How to Set Up Your TDCJ Visitation Scheduler Account (Step-by-Step)

You have to create your own visitor account - TDCJ staff can't do it for you. They can help with certain updates once your account exists, but that initial signup is on you. Use an email address you control and plan to keep. Once an account is tied to an email, it can't be deleted, and you can't swap in a different address later.

Registration starts with your email. Enter a valid email address, hit submit, and check your inbox. The system sends you a message with two things you'll need: a link and a 7-digit validation code.

1. Open the registration email - you’re looking for the message that includes the link and your 7-digit validation code.
2. Click the link in the email - it should bring you back to the visitation scheduler to finish setting up the account.
3. Re-enter your email address - type the same email you used to start registration.
4. Enter the 7-digit key - use the validation code from the email.
5. Create your password - make sure it matches all password requirements shown on the screen.
6. Confirm your password - re-type it exactly.
7. Submit the form - this completes the registration step and moves you forward in the setup process.

Once you've set a valid password, you'll land on the Background Questionnaire. Every question needs an answer before you can move forward. When you submit successfully, the page will show

• ✓ Go through the Background Questionnaire carefully and answer every question before trying to continue
• ✓ Don’t leave any question blank - one missed item can stop you from moving to the next step
• ✓ Submit the questionnaire and look for the “Update Complete” message to confirm it went through

Now comes your Visitor Profile. If the system flags it as incomplete (you'll usually see red text), click

Ready to add the person you want to visit? You'll need their TDCJ number or SID number. The scheduler requires exactly 8 digits - no more, no less.

Don't know the 8-digit TDCJ or SID number? Use the TDCJ Offender Search to look it up before trying to add them in the scheduler.

1. Get the correct TDCJ or SID number - you need an 8-digit number; use the TDCJ Offender Search if you don’t have it.
2. Enter the number exactly as 8 digits - double-check you didn’t drop a digit or add an extra one.
3. Confirm you found the right person - make sure the result matches who you’re trying to visit.
4. Save them to your profile - once the correct inmate is selected, complete the add/request step in the scheduler.

Common Errors

• ✓ If you’re trying to sign up with an email you’ve used before, remember that email addresses are tied to accounts and can’t be changed or deleted - try signing in with that email instead
• ✓ If you never received (or never used) the registration email, you still need the link and the 7-digit validation code to complete registration
• ✓ If your profile won’t save, re-check your phone number format - use spaces (XXX XXX XXXX), not dashes
• ✓ If you can’t get past the Background Questionnaire, go back and answer every question before submitting
• ✓ If the inmate search isn’t working, re-check the number length - the TDCJ/SID number must be exactly 8 digits
• ✓ If you don’t know the correct 8-digit number, use the TDCJ Offender Search to find it before you try again
• ✓ If you’re hoping staff can set up the account for you, they can’t - visitors must create their own accounts