How to address mail to someone in a VADOC facility (so it arrives)

Start with the incarcerated person's first and last name exactly as it appears in VADOC records. No nicknames, no initials instead of a first name, no swapped order. If the name on the envelope doesn't match what the facility has on file, staff may not be able to route it to the right person.

• ✓ Inmate’s 7-digit state ID number

Next, include the name of the VADOC facility, followed by its street address and ZIP code. The facility name and ZIP code are must-have details, not optional extras. A small error here can send your mail to the wrong location or slow it down while it gets sorted out.

The 7-digit state ID number is the quickest way for the facility to match your letter to the right person. Names can be similar, and multiple people can share the same first and last name. The ID helps staff route mail correctly. Before you seal the envelope, double-check that every digit is complete and accurate.

• ✓ A maximum of three 8.5” x 11” black-and-white photocopied pages (front and back) are delivered per mailing
• ✓ The photocopied envelope counts as one of those three pages
• ✓ Plan your letter and any printed content with that limit in mind

Common Mistakes

• ✓ Using a nickname or a name that does not match the inmate’s first and last name in VADOC records
• ✓ Leaving off the 7-digit state ID number, or writing the wrong number
• ✓ Listing the wrong facility name (institution), or using an incorrect facility address or ZIP code