How to Apply for Visiting Approval at Virginia Corrections Facility for Women
Before you can visit at Virginia Corrections Facility for Women, you need to be approved as a visitor. The process is online, reviewed by the Virginia DOC Central Visitation Unit, and renewals follow a set timeline—so start early.
Everyone who plans to visit - adults and minors alike - must be approved first. You'll submit a visitor application online through the DOC public website, and the Central Visitation Unit (CVU) has to approve it before facility staff will let you in.
Minors aren't automatically covered under an adult's approval. Each child needs their own application, which must be attached to an adult's application. Once approved, minors must be accompanied during visits - by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult who's already approved.
- Complete the correct application online - Submit either an Adult Visitor Application (for adults) or a Minor Visitor Application (for children) through the Virginia DOC public website.
- Submit and wait for review - Your application goes to the Central Visitation Unit for approval, and you won’t be allowed to visit until that approval is granted.
ID & name match: For video visitation, anyone 18 or older needs a valid government-issued photo ID and must register using their legal name.
Once you submit your application online, it goes to the Central Visitation Unit at DOC Headquarters. CVU reviews and approves all visitor applications before anyone can enter DOC facilities.
CVU checks your criminal history and other records during the review. The bottom line: approval must happen first. Showing up without it can mean getting turned away at the door.
Reminder: Don’t schedule travel around a visit until your application has been approved by CVU.
Visiting approval doesn't last forever. Applications expire three years after the approval date. If you've visited before, check whether your approval is still current before planning a trip.
- ✓ If you live in Virginia, submit a new, updated visitor application online at least 45 days before your approval expires.
- ✓ Build in extra time so your visitation privileges continue without interruption.
- ✓ If you live out of state, submit a new, updated visitor application online at least 90 days before your approval expires.
- ✓ Plan ahead to avoid a gap in visitation privileges.
Even after approval, the visitation situation can shift. Virginia DOC says institutions typically allow visits on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays - but procedures vary by facility and can change anytime. Facility-specific updates may cancel both in-person and video visits for certain housing units. Check for updates close to your planned visit date.
If your approval is taking longer than expected, follow up. Contact the Central Visitation Unit for status updates, or reach out to the facility directly to confirm whether you're cleared to visit.
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