How to Visit Someone at Cook County Jail: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
You can see someone held at Cook County Jail in two ways: in person at the jail in Chicago, or by video from your own phone or computer. Both are free. This guide walks you through each step in order. Go one step at a time.
Who can visit and who cannot
You can visit if:
- You are 18 or older and the jail has approved you to visit that person.
- You bring a photo ID that is not expired and shows your address.
Children (17 and younger):
- Children do not fill out an application.
- A child must come with an approved parent or guardian who is visiting the same person.
- One approved adult can bring up to three children.
- Teens of high school age need a state ID or a school photo ID.
- An adult must watch the children the whole time.
The jail can say no to you if you:
- Got out of a jail or prison in the last 60 days.
- Are in your first year of parole or probation.
- Are on house arrest.
- Have an open criminal case or are out on bond (minor traffic cases do not count).
- Have a warrant out for your arrest, or an immigration (ICE) hold.
- Have an order of protection involving the person you want to see.
- Are behind on a required registration (such as the sex offender registry).
- Gave information on your application that is wrong or cannot be checked.
A supervisor can also deny a visit for safety reasons. If you are turned down, you may be able to apply again after a waiting period.
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Step 1: Get approved to visit
You must be approved before you can schedule. Do this first, and do it early. It can take about a week.
- Get an email address if you do not have one. You will need one that works. You cannot change it later.
- Make an account on the Sheriff's visitor page: iic.ccsheriff.org/Account/Register.
- Type your name exactly as it is on your ID.
- Have your ID with you. You will type in the ID number and the date it expires.
- Make a password with at least 8 characters. Mix capital letters, small letters, numbers or symbols.
- Check your email. Open the message from the Sheriff's Office and follow it to turn on your account.
- Find the person you want to visit using the jail search: iic.ccsheriff.org. Search by first and last name, or by booking number (type it with no dash).
- Click "Register online" next to their photo and fill out the visitor application. Answer every question.
- Wait about 7 business days (weekdays). The jail runs a background check.
- Not sure if you are approved? Call the Visitor Information Unit at (773) 674-8225 or (773) 674-8194, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Good to know:
- You need a separate application for each person you want to visit.
- If the person moves to a different building inside the jail, you do not apply again.
- If the person is released and later comes back to jail, you do apply again.
- No computer? You can also get an application in the lobby of the building where the person is held, or at the entrance of any Cook County courthouse.
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Step 2: Schedule an in-person visit
Once you are approved, book a time. You must book ahead. Do not just show up.
- Find the person's booking number and division. Look them up at iic.ccsheriff.org, or call (773) 674-5245. The housing location starts with the division (for example, "DIV10") followed by the tier or unit.
- Go to the scheduling page: dvv.ccsheriff.org.
- Fill in the form:
- The person's booking number, first name and last name
- Type of visit and their division
- How many visitors are coming (1 or 2 adults)
- Your phone number, email and name. Add the second visitor's name and email if someone is coming with you.
- The date and time you want
- Choose "Yes" for reminders if you want a text message before your visit.
- Click Submit.
How often: You can visit once a week, on the days and times set for that person's housing unit. Each unit has its own schedule (see Where to go).
Can't book a time? It usually means you are not approved yet. Call (773) 674-8225, or email DOC.visitation@ccsheriff.org.
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Step 3: The day of your visit
When to arrive
Plan to get there at least 30 minutes before your visit time. Everyone goes through a security check, and lines can be long, especially on weekends. If you are late, you may lose your visit.
Bring only these things
- Your photo ID. It must not be expired, must show your address, and must be the same ID you used on your application.
- Your car keys.
- If you need a bag: a clear plastic bag, no bigger than about 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a small clear purse about the size of a gallon zip bag. Diaper bags for babies are allowed case by case.
Do NOT bring
- Cell phones, cameras, music players or any electronics
- Food or drinks
- Cigarettes, vapes, lighters or matches
- Alcohol or drugs
- Knives, weapons, tools or nail clippers
- Books, magazines, newspapers or any papers
- Needles or syringes
Leave these in your car or at home. Bringing drugs, weapons or other banned items into a jail is a crime, and you can lose your right to visit.
What to wear
Wear: regular, modest clothes, such as a T-shirt with sleeves and jeans or long pants that fit at the waist.
Do NOT wear:
- Short dresses, miniskirts, short shorts or skirts with high slits
- Low-cut tops, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, halter tops, tube tops or spaghetti straps
- See-through or mesh clothing
- Anything that shows your stomach, back, chest, underwear or rear
- Pants that sag below the waist
- Hats or caps
- Clothes with gang signs or bad words or pictures
- Clothes that look like a police, guard or inmate uniform
If your clothes break these rules, you may be turned away.
At the jail
- Go to the correct entrance (post) for the person's division.
- Show your ID.
- Empty your pockets. You may be scanned or patted down.
- Follow the officer to the visiting area.
During the visit
- Stay calm and polite. Yelling, arguing or cursing can end the visit.
- Talk only to the person you came to see.
- Do not leave the visiting area and come back unless an officer says you can.
- Visits may be watched and recorded.
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Where to go: visitor entrances by division
Cook County Jail is a large campus on Chicago's Southwest Side, around 26th Street and California Avenue. Each building ("division") has its own visitor entrance, called a post. Go to the post for the division where the person lives.
- Division 6 and Division 6 Annex: post at 2800 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
- Division 8 RTU and Cermak (health unit): post at 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
- Division 9: post at 2854 W. 31st St., Chicago, IL 60608
- Division 10: post at 2950 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
- Division 11: post at 3015 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
For any other division, call the Visitor Information Unit at (773) 674-8225 to ask which post to use.
Visiting days and hours
Most divisions hold visits at these times:
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday: usually no visits.
Each tier or unit gets only certain days. To see the exact days for your loved one's unit, find their division on the visiting schedules page, or call (773) 674-8225.
Getting there
CTA buses and trains serve the area. If you drive, paid public parking is nearby.
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Video visits from home
Video visits use the free app Microsoft Teams. You can use a smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera.
- Set up Microsoft Teams. Download the free app and make an account with your email: Get Microsoft Teams.
- Talk to your loved one. Tell them you want video visits.
- They add your name to their visiting list inside the jail.
- Wait for a call or message. Jail staff will contact you to set a day and time.
- At visit time, be ready in Teams with your camera on.
Video visit rules
- The same jail rules apply as in person.
- No drinking, smoking, nudity or rude behavior on camera.
- Breaking the rules can end your visits.
Video visit phone lines (call with questions)
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Phone numbers and help
Quick checklist
- ☐ Approved to visit
- ☐ Visit booked at dvv.ccsheriff.org
- ☐ Photo ID (same one as your application)
- ☐ Phone and other items left in the car
- ☐ Clothes follow the rules
- ☐ Arriving 30 minutes early at the right entrance
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Jail visiting rules can change. Before you go, call the Visitor Information Unit at (773) 674-8225 to make sure your visit is still on.
