What to Know Before Your First Visit to Otsego County Jail

Visiting someone at Otsego County Jail goes much smoother when you know the basics before you leave home. This checklist covers arrival timing and check-in, what ID and clothing you'll need, visit length and group limits, what to expect in the visiting room, how to drop off items properly, and what happens if a visit gets denied or cut short.

Starting February 1, 2026, you'll need to arrive early enough to register and be processed no later than 10 minutes before your scheduled visitation hour. There's a five-minute grace period for unexpected delays, but if you show up five minutes or less before the top of the hour, you won't be allowed to visit during that session.

Weekend visitation runs in set blocks. Saturday sessions are 9:00–11:00 AM, 12:00–2:00 PM, and 5:00–8:00 PM. Sunday follows the same schedule: 9:00–11:00 AM, 12:00–2:00 PM, and 5:00–8:00 PM. Weekday hours aren't included here, so call the facility directly to confirm any weekday visiting times.

Bring ID

• ✓ NYS driver’s license
• ✓ Military ID
• ✓ DMV-issued ID
• ✓ Other state-issued driver’s license

Dress Code

• ✓ No hooded sweatshirts
• ✓ No pullovers
• ✓ No coats of any kind
• ✓ No half shirts
• ✓ No mini skirts
• ✓ No short shorts
• ✓ No open shirts

Each visit lasts one hour. Even if you arrive late or your visit starts after the session begins, any portion of an hour counts as a full hour.

Plan your group size carefully: no more than two visitors are allowed per visit.

Here's something that surprises many first-time visitors: inmates are strip-searched before and after each visit. This is standard procedure at Otsego County Jail.

Inmates must wear regulation jail uniform during visits: briefs or boxer shorts, a T-shirt, and shoes and socks. They're also required to stay seated with feet on the floor and hands on the visiting counter. Don't be alarmed if you see staff enforcing this posture - it's standard practice.

Don't bring anything expecting to hand it directly to your loved one. Inmates won't receive items in the visiting room. If you want to leave something, drop it at the control room window in the visitors' lobby - staff will check it and decide whether to accept or reject it.

Even with careful preparation, visits can end early. Staff have full discretion to terminate a visit on the spot.

• ✓ Loss of contact visiting
• ✓ Reduction to one-hour visitation per week