How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at Richmond Correctional Institution

Your visitor application must be approved by facility staff before you can visit anyone at Richmond Correctional Institution. Show up without approval? The visit won't happen. Take the application seriously and get it right the first time.

Here's something that trips people up: the incarcerated person has to obtain the blank visitor application forms from inside the facility. If you're waiting on a form, that's usually why.

Anyone age 16 or older needs to attach a copy of an approved picture ID to their visitor application. Missing this is a fast way to delay the process - add it to your must-have checklist before sending anything back.

A driver's license or state-issued ID works, as long as it comes from a state Division of Motor Vehicles. A standard DMV-issued license or state ID from any state is acceptable.

For children under 16, you'll need to attach a copy of the child's birth certificate instead. Keep in mind: visitors are responsible for updating their application information. When a minor turns 16, update the application and switch to attaching the required picture ID.

Filling to Avoid Delays

• ✓ Use an original visitor application form (don’t submit a copied form).
• ✓ Fill out every required field so the application is complete.
• ✓ Complete all fields legibly in blue or black ink to avoid processing delays.
• ✓ Include the proper attachments (for example, ID copies for age 16+).

Sometimes applications get denied even when the form is filled out correctly. Richmond Correctional Institution may disapprove an application based on eligibility concerns - a prior criminal record, or involvement in the criminal activity for which the person is incarcerated. Timing matters too. Ex-offenders who haven't been released for at least 12 months may be disapproved. The same goes for visitors currently on probation, parole, or supervised release, or those who haven't been off supervision for at least six months.

• ✓ If you have a criminal record, be prepared for extra scrutiny and answer all questions honestly.
• ✓ If you’re an ex-offender, wait until you’ve been released for at least 12 months before applying.
• ✓ If you’re on probation/parole/supervised release (or you’ve been off supervision for less than 6 months), consider waiting until you meet the time requirement before submitting an application.

After you submit your application, facility staff still need to approve it before any visit can happen. There's also a cap: a maximum of 18 visitor applications per incarcerated person. If your loved one is near that limit, it may affect whether a new application can be added.

1. Wait for approval before making plans - a visit can’t happen until facility staff approve the completed application, and your loved one is responsible for notifying you of your application status.
2. Schedule your in-person visit as an appointment - in-person visits are by appointment only, so you’ll need to call or email the prison where the person is housed to set it up.
3. Confirm the day before - call the prison the day before your scheduled visit to confirm the facility’s visitation status.
4. Keep your information current - if your address or phone number changes, update your application information so there aren’t last-minute problems.

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Original visitor application form (not a copied form)
• ✓ All required fields filled out completely
• ✓ Written legibly in blue or black ink
• ✓ For visitors age 16+: a copy of an approved picture ID attached
• ✓ For minors under 16: a copy of the birth certificate attached
• ✓ Keep in mind: a maximum of 18 visitor applications is allowed per offender