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Visiting Application and FAQ for Visiting a Florida DOC Inmate

Visiting Applications and Rules for Visiting a Florida Department of Corrections State Inmate

  1. Complete a visitation application form (DC6-111A):
    Please Be Advised! There are several non-authorized Websites providing outdated Visitation Forms, unlike InmateAid. Make certain to use official forms only available through the Florida Department of Corrections.

    The inmate you wish to visit must send you a current official application or, you may complete an application online. The electronic application can be located on the Florida Department of Corrections Website/Offender Search/Inmate Population Information Search/Inmate Population Information Detail page. An application must be completed by all visitors 12 years of age or older. DO NOT LEAVE BLANKS. Doing so will cause your application to be DENIED. When items do not apply, write in NA (not applicable).

    The application form consists of two parts: Form numbers DC6-111A and DC6-111B. You complete and submit the DC6-111A. The DC6-111B is a visitor information summary which should be reviewed and retained by the visitor.

    How do I submit my visitation application?

  2. Completed applications (DC6-111A) should be mailed to the Classification Department at the inmate's current location (see the Statewide Facility Directory for address information). A completed, printed and signed application may also be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail to the inmate?s current location. Institutional e-mail addresses for visitation applications utilize the following format: visitapp(facility)@fdc.myflorida.com. For example, the Calhoun CI email will be visitappcalhounci@fdc.myflorida.com; or the South Florida Reception Center email will be visitappsfrc@fdc.myflorida.com.

    Note! Under no circumstances shall the visitation application e-mail addresses be utilized to send correspondence to the inmate or any institutional staff. The visitation application e-mail address is for the receipt of visitation applications exclusively. Any documents other than visitation applications sent to these addresses will be discarded.

    The E-mail addresses for private correctional facilities are as follows:

  3. How long does it take to process a visiting application?
    It takes approximately 30 days to process an application from the date it is received.
  4. Can more than one visitor fill out the same application?
    No. Each person wishing to visit must fill out a separate application.
  5. Who will notify me if I am either approved or disapproved to visit?
    When a decision is made regarding your application, a notice is given to the inmate. The inmate will notify you either by phone or correspondence.
  6. What are some of the things that can disqualify me?
    To list a few, a criminal history, providing false or inaccurate information on a visiting application, mailing an incomplete application, etc. Possessing a criminal record will not automatically disqualify you for visitation. The nature, extent, and recency of criminal offenses are taken into consideration. However, as of January 8, 2007, offenders must be discharged from community supervision for at least one year prior to being eligible for consideration.
  7. Can I be on the approved visiting list of more than one inmate? 
    A visitor will not be permitted to be on more than one inmate’s approved visiting record unless they are immediate family members. If you are already on the approved list of a non-family member, you may be added to the list of a family member. However, you may not be added to the list of a non-family member if you are already on an approved visiting list, family or otherwise.

Visitation can often be the deciding factor of an inmate's successful rehabilitation.  Visitation not only gives the inmate something to look forward to but helps them maintain relationships with those who matter most, friends and family members.  But for those on the outside, even the thought of visiting a correctional facility can be overwhelming, and many people don't know where to start.  We have assembled the most important things you need to know if you plan on visiting an inmate incarcerated in Florida.

