How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at FCI Tallahassee — complete steps and what to bring
Getting approved to visit at FCI Tallahassee starts with paperwork—and your loved one has to initiate it. Once you're on the approved list, the day-of requirement is straightforward: bring a valid photo ID every time.
Visitor approval at FCI Tallahassee works in two parts. First, the incarcerated person requests a Visitor Information form and sends it to you. Then you complete it and submit it for review. The Bureau of Prisons runs background checks based on what you provide. When you arrive for a visit, staff will verify your identity at check-in - so bringing the right ID matters every time.
This process has to start with your loved one. They need to request the Visitor Information form and send it to the people they want on their approved list. Haven't received anything yet? Ask them - by letter, email, or phone - to request the form and mail it your way.
Once the form arrives, fill it out carefully and submit it according to the instructions. This isn't just contact info - BOP staff use it to run background checks and decide whether to approve you. Rushing or guessing can cause delays later, since your details need to match what they can verify in their systems.
- ✓ Your legal name written exactly the way it appears on your photo ID
- ✓ Your current address and any other contact information the form asks for
- ✓ Your date of birth and other identifying details requested on the form
- ✓ Your relationship to the incarcerated person (answer it plainly and consistently)
- ✓ Any additional background questions on the form (answer them completely and honestly)
After you submit, the BOP runs background checks to determine whether you can visit. At minimum, they perform an NCIC check. The name and details you provide need to match your ID and what BOP can confirm in their records. Mismatches create avoidable delays - accurate paperwork saves time.
Heads up: The BOP runs an NCIC check to validate your information. If your form doesn't match your ID or other records, approval can stall. Double-check everything before submitting.
What to Bring
- ✓ A legal photo ID (required each time you attempt to enter)
- ✓ Your information consistent with what you submitted (staff can validate details against system checks)
- ✓ A plan to confirm any facility-specific questions directly with FCI Tallahassee using the contact details on its Locations page
Your ID isn't just for the first visit - you need a valid photo ID every single time you go. If your name or other details have changed since you submitted the form, sort that out before you travel. Otherwise, you could get turned away at the door.
If approval seems stuck or you're told you can't visit, assume it's a paperwork issue first. The BOP validates your form through background checks, including an NCIC check - missing info, inconsistencies, or records needing clarification can all slow things down. For questions specific to FCI Tallahassee's visiting procedures, contact the facility directly using the phone number or address on its Locations page (not a central contact form).
- Confirm the form process with your loved one - make sure they requested the Visitor Information form, sent it to you, and that you completed and submitted it.
- Contact the facility directly - use the contact details listed on FCI Tallahassee’s Locations page for questions about local visiting procedures.
- Ask the inmate to check status with staff - they can follow up through their unit team on whether anything else is needed to move your approval forward.
Before you make the trip, confirm current visiting details directly with FCI Tallahassee - the Locations page has the facility's contact info. Policies vary by institution and can change, so checking ahead is worth it, especially for a first visit. And don't leave home without your photo ID. You won't get in without it.
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