Make a Visitation Reservation

ALL VISITING IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Visitors may schedule an appointment up to three (3) days in advance by internet 24 hours a day. No same day appointments will be given. All disabled visitors will be afforded the same visiting privileges as non-disabled visitors. Visiting rooms are equipped and made available to accommodate visitors with disabilities. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations while you are visiting at Santa Rita Jail. If you find you need assistance while visiting, please alert a deputy. Visitors with special needs, including those who require assistance navigating the main ramp to the entrance, should make their requests as early as possible to ensure the appropriate assistance can be provided. These requests can be made by calling the Santa Rita Jail lobby line at 925-551-6500.

Visit the Online Visiting Reservation System to register and schedule an appointment. If you forget your Username/Password, go to "Help and Support" to get instructions on how to retrieve that information.

WARNING: The submission of any false information to obtain this Visiting Reservation, including but not limited to the use of fraudulent credentials to establish personal identification, will subject the person making the reservation and/or a visitor associated with the registration to permanent revocation of visiting privileges!

Each adult visitor (18 years or older) must be registered to make a visiting appointment. When registering you must provide the following information:

• Visitor's name
• Visitor's address (Post Office boxes are not acceptable)
• Telephone Number
• Visitor's date of birth
• Visitor's driver's license number
• Email address

To make a visiting appointment you will also need the following:

• Inmate's name
• Inmate's PFN
• Inmate's date of birth

Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by the parent or legal guardian. If legal guardian, documentation showing proof is required.

The lobby will be staffed with deputies and two metal detectors. When the visiting group number is called, visitors will line up in front of the Lobby metal detector and present his/her identification to the deputy. Acceptable identification is:

• Valid driver's license
• California identification card
• State identification card
• Passport
• Matriculate Consulate card
• Other official identification, depicting photograph, physical characteristics, and signature issued by a governmental body.

Once the visitor clears the metal detector, visitors will proceed directly to the inmate's housing unit visiting control booth.

• Visitors shall follow all staff instructions.
• At the end of the allotted time, visitors are expected to exit the visiting area without delay.

To ensure you have your full scheduled visit, please be sure to arrive early enough to give yourself ample time to check in with lobby staff and be screened by the visiting deputies.

Failure to arrive on time may result in your scheduled visit being cut short or re-scheduled.  

Professional visiting operating hours are as follows: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM and 6:00 - 8:30 PM.

1. You and your possessions are subject to search.

2. Nothing shall be passed to the inmate directly by you for the inmate's retention per 4570 P.C.

3. Interviewers wishing to give the inmate written documents for his/her retention must notify jail staff at the time the contact visit is scheduled.

4. If the documents are not objectionable, the jail staff will allow the inmate to have them.

5. Documents containing "contraband" or any items considered "contraband" will be refused. Contraband items include but are not limited to paper clips, staples, metal fasteners or metal items of any kind.

6. Tape recorders or photographic equipment are not permitted in the interview room without prior permission from the on-duty Watch Commander.

7. Breached of law, jail security, or these instructions may terminate your interview.

8. No excessive items shall be brought into the contact visit. Excessive will be at the discretion of the visiting deputy.

9. There will be no physical contact between inmates and visitors.

10. Food and beverages are not permitted in the visiting area.

Video Visiting is available for use from home on compatible electronic devices and through the Santa Rita Jail lobby kiosks.

Visitors may schedule a video visit appointment by internet 24-hours a day using the following websites:

https://www.gettingout.com/

https://alamedaca.gtlvisitme.com/app

Please be aware that video visitation is a service provided by ViaPath and therefore not guaranteed by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. 

For any customer service needs or technical support, please contact ViaPath at 1-855-208-7349.

Failure to adhere to visiting rules could lead to the termination of your visit and a temporary suspension of your visiting privileges.

