Dallas County Jail

Visiting at Dallas County Jail is tightly scheduled. Each inmate can have one 20-minute in-person visit per day, with a cap of two visits per week. Live more than 75 miles outside Dallas city limits? You may qualify for a one-time 40-minute visit if you can verify your residency. Visitor processing starts 30 minutes before visiting hours, and you won't be processed after 8:30 p.m. on weekdays or 1:30 p.m. on weekends. Groups are limited to four people—maximum two adults and two minors. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) listed on the visitor's card, and that adult is responsible for the child's conduct. Anyone incarcerated in a Dallas County detention facility within the past six months cannot visit. Dress conservatively and leave prohibited items behind: cell phones, smart watches, cameras, and tobacco products aren't allowed. Infants are welcome—you can bring one diaper bag, which will be searched.

Dallas County Jail runs all video visitation—both on-site and off-site—through Smart Communications (SmartInmate). You'll need to register and schedule visits through SmartInmate at least 72 hours in advance. Approvals typically come within 72 hours. The person registering must be at least 17 and show a valid government-issued photo ID during initial registration. Visitors under 17 need a parent or guardian present for video visits. Each visit lasts 20 minutes. Off-site visits are unlimited per week, while on-site visits are capped at two per week. Sign in late? You only get the remaining time. All visits are recorded and monitored—joining counts as consent. Dress code rules apply. On-site hours are posted, with no visits on Wednesday and weekday restrictions for children under 17.

All personal mail for Dallas County Jail inmates goes to the Mail Processing Center, PO Box 9226, Seminole, FL. Include the inmate's full name and booking number on every piece of mail. Mail sent to that PO box is not treated as confidential. Attorneys should use SmartInmate or send legal correspondence to PO Box 660334, Dallas, TX 75266—legal mail can only be inspected in the inmate's presence. Keep enclosures simple. Many materials are prohibited: glue, paperclips, staples, magnets, stickers, tape, plastic, wood, cloth, glass, ribbon, liquids, metal, and electronic devices. Don't mail financial items as payment either—the jail won't accept personal or payroll checks, money orders, tax refunds, stimulus checks, insurance checks, child support checks, or Social Security checks through inmate mail.

Dallas County Jail accepts deposits to an inmate's account when you provide the inmate's name and booking number. Add funds through in-person kiosks, CashPayToday (flat $5 fee), AccessCorrections online (fees as low as $2.95), or by phone through the vendor. Need a clearance or pardon letter? Submit the completed form with a $35 non-refundable cashier's check or money order payable to