Bringing Children to Visit at Larch: What Parents Need to Know About Minor Visitors
Bringing a child to visit someone at Larch takes a little paperwork, but it's manageable if you handle things in the right order. The two things that trip families up most are the adult escort rule and the notarized consent form that needs to be uploaded with the minor's online visitor application.
Every minor must be accompanied for the entire visit by a non-incarcerated parent, legal guardian, or designated escort. This is not a drop-off situation. It's also not enough for an adult to show up partway through. The accompanying adult needs to be there from check-in straight through to the end of the visit.
Note: Visitors aren't added automatically. A visitor application has to be approved before someone can be placed on an incarcerated person's Approved Visitor List.
Washington DOC requires a specific consent document for minor visitors: DOC 20-441 Parental/Guardian Consent (for Minor Visit and/or Escort). The form must be completed, notarized, and attached to the minor's online visitor application. Even if you're the parent or guardian submitting the application yourself, the DOC 20-441 is still required.
Upload the notarized DOC 20-441 as a clear, readable file. The DOC accepts Adobe PDF files and image files, so a scanned PDF or a sharp photo of the notarized form works fine. Before submitting, double-check that every page is included and that the notary stamp and signature are legible.
- Get the DOC 20-441 form: Use the DOC 20-441 Parental/Guardian Consent (for Minor Visit and/or Escort) form that matches the minor-visitor requirement.
- Complete it and get it notarized: Fill out the consent form and have the parent/guardian signature notarized. The notarization is part of the requirement, so an unsigned or non-notarized form can hold up approval.
- Save a clean copy for upload: Scan the notarized form or take clear photos of it. Save it as a PDF or image file that shows the full page(s), including the notary section.
- Attach it to the minor’s online visitor application and submit: Upload the notarized DOC 20-441 with the minor’s application, then submit the application for approval. The application has to be approved before the minor (and any accompanying adult who needs to be listed) can be placed on the incarcerated person’s Approved Visitor List.
If you're named as a designated escort, you're responsible for the minor during the entire visit. That means staying with the child the whole time, not just during entry or in the waiting area. If staff ask who is escorting the minor, you need to be the adult of record for that full visit.
- ✓ Make sure your visitor application is approved so you can be placed on the incarcerated person’s Approved Visitor List.
- ✓ Make sure the minor’s online visitor application includes the notarized DOC 20-441 attachment (consent for the minor visit and/or for the escort arrangement, as needed).
Note: Being a designated escort does not override the approval process. Make sure the application, Approved Visitor List placement, and uploaded notarized consent are all handled before you try to visit.
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