How to Visit Someone at Tarrant County Jail: When to Arrive, Cutoff Times, and What to Expect

Plan to arrive early and budget extra time for check-in, because the jail has firm processing cutoffs. Once you’re in, local visits are limited to one 30-minute visit per day per inmate.

Sign-up opens 30 minutes before visiting hours. That window fills fast once people start lining up. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to sign up and get through processing without rushing.

1. Get there early - plan to be on-site at least 30 minutes before visiting hours start.
2. Sign up as soon as the window opens - visitor sign-up begins 30 minutes prior to the start of visiting hours.
3. Stay in the building once you’ve checked in - visitors must remain in the building, and no in-and-out re-entry is permitted.

The jail also enforces strict "last processed" times - these cutoffs end before visiting hours do. For evening sessions that run until 9:00 p.m., visitors won't be processed after 8:30 p.m. On Fridays during the 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. window, processing stops at 2:30 p.m. Show up after the cutoff and you'll be turned away, even if visiting hours are technically still open.

Local visitors get one 30-minute visit per day per inmate, regardless of how many people come along. There's also a weekly limit: each inmate can receive up to three visits per week (attorney, law enforcement, and professional visits don't count toward this cap). A supervisor can approve exceptions.

• ✓ Plan your group size: a maximum of two adults and no more than two children (17 or younger) may visit at one time.

During processing, staff verify you're authorized to visit and meet the facility's requirements. One rule catches people off guard: if you've been incarcerated in a Tarrant County detention facility within the past six months, you won't be allowed to visit. Once you're checked in, follow the visitation rules - staff can end your visit if conduct becomes a problem. Also, there's no re-entry once you're inside. Bring water, diapers, or anything else you'll need for kids before you go in.

Some visits follow different rules. Attorney and law enforcement visits are permitted Wednesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and attorneys can visit whenever needed. Hospital visits are allowed Sunday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If the inmate is in intensive care or another special care unit, only immediate family members may visit, and the hospital's own policy applies.

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Arrive at least 30 minutes early so you’re there when visitor sign-up begins.
• ✓ Plan around the processing cutoff times (for example, no processing after 8:30 p.m. for visits that run until 9:00 p.m., and no processing after 2:30 p.m. for Friday’s 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. period).
• ✓ Make sure you’re eligible to visit: visitors who were incarcerated in a Tarrant County detention facility within the past six months are not authorized.
• ✓ Be ready to follow conduct rules and stay orderly throughout the visit.
• ✓ Once you enter, plan to stay inside - visitors must remain in the building and no in-and-out re-entry is permitted.

1. Check the time and be honest about your arrival - if you’re already past the processing cutoff (8:30 p.m. for a 9:00 p.m. end time, or 2:30 p.m. for Friday’s 3:00 p.m. end time), don’t count on being processed.
2. Reschedule for the next visiting period - arriving after the cutoff usually means you’ll need to come back another day.
3. Ask for a Supervisor if you have a specific question - especially if you believe you should still be eligible to visit but are being denied.