Bringing Children to Visit at Stanislaus County Detention Facilities: Rules and Required Documents

Kids can't visit alone. A minor must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian - and that adult needs to already be an approved visitor. You'll need to prove the relationship when you arrive. Bring an original or certified copy of the child's birth certificate, or documentation showing legal guardianship. Here's where people get tripped up: every minor must be listed on the visitor request form and approved before the visit. Show up with the right paperwork but without prior approval? You'll likely be turned away at check-in.

• ✓ Approved visitor status for the accompanying parent/legal guardian
• ✓ Original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, or proof of guardianship
• ✓ Valid government-issued identification for the adult visitor (required each time you visit)
• ✓ An email address (required to register for visitor approval and to schedule visitation)
• ✓ Make sure the minor is listed on the visitor request form before approval

Visitor limits vary by housing location, so count heads before you schedule. At the Sheriff's Detention Center (PSC East & West), REACT, and the Sheriff's Visitation Center, a maximum of 4 visitors can attend at once. Minimum Housing Units 1 and 2 are stricter - only 3 visitors maximum (contact visiting for details). Two adults plus two kids already exceeds that limit.

Visiting more than one incarcerated person? You'll need to plan carefully. Each visitor can only see one incarcerated person per day, so you may need to split visits across days or rotate which adult attends. Keep privacy in mind when scheduling visits with children. Public video visits are monitored and recorded - stick to kid-appropriate topics and avoid sharing sensitive personal details.

1. Submit the visitor request form early - approval is processed within 72 business hours, and you don’t want to be stuck waiting right before your planned visit.
2. Use an email address for registration and scheduling - an email is required to register for visitor approval and to schedule visitation.
3. Pick your visit day with the “one person per day” limit in mind - if your family is visiting multiple incarcerated people, plan separate days or decide who you’re prioritizing.
4. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time - that extra time is part of the facility’s check-in expectations and reduces the chance you’ll miss your slot.

4

• ✓ Bring the required relationship document for the child (original/certified birth certificate or proof of guardianship)
• ✓ Bring your valid government ID (required each time you visit)
• ✓ Make sure you have an email address set up for registration/scheduling
• ✓ Confirm the child is listed on the visitor request form before approval
• ✓ Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in

The fastest way to get turned away? Showing up before your kids are approved. Make sure every minor is listed on the visitor request form ahead of time, and bring the original or certified birth certificate (or guardianship documents) on visit day. If you're a legal guardian rather than a parent, give yourself extra time to gather the right proof. Having your paperwork ready - and your kids already approved - means check-in stays focused on the visit, not last-minute scrambling.