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Before You Visit: What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) at Dubuque County Jail

A little prep saves you a wasted trip. This quick guide covers what ID to bring, where to go, and what to leave behind so your visit goes smoothly.

• 2 min read • dubuquecountyiowa.gov
Before You Visit: What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) at Dubuque County Jail

Head to 855 Central Avenue in Dubuque, Iowa for on-site visits. The jail allows visits Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM - but hours vary by housing unit. Not every open time slot works for every visitor. Check that you're arriving during the specific window scheduled for your person's unit.

  1. Register for visitation through JAIL ATM - create/log in to your account first.
  2. Schedule your visit at least 24 hours ahead - pick a time far enough in advance so you’re not turned away for trying to book too late.
  3. Arrive for the exact time you scheduled - hours vary by housing unit, so showing up outside your scheduled window can derail the visit.

Bring a photo ID that shows your address. Staff check it for every visitor, and showing up without the right ID is the quickest way to lose your visit before it even starts.

Age rule: Dubuque County Jail does not allow visitors under the age of 18.

Leave your cell phone and camera behind - they're not allowed in the visitation area. Bring one in anyway and your visit gets terminated on the spot. You'll lose your time together for that day.

Before You Visit: What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) at Dubuque County Jail

Quick Checklist

  • ✓ Picture ID that includes your address
  • ✓ Your visit scheduled through JAIL ATM at least 24 hours in advance
  • ✓ Plan to report to 855 Central Avenue in Dubuque, IA for on-site visits
  • ✓ Leave cell phones and cameras out of the visitation area (store them elsewhere)
  • ✓ On-site visits run Monday–Friday, excluding holidays, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM (visiting hours vary by housing unit)
  • ✓ Only one visitor is allowed at a time per inmate
  • ✓ Each inmate is allowed two free on-site visits per week, 25 minutes each
  • ✓ Off-site visits are limited to one 15-minute visit per day for a fee (the visitor pays)
  • ✓ The visiting week starts on Monday

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