How to Create Your TDCJ Visitation Scheduler Account (for Cotulla Unit visitors)
Before you can request a visit at Cotulla Unit through TDCJ's Online Visitation Scheduler, you'll need to create your own account. Here's what trips people up most: the email validation code, phone-number formatting, and finding the correct 8-digit inmate number.
You have to create your own TDCJ Online Visitation Scheduler account - unit staff can't do it for you. Once your account exists, staff can help with certain updates (like correcting profile information), but the initial registration is on you. Choose your email carefully. Once an account is created for an email address, that account can't be deleted and the email can't be changed.
- Start the “Create an Account” process - Enter the email address you want tied to your scheduler account and submit it.
- Find the validation email - TDCJ will send you an email that includes a 7-digit validation code and a link to finish registration.
- Open the link and return to the scheduler page - The link sends you back to the scheduler so you can continue.
- Enter the 7-digit key - On the scheduler page, re-enter your email address and type in the 7-digit key from the email to complete registration.
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish your profile and create a password that meets the scheduler's requirements. Before moving on, double-check that you're using the right email - and that you'll keep access to it. In the TDCJ scheduler, once an account is tied to an email address, that email can't be deleted or changed.
Note: Enter your phone number exactly like this: XXX XXX XXXX (use spaces, not dashes). The scheduler warns that dashes can cause problems.
To request visits, you'll add the person you want to visit to your profile. The scheduler requires their TDCJ number or SID number - exactly 8 digits. After you submit the request and select your relationship, it goes into the system for approval. Until that relationship is approved, you won't be able to schedule a visit.
Reminder: Your account email can't be changed later. Take an extra second to enter everything carefully - especially the inmate's 8-digit TDCJ/SID number.
Don't know the inmate's 8-digit TDCJ or SID number? Use the TDCJ Offender Search tool on the TDCJ website to look it up. Once you have the correct number, come back to the scheduler and add them to your profile.
If the scheduler won't let you book online and directs you to contact the unit, reach out to the unit for next steps. Staff can't create a scheduler account for you, but once your account exists they can help update your profile information.
When scheduling, you'll see multiple visit types in the system - the scheduler lists four types and may show options like Regular, Contact, and Video/Tablet. One thing that confuses people: Video/Tablet in the scheduler is not the same as the Securus Video program.
Troubleshoot
- ✓ Your phone number is entered as XXX XXX XXXX (spaces only, no dashes)
- ✓ You received the registration email with the 7-digit validation code
- ✓ You entered the 7-digit key on the scheduler page when prompted
- ✓ You’re using the correct inmate 8-digit TDCJ or SID number
- ✓ If you don’t have the number, you used the TDCJ Offender Search tool to find it
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