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How to Get Approved and What Happens at Check‑In for Visits to MCC New York

Getting approved to visit MCC New York starts with paperwork from the person inside. Check-in happens at the front door, where staff verify your identity against what's on file. Here's how both parts work.

• 3 min read • bop.gov
How to Get Approved and What Happens at Check‑In for Visits to MCC New York

The inmate kicks off the visiting process. They'll request a Visitor Information form and mail it to the people they want on their approved list - family, friends, whoever. Once you get that form, fill it out and send it back. Staff will review your information as part of their screening before you're cleared to visit.

Once approved, your details go into the Bureau of Prisons' Web Visiting system (WebV). You'll need to provide your full name, relationship to the inmate, and date of birth. The system also records demographic info (sex, race, ethnicity) plus the ID numbers from your documents - driver's license, state ID, passport, or alien registration number. Your legal residence, phone number, and approval date are stored too.

Tip: Double-check the form before submitting - especially your legal residence and ID numbers. Staff use those exact details to verify you at check-in.

When you show up, your entry and exit are logged through the Bureau of Prisons' Access Control Entry Exit System (ACES), which works alongside WebV. This system tracks everyone coming and going - visitors, staff, contractors, volunteers. WebV also pulls the inmate's details from BOP records (name, register number, housing unit, work assignment) so staff can match your visitor record to the right person.

Your information doesn't get accepted on faith. Everyone recorded in ACES goes through a background check. At minimum, staff run an NCIC check to verify what you submitted during approval.

Bring a legal photo ID every time. No exceptions. Staff check it at every visit to confirm you match what's on file.

How to Get Approved and What Happens at Check‑In for Visits to MCC New York

Check-in is about matching records. Staff compare your legal photo ID against the visitor information in the system and run an NCIC check to validate your data. If something doesn't line up - a name spelled differently, a mismatched address, a wrong ID number - they'll flag it as a discrepancy. You won't get in until it's resolved.

  • ✓ A legal photo ID that matches the identification information you provided for approval
  • ✓ Your correct approved-visitor details (name, date of birth, and any ID numbers you provided, such as driver’s license/state ID, passport number, or alien registration number)
  • ✓ Your current legal residence and phone number as submitted for approval

Warning: Mismatches between your ID and the system can delay or block your visit. Staff may correct discrepancies on the spot if appropriate - but you'll save yourself hassle by keeping your WebV information consistent with your legal photo ID.

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