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Inmate Visitation Applications

If you are planning on visiting an inmate in prison, but not sure where to start, in most cases it begins with a Visitation Application. We have all the available applications links directly from the State and Federal websites. Most you can just download and then print from your computer. 

Once you have filled them out, you will need to either mail them to the inmate, or the address specified within the application. Be sure you read over the entire visitor's application, and fill it out legibly and accurately.  Do not apply if you are afraid you might have an outstanding warrant. Definitely don't lie on the application, as it can result in you being denied visitation or worse.  

Here are some of the reasons you might be denied visitation with an inmate:
•    You have recently served time in a correctional facility
•    You are on probation
•    You are on bond awaiting a pending court case
•    You have a protective order against you or the inmate
•    You have an outstanding warrant
•    You are a victim of the offender
•    You have been deemed a safety or security risk

After sending in your Application you can expect to wait up to four weeks for it to be reviewed.  The Department of Corrections is running these through a government background check.  Don't expect a response from the DOC either. Most institutions leave it up to the inmate to inform all applicants if they have been approved or denied visitation, so you won't be getting a letter in the mail from the facility. Stay in contact with the inmate through the phone or through letters to learn your status.

Inmate visitor applications by state
The following applications are mostly available in .pdf format, which will require a pdf reader to view.

Federal Prisons Inmate visitation application

  • An inmate is given a Visitor Information Form when he/she arrives at a new facility.
  • Inmate completes their portion of the form and mails a copy to each potential visitor.
  • Potential visitor sends the completed form back to the inmate's address (listed on the form).
  • They may request more background information and possibly contact other law enforcement agencies or the NCIC 
  • The inmate is told when a person is not approved to visit and it is the inmate's responsibility to notify that person.

Alabama
Alaska (not available online must request from an inmate)
Arizona online application
Arkansas online procedures 
California Guidelines
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida 
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana 
Maine
Maryland (not available online must request from an inmate)
Massachusetts

Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi (not available online must request from an inmate)
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey (inmate must request you be added to visitation, mail a letter with your date of birth and include your address on your photo ID)
New Mexico
New York (no application required)
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
(inmate needs to fill out the form)
Rhode Island
South Carolina
(visitation form 19-127, must be requested from the inmate)
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas (inmates must request you be added to their visitation list, send them a letter with your date of birth and include your address)
Utah
Vermont (inmate must fill out the form, this is a just sample to show you what information you should mail them)
Virginia - paper visitor applications are no longer accepted.  All applications must be completed online.
Washington
West Virginia

Wisconsin - All persons who wish to visit an inmate must be listed on the inmate's approved visitors list, per Administrative Code Ch. 309.08.  A completed DOC-21AA Visitor Questionnaire must be submitted for all prospective visitors, including minor children.  It is the inmate's responsibility to obtain and mail the DOC-21AA to a prospective visitor.  Proposed visitors must return the completed form to the institution for processing.  If approved, inmates will be notified that a visitor has been added to their visiting list.  Applicants may be denied approval for visitation on a number of grounds, which are specified in state administrative code.  Applicants who are denied approval will receive a written notice.
Wyoming