If someone you love is locked up in Washington, getting money into their account covers commissary - food, hygiene, phone time, writing supplies - and keeps the connection alive. Washington's state prison system offers three deposit options: Securus Debit electronically, Western Union, or a cashier's check/money order by mail. The WADOC Business Office recommends electronic methods because teleworking limits on-site staff processing of paper money orders, which can delay posting.
Washington splits adult corrections between the Washington Department of Corrections (WADOC) for state sentences, and county jails operated by county governments. WADOC operates ten state correctional facilities plus reentry centers. Washington has 39 counties, each with its own jail. King County (Seattle) and Pierce County (Tacoma) operate large urban jail systems independently from WADOC.
State prisons: three WADOC deposit options
WADOC contracts with Securus Technologies for electronic deposit services. The six-digit DOC number is required for all methods. Find it using the Incarcerated Search tool at doc.wa.gov/records/incarcerated-data-search.
Securus Debit
Securus Technologies provides electronic deposit directly into the individual's account. Use the Securus Debit service through Securus or JPay's Send Money - both fund the trust account and can be used to cover commissary, restitution, and community corrections payments, as well as media account purchases (music, movies, games on JPay Player tablets). Visit doc.wa.gov/family-support/securus-services for links and current instructions.
Western Union
Send money online, over the phone, in person, or by mobile app. Go to westernunion.com/us/en/send-inmate/start.html and select "Washington Dept Corrections" from the facility drop-down. To complete the transaction you need:
City Code: WA DOC
State: WA
Account Number: the individual's six-digit DOC number immediately followed by their last name as it appears in the DOC database (example: 123456Doe)
The last name must match the DOC database exactly. Use the Incarcerated Search to verify the exact spelling before sending. If sending by phone, ask for "Quick Collect" for the lower rate. Funds sent through Western Union go into the Spendable sub-account only.
Western Union rate table:
$0.01 to $30.00 - $5.95
$30.01 to $75.00 - $6.95
$75.01 to $200.00 - $8.95
$200.01 to $5,000.00 - $9.95
For Western Union questions contact Western Union directly, not WADOC.
Cashier's check or money order by mail
The cheapest option, but the slowest. Do not send cash, personal checks, or stamps - mail will be rejected and returned at the individual's expense.
WADOC maintains five sub-accounts. The sub-account must be designated on the money order or cashier's check:
Spendable - unrestricted use; this is the default if no sub-account is marked.
Postage - restricted to postage charges; mark clearly "postage."
Medical - restricted to health care copays, OTC medications, and eyeglasses; mark clearly "medical."
Education - restricted to tuition, fees, and education program expenses; mark clearly "education."
Commissary - restricted to commissary purchases only; mark clearly "commissary."
Mailing requirements: include both the individual's full name and six-digit DOC number on the payee line of the money order or cashier's check. The letter or document inside the envelope must also include their full name and DOC number, and must be addressed to the same person named on the outside. The outside envelope must include: (1) the individual's full name, (2) their six-digit DOC number, (3) the correct facility address, and (4) the sender's full first and last name with return address. The living unit can be included but is not required.
Find facility addresses at doc.wa.gov/about-doc/locations/prison-facilities/contact-prisons.
The commissary sub-account and mandatory deductions
By law (RCW 72.09.480), all incoming funds are subject to mandatory deductions for obligations such as restitution, legal financial obligations, and cost of incarceration - unless specifically designated as exempt. Funds designated for postage, medical, or education sub-accounts are exempt.
Effective July 23, 2023 (RCW), up to $500 per month in family or outside contributions designated for the commissary sub-account is also exempt from mandatory deductions. This means up to $500/month sent specifically to commissary bypasses the mandatory deduction process and goes directly toward commissary purchases. Amounts above $500/month to the commissary sub-account remain subject to deductions. The individual cannot transfer commissary sub-account funds to other uses - they are commissary only.
Review the WADOC Deduction Matrix at doc.wa.gov for detailed information on what is deducted and what is exempt.
No deposits to multiple incarcerated individuals
Family, friends, or other persons may not deposit to more than one incarcerated individual's trust account without the Superintendent's prior approval. Unauthorized funds designated for multiple accounts are deposited to the Offender Welfare Betterment Fund.
WADOC facilities
Airway Heights Corrections Center - Airway Heights
Clallam Bay Corrections Center - Clallam Bay
Cedar Creek Corrections Center - Rochester
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center - Connell
Monroe Correctional Complex - Monroe
Olympic Corrections Center - Forks
Stafford Creek Corrections Center - Aberdeen
Washington Corrections Center - Shelton
Washington Corrections Center for Women - Gig Harbor
Washington State Penitentiary - Walla Walla
WADOC also operates reentry centers statewide.
