How to Pay the $25 Visitation Background Fee Without Extra Charges
Most adult visitors at Lumley Unit pay a $25 background check fee—but how you pay matters. Some payment methods tack on extra vendor charges. Here's how the fee works and which payment channel costs the least.
All adult visitors applying for in-person, phone, or video visits at Lumley Unit must pay a one-time $25 background check fee. It's non-refundable, and your visitation request won't move forward until it's paid (unless you qualify for an exemption).
One exception trips people up: if you only want to receive phone calls from an inmate - not visit - you don't have to pay the $25 fee. You'll still need to apply for phone privileges through the regular process, but the background check fee doesn't apply.
You'll pay electronically. Before starting, make sure you have your Application Visitor ID number handy - entering the wrong number can cause delays and force you to repeat the transaction.
Extra charges come from vendor transaction fees, and those fees vary by payment channel (internet, phone, storefront, etc.). Check the fee schedule for the specific method you plan to use - not just the vendor name.
- ✓ You can pay the $25 visitation background fee through any of the three approved vendors using storefront/walk-up, phone, mobile app, or internet.
- ✓ Internet transactions: Keefe - $0.00 vendor fee (No Fee)
- ✓ Internet transactions: JPay - $0.95 vendor fee
- ✓ Internet transactions: GTL - $1.00 vendor fee
Want to avoid extra charges? Start with the published internet fee table. For internet transactions, Keefe charges no fee ($0.00), while JPay adds $0.95 and GTL adds $1.00. When you have a choice, paying online keeps your total closest to the required $25.
Tip: Have your Application Visitor ID ready before submitting payment, and use an internet payment option when possible. Getting it right the first time means you won't trigger extra fees from repeat transactions.
- Double-check your Application Visitor ID - confirm you’re entering the correct Application Visitor ID number before you submit.
- Confirm you’re using an electronic method - the background fee payment must be made electronically.
- Retry using an internet transaction (if available to you) - if you’re trying to minimize extra charges, internet transactions are where the published vendor fees are clearly listed.
Note: If you see an unexpected charge, contact the payment vendor for the channel you used (internet, phone, or storefront). Vendor fees differ by transaction method, so make sure you're referencing the right one when you reach out.
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