How to Register and Schedule Your First Visit at Harford County Detention Center
Your first visit goes much smoother when you handle registration and scheduling ahead of time. Harford County Detention Center uses GTL/VisManager for visitor accounts and appointments. Your main tasks: register, verify your email, book a time slot, and show up early with valid ID.
To visit someone at Harford County Detention Center (HCDC), you need a GTL/VisManager account. Registration is required - no exceptions. Once your account is set up, you'll schedule your visit through the Harford County GTL portal. Walk-ins aren't accepted.
Note: HCDC’s instructions say to use Google Chrome for the registration process at GTL/VisManager.
Step1 Create Account
- ✓ A valid email address (this is where confirmations and account messages go)
- ✓ A valid government-issued photo ID (federal, state, or local)
Use Google Chrome when creating your account. That's the browser HCDC recommends for completing GTL/VisManager registration.
After registering, watch for the verification email. Don't see it? Check your spam or junk folder first - these messages often get filtered.
Need help with verification? If you still don’t see the email after checking spam/junk, call VisManager support at 855-208-7349.
Once your GTL/VisManager registration is complete, schedule your visit through the Harford County GTL portal. Pick an available time slot and book it before heading to the facility.
Visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visits last 30 minutes, so plan your day around a short, scheduled window.
Bringing kids? Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and children need to stay seated during the visit.
Heads up: HCDC can cancel or suspend visitation for security or health reasons without notice.
Here's something to watch for: HCDC's materials aren't consistent on scheduling lead time. One source says visits must be scheduled at least 2 days ahead; another says 7 days. Both agree that cancellations or changes need to happen at least 2 days before your visit. To play it safe, check the scheduling calendar when you book and grab the earliest slot that meets the system's requirements.
On visit day, arrive at the main entrance at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. That buffer matters - show up late and you might miss your appointment window entirely.
- ✓ Valid government-issued photo ID (federal, state, or local) to present at check-in
Know where to park before you arrive. Visitors must use the upper parking lot - the lower lot is restricted to authorized personnel, and vehicles parked there may be towed. The one exception: if you have a valid handicap placard or license plate, you can use the handicap spots in the lower lot.
Prefer using your phone? GTL VisMobile works on Android devices for registration, scheduling, and managing appointments. Stuck on email verification? Call VisManager support at 855-208-7349.
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