WADOC contact
PO Box 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100
(360) 725-8213
doc.wa.gov
King County jails: separate Seattle/Kent system
If your person is in a King County jail in Seattle or Kent, they are not in a WADOC state prison. King County's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention uses Access Corrections.
Access Corrections - online at accesscorrections.com; phone at 1-866-345-1884; kiosks in the reception area at both the Seattle facility and the Kent facility; walk-in cash deposits at retailers (7-Eleven, CVS, Dollar General) after registering at CashPayToday.com.
Mail - money orders or cashier's checks only; no cash or personal checks. Include the person's name and B/A number. Include your name and return address.
The B/A number is the Book of Arrest number - King County's inmate identifier. Find it using the Subject Lookup Tool at kingcounty.gov. King County customer service: 206-296-1234.
King County facilities:
King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) - 500 Fifth Ave, Seattle WA 98104
Maleng Regional Justice Center (RJC) - Kent WA
Scam warning: King County has posted an active warning about callers claiming they can secure a person's release or Electronic Home Detention in exchange for payment. Never pay for this. Contact King County jail customer service at 206-296-1234 if you receive such a call.
County jails: vendor varies across 39 counties
Washington has 39 counties, each with its own jail. The only reliable way to find the deposit vendor for a specific Washington county jail is to check that county's website or call the facility directly.
Accounts do not transfer between systems. When your person moves from a county jail to a WADOC state prison, the county account stays with the county. Set up new deposits through Securus Debit, Western Union, or mail using the six-digit WADOC DOC number.
Federal custody in Washington
Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities in Washington include FDC SeaTac (federal detention center in SeaTac, WA) and FCI Sheridan (Oregon, used by some WA federal defendants). Federal deposits go through the BOP Trust Fund via Western Union, MoneyGram at retail, or online at bop.gov. You need the eight-digit BOP register number. Do not use WADOC or county methods for federal inmates.
What to know before you send anything
Electronic methods are faster. WADOC's Business Office recommends Securus Debit or Western Union over money orders because teleworking limits on-site processing of physical mail.
For Western Union: City Code is WA DOC; Account Number is the DOC number + exact last name from the DOC database. Verify the spelling first.
For mail: mark the sub-account on the money order or cashier's check. Unmarked funds default to Spendable. Do not send cash or personal checks.
Up to $500/month designated to the commissary sub-account is exempt from mandatory deductions (effective July 23, 2023).
Do not deposit to multiple inmates without Superintendent approval.
King County uses Access Corrections, not WADOC methods. The inmate identifier is the B/A number, not the DOC number.
Related pages:
/prisons/washington
How to write a letter to someone in a Washington facility
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
What are the WADOC deposit options?
Three options: Securus Debit (electronic, through Securus Technologies/JPay), Western Union, or cashier's check/money order by mail.
What is the Western Union City Code for Washington DOC?
WA DOC. State: WA. Account Number: six-digit DOC number + last name as it appears in the DOC database (example: 123456Doe). Verify exact name spelling at the Incarcerated Search before sending.
What are the Western Union rates for WADOC?
$0.01-$30 = $5.95; $30.01-$75 = $6.95; $75.01-$200 = $8.95; $200.01-$5,000 = $9.95.
What sub-accounts can I designate for mailed money orders?
Five: Spendable (default, unrestricted), Postage, Medical, Education, and Commissary. Mark the sub-account clearly on the money order or cashier's check.
What is the commissary sub-account exemption?
Effective July 23, 2023, up to $500/month sent by family or outside sources specifically to the commissary sub-account is exempt from mandatory deductions under RCW 72.09.480. Funds above $500/month remain subject to deductions.
What are mandatory deductions?
Per RCW 72.09.480, incoming funds are subject to deductions for restitution, legal financial obligations, and cost of incarceration. Postage, medical, and education sub-account funds are exempt.
What is the six-digit DOC number and where do I find it?
WADOC's inmate identification number. Find it using the Incarcerated Search at doc.wa.gov/records/incarcerated-data-search.
What vendor does King County use?
Access Corrections - online at accesscorrections.com, phone 1-866-345-1884, reception kiosks at both Seattle and Kent facilities, and walk-in cash at CashPayToday retailers. Mail: money orders or cashier's checks with B/A number. Contact: 206-296-1234.
What is the B/A number?
Book of Arrest number - King County's inmate identifier. Find it via the Subject Lookup Tool at kingcounty.gov.
Is there a federal detention facility in Washington?
Yes - FDC SeaTac (SeaTac, WA). Use the BOP Trust Fund via Western Union, MoneyGram, or bop.gov with the eight-digit BOP register number. ====================================================================
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