What Happens if I Forget to Include the Inmate ID Number?

Forgetting the inmate ID number on a letter is a common mistake and in most cases it can be corrected before the letter goes out.

If you catch the error quickly, log into your InmateAid account and add the inmate number to the profile before the letter is processed. Letters are typically processed the following business day, so there is usually a window to make that correction. You can also contact InmateAid directly with the number and we will add it before mailing.

Sending a letter to a correctional facility without an inmate ID number is not a good idea. Facilities process a high volume of mail and route it by ID number rather than by name alone. A letter with only a name and no ID number can end up undeliverable, particularly at larger facilities with multiple inmates who may share similar names. The mail room has no obligation to track down the right person, and the letter will likely be returned or discarded.

Getting the inmate ID number on the profile before placing future orders ensures this does not happen again. If you are not sure of the correct number, most state and federal department of corrections websites have inmate locators that will return the ID number from a name search.