Visiting someone in an Orange County jail
How to book, what to bring, who can come with you and where to park, jail by jail, from the Sheriff’s Department’s visiting pages.
The short answer
Public visiting is limited to four visits a week for each person in custody. At Theo Lacy, the Central Jails and the Intake Release Center: By appointment only; walk-ups are not accepted. At the James A. Musick Facility: Appointments are not required at the moment, but it is a good idea to call ahead to check the person has not already had a visit that day.
Bring valid government-issued photo ID (a state driver’s license or ID card, passport, consular card or similar).
Book your visit, jail by jail
Intake Release Center (IRC)
- Days
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (public visiting is limited to four visits per person in custody each week)
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Booking
- By appointment only; walk-ups are not accepted.
- Call to book
- (714) 647-6050, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Parking
- The parking structure across from the Santa Ana Police Department.
Official: IRC - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
Central Men’s and Women’s Jails
- Days
- Friday to Monday, one visit a day (public visiting is limited to four visits per person in custody each week)
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Booking
- By appointment only; walk-ups are not accepted.
- Call to book
- (714) 647-4543, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday
- Parking
- The parking structure across from the Santa Ana Police Department.
- Also
- Some hours are restricted depending on where the person is housed.
Official: Central Men’s & Women’s Jails - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
Theo Lacy Facility
- Days
- Friday to Monday
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Booking
- By appointment only; walk-ups are not accepted.
- Call to book
- (714) 935-6202, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., every day
- Parking
- The North parking structure, across from the Juvenile Courthouse and next to UCI Medical Center.
Official: Theo Lacy Facility - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
James A. Musick Facility
- Days
- Friday to Monday
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (in person and video)
- Booking
- Appointments are not required at the moment, but it is a good idea to call ahead to check the person has not already had a visit that day.
- Call first
- (949) 249-5059
- Parking
- The visitor parking lot on the left as you enter the facility.
- Also
- Coin-operated lockers are next to the visitor parking lot.
Official: James A. Musick Facility - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
Central Jails visiting days
The Central Men’s and Women’s Jails division page says visiting is on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Its visiting page, shown above, gives different days. Call the scheduling number to confirm.
Official: Central Men’s and Women’s Jails (division page); Central Men’s & Women’s Jails - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
When you book
- Book at least 24 hours ahead. (Theo Lacy, Central Jails and IRC)
- Have the person’s booking number ready when you call to book. See how to find a booking number.
- Also have each visitor’s date of birth and driver’s license number ready. (Theo Lacy)
- Be ready to give a contact phone number, in case a housing change or something else affects the visit. (Theo Lacy, Central Jails and IRC)
- One visit a day, Friday to Monday. (Theo Lacy, Central Jails and Musick)
- Arrive and line up outside the lobby 15 minutes before your appointment. (Theo Lacy, Central Jails and IRC)
- A visit lasts at least 30 minutes.
Official: Theo Lacy Facility - Visiting Hours & Information; IRC - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
Who can visit
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID (a state driver’s license or ID card, passport, consular card or similar). An expired ID is not accepted.
- At most two adults and two minors can visit one person at a time. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. If the Watch Commander is asked in advance, children may visit a relative without an adult.
- Visitors under 18 need an approved adult with them (such as a parent or legal guardian) or written, notarized permission from a parent or guardian. (stated on the Theo Lacy and Musick pages)
- If you were released from jail in the last 60 days you can’t visit, except that blood relatives (mother, father, sister or brother) or a spouse may be allowed with Watch Commander approval.
- Anyone convicted of a felony who served time in a California state prison needs prior approval to enter a jail (Penal Code 4571): ask for the Parolee/Felon Request to Visit form in the jail lobby.
Official: Theo Lacy Facility - Visiting Hours & Information; IRC - Visiting Hours & Information; James A. Musick Facility - Visiting Hours & Information; Custody FAQs (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
What to bring and what to leave behind
- Bring only your ID and one key or fob inside. (Theo Lacy and Musick)
- Bring only your ID and keys inside. (Central Jails and IRC)
- Leave bags behind: purses, make-up bags, books, backpacks and diaper bags. (Theo Lacy and Musick)
- Phones, laptops, cameras and other electronic devices are not allowed.
- With a baby or toddler you may bring what they need (diapers, wipes, formula, bottles), but not the diaper bag; items are searched.
- Clothing staff consider offensive, revealing or inappropriate is not allowed.
Official: Theo Lacy Facility - Visiting Hours & Information; IRC - Visiting Hours & Information (OC Sheriff’s Department), checked
Where to go next
- All phone numbers and visiting hours Every jail in one table.
- Finding someone’s booking number How to use the Sheriff’s Department’s search.
- Video visits and phone calls If you can’t visit in person.
Sources
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
- Theo Lacy Facility - Visiting Hours & Information
- IRC - Visiting Hours & Information
- Central Men’s & Women’s Jails - Visiting Hours & Information
- James A. Musick Facility - Visiting Hours & Information
- Central Men’s and Women’s Jails (division page)
- Custody FAQs
Every fact above links to the official page it comes from, with the date we checked it. We quote official wording only where the exact words matter. See how we check facts.