How to Visit Facility

You'll need approval before you can visit. Every visitor, adults and minors alike, must submit a visitor application and Background Investigation Authorization online through the DOC public website. The Central Visitation Unit reviews these submissions. No approval, no visit.

If you're 18 or older, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You'll need it for video visitation. Bringing kids? Plan ahead. Minors must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an approved accompanying adult. Only minors who are immediate family can be approved for contact visits.

Visitor approvals expire three years after your approval date. To avoid a gap in visitation, renew early. In-state visitors should reapply at least 45 days before expiration. Out-of-state visitors need at least 90 days.

1. Submit the online visitor application and Background Investigation Authorization - Adults and minors must complete the prescribed forms online through the DOC public website for Central Visitation Unit approval before any visit is allowed.
2. Confirm you are approved before you schedule or travel - Do not assume you are cleared until you have confirmation that your application was approved.
3. Put your expiration date on a calendar and renew early - Approvals expire three years after the approval date. To avoid interruptions, reapply at least 45 days before expiration if you are in-state, or at least 90 days before expiration if you are out-of-state.

• ✓ Log into the GTL system 15 minutes before your home internet video visit starts.
• ✓ If you are visiting through an AFOI Visitor Center, arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled visit.
• ✓ Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID if you are 18 or older.

• ✓ Make sure the minor is approved to visit (minors must submit the required application and Background Investigation Authorization online).
• ✓ Bring the minor with a parent, legal guardian, or an accompanying adult who is an approved visitor.
• ✓ If the minor is immediate family (only), ask about getting them approved for contact visits.

Timing rules are strict, and scheduling systems can change. Before your visit, confirm the current requirements for your visit type. For home internet video visitation, log into the GTL system 15 minutes early. If you're using the AFOI Visitor Center, arrive 20 minutes early.

Know where to submit your online visitor application and Background Investigation Authorization, and keep track of your approval date. Applications expire three years after approval. To keep visiting without interruption, submit a new application at least 45 days before expiration if you live in-state, or at least 90 days before expiration if you live out-of-state.