I'm family/friend of a person in jail

Schedule a visit with a person in jail. Learn the rules for your visit, including what you should wear, what you can bring, and rules for visiting with children

NOTICE June 1: We are experiencing technical difficulties with visiting software. Please disregard email notifications. We will update website when the issue has been resolved.

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Schedule a jail visit

How to schedule a jail visit

Check to see if the person you want to visit is in jail

Locate the person you want to visit using our “Find a Person in Jail” search tool. If the person is not listed, they are not in our jail.

Book your appointment online the day before you plan to visit

You will need the person in jail’s name or SF number to schedule your visit. You can locate their SF number, or “SFNO,” on the “Find a Person in Jail” search tool. 

You also will need to register for a visitor’s account with our online scheduler if you haven’t done so. You will need a valid, government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport. Once you register, you’ll receive an email with a temporary password and your visitor ID. Use the temporary password and your email address to log in to the online scheduler and reserve your visit. 

When you reserve your visit online, you will need to provide:

  • Your name
  • Date of birth
  • Email address
  • Home address as printed on your ID; and
  • Phone number

You can bring up to two people with you. You also will need to provide the same information for them when you book your visit online.

Schedule your visit

Arrive at the jail 30 minutes before your visit

You — and anyone you registered to come with you — will need to show a current, government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport. If you do not provide the requested ID, the Sheriff’s Office may refuse your visit. You can bring keys, ID, and money, which you must secure in the jail’s visiting locker. Please allow plenty of time for parking, There are no public parking lots for County Jails #1 and #2 in San Francisco.

Schedule your visit

Updates
The Sheriff's Office offers limited in-person jail visits.

Effective August 10, 2020 all phone calls from San Francisco county jail are free. Click here for more information.
 

Schedule a Jail Visit
visitorsupport@gtl.net
(415) 553-1430
 

One Family
One Family supports visits with children for people in San Francisco County jails.
Visit the One Family website

Visiting jail with your child

Incarcerated people can apply to have their minor child (under 18) have a contact visit with them in jail. To qualify, the person in jail must:

  • Submit an application 
  • Complete parenting classes
  • Follow the rules of conduct

The person in jail must NOT have a disqualifying order, conviction, or pending felony criminal charge involving a minor.

If the Sheriff’s Office approves your child for a jail visit, you must remain with the child during the visit. 

Visitors who are 16 or 17 years old may apply to visit their parent, sibling, or legal guardian in jail by themselves. Click here for the unaccompanied minor application.

Rules for visiting people in jail
What to know

The Sheriff’s Office may end your visit and cancel future visits if you, your group, or child:

OK

You must show a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport or you will not be allowed to visit

OK

You may bring your keys, money, and ID and store them in the jail’s public visiting lockers

OK

You and your belongings may be subject to search

OK

You must wear appropriate, non-revealing clothes with shoes. Click here to see what clothes are not allowed

OK

Minor children under 18-years-old must receive advance approval for jail visits. Click here to learn more.

OK

The Sheriff’s Office is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Forbidden.

disobey visitor rules, posted jail rules, or deputy directions

Forbidden.

disrupt the jail

Forbidden.

show uncontrollable behavior

Forbidden.

take photographs

Forbidden.

You cannot bring food, drinks or any personal items

Forbidden.

You cannot bring cell phones or cameras

Forbidden.

You cannot yell or swear

Forbidden.

You cannot show gang signs, tattoos, or graffiti

Forbidden.

You cannot give anything to a person in jail

Forbidden.

You cannot receive anything from a person in jail without approval from the jail watch commander

Forbidden.

You cannot visit a person in jail more than once a day

Forbidden.

You cannot visit a person in jail if you have a restraining order or other court order against that person

Forbidden.

We may detain and arrest you if you:

  • threaten the security of the jail
  • appear to be affected by alcohol or drugs
  • bring any alcohol, drugs, medications, or tobacco products
  • bring any weapons or explosives
     

The jail watch commander must approve your visit in advance if you have been convicted of a felony and incarcerated in state prison.

What clothes are not allowed?

Visitors must wear appropriate, non-revealing clothes and shoes. If you wear clothes that are not approved, we will ask you to change them. You will not get extra visiting time if you change your clothes during the time reserved for your visit. You CANNOT wear:

Forbidden.

Hats, bandanas, wave caps, headscarves, or other head coverings except for religious headwear

Forbidden.

Sexually provocative clothing that reveals genitalia, buttocks, or breasts

Forbidden.

Clothes that show your underwear

Forbidden.

See-through or excessively tight clothing

Forbidden.

Spaghetti strap, strapless, halter, bare midriff, or sleeveless shirts or tops

Forbidden.

Mini-skirts or shorts (all skirts and shorts must be as long as the ends of your fingertips when your hands are resting at your sides)

Forbidden.

Gang-related clothing, colors, or accessories

Forbidden.

Clothes that are printed with obscene or offensive words or drawings

Forbidden.

Orange, red, all-blue, or all-green clothes that could be confused for an incarcerated person’s clothes

The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office does not tolerate sexual abuse or sexual harassment. Please call (415) 734-3111 to report suspected sexual misconduct

Get Help

Schedule a Jail Visit
visitorsupport@gtl.net
(415) 553-1430
 

One Family
One Family supports visits with children for people in San Francisco County jails. 
Visit the One Family website