NC Offender Lookup: Find State Prisoners, County Jail Inmates and Custody Records
A North Carolina inmate search begins with one important question: is the person in a county jail or an NCDAC state prison? A recent arrestee may still be held by a county sheriff, while a person serving a state sentence is normally listed in the Department of Adult Correction system.
This guide helps you choose the correct database, search by name or OPUS number, interpret prison and supervision records, locate the facility, arrange visits, send money or mail, set up calls, check court cases and receive custody-change notifications.
NCDAC Offender Public Information.
Use the arresting county sheriff or detention center.
Seven-digit NC OPUS offender number.
July 16, 2026 using official state sources.
Choose the correct North Carolina inmate search
Search the county sheriff or detention center where the person was arrested. Local jails usually hold people during booking, pretrial detention and shorter local sentences.
Use NCDAC Offender Public Information. It can show active state inmates, prison locations, sentence data and state correction identifiers.
Use the same state offender search and select the active probationer or parolee status when appropriate.
How to use North Carolina Offender Public Information
The state search covers more than people physically housed in prison. Its status menu includes all records, active inmates, active probationers or parolees and inactive correction records.
| Search field | How to use it | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Offender status | Choose all, active inmate, active probationer/parolee or inactive. | Use “All” when you are unsure whether the person remains incarcerated or under supervision. |
| Last name | Enter the legal or most likely surname. | Begin with last name only to avoid excluding the record. |
| Last name sounds like | Find similar-sounding surname spellings. | Use it for uncertain spelling, compound surnames or names recorded phonetically. |
| First name and middle initial | Narrow a large set of surname matches. | Add these only after reviewing a broad surname search. |
| Offender number | Search the unique NC correction identifier. | Use the OPUS number whenever known; it is more precise than a name. |
| Birth date | Search exact date or a range from plus/minus one to 15 years. | Use a range when the exact year is uncertain. |
| Age range | Set minimum and maximum age. | Keep the range broad enough to account for an incorrect estimate. |
| Gender, race and ethnic group | Narrow multiple similar records. | Treat these as matching aids, not sufficient proof of identity. |
How to locate someone in a North Carolina county jail
The state-prison locator is not a complete live roster of all 100 county jails. A sheriff, detention center or regional jail normally controls records for people held locally.
Information to prepare before calling a county jail
How to understand an NC prison or jail lookup result
| Field | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| OPUS number | The NCDAC state offender identifier. | Save it for mail, deposits, calls, visits and future state searches. |
| Booking number | A county jail identifier for a local custody event. | Use it for local jail calls, deposits, mail and bond questions. |
| Active inmate | The state system currently classifies the person as incarcerated. | Confirm the listed prison before traveling or mailing. |
| Active probationer or parolee | The person is under state community supervision rather than necessarily in prison. | Do not use the listed supervision status as proof of physical custody. |
| Inactive | The state correction record is not presently active. | Check dates and court records; the person may have completed supervision or been released. |
| Facility | The current state prison assignment shown by NCDAC. | Use the facility page for its phone, address and appointment procedures. |
| Projected release | An estimated correctional release date calculated from current information. | Treat it as changeable; sentence credits, court orders, holds and supervision rules can affect it. |
| Post-release supervision | Community supervision after prison for an eligible sentence. | Do not confuse the supervision end date with the date the person leaves prison. |
| Charge or conviction | An alleged jail charge or a state correction conviction record. | Use court records to confirm current case status and disposition. |
No North Carolina inmate record found? Follow this order
Find the correct North Carolina prison facility and contact
NCDAC publishes individual pages for state prisons and organizes institutions into Western, Central, South Central and Eastern regions. Each facility page may provide a physical address, mailing information, phone number, custody level, programs and local visitation instructions.
Regional administration: 828-757-5738
Includes facilities in the mountain and western areas of the state.
Regional administration: 919-582-6125
Includes prisons in central North Carolina and the Raleigh-area system.
Regional administration: 910-565-1473
Includes a number of south-central and southeastern institutions.
Regional administration: 252-830-3466
Includes prisons across eastern and coastal North Carolina.
Before contacting a prison
North Carolina prison visitor application and appointment rules
A visitor cannot simply arrive at an NCDAC prison. The visitor must be approved and the in-person visit must be scheduled with the facility.
