest way to protect your visit time.
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