What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Your First VADOC Visit
Your first visit to a VADOC facility goes much smoother when you show up early, bring the right ID, and dress for the rules. Use the sections below to figure out what to pack and what to leave behind so you don't get turned away at the door.
Plan to arrive one hour before your scheduled in-person visit. VADOC expects visitors there early enough to complete security screening. Show up late, and you risk losing your visit entirely.
Most VADOC institutions allow in-person visits on Saturdays and Sundays. Many also offer visitation on Virginia state holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. That said, procedures vary by institution and can change. Before you lock in travel plans (especially for a weekend or holiday visit), contact the facility directly to confirm what's available and what you'll need to do on arrival.
ID Documents
- ✓ Bring at least one valid photo ID that matches the information on your visitation application
- ✓ Driver’s license
- ✓ Military ID
- ✓ Other official picture ID
- ✓ Passport (only for visitors who do not reside in the United States)
For in-person visits, your clothing needs to cover from the neck to the kneecaps. Appropriate underwear is required, and footwear must stay on at all times. Video visitation has the same standards. You must be fully clothed in both outer garments and undergarments, with coverage from neck to kneecaps. Yes, even on camera.
Leave it behind: Watches and all wearable technology are prohibited during visits. That includes items like Google Glasses.
VADOC provides reasonable accommodations for visitors with disabilities. If you have a mobility impairment, contact the facility before your visit so everything can be in place when you arrive. If a medical condition affects screening (for example, you're pregnant or can't go through an electronic scanning device), sort that out ahead of time rather than trying to figure it out in the parking lot. The next section covers what to bring and what to expect.
- Bring medical documentation. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition that prevents you from going through the electronic scanning device on the day of your visit, bring documentation from your medical provider.
- Let staff know during check-in. Tell the facility staff you have documentation and cannot use the electronic scanning device.
- Follow the alternate search procedure offered. With the required documentation, an alternate search procedure will be offered to you.
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Arrive one hour before your scheduled in-person visit for security screening
- ✓ Bring at least one valid photo ID that matches your visitation application
- ✓ Dress with coverage from the neck to the kneecaps, wear appropriate underwear, and keep footwear on at all times
- ✓ For video visitation, be fully clothed in outer garments and undergarments with the same neck-to-kneecaps coverage, underwear required
- ✓ Leave watches and all wearable technology at home (including Google Glasses)
- ✓ If pregnant or unable to use an electronic scanning device for medical reasons, bring documentation from your medical provider so an alternate search procedure can be offered
- ✓ If you have a mobility impairment, contact the facility before visiting so reasonable accommodations can be in place
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