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Visitation

What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Your First IDOC Visit

Your first visit can feel overwhelming, but packing for an IDOC visit is straightforward: bring the right ID, leave almost everything else behind, and be ready for screening at the door.

• 2 min read • idoc.illinois.gov
What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Your First IDOC Visit

Before you get in the car, check whether the facility is on lockdown. Call the IDOC lockdown hotline at (877) 840-3220 to hear which facilities are currently affected. A two-minute call can save you a long drive for a visit that won't happen.

Photo ID

  • ✓ Current, government-issued photo ID with your date of birth (for example: a driver’s license or state ID)
  • ✓ If you’re not a U.S. citizen: a current passport, Visa, or Matricula (and it must include your date of birth)
  • ✓ If you can, bring a backup photo ID as a just-in-case option

Infant Items

  • ✓ Only bring infant/toddler items that are explicitly allowed by IDOC for visits
  • ✓ Pack baby items in a clear bag or clear container so they’re easy to inspect
  • ✓ Keep it minimal (enough for the visit, not a full diaper-bag setup)
What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Your First IDOC Visit

Prohibited Items

  • ✓ Cell phones, smart watches, pagers, or any other electronic devices
  • ✓ Food or drinks (including snacks and bottled water)
  • ✓ Smoking materials
  • ✓ Currency (cash)
  • ✓ Packages of any kind
  • ✓ Purses, bags, or sacks
  • ✓ Books or magazines
  • ✓ Sunglasses
  • ✓ Personal keys

Expect to be searched during check-in. Under IDOC rules, all visitors - plus your vehicle and belongings - are subject to search. Don't bring anything you wouldn't want inspected at the entrance.

Inside the visiting room, small rule issues won't always end your visit - but they can escalate quickly. The Visiting Room Officer will give one warning for a minor violation. Any further disruption gets reported. Treat that first warning as your chance to reset and keep the visit on track.

Packing Tips Dayof

  • ✓ Carry as little as possible - ID and the bare essentials only
  • ✓ Leave electronics at home or locked in your car (they can’t go into the visiting room)
  • ✓ Don’t bring a purse or bag into the visiting room; plan your pockets accordingly
  • ✓ Bring your current photo ID with your date of birth (this is what gets you through the door)
  • ✓ Get dressed with the basics covered: all visitors must wear underwear, and female visitors must wear a bra
  • ✓ Arrive early enough to handle check-in and screening without rushing

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