Florida Department of Corrections Visitation Guide – FDOC VISITATION

Florida Department of Corrections Visitation Guid 2026

The hard truth: The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) views visitation as a privilege, not a right. They have the strictest entry rules in the country.

We have seen families drive 6 hours, stand in line for 45 minutes, and get turned away because they were wearing the wrong shade of green or had $60 cash instead of $50.

Don’t let that happen to you. Use this guide to navigate the official rules found on FDC.MyFlorida.com.

Florida Department of Corrections Visitation

Phase 1: Getting Approved (The Paperwork)

You cannot simply show up at a prison. You must be on the Approved Visitor List.

1. The Application (Form DC6-111A)

  • How to get it: You cannot download this form yourself. The inmate must mail it to you.

  • The Rule: You must fill it out completely.

  • The “Criminal History” Trap: The form asks about your criminal record. You must list everything—even a traffic ticket that required a court appearance 15 years ago.

  • If they run a background check and find something you didn’t list, you will be denied for “falsifying information.”

  • Submission: Mail the completed form to the Classification Department at the inmate’s current facility.

  • Wait Time: Approval takes 30 to 90 days. The inmate will notify you when you are approved.

Phase 2: The Schedule (When to Go)

Visitation is standard across most major institutions, but timing is critical.

  • Days: Saturday, Sunday, and State-Recognized Holidays.

  • Visitation Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

  • Registration Times: 8:15 AM – 10:30 AM.

    • CRITICAL WARNING: If you arrive after 10:30 AM, you will not be allowed in. We recommend arriving at the parking lot by 7:45 AM to get in line.

Note on Time Zones: Florida has two time zones. Most prisons are EST, but facilities in the Panhandle (like Santa Rosa or Okaloosa) are on Central Time (CST). Double-check before you drive!

Phase 3: The Strict Dress Code (The “Gatekeeper”)

The FDC policy (Procedure 601.714) is extremely specific. Guards have zero tolerance.

✅ The “Safe” Outfit (Wear This):

  • Jeans/Slacks: Loose-fitting, clean, no holes.

  • Shirts: Collared shirts or loose T-shirts with sleeves.

  • Shoes: Closed-toe sneakers or loafers with socks.

  • Undergarments: Must be worn. Ladies, use a sports bra (no wire) to pass the metal detector faster.

❌ The “Turn Away” List (Do NOT Wear This):

  • No Spandex/Lycra: No leggings, jeggings, or tight yoga pants.

  • No “Inmate Colors”: Do not wear an all-blue or all-orange outfit.

  • Shorts/Skirts Limit: They must be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee. If in doubt, wear long pants.

  • No Revealing Cuts: No halter tops, tube tops, tank tops, or cleavage.

  • No Camouflage: Strictly prohibited.

Phase 4: What You Can Bring Inside

You must leave almost everything in your car. Here is the exact list of what is allowed in the visitation park:

  1. Identification: A valid Driver’s License, Passport, or State ID.

  2. Car Key: One single key (or fob). Do not bring your whole keychain.

  3. Money:

    • Limit: Maximum of $50.00 per visitor.

    • Format: Small bills ($1, $5) and silver change only.

    • Why? This is for vending machines. You cannot give cash to the inmate.

  4. Baby Items (If applicable):

    • 3 clear plastic baby bottles (with milk/juice).

    • 1 clear plastic bag with diapers/wipes.

    • 1 clear pacifier.

🚫 PROHIBITED: Cell phones, smartwatches, wallets, purses, tobacco, lighters, and gum. Leave these in your car.

Phase 5: Step-by-Step Arrival Procedure

  1. Park: Lock your car. Hide your phone.

  2. Check In: Walk to the “Visitor Check-In” building.

  3. Process: Present your ID. You will be patted down or scanned.

  4. Entry: Once cleared, you will enter the visitation park. A guard will assign you a specific seat.

  5. Conduct: You may hug/kiss briefly at the start and end. During the visit, you must stay seated. Holding hands is usually permitted (over the table), but keep it respectful.

Helpful Resources & Links

  • Official Visitation Page: FDC Visiting Information (Check here for emergency cancellations).

  • Inmate Locator: FDOC Offender Search.

  • Facility Locator: Use this to find the address and phone number of the specific prison.

  • Send Money: JPay / Securus (Use this for commissary funds, not visitation cash).

Common Questions About FDOC Visitation

If you are searching for answers, you probably have one of these specific questions. Here is the quick truth for each.

FDOC Visitation Form & Application

Many people search for the “FDOC Visitation Application Form” hoping to download a PDF and mail it in today.

  • The Reality: The official document is Form DC6-111A.

  • How to Get It: You usually cannot just download it. The inmate must mail it to you. This is because the form often needs to be logged by the classification officer before it is sent out.

  • What to Do: Ask your loved one to send you the “visitation application” immediately. Once you get it, fill it out in black ink and mail it back to the prison’s Classification Department.

FDOC Visitation Form Online

Everyone asks: “Can I fill out the FDOC visitation form online?”

  • The Answer: No.

  • Why: The Florida Department of Corrections does not currently have a digital portal for visitation applications. You must use the physical paper form and the US Mail. If you see a site claiming to let you “apply online” for a fee, it is likely a scam.

FDOC Visitation Rules & Dress Code

The “FDOC Visitation Rules” are strict, but the “Dress Code” is the #1 reason people get rejected.

  • The Simple Rule: If it’s tight, short, or see-through, don’t wear it.

  • The “No-Go” List: No spandex, no leggings, no tank tops, and absolutely no blue or orange clothing (these are inmate colors).

  • Shoes: Wear closed-toe shoes with backs (sneakers are best). No flip-flops.

FDOC Visitation Request

A “Visitation Request” is just another name for the application process.

  • Processing Time: Once you mail your request (Form DC6-111A), it takes 30 to 90 days to process.

  • Approval: You will not get a letter. The inmate will be notified, and they have to tell you. Do not drive to the prison until the inmate confirms you are on the list.

FDOC Visitation Holidays

Yes, you can visit on major holidays!

  • The Schedule: Visitation is usually open on New Year’s Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

  • Note: If a holiday falls on a weekday (like a Tuesday), they often open for visitation that day. Always check the facility’s specific calendar first.

FDOC Visitation Email

Can you email the prison to set up a visit or check your status?

  • The Answer: No.

  • The Reality: Visitation approvals are not handled by email. You cannot email the warden to ask if you are approved.

  • You must wait for the inmate to tell you, or (in rare cases) you can try calling the classification department, though they rarely answer visitation questions over the phone.

Summary Checklist for Your Trip:

  • [ ] Am I on the Approved List?

  • [ ] Is the prison on lockdown? (Check the website).

  • [ ] Do I have my ID?

  • [ ] Is my skirt/shorts longer than 3 inches above the knee?

  • [ ] Do I have exactly $50 or less in small bills?

  • [ ] Did I leave my phone in the car?

Disclaimer: This guide is a simplified explanation of FDC Procedure 601.714. We are a private resource. Rules are subject to change by the Warden at any time. Always verify with the official facility.