What to Bring and Expect for Your First In-Person Visit at Dallas County Jail
Your first in-person visit at Dallas County Jail goes smoother when you show up with the right ID, realistic expectations, and nothing that'll get you turned away at the door. Use this checklist before you leave home.
Adults 18 and older need a valid, current photo ID. Dallas County Jail accepts a driver's license from any state, a state-issued ID card, or a valid passport. For passports, standard validity rules apply: if issued when you were 16 or older, it's good for 10 years from the issue date. Issued at 15 or younger? It's valid for five years.
Minors can't visit alone. Anyone 17 or younger must come with an adult who's at least 18. Children under 17 aren't placed on the visitor's card, but they can visit on weekends if they're with a parent or legal guardian who is on the card. That adult is responsible for the child's behavior during the visit.
Dress conservatively. Dallas County Jail enforces a strict dress code, and provocative or revealing clothing will get you denied entry. When in doubt, go with the more modest option - it's the easiest way to avoid a wasted trip.
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Tobacco
- ✓ Lighters
- ✓ Matches
- ✓ Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
- ✓ Cameras
- ✓ Electronic recording devices
- ✓ Cell phones
- ✓ Smart watches (including iPhone watches)
- ✓ Backpacks
- ✓ Bags
- ✓ Purses
- ✓ Unlabeled prescription medication
Bringing an infant? You're allowed one diaper bag, and staff will search it for contraband before you enter. Keep it simple - any allowed items like a blanket and bottles need to fit inside that bag. If you bring an infant carrier, expect a visual inspection as part of check-in.
Visits are short, so make the time count. Each inmate gets one in-person visit per day, lasting 20 minutes. There's also a cap on group size: no more than four people total, with a maximum of two adults and two minors.
Timing tip: Sign-up begins 30 minutes before visiting hours start. Visitors won't be processed after 8:30 p.m. on weekdays or after 1:30 p.m. on weekends - arrive late, and you won't get in.
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