• The Alameda County Sheriff's Office reserves the right to deny, cancel, or terminate a video visit prior to or during a video session based upon a visitor or inmate's misconduct.
• Participation in video-visitation is a privilege, not a right. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office reserves the right to restrict visitors from participating in future use of the video visitation system.
• All video visits are recorded and subject to monitoring by Alameda County Sheriff's Office personnel. Use of the video visitation system constitutes consent to this recording and monitoring.
• Inmate and visitor are required to keep their faces within camera view at all times during the video visit. Inmates and/or visitors who do not maintain their faces within camera view will be subject to their visit being terminated.
• Visitors attempting to take photos or conduct three-way video calls during their scheduled visit will be subject to their visit being terminated.
• DRESS CODE: No nudity, tight fitting or provocative clothing is allowed to be worn during the video visit. Examples of clothing/dress styles that are not allowed include but are not limited to the following: NO TANK TOPS, HALF TOPS, SPAGHETTI STRAPS OR BATHING SUITS. NO SHEER FABRIC OR EXPOSED UNDERGARMENTS. NO GANG ATTIRE. NO HATS, BANDANAS, BEANIES, ETC. (Nothing is to be worn on the head) All visitors, male, female, adult and children must adhere to the dress code. Failure to comply with the dress code will result in the cancellation of the video visit. Violators will be barred from participating in video (off-site) visitation. Visitors appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; displaying items that may be considered contraband such as drugs, drug paraphernalia, weapons; or displaying gang signs, symbols, colors, etc., are subject to having the visit cancelled and being barred from future visits. Any type of disruptive behavior will not be permitted, i.e. loud, boisterous and rude language, etc. Any visitor observed in inappropriate conduct, sexual behavior, or any type of indecent exposure, may be permanently banned from video visits. Visitors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present during the visit.
• Visitors who have served time in the CDCR prison system but are not currently on Parole or PRCS will not be permitted to participate in video visitation without prior written approval from the Jail Commander. Visitors who are currently on probation, parole or PRCS are not permitted to participate in video visitation without prior written approval from the Jail Commander and your Parole/Probation officer.
• Should video visiting rules be violated, i.e. dress code or disruptive behavior during your visits, your video visitation privileges will be terminated.
• Video visitation sessions will terminate at the end of the scheduled video visit.

Any violation of the visiting rules and regulations by a visitor or inmate may result in the end of the visit, and the visitor will be required to leave the facility. If the visitor engages in unlawful conduct, he/she is subject to arrest. Violation of the rules and regulations or infractions of the law may result in the visitor having privileges suspended or permanently revoked.

1. Any person who has been confined in the Alameda County Jail System within the last six (6) months cannot visit an inmate without prior written or verbal authorization from the Commanding Officer or his/her designee.
2. Any visitor having been previously convicted of a felony and confined in a State Prison in California will not be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.
3. Any visitor having previously been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor and who are currently on County Probation will not be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.
4. Bringing firearms, explosives, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or any controlled substance, including marijuana, into the facility is a crime, and the visitor will be subject to arrest.
5. Any visitor who routinely cancels scheduled visits may have their visiting privileges suspended and or revoked.
6. Any visitor under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to visit and may be subject to arrest.
7. Visitors are not allowed to carry laptop computers, cell phones, cameras, tape recorders, purses, bags, briefcases, cell phones, baby strollers/carriers or any other items into the visiting areas. Personal items should be left at home or locked in the visitor's vehicle. Items may also be locked in the public lockers located in the lobby area. Items not reclaimed by visitors at the conclusion of visiting will be removed and disposed of. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office is not responsible for lost, stolen, or removed items.
8. Visitors and their possessions and their vehicles, when parked on jail facility grounds, are subject to search by Sheriff's Office personnel. Entering the facility is consent to search.
9. Smoking is prohibited in the building, on the ramps, and within 20 feet of entrances, pursuant to County Ordinance.
10. No food or drink is permitted in the visiting areas. Visitors will be allowed to bring one(1) diaper and one(1) baby bottle into the visiting area.
11. Visitors are required to proceed directly to their respective visiting areas and to remain there until their visit is completed. Upon completion of the visit, the visitors must return to the lobby area.
12. Visitors found in an area other than the one they have been scheduled, will have their visiting privileges revoked and be required to leave the facility.
13. There will be no physical contact between inmates and visitors.
14. Visitors and inmates are to refrain from loud talking and disrespectful behavior. Visitors with disruptive children may have their visit terminated.
15. Visits will be 30 minutes in duration. When a deputy or technician announces the visit is over, the visit will end immediately.
16. An inmate may refuse to see any visitor.
17. Visitors are not allowed to loiter in or about vehicles parked at Santa Rita Jail. This rule does not apply to handicapped persons' parking spaces when the vehicle has the proper license plates and/or disabled persons' plaque displayed.
18. Inmates are restricted to one visit per day.
19. Visitor suspensions will be input into the visiting database by the Commanding Officer's administrative staff.

