All visits are video-only through PayTel. Free on-site kiosk visits and paid remote visits both require 24-hour advance scheduling.
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Burke County Jail does not allow in-person contact visits. All visitation is video-only through PayTel Communications. You have two options: visit on-site at the jail using a free video kiosk, or visit remotely from home at $0.50 per minute. Both types must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance through PayTel. The day you can visit depends on which housing block the person is assigned to. Each account is limited to one visit per week.
Burke County Jail offers two video visit options. Both use PayTel and both require scheduling at least 24 hours ahead. The difference is where you connect from and what it costs.
Travel to Burke County Jail at 130 Government Drive, Morganton, NC 28655 and use one of the video kiosk terminals at the facility. These visits are free and last 15 minutes.
You still must schedule in advance through PayTel at paytel.com. Walk-ins are not accepted.
This option works well for families who can travel to Morganton. You see the person on a screen rather than through glass. The experience is similar to a video call, just from the jail building.
Connect through your own computer, tablet, or phone using PayTel. The visit is billed at $0.50 per minute, charged to your PayTel account.
There is no daily limit on remote visits beyond the one-visit-per-week-per-account rule. A stable internet connection is recommended. If your connection drops, the session may end and you may still be charged for time used.
The day you can visit depends on which block the person is housed in. You must know their block assignment before scheduling.
| Housing Block | Visit Day |
|---|---|
| A Block / B Block | Saturday |
| C Block / D Block | Sunday |
| E Block / F Block | Tuesday |
| G Block / J Block | Thursday |
If you are not sure which block they are in, call the jail at (828) 764-9590 and ask.
Visits are scheduled in set time slots. The available slots are:
On-site kiosk sessions run 30 minutes per slot. Remote sessions run at your chosen length billed by the minute. Choose the slot that works for you when scheduling through PayTel.
Before your first visit, you must complete a one-time approval process through PayTel. This is not optional. Visits will not connect without prior approval.
Step 1. Go to paytel.com and create a free account. Use your real name and the contact information you want tied to your account.
Step 2. Upload a clear photo of yourself and a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable IDs include a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport.
Step 3. Wait for the jail to review and approve your account. Approval is not instant. Allow time for processing before your first scheduled visit.
Step 4. Once approved, log in to PayTel and schedule a visit based on the person’s housing block and the available time slots above.
Step 5. Fund your PayTel account if you plan to do remote visits. On-site kiosk visits are free but remote visits are billed at $0.50 per minute.
Each registered PayTel account is limited to one visit per week. If multiple family members want to visit, each person needs their own PayTel account and their own approval. Plan ahead so visits are not wasted.
Video visits at Burke County Jail are monitored. Conduct yourself appropriately. The jail can end a visit if conduct is inappropriate.
For on-site kiosk visits, arrive a few minutes early and bring your government ID. You will check in at the facility before the visit begins.
For remote visits, log in to your PayTel account at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. A dropped connection at your end may end the session early.
If a scheduled visit fails to connect, contact PayTel kiosk customer support at 1-844-394-6639. Have your account information and visit confirmation ready. You can also call the jail at (828) 764-9590 to check on any issues with the person’s status that could affect visit access.
Inmates in disciplinary status may have visitation restricted or suspended. If you schedule a visit and it does not go through, or if the person is not showing up in the booking roster, call the jail directly at (828) 764-9590. A transfer to another facility can also affect visit access.
Before you schedule a visit, confirm the person is still in custody at Burke County Jail. Use the online roster at morgantonpdnc.policetocitizen.com/Inmates/Catalog or call (828) 764-9590. See the inmate search guide for step-by-step instructions.
Attorneys and other legal professionals may visit outside of the standard video visit schedule. Contact the jail directly at (828) 764-9590 to arrange legal visits.
6 of 13 questions
No. Burke County Jail does not allow in-person contact visits. All visitation is video-only through PayTel. You can visit on-site at the jail using a free kiosk, or connect remotely from home at $0.50 per minute.
VisitationCreate a PayTel account at paytel.com, upload your photo and a copy of your government ID, and wait for jail approval before your first visit. Then schedule through PayTel at least 24 hours before the visit. Choose the time slot that matches the person's housing block visit day.
VisitationIt depends on the housing block. A/B Block visits Saturday. C/D Block visits Sunday. E/F Block visits Tuesday. G/J Block visits Thursday. If you do not know which block they are in, call (828) 764-9590.
VisitationVisits are scheduled at 7:15 AM, 9:15 AM, 1:15 PM, and 8:15 PM. Choose the slot that works when scheduling through PayTel.
VisitationYes. If you travel to Burke County Jail at 130 Government Drive in Morganton and use a video kiosk at the facility, the visit is free. You still must schedule at least 24 hours in advance through PayTel.
VisitationRemote visits from home cost $0.50 per minute, billed to your PayTel account. There is no per-visit flat fee. A 15-minute remote visit would cost $7.50.
VisitationOne visit per week per registered PayTel account. If multiple people want to visit separately, each person needs their own PayTel account and their own jail approval.
VisitationYou need a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. Upload a copy when you create your PayTel account. You also upload a photo of yourself. The jail reviews both before approving your account.
VisitationContact PayTel kiosk customer support at 1-844-394-6639. Have your account information and visit confirmation ready. You can also call the jail at (828) 764-9590 to check on any status issues.
VisitationYes. Inmates in disciplinary status may have visitation suspended or restricted. If a scheduled visit does not go through, call the jail at (828) 764-9590 to find out what is happening.
VisitationYes. Attorneys and legal professionals can visit outside of the standard video visit schedule. Contact the jail directly at (828) 764-9590 to arrange legal visits.
VisitationCall the jail at (828) 764-9590 and ask. You need the housing block assignment to know which day you can schedule a visit.
VisitationYes. Check the online roster at morgantonpdnc.policetocitizen.com/Inmates/Catalog or call (828) 764-9590 before scheduling. County jail populations move frequently and someone can be transferred or released without notice.
VisitationConfirm they are in custody before scheduling a visit.
View ArticleCan't make the visit window? Set up PayTel so the person can call you.
View ArticleFund their account through JailATM. No money orders accepted.
View ArticleSend letters while you wait for your scheduled visit.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 7, 2026.