How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at South Florida Reception Center

Anyone 12 or older needs to complete their own visitation application form. A parent's application doesn't cover a 12-year-old - they need separate paperwork. Children under 12 don't need to apply, but the moment they turn 12, they'll need their own completed form to be considered for visiting.

Submit one application per person - no duplicates. Sending multiple forms for the same visitor slows things down because staff has to figure out which version is current. If you need to fix something, don't start over with a new submission. Just make sure your single form is accurate and complete before you send it.

Sign the form before you send it. An unsigned application won't be processed, even if everything else is perfect. This small detail causes long delays - double-check before mailing.

Fill out every section. If a question doesn't apply to you, write "NA" instead of leaving it blank - empty fields can get your application denied. Be honest and consistent throughout; false or misleading information will also result in denial. Pay extra attention to common trouble spots like your relationship to the inmate and any identifying details they ask for. Need more space? Use an attached sheet.

Once your form is complete, submit it directly to South Florida Reception Center by e-mail or U.S. Mail. Pick one method and send your final version - signed, with all fields filled in - so staff can review it without back-and-forth.

After you submit, wait for the inmate to let you know you've been approved. Don't try to visit before that approval comes through - showing up early won't speed things up, and you'll have wasted the trip.

Common Mistakes

• ✓ Submitting more than one application for the same person
• ✓ Forgetting to sign the form in the space provided
• ✓ Leaving blanks on the form instead of writing “NA” where a question doesn’t apply
• ✓ Putting false or misleading information on the application

Before you hit send, do a slow read from top to bottom. Check that you've written "NA" wherever you would have left a blank, that your answers are consistent across the form, and that you've signed where required. Then confirm you're sending it to South Florida Reception Center via e-mail or U.S. Mail. One clean, complete submission is the fastest path to approval.

Submission Checklist

• ✓ If you’re 12 or older, complete your own visitation application
• ✓ Submit only one form per person (don’t send duplicates)
• ✓ Sign the application in the space provided
• ✓ Submit the completed form by e-mail or U.S. Mail to the institution where you’re requesting to visit
• ✓ Don’t try to visit until the inmate notifies you that your application is approved