How to Apply for Visitation at Pocahontas Correctional Center: Documents & Tips
Visiting at Pocahontas Correctional Center starts with an online application. Gather a few key details beforehand, and you can knock out the form in one sitting without delays.
Before visiting someone at Pocahontas Correctional Center, you need approval through the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) online visitor application. This goes for everyone - adults and minors alike. VADOC's Central Visitation Unit handles all approvals, not the specific housing unit where your loved one is held.
Documents Prepare
- ✓ The inmate’s first and/or last name or inmate ID number
- ✓ A form of picture ID (for example, a driver’s license or passport)
- ✓ Your Social Security Number
- ✓ If you’re registering for video visitation and you’re 18+:
- ✓ A valid government-issued photo ID (must be valid)
- ✓ Your legal name exactly as it appears on your ID
Heads up: The online application takes about 20–30 minutes, and you can’t save it as a draft. Have everything ready so you can submit it in one sitting.
Expect the application to take 20–30 minutes. Here's the catch: you can't save your progress and return later. Once you start, you need to finish and submit in one sitting. To avoid starting over, don't open the form until you have your ID, Social Security Number, and the inmate's name or ID number ready.
Minors can't apply on their own - their application must be attached to an adult's. Like adult visitors, minors still need to go through the online application before they can visit. Complete the adult application first, then add the minor as required.
After you submit, VADOC will send an email confirming they received your application. Then comes the hard part: waiting. Processing takes about 45 days for Virginia residents and roughly 90 days for out-of-state applicants. If you're juggling work, school, or travel, factor that timeline in from the start - don't expect to schedule a visit right away.
Common Mistakes Tips
- ✓ Start only when you have 20–30 uninterrupted minutes; the form can’t be saved as a draft.
- ✓ Use your legal name (especially for video visitation registration) so it matches your government-issued ID.
- ✓ Have your picture ID ready before you begin, and make sure it’s valid.
- ✓ Double-check you have the inmate’s name or inmate ID number before you open the application.
- ✓ Keep your Social Security Number handy - you’ll need it to complete the form.
Plan ahead: Processing is about 45 days for Virginia residents and about 90 days for out-of-state residents.
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