How to Get Approved to Visit Someone in a North Carolina Prison
Visiting someone in a North Carolina prison—whether in person or by video—requires getting on their approved visitor list first. Here's how to time your application and avoid the most common approval roadblocks.
No visit happens at a North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) prison until your visitor application gets approved. This applies to in-person visits and video visits alike - you need clearance for both. Show up without approval, or try to book a video visit too early, and you'll hit a wall. Start with the application. Fill it out completely. Wait for confirmation before making any plans.
Each incarcerated person can have up to 18 approved visitors - adults and minors combined. That limit fills up faster than you'd think once you start adding immediate family, extended relatives, and close friends. If your loved one is already near capacity, have a conversation about who's most likely to actually visit. Prioritizing now saves headaches later.
Minors Docs
- ✓ For any visitor under age 16: attach a copy of the minor’s birth certificate to the visitor application.
You can't update the visitor list whenever you want. NCDAC runs "open enrollment" periods every six months, tied to the incarcerated person's admission date. If they were admitted in January, their enrollment windows are January and July. Miss one window, and you'll need to wait for the next. Plan accordingly.
- Get the visitor application - Make sure you’re using the correct visitor application for the prison where your loved one is currently housed.
- Fill it out completely - Approval is required before any visit can happen, so don’t leave sections blank or skip questions.
- Attach minor documentation (if needed) - If a child visitor is under 16, include a copy of the birth certificate with that application.
- Submit the application and wait for approval - Facility staff must approve the completed application before you can visit.
- Choose your visit type once you’re approved - Visits can be in person or via video, so plan for the option that works best for your family.
- Confirm your visit plans the day before - Schedules and procedures can shift; a quick check helps you avoid getting turned away at the last minute.
Tip: Call the facility before you submit anything if you're unsure about the current process or what counts as a "complete" application. A two-minute phone call can save you weeks of delay.
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