How to Get on Someone's Visitor List at MDOC Facilities

MDOC's visitor application process is set up so the inmate starts it - not you. The forms aren't available online, and MDOC won't email or mail them to you directly. You'll need to wait for the person you want to visit to send you the

Trying to get on someone's approved visitor list? The first move isn't yours - it's theirs. MDOC requires inmates to initiate the application process by sending the Application for Visiting Privileges to the people they want to see. The forms aren't available online, and MDOC won't send them to applicants. So the application packet you receive from the inmate is your starting point.

Step2 Complete and Mail

• ✓ Read the entire application before you start filling it out
• ✓ Complete every section the form asks for (don’t leave blanks unless the form tells you to)
• ✓ Sign anywhere a signature is required
• ✓ If the prospective visitor is a minor, have the parent/legal guardian complete the application
• ✓ Include any additional items the packet specifically requests

Once you've filled out the application completely, mail it to the MDOC address indicated in the packet. Follow the instructions exactly. Don't wait for MDOC to send a replacement form or point you to a download - they don't provide visitation forms online and won't email or mail them to applicants.

After you mail your application, don't expect a letter or call telling you you're approved. MDOC doesn't automatically notify applicants of approval. To find out where things stand, call the facility and ask about your application status.

This is where people get tripped up: travel plans can move faster than approvals. MDOC strongly encourages you to confirm your application was approved before making any travel plans. Since you won't get an automatic notice, build "confirm first" into your timeline. Check with the facility before you commit to a visit day.

Step4 Tips Before Mail Travel

• ✓ Make a copy (or take clear photos) of the completed application before you mail it
• ✓ Use the exact MDOC mailing address shown in the visitor application package
• ✓ Call the facility to confirm whether you’ve been approved before you travel
• ✓ Treat approval as a requirement before you plan a long drive or any trip that’s hard to change

Delays and denials happen. Even after approval, visits can be stopped. MDOC is clear: visitation is a privilege, not a right, and those privileges can be revoked or suspended. Keep that in mind if your application doesn't move as quickly as you hoped - or if visitation gets interrupted later.

If you've waited and still don't have a clear answer, call the facility. MDOC says applicants can call to ask whether they've been approved. That same call is your best starting point if you're trying to understand a delay or figure out what to do next.