The 18-Visitor Limit at North Carolina Prisons: How to Choose Who to Put on Your Loved One's Approved List
North Carolina prisons cap each incarcerated person's approved visitor list at 18 people total. Plan the list carefully, and you can protect the visits—and other privileges—that matter most to your loved one.
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) policy caps each incarcerated person at 18 approved visitors - adults and minors combined. The limit is based on people, not visit frequency. Fill the list too quickly, and you may not have room to add someone important later.
Getting on the list isn't automatic. Facility staff must approve each visitor application before any visit can happen - mailing in paperwork doesn't mean you're cleared. If you're planning a first visit, build in time for that approval step.
The approved list affects more than in-person visits. Video visits are also limited to people already on your loved one's list. If video is your main way to stay connected, getting the right names approved early matters.
The list also controls who can help financially. NCDAC restricts account deposits to approved visitors only. If one or two family members handle money support, make sure they're on the list - not stuck outside the limit.
In-person visits are by appointment only. You schedule by calling or emailing the prison where your loved one is housed. Don't wait until the week of your visit to realize someone still isn't approved - getting core visitors cleared first makes scheduling much smoother.
With only 18 slots for adults and minors combined, the goal is to fill the list with people who will actually keep your loved one connected and supported. Think of it as a working list, not a popularity contest. It should serve real needs: visits, video visits, and deposits.
- ✓ Put the “must-haves” first: the people your loved one relies on most for steady contact and support.
- ✓ Prioritize the people most likely to visit in person (reliability matters more than good intentions).
- ✓ Include the people who will need to video visit regularly, since video visits are limited to approved visitors.
- ✓ Add the people who will handle deposits, since only approved visitors are permitted to deposit funds.
- ✓ Don’t forget minors who you truly want to preserve access for - minors count toward the same 18-person total.
- ✓ Use remaining slots for secondary supporters (extended family, close friends) based on who will realistically stay involved.
- ✓ Hold back a slot or two if you can, so you’re not stuck at the limit if circumstances change.
Tip: If someone needs to video visit or make deposits, make them a priority for the approved list. In North Carolina prisons, both video visits and deposit privileges are limited to approved visitors.
- Confirm who’s already approved - Before you plan a trip, find out which names are currently on the approved list so you’re not guessing.
- Get applications completed and returned quickly - A completed visitor application must be approved by facility staff before a visit can occur, so delays in paperwork can mean delays in seeing your loved one.
- Wait for approval before you schedule - Visits are by appointment only, and you schedule by calling or emailing the prison where your loved one is housed. Make sure the visitor is approved first so you don’t lose an appointment slot.
Plan-saver: Call the prison the day before your scheduled visit to confirm the facility’s visitation status.
The big picture is clear: applications must be approved before visits can happen. For the exact mechanics - which forms your loved one needs to request, where to send completed paperwork, how the facility communicates approval - follow the facility's instructions and contact the prison directly for the current process.
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