How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at Mountain View Correctional Institution

You can't just show up at Mountain View Correctional Institution and get added to someone's visitor list on the spot. Facility staff have to approve a completed visitor application first. There's also a cap on approved visitors. Each offender is allowed up to 18 approved visitors total, including both adults and minors. Official visitors (legal counsel, law enforcement, consular officials, and certain family or juvenile services representatives) can register with the facility separately and don't count toward that 18-person limit.

The process starts with your loved one, not you. Offenders have to request the blank visitor application from the facility and mail it out to the people they want on their list. That means you may be waiting on the form to arrive by mail before you can do anything. If you're working around a tight schedule (travel plans, time off work), ask your loved one to request the form as soon as possible so it reaches you with time to spare.

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• ✓ If you are 16 or older: Attach a copy of an approved photo ID. Examples include a driver’s license ID or a state-issued ID issued by a state Division of Motor Vehicles.
• ✓ If you are a minor under 16: Attach a copy of the minor’s birth certificate.

A few common issues lead to disapprovals. Applications can be rejected if the form was copied instead of using an original, if it's incomplete, if required attachments are missing, or if it contains false information. A prior criminal record can also be a reason for disapproval. If anything in your history could raise questions, it's even more important to fill out the form carefully and honestly so staff can review it properly.

Once you've submitted your paperwork, you wait. Facility staff need to review and approve it before you can visit. Keep that 18-visitor limit in mind. If your loved one already has a full list, they may need to remove someone before your application can be added.

1. Wait for approval before making plans. A visit cannot occur until facility staff has approved the completed application.
2. Schedule your in-person visit 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 you go. Call the prison the day before your scheduled visit to confirm the facility’s visitation status.

If your application is denied, start with the basics. Was anything left blank? Was the required ID or birth certificate copy missing? Did the form include information that doesn't match official records? Those are some of the most common reasons for disapproval. False information can also trigger a denial, and a prior criminal record may be a factor. If you're able to contact the facility and ask what caused the disapproval, that can help you zero in on what needs to be corrected.

Before you mail anything or schedule a visit, confirm Mountain View's current instructions by calling or emailing the facility. Submission details and visitation operations can change. You don't want your application delayed because it went to the wrong place, or your visit planned during a period when visitation status shifted.