Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

What ID You Need to Visit at John Lilley Center (and What Happens If You Forget It)

Planning a visit to John H. Lilley Correctional Center? Your ID is non-negotiable. Here's what counts as acceptable photo identification, what paperwork you need ahead of time, and what happens if you show up without it.

• 2 min read • oklahoma.gov
What ID You Need to Visit at John Lilley Center (and What Happens If You Forget It)

Anyone 18 or older must show photo ID to visit. But here's the catch: John H. Lilley Correctional Center requires advance approval. You'll need to submit a Visitor Application Form before you can even get on the schedule.

  • ✓ State driver’s license (photo ID)
  • ✓ State-issued ID card (photo ID)
  • ✓ Federal ID (photo ID)
  • ✓ Military ID (photo ID)
  • ✓ School ID (photo ID)
  • ✓ When you submit your visitor application, include a copy of the front and back of your driver’s license or state-issued ID card.

Adult visitors go through a background check as part of the approval process. Standard procedure, but it means you can't wait until the last minute. Approval takes up to eight weeks. Submit your Visitor Application Form early, then watch for confirmation before making the trip.

Note: Prefer paper? You can mail your application to ODOC headquarters: Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Attn: Visitation Unit, P.O. Box 11400, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0400.

Bringing a child? You'll need to prove your relationship and guardianship. Bring documentation like a birth certificate or court/adoption papers.

Once that child turns 18, they’re no longer treated as a minor visitor. At that point, they must complete a visiting application to visit as an adult.

Heads up: The official policy requires photo ID for visitors 18 and older but doesn't mention any exception or workaround if you forget it.

  1. Stop and call before you drive (or as soon as you realize it) - if there’s any flexibility, staff can tell you what they’ll accept that day.
  2. Go back for your photo ID if you can - since adults are required to present photo identification, returning with your ID is the safest way to avoid being turned away.
  3. Bring an alternate photo ID if you have one - if you don’t have your usual ID, bring another acceptable photo ID type (for example, a military ID or school ID).
  4. Don’t assume your paperwork replaces ID - even if your visit is approved, you should still expect to show photo identification at check-in.

Find an Inmate at John H. Lilley Correctional Center

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from John H. Lilley Correctional Center

Bringing Kids to Visit in Oklahoma DOC Facilities: Documents & Practical Checklist

Planning to bring a child to an Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) visit? The quickest way to avoid a wasted trip is showing up with the right paperwork. This guide covers the documents ODOC expects when minors visit, plus a simple day-of checklist.

How John Lilley Center's Indigent Program Works: Eligibility and Benefits

If your loved one has little or no money while housed at John Lilley Center, the indigence program may provide limited monthly support. Here's how eligibility works, what qualifies someone for help, and what can cause indigent status to end.

How Many People Can Visit at Once at John Lilley Center

Planning a visit at John H. Lilley Correctional Center? Two limits matter: how many people can be on the approved list total, and how many can actually be in the visiting room at once.