How to Visit Facility

You can't visit anyone until you're approved. VADOC requires every visitor (adults and minors) to submit a visitor application and Background Investigation Authorization online through the DOC public website. The Central Visitation Unit reviews each application, and no visits are allowed until approval comes through.

Bringing a child? Handle the paperwork up front. Minor visitor applications must be attached to an adult visitor application, and the minor has to be accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or another approved adult visitor.

Approval doesn't last forever, so mark your calendar. Visitor applications expire three years after the approval date. To avoid any gap in your visits, renew online at least 45 days before expiration if you're an in-state visitor, or at least 90 days before expiration if you're out of state.

For video visitation, you'll need the right ID. All visitors age 18 or older must have a valid, government-issued photo ID to participate in video visits.

1. Complete the online application in one sitting: Set aside about 20 to 30 minutes to fill out the visitor application and Background Investigation Authorization online. The system does not let you save a draft, so you will need to finish and submit it at once.
2. Wait for Central Visitation Unit approval: Your application must be reviewed and approved by the Central Visitation Unit before staff will permit you to visit an inmate.

• ✓ Valid, government-issued photo ID (required for video visitation if you are 18 or older)
• ✓ If a minor is visiting: the minor application attached to an adult application
• ✓ If a minor is visiting: the child is accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or an accompanying adult who is an approved visitor

1. Log into GTL early for home video visits: Be logged into the GTL system at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
2. Arrive early for the AFOI Visitor Center: If you are using the AFOI Visitor Center for your video visit, arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled visit.

Verify

• ✓ Your Central Visitation Unit approval has been granted before you try to visit
• ✓ Your application expiration date, and whether you need to renew at least 45 days (in-state) or 90 days (out-of-state) ahead of time
• ✓ For home video visits: you can log into GTL at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start
• ✓ For AFOI Visitor Center video visits: you can arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled time
• ✓ You have a valid, government-issued photo ID if you are 18 or older (required for video visitation)
• ✓ If a minor is visiting: the minor application is attached to an adult application, and the child will be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or an approved adult visitor
• ✓ You have enough uninterrupted time to complete the online application (about 20 to 30 minutes) since it cannot be saved as a draft