What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Your First VADOC Visit
Your first VADOC visit goes a lot smoother when you show up with the right ID, the right clothing, and nothing that will get you turned away at the door. Use this as a quick packing plan before you leave home.
Plan on bringing at least one valid, government-issued picture ID. The detail that trips most people up: your ID has to match the information on your visitation application. Double-check names and details before you head out.
VADOC accepts several forms of ID. A driver's license works for most visitors. Military IDs and other official picture IDs issued by a federal or state agency are also accepted. Passports are only acceptable for people who do not reside in the United States.
Reminder: You will not be admitted unless you have an approved online visitor application on file. Bring a valid government-issued picture ID that matches the information on that application.
VADOC's dress standard is straightforward: clothing needs to cover from the neck to the kneecaps. You also need appropriate underwear, and footwear is required at all times. If you're unsure about an outfit, keep it simple. Anything that clearly meets the "neck to kneecaps" rule will be fine.
Leave accessories behind: Watches and all wearable technology are prohibited, including items like Google Glasses.
Don't bring watches or any wearable technology into visitation. VADOC prohibits all wearable tech, including devices like Google Glasses. Leave them at home or locked in your vehicle.
Arrive one hour before your in-person visit. That buffer gives you enough time for security screening and check-in without eating into your actual visit.
Timing is strict: Visits run for the exact time slot you scheduled. Fees won't be refunded for late arrivals or missed visits.
Bringing a child? Plan ahead. VADOC requires every visitor, adults and minors alike, to have an online visitor application submitted through the DOC public website (Central Visitation Unit) and approved before staff will allow a visit.
On visit day, the accompanying adult still needs at least one valid, government-issued picture ID that matches the visitation application. If the information doesn't match, that alone can stop the visit before it starts.
Checklist
- ✓ At least one valid government-issued picture ID that matches your visitation application
- ✓ Acceptable ID example: driver’s license
- ✓ Acceptable ID example: passport (only for those who do not reside in the United States)
- ✓ Acceptable ID example: military ID
- ✓ Acceptable ID example: other official picture ID
- ✓ Clothing that covers from the neck to the kneecaps
- ✓ Appropriate underwear
- ✓ Footwear (required at all times)
- ✓ Plan to arrive one hour early for in-person security screening
- ✓ Your scheduled time matters, visits are for the exact time slot and fees are not refunded for late arrivals or missed visits
- ✓ Watches
- ✓ All wearable technology (including Google Glasses)
Video visit timing: If you're visiting by video from home internet, log into the GTL system 15 minutes before the start time. Using an AFOI Visitor Center? Arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled video visit.
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