Why a Money Order Might Be Rejected for Marion CI: The 'Approved Visitor' Rule
If your money order gets rejected for Marion CI, the reason might have nothing to do with the amount or how you filled it out. North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) only allows trust-account deposits from people already listed as the offender's approved visitors. ViaPath/TouchPay processes these deposits, and when a money order arrives from someone not on that list, they reject it outright. This surprises a lot of families. You can be a real, supportive person in someone's life and still not be "approved" in the system. Before mailing anything, make sure the sender is on the approved visitor list. Otherwise, you're looking at delays while the payment bounces back.
Prepare
- ✓ Use the offender’s full name on the deposit slip.
- ✓ Double-check the offender’s OID number on the form before you mail it.
Not sure if the sender is an approved visitor? Consider using ConnectNetwork instead of mailing a money order. The deposit form lists it as a faster option, and you can call 888-428-1845 to set it up.
Tip: If anything about the sender status or the deposit details feels unclear, verify it with the facility or the payment vendor before you resend money.
When TouchPay receives a money order with a problem, they don't keep it or apply it partially. They mail the money order and deposit slip back to the address you wrote on the form. Double-check that return address before sending - that's where any rejected payment ends up.
Watch for the return envelope: The returned money order and deposit slip should come back to the address listed on your form, and the paperwork is your best clue about what went wrong.
- Read the returned deposit slip carefully - if TouchPay sends your money order back, review the slip for any indication of what triggered the problem.
- Don’t resend until the issue is fixed - sending the same payment again before you correct the problem can lead to another rejection and more delay.
- Email the vendor after the wait period - if you still need help, contact ViaPath at moneyorders@viapath.com no sooner than one week after mailing the money order.
Having trouble with a mailed money order? ViaPath says to email moneyorders@viapath.com - but wait at least one week after mailing before reaching out. That gives enough time for payments still in transit or processing to clear.
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