How to Apply for Visiting Privileges in Florida Prisons (and Why You Must Wait for Approval)
Florida prisons require you to submit an official visitation application and wait for approval before visiting. The rule is simple: do not show up until the inmate tells you your application has been approved.
Start by thinking about who will actually be entering the visiting area. Anyone 16 years of age or older must bring a valid form of picture identification, so make sure you'll have that ready once you're approved. If more than one person plans to visit, each person needs to handle their own paperwork and entry requirements. Sort that out early so no one is scrambling at the last minute.
Fill out the visitation application carefully and completely. Take your time, write clearly, and double-check everything before you send it. If a question doesn't apply to you, follow the form's instructions for how to answer, but don't guess at information. Before submitting, read through the whole thing one more time. A form that's hard to read or looks incomplete can slow the process down and create unnecessary back-and-forth when all you're trying to do is get on the approved list.
Warning: Do not visit until the inmate notifies you that your visitation application has been approved. Show up before that, and you will be turned away.
Once the form is completed, submit it by e-mail or U.S. Mail to the specific institution where you want to visit. That detail matters. Your application needs to go to the exact facility you plan to enter. Not sure which institution to send it to? Confirm that first. Sending it to the wrong place almost always means delays.
- ✓ Confirm the institution where you are requesting to visit before you send anything
- ✓ Submit the completed form by e-mail or U.S. Mail to that institution
- ✓ Keep a copy of what you sent (and any confirmation you receive)
Do not go until you are approved. Wait until the inmate notifies you that your application has been approved before visiting.
Once you're approved and heading in for a visit, plan for the ID check at the door. Visitors 16 years of age or older must present a valid form of picture identification to enter the visiting area. Bring your ID on your person, not left in the car or tucked inside something you might not be allowed to carry in. If you don't have valid picture ID with you, you can be denied entry even if you're otherwise approved.
- ✓ Bring a valid picture ID if you are 16 or older
- ✓ If you have more than one valid photo ID, consider bringing a backup
- ✓ Keep your ID easy to reach during check-in
- Identify the institution you plan to visit - Your application must be sent to the institution where you are requesting to visit.
- Call the institution and ask for the correct submission details - Request the current e-mail address for applications and the correct U.S. Mail address for the visitation application.
- Ask what to do if you already submitted - If you sent it and are not sure it arrived, ask what information they need to help locate it (for example, the date you sent it and the name used on the form).
Tip: Keep a copy of your submitted application along with any confirmation messages or mailing receipts. Since applications go by e-mail or U.S. Mail, having that paper trail makes follow-up much easier if something gets lost.
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