Find Winston-Salem Court Records
Winston-Salem court records are managed by the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County and one of the largest cities in the Piedmont Triad. North Carolina does not have municipal courts. Winston-Salem does not run its own court system. All criminal charges, civil lawsuits, traffic tickets, and family cases for Winston-Salem go through the Forsyth County courts. You can search Winston-Salem court records online through the state portal or visit the clerk office in person for copies of case documents and filings.
Winston-Salem Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records for Winston-Salem are filed in Forsyth County. These include arrests, charges, hearings, and case outcomes. Misdemeanor cases go through district court. Felony cases are tried in superior court. Both courts handle Winston-Salem cases at the Forsyth County courthouse.
The Winston-Salem Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. You can reach the police at (336) 773-7700. Police records cover incident reports, accident reports, and arrest details. Court records track the legal process after charges are filed. A police report shows what happened. The court record shows what the legal system did about it. For a full view of a Winston-Salem criminal case, you may need both types of records.
Search Winston-Salem criminal court records through the North Carolina eCourts portal. The portal covers all of Forsyth County. Enter a name or case number to find cases. Basic details are free to view. You can see charges, court dates, and case status for any Winston-Salem case without paying a fee. Visit wspd.org for police department information and records requests.
The Winston-Salem Police Department works with Forsyth County courts to process criminal cases from the city. Their records division handles requests for police reports.
Searching Court Records in Winston-Salem
You can search for Winston-Salem court records online or at the courthouse. Both options give you access to Forsyth County case data.
The eCourts system at nccourts.gov is the online search tool. You can look up cases by name, case number, or attorney. The portal covers criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases from Forsyth County. Every Winston-Salem case is in the system. Basic case information is free. Filing dates, charges, and case status are all visible without a fee. The portal works from any device and is available at all hours.
For an in-person search, go to the Forsyth County clerk office at 175 N. Chestnut St in Winston-Salem. The staff can look up cases and pull files for you. Bring a photo ID. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. You can review full case files and request copies at the counter. In-person visits let you see documents that may not appear in the online system.
- Free online search at nccourts.gov for basic case details
- Full file review available in person at the clerk office
- Certified copies available for a fee
- Phone inquiries at (336) 779-6300
- Mail requests accepted for some record types
Note: The eCourts portal shows results for all of Forsyth County, so you may see cases from Kernersville and other towns alongside Winston-Salem records.
Forsyth County Clerk Office
The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court is the official keeper of all court records for Winston-Salem. This is where cases are filed, stored, and made available to the public. Since North Carolina does not have municipal courts, the county clerk office is the only source for Winston-Salem court records.
| Office | Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 175 N. Chestnut St Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Phone | (336) 779-6300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov - Forsyth County |
Forsyth County has a population of over 380,000 people. Winston-Salem is by far the largest city in the county. The court system also serves Kernersville, Clemmons, and other smaller towns. All of these communities share the same county court system, and all cases are filed with the same clerk office in Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Winston-Salem go through Forsyth County courts. These cases cover contract disputes, property claims, personal injury lawsuits, and small claims matters. Small claims up to $10,000 are heard in district court. Larger disputes go to superior court. Both courts serve Winston-Salem residents.
Filing a small claims case in Winston-Salem starts at the clerk office. You complete a complaint form and pay the filing fee. The court schedules a hearing. A magistrate hears the case and makes a ruling. Everything goes into the file as part of the Winston-Salem civil court records held by Forsyth County. These records are public.
Larger civil cases in Winston-Salem produce more paperwork. Motions, responses, evidence, and court orders all become part of the record. Attorneys handle most of these cases. You can search for basic case information online or visit the clerk office to review the full case file. Winston-Salem civil court records provide a detailed account of each dispute and its resolution.
Note: Civil judgments from Winston-Salem cases are public records that can be viewed at the Forsyth County clerk office.
Traffic Records for Winston-Salem
Traffic violations in Winston-Salem create court records in Forsyth County. Speeding, running red lights, and reckless driving are all handled through district court. DWI cases are criminal charges with stiffer penalties. Every citation from Winston-Salem police becomes a case in the county system.
Some traffic tickets in Winston-Salem can be paid without going to court. You can pay by mail, online, or at the clerk office. Other tickets require a court appearance. Either way, the result goes into your court record. Insurance companies and the DMV can access these traffic records from Forsyth County.
DWI cases in Winston-Salem are treated as criminal matters. They appear in both the criminal and traffic sections of the court records. A DWI conviction can affect your license and insurance for years. Search for DWI records through the eCourts portal the same way you would search any other Winston-Salem criminal case.
Public Records Access in Winston-Salem
North Carolina public records law gives everyone access to most court records. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, court records are open to the public. You do not need to be involved in a case to request Winston-Salem court records. You do not need to live in the city or in Forsyth County. The records are available to anyone.
Some records are off limits. Juvenile court records are mostly confidential. Records sealed by a judge are not accessible. Adoption and certain mental health proceedings have restricted access. Everything else in the Winston-Salem court records can be viewed during business hours at the Forsyth County clerk office or searched online for basic details.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch has guides and forms for court access statewide. Their website covers rules and procedures for all counties, including Forsyth County where Winston-Salem court records are kept.
Winston-Salem Arrest and Warrant Records
Arrest records in Winston-Salem come from the police department. The court record starts once charges are formally filed with the clerk. Warrant records begin with a Forsyth County magistrate who reviews the evidence and decides if probable cause exists.
You can check for active warrants by calling the Winston-Salem Police Department at (336) 773-7700. The Forsyth County clerk can also help at (336) 779-6300. Court records tied to warrants appear in the eCourts system after the case is filed. Not every arrest in Winston-Salem leads to formal charges. If charges are not filed, there may be a police record but no court record.
Getting Winston-Salem Court Records
You can get copies of Winston-Salem court records at the Forsyth County clerk office. Visit 175 N. Chestnut St in downtown Winston-Salem for same-day service. Staff can pull files and make copies while you wait.
- Plain copies cost less than certified versions
- Certified copies carry the official clerk seal
- Mail requests are available for some record types
- Call (336) 779-6300 for current fees
Older Winston-Salem court records may be in physical storage rather than the electronic system. Cases from before the digital switch may take extra time to retrieve. Call the clerk office ahead of time if you need older records from Winston-Salem. This lets staff prepare the files before your visit.
Forsyth County Court Records
Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County. All court records for Winston-Salem residents are part of the Forsyth County system. The county also serves Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, and other communities. For a complete overview of the county court system and more resources, visit the Forsyth County page.