How to Visit Someone in a Southern California County Jail

To visit someone in a Southern California county jail, you almost always need to schedule ahead, either by phone or through an online system, and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Walk-in visits are generally not allowed. Each county Sheriff sets its own rules for scheduling, dress, children and video visits, so check the official page for the specific jail before you go.

Below is a county-by-county overview, based on each Sheriff's published rules. Rules change often, so treat this as a starting point.

Before you visit anywhere

• Find the person and their booking number. Most scheduling systems ask for it. Our guide to finding someone in jail explains each county's locator.
• Confirm which facility they are in. People get moved, and each jail has its own schedule.
• Bring valid photo ID. Every county below requires it.
• Dress conservatively. Every county below can turn you away for clothing it considers inappropriate.
• Arrive early. Check-in times are strict, and late visitors can lose their slot.
• Bring as little as possible. Expect to be searched. Weapons, drugs, alcohol and contraband are prohibited, and bringing them can lead to arrest.
• Visits can be recorded or monitored. Don't discuss the case.

Riverside County

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office says to call the visiting number listed on each facility's page between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., one day before the visit you want. For the Robert Presley Detention Center in downtown Riverside, the scheduling number is (951) 341-8888.

• ID: Valid picture identification is required, including any government ID card.
• Dress: Clothing must cover the upper torso and lower body. Visitors who don't follow the dress code are turned away.
• Searches: Visitors may be searched and are subject to warrant checks.
• Children: The Sheriff's pages set an age minimum and rules for minors. Check the facility page before bringing a child.

Official pages: Riverside County Jail Visiting and Schedules.

San Bernardino County

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department says visits must be scheduled one day before the visit. You can schedule online through the Inmate Locator, which is open from Tuesday at midnight through Saturday at 11:59 p.m., or by calling (909) 887-0364 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

• ID: Valid photo ID issued by a city, state or federal agency, such as a driver's license, DMV ID card, consulate ID or passport.
• Dress: The Sheriff lists prohibited items including gang attire, hats, sheer clothing, tank tops, halter or strapless tops, and shorts, skirts or dresses shorter than mid-thigh. Shoes are required.
• Arrival: The Sheriff asks visitors to arrive 30 minutes early to check in.
• Children: Minors must be with a responsible adult and kept within arm's reach.

Official pages: San Bernardino County Inmate Locator and visit scheduling. This covers jails such as West Valley Detention Center.

Orange County

The Orange County Sheriff's Department schedules in-person visits by phone, at least 24 hours in advance, and asks you to have the booking number ready. Each jail has its own scheduling line. For the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana, it is (714) 647-6050, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• ID: Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID, passport or consular card. The Sheriff's FAQ says an expired ID is not accepted.
• Dress: Clothing that is derogatory, offensive, revealing or considered inappropriate by staff is not allowed.
• Visitors: Up to two adults and two minors per inmate. Children must be supervised at all times.
• Video visits: The Sheriff offers video visitation through an outside vendor, ViaPath (GTL). The Sheriff says all video visits are subject to monitoring and recording.

Official pages: IRC visiting information and phone and video visitation.

San Diego County

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office says visits must be scheduled 24 hours ahead, either by calling the facility's custody information office through the main line, (619) 409-5000, or online through eVisit on the Who's In Jail website. Walk-ins are not accepted.

• ID: Visitors 18 and older need valid ID.
• Arrival: Check in 30 minutes early at most facilities, and 60 minutes early at George Bailey and Rock Mountain.
• Contact visits: Social visits are normally non-contact, except at Las Colinas, which allows contact visits.
• What to bring: The Las Colinas page says to bring only your ID and car keys.
• Video visits: Available seven days a week through SMART Communications. You register online and schedule 24 hours in advance. Visits last 30 minutes and are not available on the day of a scheduled court appearance.

Official pages: San Diego Sheriff Jail Information, which links to the Public Information Plan.

Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department uses an online system at visit.lasd.org. You create an account first, then schedule up to seven days in advance. Public visits must be scheduled, and walk-ins are not allowed. The help desk is (213) 680-4887, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Arrival: The Sheriff asks visitors to arrive 60 minutes early at Pitchess Detention Center/NCCF and Men's Central Jail, and 30 minutes early at other locations.
• ID: The Sheriff's visiting policy requires valid picture ID. Visitors under 18 need ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport or school ID.
• Dress: Civilian clothing that is not provocative, revealing or tattered.
• Video: Video visits require registering in the same system. The Sheriff says visits at Twin Towers are conducted on onsite video monitors until further notice.
• Visitors on probation or parole need pre-approval through a Visiting Clearance Form.

This system covers county jails such as the Century Regional Detention Facility.

Other ways to stay in touch

If you can't visit in person, most counties allow phone calls from the jail, mail and deposits to the person's account. Each county has its own vendors and rules, which are listed on the Sheriff pages above. Be careful with look-alike websites, and use the official Sheriff site to find the right vendor.

Of course, the simplest way to see someone is after they're released. If bail has been set, our page on how bail works explains the options.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your case, talk to a criminal defense attorney.

Need help now?

OnCall Bail Bonds' licensed agents answer 24/7 in English and Spanish, and you can sign from your phone. Call (951) 339-3801 or start bail online.