How to Get Approved to Visit (and What ID/Info to Bring) — for visitors to BOP facilities (includes WebV/ACES requirements)
Getting approved to visit a BOP facility happens before you ever show up at the gate. Here's how the paperwork works, what the WebV/ACES system records about you, and what to bring each time you visit FCI Tallahassee.
Visiting approval at FCI Tallahassee starts with the person in custody, not you. The inmate requests a Visitor Information form and sends it to the people they want on their list. You fill it out, submit it to the Bureau of Prisons, and wait for approval before you can visit. Once approved, the facility logs your entry and exit through ACES/Web Visiting (WebV), the same system used to track staff, contractors, and volunteers.
- Ask the inmate to request the Visitor Information form - the visiting process begins when the inmate requests the form.
- Wait for the inmate to send you the form - the form is sent out to potential visitors.
- Complete and submit the form to the BOP for approval - you must be approved before you can visit FCI Tallahassee.
WebV is part of the BOP's ACES (Access Control Entry Exit System). At FCI Tallahassee, it logs everyone who enters and exits: employees, contractors, and approved visitors. Your visit gets recorded each time you come through.
- ✓ Full name
- ✓ Current mailing or residence address
- ✓ Social Security number
- ✓ Driver’s license number
- ✓ Passport number
- ✓ Alien registration number
- ✓ Digital image (photo)
- ✓ Fingerprint
The BOP runs a background check on anyone recorded in ACES/WebV for visitation at FCI Tallahassee. At minimum, they run an NCIC check to verify the information you provide.
Bring ID every time: Each time you attempt to visit FCI Tallahassee, you must present a legal, government-issued photo ID to get access at institution entry.
When you arrive, staff check you in through ACES/WebV. You'll need a legal photo ID at the door. They compare your ID to what's already in the system. Background-check data is part of your record, and if something on your ID doesn't match what's on file, staff may correct the discrepancy on the spot.
- ✓ Your current, government-issued photo ID (the legal ID required for entry)
- ✓ The same identifying details you used when you registered, such as your driver’s license number, passport number, or alien registration number (if those apply to you)
- ✓ Readiness for your digital image (photo) and fingerprint to be captured/stored as part of the ACES/WebV record
ACES/WebV exists to support safety and security inside BOP facilities. It keeps a clear record of who is in the institution and when they enter or exit. The system also helps staff identify visitors and decide whether someone is suitable to enter. That's why your record can include basic details like your name and address, plus more sensitive identifiers: Social Security number, driver's license number, passport number, or alien registration number.
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