Bringing Your Kids to Visit at MCI Norfolk: What Parents Need to Know

Minors (anyone under 18) don't need pre-approval to visit MCI Norfolk. The key requirement is supervision: your child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has physical custody, and that adult must already be on the incarcerated person's pre-approved visiting list. If you're the custodial parent or guardian and you're approved to visit, you can bring your child along without any extra clearance for them.

If the adult bringing the child isn't the parent or legal guardian with physical custody, you'll need extra paperwork. The accompanying adult must submit a completed Minor Consent Form and get approval from the Superintendent before the visit. This is where families get tripped up most often. If you're a grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, or other caregiver bringing the child, get the consent form handled and approved well ahead of time.

3

• ✓ An original or copy of the child’s birth certificate
• ✓ Or official hospital records that verify the child’s birth, the child’s date of birth, and parent information
• ✓ Extra copies of the document you’re bringing (so you have a backup if one gets misplaced)

Here's one special case that may help some families: the incarcerated parent can sometimes sign the Minor Consent Form if they're listed as a parent on the child's birth certificate. Since paperwork acceptance can vary depending on review and timing, confirm with the Superintendent's office that the form will be accepted before you count on it for your visit.

1. Call before you leave - Visiting hours can change, so verify the schedule and ask if your child paperwork is sufficient for entry.
2. Pack the child’s documents - Bring an original or copy of the birth certificate (or official hospital records with birth date and parent info), plus an extra copy.
3. Arrive early - Give yourself time for check-in and document review so a slow line doesn’t cut into your visit.