Statewide visitation limits
Up to 18 approved adults and minors.
No more than one visiting session per week under normal circumstances.
No more than two hours, excluding legal, law-enforcement and clergy visits.
Normally no more than three approved visitors.
Open enrollment occurs every six months based on the prisoner’s admission month.
The approved visitation list remains active when the person moves to another NCDAC prison.
Reasons an application may be denied
- The form is copied rather than an original.
- Required fields or identification attachments are missing.
- The application contains false information.
- The applicant has a criminal record that raises eligibility concerns.
- The applicant participated in the activity for which the person is incarcerated.
- A former offender has been released for less than 12 months.
- The applicant is on probation, parole or supervised release, or has been off supervision for less than six months.
Entrance search and dress rules
North Carolina state prison video visits
NCDAC video visitation uses GettingOut Visits. The outside participant must already be on the incarcerated person’s approved visitor list.
The incarcerated person participates through an electronic tablet or a facility video kiosk.
Use the GettingOut Visits mobile app or a computer with internet, webcam, microphone and a current browser.
Video visits may be on demand or scheduled for a future date and time, subject to availability.
How to send money to an NC state prisoner
| Deposit amount | Online | Telephone | Money order | Western Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.01–$19.99 | $2.48 | $3.27 | $0 | $3 |
| $20–$99 | $5 | $5.79 | $0 | $3 |
| $100–$199 | $6.58 | $7.37 | $0 | $3 |
| $200–$300 | $8.16 | $8.95 | $0 | $3 |
Available deposit methods
Pay by credit or debit card. NCDAC describes online deposits as the fastest and easiest option.
Call 888-428-1845.
Use payment code NCDAC TRUST at a Western Union location.
Make it payable to TouchPay, attach the official deposit slip and mail it to the TouchPay address.
Money order address
PO Box 174
Houston, TX 77001-0174
ViaPath toll-free help: 877-650-4249
North Carolina state prisoner mail address and TextBehind rules
NCDAC non-legal mail is screened and scanned by TextBehind, then delivered electronically to the incarcerated person’s tablet. Ordinary personal mail should not be sent to the prison’s street address.
Full name of prison — do not abbreviate
PO Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
What happens to paper mail?
Items TextBehind will not process
No cash, money orders, payment checks or IRS checks.
No original passports, Social Security cards or birth certificates. Copies may be accepted.
No postage stamps, stationery, blank envelopes or pre-stamped envelopes.
No credit cards, prepaid cards, metal items, musical cards or electronic components.
No oversized envelopes, fabric pieces, banners or posters.
No prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Legal mail, books and religious study
| Material | Where it goes | Required action |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney legal mail | Directly to the prison under facility instructions. | The attorney or law-firm employee should contact the prison; do not use TextBehind. |
| Books, magazines and newspapers | Handled under the individual facility’s package and publication rules. | Confirm the prison’s current vendor and package requirements before ordering. |
| Religious correspondence course or sacred text | Directly from the approved vendor or religious organization to the prison. | The incarcerated person must request pre-approval through the facility chaplain or designated staff. |
NC prison calls, AdvancePay, PIN Debit and tablets
NCDAC uses ViaPath/GTL for tablets and offender communication. Tablets may support calls, text messages, scanned mail, education, self-help and entertainment. Wall phones and kiosks may also be available.
Money is placed on the outside person’s telephone number. Charges are deducted when the incarcerated person calls that number.
Money is placed in the incarcerated person’s phone account, allowing calls to permitted telephone numbers.
Ways to fund an AdvancePay account
| Method | How it works | Contact or address |
|---|---|---|
| ConnectNetwork website or app | Create an account, add funds and view balances. | Available online 24 hours a day. |
| Telephone | Create or add funds to an AdvancePay account. | 800-483-8314 |
| Western Union | Make a payment at a participating location. | Use the account details supplied by ViaPath. |
| Check or money order | Mail a payment to the AdvancePay Service Department. | PO Box 911722, Denver, CO 80291-1722. |
Use for setting up an AdvancePay account from outside the United States.
How North Carolina state prison transfers work
NCDAC uses mandatory transfers for operational needs and discretionary transfers requested by an incarcerated person. A family member cannot file the discretionary request.
- At least six months at the current facility.
- At least 90 days without an infraction.