Visitors are expected to dress to meet the constraints of the institutional setting. Attire should be conservative and not revealing. Lobby staff has final determination of clothing dress standards.

• Visitors shall be fully clothed.
• Visitors shall wear shoes or sandals.
• Visitors will not be permitted to remove clothing items such as sweaters, jackets, etc. which would violate the dress code standards.

The Following Types of Clothing/Items are Prohibited:

• Excessive jewelry - If visitors have problems being cleared through the metal detector, after three (3) attempts, they will move to the end of the line and try clearance again.
• Articles of clothing that could be deemed "gang" colors, such as hats, belts, bandanas, shoes, sportswear, etc.
• Attire displaying obscene offensive language or drawings.
• Display of tattoos or other body art that is gang or hate related.
• Sleeveless, strapless, halter, spaghetti straps, swim suits, or bare midriff clothing.
• Shorts or skirts exposing more than mid-thigh (includes slits in the garments)
• Undergarments must not be visible.
• No sheer or "see-through" clothing.
• Pajamas (top and/or bottom)
• Clothing with non-removable metal buckles.
• Bib-overalls of any kind with metal
• Steel toed boots/shoes.

Inmates may be married while in custody of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office at the
Santa Rita Jail facility as as outlined in Detentions and Corrections Policies & Procedures #18.22. Federal inmates must receive approval from the U.S. Marshalls.

Obtaining a marriage license and/or legal paperwork is the responsibility of the family. Both parties must be present when obtaining a marriage license.

In the event the bride or groom to be is absent, either party MUST obtain an Inability to Appear Form from the County Clerk’s Office.

You may request this form and the marriage license from the following location:

County Clerk’s Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 272-6362

Office Hours: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

The bride and groom are responsible for contacting ministers, completing required forms and meeting all legal requirements for marriage. Jail chaplains will not perform inmate marriages. The wedding ceremony will be conducted in a non-contact visiting booth, during normal visiting hours, in accordance with standard visiting procedures. For all intents and purposes, the wedding ceremony is a regular inmate visit. The family/inmate is responsible for obtaining information and organizing the wedding ceremony.

No special exchange of inmate clothing will be allowed.

Inappropriate behavior during the ceremony, or the visiting period thereafter, will be cause for termination of the ceremony and/or visiting period.

Flowers, cameras and audio or video recording devices will not be allowed. Media coverage is not permitted.

1. There shall be NO PHYSICAL CONTACT between the inmate and anyone else in the wedding party. The service will be in a non-contact visiting booth.
2. There shall be NO EXCHANGE OF WEDDING RINGS or other items of personal property between the inmate and spouse or anyone else in the wedding party.
3. NO VIDEO OR STILL PHOTOGRAPHY will be permitted in the facility.
4. All guests and participants shall provide a valid Drivers License, valid California Identification card, or valid passport per standard visiting procedures.
5. All wedding guests and participants will be subject to search.
6. Any refusal or lack of cooperation with Sheriff’s staff by a wedding guest or participant will result in exclusion for the ceremony.
7. The Sheriff’s Office reserves the right to cancel any wedding ceremony if it is determined that there may be a security risk or if ANY of the above listed procedures are not followed.