How to Schedule Your First Visit at a VADOC Facility (step-by-step)

Getting your first visit at a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) facility takes two steps. First, submit a visitor application to the Central Visitation Unit for approval. Once approved, you'll schedule your visit online through the Visitation Scheduler.

Before Start

• ✓ The inmate’s first and/or last name or inmate ID number
• ✓ Your Social Security Number
• ✓ At least one form of valid government-issued picture ID that matches your visitation application
• ✓ Acceptable ID examples: driver’s license; military ID; other official picture ID issued by a federal or state agency
• ✓ Passport (acceptable only for those who do not reside in the United States)

Block out 20–30 minutes to complete the online application. You can't save a draft and return later, so finish it in one sitting.

Every visitor needs the right application on file before visiting. Adults submit the Adult Visitor Application and Background Investigation Authorization (851_F1). Minors submit the Minor Visitor Application and Background Investigation Authorization (851_F6) - and a minor's application must be attached to an adult's application on the visitation form site.

Approval takes time, so don't wait until the last minute. Virginia residents should allow about 45 days for processing. Out-of-state applicants need to allow about 90 days.

Your approval doesn't last forever - it expires three years after the approval date. To avoid gaps, submit a new application at least 45 days before expiration if you're in Virginia, or 90 days before if you're out of state.

1. Go to the Visitation Scheduler and sign in (or register) - If you’re a new user, choose the “Register Today” option.
2. Submit your registration and watch for the status message - After you register, you’ll see a notification that your request is “waiting for approval.”
3. Schedule your visit after you’re approved - Once approved, you can pick an available date and time to visit.

• ✓ You can schedule visits up to 14 days in advance.
• ✓ You’re permitted a maximum of one visit per weekend.

Day of Visit

• ✓ Arrive one hour before your scheduled visit time for security screening.
• ✓ Bring at least one valid government-issued picture ID that matches the information on your visitation application.
• ✓ Don’t bring food or drinks - none are allowed inside, and you won’t have access to vending machines.

Feeling like things are taking too long? Processing times are the usual culprit. Virginia residents should expect about 45 days; out-of-state applicants, about 90 days. If you just created a Visitation Scheduler account, that's separate - you should hear back within three working days.