How to Submit Your Visitor Application for Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center

You can’t just show up and expect to be allowed in. ODOC requires every visitor to submit a Visitor Application Form and be approved for visitation first. If you’re trying to plan a first visit (or you haven’t visited in a long time), getting the application turned in early is the single biggest step you can take to avoid a wasted trip.

If you're 18 or older, you'll go through a background check as part of the approval process. That's standard for ODOC visitation. It's also why timing matters - your visit depends on the application being processed and cleared, not just dropped in the mail.

Bringing a child? ODOC requires documentation proving guardianship when minors visit - a birth certificate, court paperwork, or adoption papers. One more thing: once a child turns 18, they can't stay on as a

ODOC still accepts paper visitor application forms at its headquarters in Oklahoma City. When you mail your form, address it exactly like this: Oklahoma Department of Corrections Attn: Visitation Unit P.O. Box 11400 Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0400

• ✓ Address the envelope to Attn: Visitation Unit (not to the inmate)
• ✓ Use the full P.O. Box line: P.O. Box 11400
• ✓ Use the ZIP+4 as written: 73136-0400
• ✓ Put your return address on the envelope so it can be returned if there’s a delivery issue

Once you’ve mailed the application, the hard part is the waiting. ODOC says approval can take up to eight weeks, so don’t assume silence means something went wrong - processing can take time, especially with the required screening steps.

Here's the thing - notification doesn't always come directly to you. The inmate gets notified when the background check clears and approval goes through. They'll tell you when you're cleared and share the scheduled visitation date and time. If you're wondering where things stand, just check in with your loved one to see if they've gotten an update.

Common Mistakes

• ✓ Mailing it to the inmate instead of Attn: Visitation Unit
• ✓ Leaving off or changing the P.O. Box line (it should be P.O. Box 11400)
• ✓ Using an incomplete ZIP code instead of 73136-0400

• ✓ Forgetting to complete the Visitor Application Form (every visitor has to submit one)
• ✓ Missing signatures or leaving key fields blank (which can stall approval)
• ✓ Not including needed paperwork when a minor will be visiting (guardianship documents)

Getting mixed information from online searches? Go straight to ODOC's official sources for visitation guidance. Third-party sites sometimes have outdated addresses or procedures, and small errors - like addressing the envelope wrong - can slow everything down.

1. Confirm you’re using the correct Visitor Application Form - Use ODOC’s official visitation information so you’re not working from an outdated copy.
2. Double-check the mailing address and who it’s addressed to - Your envelope should be addressed to the Visitation Unit, not the inmate.
3. Gather any supporting documents before you mail - If a minor will visit, include guardianship paperwork (for example, a birth certificate or court/adoption papers).
4. Keep a copy of what you send - A photo or photocopy of the completed form (and attachments) helps if you need to reference what you submitted later.
5. Follow up through your loved one - The inmate is the one notified when approval is complete and can tell you when you’re cleared and what visit time is scheduled.