Find Forsyth County Court Records

Forsyth County court records are available through the Clerk of Superior Court in Winston-Salem. The clerk office stores criminal case files, civil lawsuit records, and all court orders for Forsyth County. Winston-Salem is the county seat and one of the largest cities in North Carolina. You can search Forsyth County court records by visiting the courthouse in person or by using the state online portal. This guide walks you through the steps to find the records you need in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Clerk of Court

The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 175 N. Chestnut St in Winston-Salem. This is the central hub for all court records in Forsyth County. The office handles case filings, record storage, and public access to court documents. You can reach the clerk by phone at (336) 779-6300.

Forsyth County is one of the busiest court systems in the state. The courthouse in Winston-Salem processes thousands of cases each year. Criminal, civil, family, and estate matters all flow through this office. The clerk staff can help you locate specific case files and order copies of court records in Forsyth County. Bring your ID when you visit. It helps to have a case number or the full name of a party in the case. Walk-in searches are welcome during business hours at the Forsyth County courthouse.

Forsyth County Criminal Court Records

Criminal records in Forsyth County come from cases heard in District Court and Superior Court. Misdemeanors go to District Court. Felonies go to Superior Court after a grand jury issues an indictment. Both types of criminal records are stored at the clerk office at 175 N. Chestnut St in Winston-Salem.

Each criminal case file in Forsyth County includes the charges, arrest details, court dates, motions, plea information, and the final disposition. Most criminal court records are open to the public under the North Carolina Public Records Act. You can request to view or copy these files at the clerk office. The Forsyth County court system handles a high volume of criminal cases due to the size of Winston-Salem and the surrounding area.

Arrests in Forsyth County are handled by the sheriff and local police departments. Once a case enters the court system, the clerk takes over the file. Contact the Forsyth County Sheriff at (336) 917-7100 for arrest or warrant questions. For court case details, call the clerk at (336) 779-6300.

Note: Expunged records in Forsyth County will not appear in public searches, as the court has ordered them removed from public view.

Search Forsyth County Records Online

The state of North Carolina provides online tools to search court records. The eCourts portal at nccourts.gov covers all counties, including Forsyth County. You can search by party name or case number. The system is free for basic case data.

Online searches show case type, charges, court dates, and outcomes. They do not show the full text of documents. For copies of motions, orders, or judgments from Forsyth County, you need to contact the clerk office. You can call, visit, or send a written request. The online system works well as a starting point for your search of Forsyth County court records.

You will need at least one of these to search:

• Full name of a party in the case
• Case number assigned by the court
• Date range to narrow your results
• Type of case such as criminal, civil, or family

Civil Case Filings

Civil records in Forsyth County cover lawsuits, debt collection, property disputes, and contract claims. Small claims under $10,000 are heard in District Court. Larger civil cases go to Superior Court. Both types are stored at the courthouse in Winston-Salem.

A civil case file in Forsyth County typically contains the complaint, summons, answer, discovery documents, motions, and the final judgment or order. These files are public records. You can view them at the clerk office during business hours. Copies are available for a fee. Certified copies carry the court seal and are valid for legal proceedings. The Forsyth County clerk can tell you the current copy fees when you call or visit.

Civil judgments entered in Forsyth County can affect property ownership and financial obligations. If you need to check for liens or judgments, the clerk can search by name. The Superior Court handles the larger and more complex civil matters in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Sheriff Records

The Forsyth County Sheriff maintains law enforcement records separate from court records. The sheriff office is at 120 W. 3rd St in Winston-Salem. You can call (336) 917-7100 for questions about arrests, warrants, or the county jail.

Deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriff serve court papers, execute warrants, and provide security at the courthouse. After someone is arrested and charged, their case moves from law enforcement to the court system. The clerk then stores the official court record. Both offices serve the Forsyth County justice system but keep separate sets of records.

Court Records and Public Access

Most court records in Forsyth County are public. The North Carolina Public Records Act gives residents the right to view government records. Court files fall under this law. You do not have to be part of the case to request access to Forsyth County court records.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases in Forsyth County are not open to the public. Sealed files and expunged cases are also off limits. Mental health proceedings have limited access. Adoption records are confidential. For everything else, you can walk into the Forsyth County clerk office and ask to see a file. The staff will pull the case and let you review it.

The NC Courts records page has more details on what is public and what is restricted. If you are not sure whether a record is available in Forsyth County, call the clerk at (336) 779-6300 before you visit.

Note: Requests for large numbers of records in Forsyth County may take extra time to process, so plan ahead.

Getting Copies from Forsyth County

The Forsyth County clerk provides both plain and certified copies of court records. Plain copies work for personal review. Certified copies are needed for legal proceedings, government filings, and other official uses. Both are available at the clerk office in Winston-Salem.

To get copies by mail, send a written request to the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court at 175 N. Chestnut St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Include the case number, party names, and what documents you need. Add payment for the copy fees. The clerk will process your request and mail the copies. Call (336) 779-6300 first to confirm the current fees for Forsyth County court record copies.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County in North Carolina. Court cases are filed in the county where the matter took place. Make sure you search the right county for the records you need.