Sourced from CDCR's statewide rules. Facility-specific details always win — check your facility's page.
Getting approved
Can I just show up and visit?
No. You must be approved first. The incarcerated person requests CDCR Form 106, signs it, and mails it to you — you can't start the process yourself.
Do I have to list an arrest that never led to charges?
Yes. CDCR requires all arrests and all convictions, even ones with no charges filed. Leaving anything off is a common reason for denial.
I have a felony conviction — can I still visit?
Possibly. Disclose it fully on the form, and call the facility's Visiting Sergeant before making travel plans. Former inmates also need the Warden's written permission.
I'm on probation or parole — can I visit?
Ask first. You'll generally need approval from your supervising agent, and rules vary. Call the Visiting Sergeant before applying.
How long does approval take?
It varies by facility volume and staffing — CDCR publishes no deadline. Plan for weeks, not days, and apply well before any planned trip.
I was denied. Now what?
Your denial letter states the reason. You can reapply, or appeal in writing to the Warden — they must respond within 15 working days. A further appeal goes to CDCR's Division of Adult Institutions in Sacramento.
My loved one transferred after I was approved — do I start over?
Contact the new facility's visiting staff before assuming anything. Don't travel until they confirm your status carries over.
Scheduling
How do I book a visit?
Through CDCR's Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA). Booking windows vary by facility — many open about 8 days before the visit date and close about 5 days before.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
At some facilities, yes — but walk-ins are first-come and never guaranteed, and some housing units (like restricted housing) don't allow them at all. Check your facility's page.
The facility might be on lockdown — how do I check?
Check the facility's live CDCR visiting status page the day before AND the morning of your visit. It shows current open/closed status with a last-updated time.
What if I'm late?
Most facilities give about a 15-minute grace window, then move you to the walk-in line; 30+ minutes late usually means losing the visit. A few differ — Centinela allows an hour — so check your facility.
Day of the visit
What ID do I need?
One valid government photo ID per adult: a driver's license or DMV ID from any state, passport, armed forces ID, ICE ID, or Mexican Consulate ID.
What do I need to bring for my child?
A certified copy of their birth certificate — some facilities require it at every single visit. If you're not the child's parent or legal guardian, you also need a notarized consent form from them, renewed yearly.
How much cash can I bring?
CDCR's statewide rule is $100 per adult and $50 per minor, in dollar bills, dollar coins, and quarters only. A few facilities differ slightly — check your facility's page and confirm before travel.
Can I bring my phone?
Almost never into the visiting room, and some facilities (like Ironwood) ban phones anywhere on the grounds. Leave it in your car.
What should I absolutely not wear?
Blue denim or chambray, anything resembling law-enforcement or military clothing, anything tight, sheer, or revealing, and anything metal that can't come off — underwire bras and metal buttons are the classic gate failures.
What happens if my outfit is rejected?
You can ask for the Visiting Sergeant or Lieutenant to make the final call, borrow clothing from the Friends Outside visitor center if it's staffed, or change into the backup outfit you kept in the car. Always keep a backup outfit in the car.
Can I bring food?
No outside food or drinks. You can buy from visiting-room vending machines with your cash, but that food can't leave the room either.
Can I give my loved one photos or documents?
You can bring up to 10 photos (max 8x10, no Polaroids) and 10 pages of documents to show them, but everything must leave with you. Staff will read documents. For handing over legal papers, use the facility's Litigation Coordinator instead.
Special situations
My loved one is in restricted housing (RHU / Ad-Seg).
Visits are usually non-contact, shorter (often one hour), appointment-only with no walk-ins, and sometimes on different days than general visiting. Check your facility's page and call before traveling.
What are family (overnight) visits?
Extended visits for eligible immediate family, applied for by the incarcerated person through their correctional counselor — not something a visitor can book. Eligibility depends on their custody status and record.
I live very far away — is there anything for me?
Ask your facility. San Quentin runs a Long Distance Visit program for visitors 250+ miles away (three consecutive days, monthly, booked by email 30 days ahead). CDCR also sometimes allows emergency visits for unexpected long-distance travelers, at the Visiting Sergeant's discretion — but don't count on it.
I need a notary or to serve legal documents.
That goes through the facility's Litigation Coordinator, not the visiting office. Every facility page on this site lists its Litigation Coordinator's phone, fax, and email.
Who do I contact if I think the facility got something wrong?
Start with the Visiting Sergeant. If unresolved, CDCR's Office of the Ombudsman handles complaints: (916) 445-1773.
Rules change and facilities add their own local rules — when in doubt, call the Visiting Sergeant.
Find your facility →