Reviewed on: April 03,2026
Send Inmate Mail

Do I Need to Give My Address for an Inmate to Write Back?

Do I have to set up my mailing address on this site in order for an inmate to send a letter back?

No.
Ask The Inmate
Answered by a former federal inmate · 14+ years advising families
✓ Verified answer September 10,2013 · Send Inmate Mail
1

No. You do not need to provide your personal mailing address anywhere on InmateAid for your inmate to write back to you.

All letters sent through InmateAid go out with InmateAid's return address on the envelope, not yours. When your inmate wants to reply, they write back to that address. When the letter arrives, we scan it and post it directly to your account. You receive an email notification and read the reply by logging into the site.

This setup also means your home address never has to appear on prison mail room records, which is something many people prefer for privacy reasons.

Accepted Answer Date Created: September 10,2013
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About this answer: This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice. Last reviewed April 2026.