The incarcerated person speaks with the case manager about the reason, eligibility and available transfer options.
Factors NCDAC considers
After transfer approval
Use North Carolina court records to verify custody and case status
A jail roster shows custody. A state prison record shows correction status. The Judicial Branch record shows the criminal case, filings, hearings and disposition.
Use the arrest location, charging agency or case number to determine which county court holds the record.
A case number is more precise than a name and reduces same-name confusion.
Determine whether the case is pending, dismissed, resolved by plea, tried or transferred.
Verify the county, courtroom, date and time close to the hearing because settings can change.
Use the court judgment to understand why a person appears in state correction records.
Ask the county clerk when an online document, disposition or certified copy is unavailable.
NC SAVAN custody alerts and Victim Support Services
NCDAC Victim Support Services helps victims and family members understand prison, probation, parole and post-release supervision. It also administers automated state correction notifications through NC SAVAN.
Free, confidential and multilingual automated notifications concerning participating custody and supervision changes.
Victim-services staff can discuss location, approximate release, transfers, escapes, custody level, unwanted contact and correctional-process questions.
Issues Victim Support Services can address
Toll-free: 866-719-0108
What to do after you locate the person
Record the state OPUS number or county booking number before beginning any service request.
Call before visiting or mailing when the record is new or a transfer may have occurred.
For an NCDAC prison, the incarcerated person must mail the original application.
Only approved visitors may send NCDAC trust funds.
State non-legal mail goes through TextBehind, not automatically to the prison street address.
Use the case file to confirm the charge, conviction, sentence and next hearing.
NCDAC headquarters contact and map
214 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Raleigh, NC 27699-5201
North Carolina inmate-search mistakes to avoid
The person may still be in a sheriff-operated jail and absent from state-prison records.
One inaccurate detail can remove the correct record. Start with surname and status “All.”
Confirm the OPUS or booking number, birth details and custody location.
Ordinary NCDAC personal mail normally goes through TextBehind in Phoenix, Maryland.
NCDAC restricts deposits to approved visitors.
State visits require approval and an appointment; call the prison the day before.
Only the incarcerated person may initiate a discretionary transfer through the case manager.
Sentence calculations, court orders, credits and holds may change the date.
Verify through NCDAC, the sheriff, the court or the responsible custody agency.
Live official actions used in this guide
The practical rules are included above. These links remain only for searches, appointments, deposits, communication accounts, court requests and notifications that cannot be completed on this website.
North Carolina inmate search FAQs
How do I search for an inmate in North Carolina?
Determine whether the person is in a county jail or an NCDAC state prison. Use the state offender locator for state inmates and supervision records; use the arresting county sheriff for local jail custody.
Does the NC offender search include every county jail?
No. County sheriffs operate local jails. A recent arrestee or pretrial detainee normally must be searched through the appropriate sheriff or detention center.
What can I enter in the state offender search?
You can use offender status, name, similar-sounding surname, offender number, gender, race, ethnic group, birth date and age range.
What is an OPUS number?
It is the unique North Carolina state correction identifier used to confirm a person in NCDAC records and complete services such as mail and deposits.
Why can I not find a recently arrested person?
The person may still be in county booking, held by a city or county agency, listed under another spelling, or not yet transferred to state custody.
How do I become an approved prison visitor?
The incarcerated person obtains and mails an original application. You complete it, attach the required identification and return it directly to the current prison for approval.
How many visitors can an NC prisoner approve?
An incarcerated person may have up to 18 approved adults and minors. A normal session is limited to three approved visitors.
How do I send money to a state prisoner?
You must be an approved visitor. Available methods include ConnectNetwork online or mobile, telephone deposits, Western Union and a TouchPay money order with the official deposit slip.
Where do I mail an NC prisoner?
Send non-legal mail to the person’s full name and OPUS number, full prison name, PO Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Use the sender’s full first and last name in the return address.
Can a family member request a prison transfer?
No. The incarcerated person must begin a discretionary transfer request through the case manager. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval.
How can I receive release or transfer alerts?
Register with NC SAVAN or contact NCDAC Victim Support Services at 866-719-0108 for available notification and correctional-process assistance.
What number should I call for NCDAC?
The NCDAC main telephone number is 919-733-2126. For a specific prisoner, contact the facility shown in the live offender record.