Plan a jail visit
A successful visit begins with the right facility, a confirmed appointment and the correct documents for every visitor.
- 01Confirm housing and eligibility.
- 02Book every visitor in IVVS.
- 03Prepare for early check-in.
Register and confirm the appointment
- Confirm current housing. IRC does not offer public social visits; do not book a trip to an intake location as if it were a housing visit.
- Register in LASD’s Inmate Visitation Scheduling System (IVVS), add the person and every proposed visitor, then choose an available appointment. Scheduling opens up to seven days ahead.
- Check for Confirmed status. A registration, request or saved draft is not an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted. Recheck the confirmation and housing before leaving.
Adults and children need the right documents
- Accepted adult ID categories include a valid driver license, California ID, military ID, passport/visa, Mexican consular ID or permanent resident card. Confirm an unusual document before traveling.
- Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Include each child in the appointment. LASD’s guidance lists a birth certificate for children under 15 and school, state or passport ID for those over 15. It does not clearly specify age 15; ask the visiting desk before traveling.
- If a child is accompanied by someone other than a parent, confirm the guardian and notarized-authorization requirements directly. A letter alone may not satisfy the guardian requirement.
- A prior felony, probation or parole can require advance visiting clearance. For Men’s Central, contact its Legal Unit; for other facilities ask IVVS or the visiting desk which approval process applies.
- Men’s Central Legal Unit
- (213) 974-0103
Timing and belongings
Arrive 60 minutes before the appointment at Men’s Central and the Pitchess facilities, including NCCF. Arrive 30 minutes early at Twin Towers or Century Regional. Confirm the appointment-specific instructions; allow additional time for travel, parking and campus transport.
Leave phones, cameras, recording devices, purses and backpacks out of the visiting area. Wear shirts and shoes and avoid prohibited gang-related or inappropriate clothing. Do not depend on a locker without confirming availability, size and payment. Ask about essential medical equipment or infant supplies in advance.
Accessibility and appointment help
Contact the ADA coordinator before booking or travel to describe a mobility, hearing, communication or other access need. Ask which entrance and transport arrangements apply to the specific facility. A location’s general accessible-parking listing does not verify the entire route to visiting.
- IVVS Help Desk
- (213) 680-4887
Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Pacific, excluding holidays.
- IVVS email
- IVVSPublicHelpDesk@lasd.org
- ADA coordinator
- (213) 972-2200
Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Pacific, excluding holidays.
- ADA email
- ivvsAda@lasd.org
Confirm their current facility.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Live records, appointments and transactions are handled by the responsible agency or provider.
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