General guidance for Mail and Photos
Mail and Photos at FDC Seatac: start with our general mail and photos guide, then confirm details with the facility at (202) 307-3198.
Also known as: Seatac Federal Detention Center
Find inmate search, visitation, mail, phone, and commissary information for FDC Seatac in Seattle, WA. Use this guide to confirm facility details and next steps.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Sending money to someone at FDC SeaTac? The details you enter matter. MoneyGram ExpressPayment uses a specific account format and routing information, and mistakes can cause the payment to be rejected or applied to the wrong account.
Read Guide
Visiting at FDC SeaTac runs on a strict schedule, and hours change depending on the day. Here's the breakdown: social visiting times for family and friends, legal visit hours, holiday schedules, and the two-hour/one-visit-per-day rule you'll need to plan around.
Read Guide
Visiting at FDC SeaTac comes down to timing and planning ahead. The biggest thing to watch is the visitor processing window, plus a separate process if you're visiting as a Minister of Record.
Read GuideBased on official sources and community feedback.Learn how we verify
Visiting at FDC SeaTac runs on a tight schedule, so timing matters. Visitor processing opens 30 minutes before posted visiting hours, stops 1.5 hours before the visiting period ends, and pauses 45 minutes before official counts. Social visits last two hours max, and inmates are allowed one social visit per day. Legal visits operate on a separate schedule with distinct daily hours published by the facility. Ministers of Record can request a visit through the Chaplain, and that visit doesn't count toward the inmate's visitor total (limited to one per inmate). Before you go, confirm you're on the inmate's approved visitor list. If you're planning a video visit, verify scheduling and device requirements ahead of time, since booking processes can vary.
Read full guideSending money to someone at FDC SEATAC can be done several ways, but the details matter. For MoneyGram ExpressPayment, enter the inmate's 8-digit register number immediately followed by their last name, and use receive code 7932 with the beneficiary details exactly as instructed. Other options include online portals and apps, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, retail cash locations, or mailing a cashier's check or money order. Funds on the account typically cover commissary purchases, phone calls, and fees or obligations. If you mail funds, don't send cash or personal checks. Clearly mark the intended sub-account when possible, and always include the inmate's full name and identifying number so the deposit posts correctly.
Read full guideMail and Photos at FDC Seatac: start with our general mail and photos guide, then confirm details with the facility at (202) 307-3198.
Phone Calls and Messaging at FDC Seatac: start with our general phone calls and messaging guide, then confirm details with the facility at (202) 307-3198.
Processing starts 30 minutes before visiting hours and stops 1.5 hours before the visiting period ends. Processing is also suspended 45 minutes before official counts.
VisitationSocial visits are limited to two hours. Inmates are allowed one social visit per day.
VisitationNo. FDC SeaTac has separate daily legal visiting hours that differ from social visiting times. You'll need to check the legal visit schedule for exact times.
VisitationYes. A Minister of Record visit can be requested through the Chaplain and does not count against the inmate’s visitor total, but it is limited to one per inmate.
VisitationUse MoneyGram ExpressPayment and enter the inmate’s 8-digit register number immediately followed by the inmate’s last name. Use receive code 7932 and enter the beneficiary details exactly as instructed.
Sending CommissaryNo. Don't mail cash or personal checks. They're almost always rejected. Send a cashier's check or money order instead.
Sending CommissarySearch for your loved one to start communicating today
FDC SeaTac is a federal detention center in Washington. For the facility's street address, nearby landmarks, highway exit, and phone number, check the visiting supplement.
This guide is based on feedback from dozens of families and official facility documentation. Learn how we verify