Surry County Detention Center Visiting Hours. Video Visits via PayTel

Two Types of Visits

Surry County Detention Center offers two video visit options. They use the same platform (PayTel Connect) and the same scheduling requirement (24 hours in advance), but they differ in cost and location.

On-Site Lobby Visits (Free)

You go to the facility at 219 Snow Street, Dobson, NC 27017 and use a video monitor in the jail lobby to see and speak with the person inside. There is no charge for on-site lobby visits.

You still must schedule this visit in advance through PayTel Connect at paytelconnect.com. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Remote Visits From Home ($0.30/minute)

You connect through your own computer, tablet, or phone using the PayTel Connect platform at paytelconnect.com. The visit is billed at $0.30 per minute, charged to your PayTel account.

Important: Cell phones do not work reliably for remote visits. A strong, stable internet or Wi-Fi connection is recommended. If your connection drops during the visit, the session may end and you may still be charged for time used.

How to Schedule a Visit

Both visit types are scheduled through PayTel Connect:

1. Go to paytelconnect.com and create an account if you don’t have one.
2. Search for Surry County Detention Center.
3. Find the person by name or inmate ID.
4. Choose your visit type: on-site lobby or remote.
5. Pick an available date and time.
6. Confirm your booking at least 24 hours before the visit.

You’ll receive a confirmation. Log in to your PayTel Connect account at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. Late log-ins may result in a shortened or cancelled visit.

For Remote Visits: Equipment and Connection

Remote visits require a working camera and microphone on your device. PayTel Connect works on most modern browsers. Before your visit:

• Test your camera and microphone settings.
• Connect to a strong Wi-Fi or wired internet connection. Avoid relying on cell data.
• Close other browser tabs and apps that use bandwidth.
• Log in at least 5 minutes early to resolve any technical issues before the session starts.

If you have trouble connecting, contact PayTel Communications at 1-800-729-8355 (1-800-PAY-TELL) before the visit time.

Professional Visitors

Attorneys, law enforcement officers, probation officers, paralegals, and interpreters can visit Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Professional visitors must present proper credentials and identification.

Contact the facility at (336) 401-8975 to confirm professional visit procedures before arriving or scheduling.

Religious Leaders

Religious leaders are subject to the same standard visitation rules as other visitors. They are not classified as professional visitors and do not have extended access hours. Contact the facility to confirm scheduling and any credentialing requirements before your visit.

Photo Messaging

If you cannot visit, you can send approved photos through the PayTel Connect app. Each approved photo costs $0.25, charged to the sender. Photos are reviewed before they reach the person inside.

Photo rules: No explicit, violent, or gang-related content. No nude or partially clothed images. Standard photo formats only. See the mail and photos guide for more detail on what photos are accepted.

What to Expect During the Visit

Video visits at Surry County are monitored. You should conduct yourself as you would in any official setting. The visit will end at the scheduled time. Visits may be terminated early if conduct is inappropriate or if facility staff have reason to end the session.

You cannot exchange items with the person during a video visit. Do not attempt to show documents, packages, or other materials through the camera without prior approval from the facility.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule

Log in to your PayTel Connect account to cancel or reschedule. Do this as early as possible before your scheduled visit time. Cancellation policies and any potential fees are set by PayTel. Contact PayTel support at 1-800-729-8355 for questions about cancellation.

Confirming Before You Visit

Before traveling to the facility for an on-site lobby visit, confirm the person is still in custody. People can be transferred, released, or moved without notice. Use the Southern Software inmate search to check their status before you make the trip to Dobson.

Facility Location and Directions

Surry County Detention Center is located at 219 Snow Street, Dobson, NC 27017. Dobson is the county seat of Surry County in the Foothills region of northwestern North Carolina, roughly 30 miles north of Winston-Salem via US-421. The facility is near the Surry County courthouse.

There is no public bus service to the facility. If you are traveling from outside the area, plan for rural driving conditions. The nearest larger city with hotels is Winston-Salem.

For directions or visit-related questions, call the detention line at (336) 401-8975 or the Sheriff’s Office main number at (336) 401-8900.