Before Your First Visit to San Joaquin Jail: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Most adults can visit, but a few situations need extra attention. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and minors have specific document requirements (covered below). Previously incarcerated at San Joaquin County Jail? You'll need to wait at least 30 days before visiting. If you have a prior felony conviction or are currently on AWP, you need prior authorization from the facility manager. On active parole or wearing an ankle monitor? Check with your parole/probation officer before making the trip.

Here's the timing rule that catches people off guard: you must sign up at least one half hour before the next available visit. Sign-ups are first-come, first-served until all visiting rooms fill up. Show up late, and you might not get a slot.

Documents to Bring

• ✓ If anyone in your group is under 18, the minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• ✓ For each visit, each minor must have the ORIGINAL birth certificate from the county where they were born.
• ✓ If a guardian (not a parent) is bringing the minor, the guardian must provide the ORIGINAL court order for each visit.

Dress conservatively - nothing too revealing. The visiting officers make the final call on whether your outfit meets the standard. If they say no, you won't be allowed in.

• ✓ Sexually suggestive, provocative, sheer, or “see through” clothing
• ✓ Sleeveless, strapless, halter, or spaghetti-strap tops
• ✓ Swimsuits
• ✓ Bare midriff clothing
• ✓ Pajamas
• ✓ Slippers/house shoes
• ✓ Undergarments that are visible

Keep your group small. San Joaquin Jail allows a maximum of three people per visit, and that headcount includes children and babies.

Visits last 45 minutes - no exceptions. Once you're in the visiting room, stay put. If you step out, the visit ends. And watch the clock: overstaying can cost you future visiting privileges.

If you were previously incarcerated at San Joaquin County Jail, you can’t visit right away. The jail requires prior inmates to wait a minimum of 30 days before visiting.

Some situations require approval before you show up. Prior felony conviction or currently on AWP? You need authorization from the facility manager first. On active parole or wearing an ankle monitor? Check with your parole/probation officer before visiting - you don't want to accidentally violate your supervision terms.

Pre Visit Checklist

• ✓ Check the visiting hours before you plan your day: 8:00 am–5:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 8:00 am–7:00 pm on Wednesdays.
• ✓ If you’re bringing a minor, make sure they’re accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• ✓ If a minor is visiting, bring the ORIGINAL birth certificate from the county where the minor was born (required for each visit).
• ✓ If a guardian (not a parent) is bringing the minor, bring the ORIGINAL court order (required for each visit).
• ✓ Leave your phone in the car and don’t bring photos into the visiting area (no photos during visits; phones are prohibited).
• ✓ Dress conservatively; avoid sheer/see-through or sexually suggestive clothing, sleeveless/strapless/halter/spaghetti straps, swimsuits, bare midriff, pajamas, slippers/house shoes, and anything that shows undergarments.
• ✓ Sign up at least 30 minutes before the next available visit (first-come, first-served until rooms are reserved).
• ✓ Keep your group to three people total, including children and babies.
• ✓ Plan for a 45-minute visit (no exceptions), and don’t exit the visiting room after the visit starts - your visit will be terminated.