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Visitor I.D. Procedures

All visitors are required to provide current, valid and official (government issued) identification that includes a photo and date of birth. Visitors who do not provide an acceptable form of official identification with a photo and a date of birth will not be admitted to Lehigh County Jail.

Examples of appropriate identification include but are not limited to: Drivers' License (from any state), Passport, Medical Assistance cards, which include photo and date of birth, and Penn DOT issued identification. In every case the photograph and date of birth must be contained within the same piece of identification.

In order to obtain a photo ID card issued through Penn DOT, you must report to the Penn DOT office, in person, located off Airport Road at 1710 Hanover Avenue with your birth certificate, a document noting your Social Security number (i.e., Social Security card, MA card, passport, selective service card, W2 form), and a check or money order (no cash) in the amount currently required.  Penn DOT officials will then issue you a form to be taken to one of the photo centers.  The hours for Penn DOT are Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or visiting a parent. An original birth certificate (no copies), which includes the parents' names, must be presented each time you wish to have the minor visit. Applications for birth certificates are available from the Lobby Officer. NOTE: When completing the form, you MUST request either the long form or complete form of the birth certificate. This is the only type of birth certificate that will be accepted for admission to this facility.

"IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF A CHILD BORN TO UNMARRIED PARENTS. As a result of ACT 1997-58, which became effective January 1, 1998, a father cannot be listed on a birth certificate of a child born to unmarried parents unless an Acknowledgment of Paternity has been filed with the Department of Public Welfare or there has been a court determination of paternity.

If you wish to file an Acknowledgment of Paternity to list a father on your child's birth certificate, please contact the Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement, at their toll-free number, 800¬932-0211, weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for further information and instructions. Upon notification by the Department of Public Welfare that an Acknowledgment of Paternity has been filed, the Department of Health will forward to you a new free certified copy containing parents' names. If you have already filed an Acknowledgment of paternity form with the Department of Public Welfare, you should be receiving a new certified copy containing parents’ names within the next several weeks.”

Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Law 191 of 2009  This law was effective July 1, 2010 and voids ALL birth certificates prior to that date.  Anyone born in Puerto Rico prior to July 1, 2010 must apply for a new birth certificate.  Only newly issued birth certificates will be accepted as identification for visitation.  Applications and information are available from the Lobby Officer.