How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Visiting rules differ depending on the facility. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office notes that the Main Jail and Elmwood Correctional Facility each have slightly different requirements. Make sure you're following the right instructions for where your person is housed.

For in-person social visits, you can schedule reservations online 24/7 through the County of Santa Clara Sheriff's Online Visiting Registration. Here's the catch: you need to be registered and approved for inmate visiting before you can pick a time slot. If you try to schedule first, you'll get stuck partway through. Handle registration and approval up front.

1. Get registered and approved to visit: You must be registered and approved for inmate visiting before you can sign up for visits.
2. Schedule a social in-person visit online: Once you’re approved, reserve your visit online 24/7 using the County of Santa Clara Sheriff’s Online Visiting Registration.

1. Call if you need to confirm details: For questions about visiting or custody, use the Sheriff’s Office visiting phone number, (408) 957-5900, or the administrative custody line, (408) 957-5300.

What-to-verify

• ✓ Confirm which facility’s visiting rules apply (Main Jail vs. Elmwood Correctional Facility), since the rules vary slightly.

• ✓ Make sure you are registered and approved before attempting to sign up for a visit.
• ✓ Confirm you are using the County of Santa Clara Sheriff’s Online Visiting Registration to schedule social in-person visit reservations (available 24/7).

• ✓ If anything seems unclear or out of date, call the visiting line at (408) 957-5900 or the administrative custody line at (408) 957-5300 to confirm.