•    Anyone wishing to visit an inmate must complete a Florida Visitation Application DC6-111A.  This form can be obtained only by requesting it from the inmate directly, we provide an outdated sample Florida Inmate visitors application on our site as a reference only (Do Not Use).
•    The visitor's application must be filled out by anyone 12 and older who will attend a visitation session.
•    You may not attend visitation until your application is approved.
•    Application approval usually takes no more than 30 days.
•    The inmate is responsible for informing you of the status of your application (of either approved or denied).
•    The application should be mailed to the Classification Department of the institution the inmate is currently incarcerated in.
•    If you provide false, misleading or inaccurate information your application may be denied.
•    Visitors may only be on one inmate's visitation list at a time.
•    Anyone visiting the institution 17 and over must provide a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, Military ID or passport.
•    Minors or anyone under the age of 17 must bring a birth certificate and school photo ID (if available) with them to visitation, and be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also on the visiting list for the inmate.
•    A single car key, your ID and up to $50 in small bills may be in your possession when visiting an inmate.  The money may not be given to the inmate, but can be used to purchase food items from the vending machines.
Some additional things you may need to know when visiting an inmate in Florida:
•    If a baby is accompanying you to visitation you are allowed to bring up to five diapers, three clear plastic baby bottles (or two sippy cups for toddlers), one clear pacifier, three clear baby foods with intact seals, and baby wipes in a clear bag.  Also, one set of babies clothing, one blanket, and a baby carrier may come with you.  All these items are subject to search.
•    Under no circumstances are you to give the inmate any items.
•    Tobacco and related products such as matches and lighters are not allowed within the institution.
•    All visitors, their belongings, and car may be searched.  Everyone must pass through a metal detector.
Dress Code and Rules for Visiting Florida Inmates
All visitors must follow the institution's dress code to be permitted to enter into visitation.  Remember, visitation is a privilege, not a right.  The institution may revoke anyone's visiting privileges for bad behavior, for not following the dress code, or for attempting to introduce contraband to the facility.
•    Talking to an inmate or visitor other than the person you are approved to visit is prohibited.
•    Any clothing that closely resembles the inmate's clothes or the staff's clothes is prohibited.  Uniforms such as military or doctors/nurse scrubs are restricted from being worn.
•    Some visitors have reported that wearing plain white t-shirts are not allowed.
•    Any clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, cleavage, thighs or exposes excessive skin is not allowed.
•    Spandex, leggings, tube tops, tank tops, fishnet sheer or see-through clothing is prohibited, anyone wearing these will not be given admittance to visitation.
•    Skirts, shorts, and dresses that are 3 inches or more above the knee or have a slit above the knee are not allowed.
•    If your clothing contains offensive language or images you will not be allowed to visit.
Remember, it is the discretion of the staff to interpret the dress code.  What may have been allowed to slide one time by staff could be restricted by a different staff member on a different visit.  Because of this, we encourage everyone to bring a change of clothes and leave them in your car.  This will enable you to quickly change if the staff disagree with something you are wearing.
If you are visiting an inmate in Florida and have a question, or have already visited your inmate and would like to share your experience, please post it below.  If you know of some other useful information you want to share with other potential visitors, leave us a comment below.

What to Expect

Before you visit an FDC facility you should expect:

  • Brief Questioning
  • Metal Detection
  • Pat Search
  • Barrier Search

Questioning

Upon entering the search area, each visitor will be asked a series of questions. The purpose of these questions is to ensure you as the visitor, or the minor child that is accompanying you, is not in violation of Florida Statue 944.47: Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Institution. Examples include cash money, cell phones, drugs of any type, tobacco and weapons. If you don’t check it in with the staff, don’t bring it in!

Anyone violating this statue is subject to arrest and may be charged with a third-degree felony.

Search Procedure

All of our institutions require that any person visiting an inmate be searched. All of these searches are performed with the safety of the visitors, staff and inmates in mind.

Our goal is to arrest anyone who deliberately introduces contraband into our institutions. Contraband creates violent incidents that could cause harm to your loved one, or even death.

Search Procedure for Children

Our procedures require that all persons (to include minor children) be subjected to some form of search. A parent or guardian will be present during the search of any minor child.

Metal Detection

After a staff member has searched your authorized personal items, you will then be directed to pass through a form, or multiple forms, of metal detection. FDC currently utilizes a walk-through metal detector and a hand-held metal detector. Once you are scanned by a metal detector, you will be required to pass the Magneto Static Detector (a machine that detects cell phones and other devices).

All alerts must be verified. If you cannot pass both detectors without an alert, the source of the alarm must be isolated or you will not be permitted entrance. **Having wire in an undergarment will subject you to a more enhanced search.

If the alarm is caused by a medical implant that is not visible to the human eye, a note from a certified physician will be required. The physician whose name appears on the note will be verified.

Pat Search

After metal detection, you will be directed to a separate room for a clothed, pat search by a staff member of the same sex. During this pat search you will be asked to remove all exterior clothing such as jackets, sweaters, scarfs, shoes, etc.

Barrier Search

You may be directed to an area where a canine handler is present. The canine is trained in the detection of drugs and cell phones. The handler, along with a highly trained canine will be standing behind a fence barrier. You will be asked to stand next to and in front of the barrier. If the canine alerts that contraband may be present, a more thorough search will be conducted, to possibly include an unclothed search and a search of your vehicle.

Once you have cleared...

...you will then be permitted entrance into the visiting park. Remember, all of these searches are necessary and are performed with the safety of the visitors, staff, and inmates in mind.

Using the Restroom

At any time during your visit that you utilize the restroom, you will be subject to another pat search upon entering/exiting.

See Something/Say Something

Report any suspicious activity or rule violations to a staff member in order to help us provide a safer environment for your loved one.