How to schedule your first visit online using CDCR's visitation portal

The biggest advantage of the CDCR visitation portal? You can reserve your time in advance and skip the long lines. Pick the date, time, and location that work for you. The portal confirms visits instantly, so you know right away whether you're on the schedule.

New users should start on the portal's login page and click "CLAIM ACCOUNT" to create or claim a visitor profile. After that, you'll sign in whenever you want to schedule or manage visits. The scheduling tools are behind the login screen.

Once signed in, reserving a visit is straightforward: select the date, time, and location that work for you. This is also where you'll manage upcoming visits. Log in and double-check your booking before making travel plans. Before you start, have the key details ready for both you and the incarcerated person. You don't want to be halfway through scheduling and realize you need to look something up. If you know the person's CDC number, keep it handy. Don't stress if you don't have every detail memorized; the portal is designed to help you schedule efficiently, not add friction.

• ✓ Your login details for the CDCR visitation portal
• ✓ The incarcerated person’s name (and CDC number, if you know it)
• ✓ The institution/location you’re trying to visit
• ✓ A few date and time options, in case your first choice isn’t available
• ✓ A way to note your confirmed visit details (screenshot, calendar note, or written reminder)

Locked out? Use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page. That's the cleanest way to recover access and keep all your visit info under one account. Avoid creating a second account just because you're locked out. It makes scheduling and managing visits more confusing than it needs to be.

On the portal page, you'll find links to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy (hosted on legal.telmate.com). If you're curious how the site handles your information, those links have the details. There's also a Contact link and other help resources in the same area. If something looks off with your login, your scheduled visit, or your account access, start there instead of guessing your way through.

Before you leave home, sign in and confirm the visit you scheduled. Treat that confirmation as your last check before traveling. Once your time is reserved, take a minute to review the facility's visitation rules separately. What ID is accepted? What time should you arrive? Are there other entry requirements? Those details are often facility-specific and aren't always spelled out in the scheduling portal.