How to Apply for Visiting Approval at River North Correctional Center (step‑by‑step)
Before you can visit anyone at River North, you need approval through Virginia DOC's online visitor application system. Once you understand which form to use and when renewals are due, the process becomes straightforward.
Everyone visiting River North Correctional Center needs prior approval - adults and minors included. You'll apply through Virginia DOC's online visitor application, and the Central Visitation Unit must approve you before facility staff will let you in.
Approval doesn't last forever. Your visitor status expires three years after the approval date, so you'll need to renew to keep visiting without interruption.
Adults submit their application online through the DOC public website. The application includes a background investigation authorization, so complete everything before you expect clearance.
Children can't apply on their own. A minor's application must be attached to an adult visitor's online application - the adult serves as the anchor, and the child's approval is linked to it.
After you submit, the Central Visitation Unit reviews your application. Watch for updates on your status - you can't visit until they've approved you.
Note: Within 24 hours of an inmate arriving for reception or transfer, staff must provide them an institution-specific Inmate Visitor Information Brochure. Extra copies must be available on request so the inmate can mail one out to visitors.
Renewals trip people up, especially after a long gap between visits. Your approval expires three years after the approval date. Once it lapses, you'll need to submit a new online application to regain approved status.
- ✓ Renew at least 45 days before your approval expires if you live in Virginia (in-state).
- ✓ Renew at least 90 days before your approval expires if you live outside Virginia (out-of-state).
Bringing a child to River North? Start with paperwork: attach the minor's application to an adult visitor's online application. On visit day, the minor must be accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or another adult who's already approved.
Reminder: If a notarized statement is required for the minor’s visit, bring it every time - don’t assume you can reuse a previous visit’s check-in without it.
- Submit the online visitor application - Everyone must apply online (adults and minors), and approval must come from the Central Visitation Unit before you’ll be allowed to visit.
- Attach any minor application to an adult application - A minor’s application has to be linked to an adult’s online application, not submitted on its own.
- Plan for accompaniment if a minor is visiting - On visit day, the minor must be with a parent, legal guardian, or an accompanying approved adult.
- Track your approval date - Visitor approvals expire three years after approval, so the approval date is what you’ll count from.
- Renew early to avoid a gap - Renew at least 45 days before expiration if you’re in-state, and at least 90 days before expiration if you’re out-of-state.
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