How to Schedule Your First Visit at St. Brides Correctional Center (VADOC steps to apply, schedule, and prepare)

Before visiting St. Brides Correctional Center, you need approval from VADOC's Central Visitation Unit. This applies to everyone - new visitors, people renewing privileges, adults, and minors alike. Start with the online visitor application. You'll submit either the adult or minor application along with the required Background Investigation Authorization. No visit happens until the Central Visitation Unit reviews and approves your paperwork.

Your approval doesn't last forever - it expires three years after the approval date. To avoid a gap in your visiting privileges, submit a new application ahead of time. If you live in Virginia, start at least 45 days before expiration. Out of state? Give yourself at least 90 days.

1. Complete the online visitor application - Use the appropriate form (adult or minor) through the VADOC public website.
2. Submit the Background Investigation Authorization - This authorization must be submitted along with the visitor application for Central Visitation Unit review.
3. Wait for Central Visitation Unit approval - You must be approved before staff will permit you to visit.
4. Schedule your visit online once approved - After approval, use the scheduling system to select an available date and time for your in-person visit.

St. Brides offers visitation on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. Once you're approved, book your slot quickly - weekend and holiday times fill up fast.

Minors need their own approval - they can't just tag along on an adult's visit. To apply for a child, attach the minor's application to an adult application. Children go through the same Central Visitation Unit approval process, including the online application and Background Investigation Authorization.

For contact visits, VADOC only approves minors who are the inmate's immediate family. Under Operating Procedure 851.1, "Immediate Family" includes parents (including step and adoptive), grandparents (including step), lawful spouse, biological/step/legally adopted children and grandchildren, and biological/half/step/legally adopted siblings. Disputes about immediate-family status? Operating Procedure 851.1 says the Corrections Operations Administrator makes the final call.

• ✓ Attach the minor’s application to an adult application when you apply.
• ✓ Make sure the minor is approved and registered before you try to schedule or attend a visit.
• ✓ Bring the child with the correct adult: the parent, legal guardian, or an accompanying adult who is an approved visitor.

Arrive one hour before your scheduled visit. VADOC recommends this buffer for security screening - show up late and you might lose your visit entirely. Leave food and drinks in the car. They're not allowed inside.

• ✓ Bring at least one valid photo ID that matches the information on your visitor application.
• ✓ Driver’s license
• ✓ Passport (only for people who do not reside in the United States)
• ✓ Military ID
• ✓ Other official picture ID issued by a federal or state agency

VADOC sometimes cancels visitation for specific housing units or buildings, even when the rest of the facility is running normally. These cancellations affect both in-person and video visits, and they're posted on the VADOC website. Check for notices before making a long drive - especially if your loved one is in a unit listed under an active cancellation.

1. Check VADOC’s posted visitation updates - Look specifically for St. Brides facility updates and any housing-unit or building cancellations.
2. Confirm the visit is still on - If anything looks unclear, verify before you leave.
3. Re-check right before you travel - Cancellations can be posted temporarily, so a quick last check can save you a wasted trip.