Common Questions About Forsyth County Court Records
How do I search Forsyth County court records online?
Use the statewide North Carolina eCourts Portal. Pick Smart Search for case records and Search Hearings for court dates. You can search by case number, party name, business name, attorney name, attorney bar number, citation number, cross-reference, or nickname. Open the advanced filters to narrow to Forsyth County, case type, status, and filing date range. Anonymous users clear a CAPTCHA check that reissues every five minutes. For the full walkthrough and search fields, see the court records page on this site.
Is the eCourts Portal the official court record?
No. The Judicial Branch says the public portal is not the official court record. It gives internet access to public docket entries for public case types. Official and certified copies come from the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Use the portal to find the file number, parties, and case type, then ask the clerk for a certified document when you need one for legal use. See the Clerk of Superior Court page for how to make that request.
Where is the Forsyth County Courthouse?
The current courthouse is at 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The main number is (336) 779-6300. Public hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the clerk's office is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The courthouse sits in downtown Winston-Salem, near the jail and the Register of Deeds. It serves both the District Court and Superior Court divisions. The District Court page lists the county court offices and phone lines.
How do I get a certified copy of a court record?
A certified copy comes from the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court, not the online portal. Find the case number first, identify the exact document, then contact the right clerk division or visit in person at 175 N. Chestnut Street. Pay the copy and certification fee, which follows the statewide court cost chart, so confirm the current amount with the clerk. You can pick it up or arrange mail delivery. See the Clerk of Superior Court page for the step-by-step.
Who keeps divorce decrees in Forsyth County?
The Clerk of Superior Court keeps divorce decrees. The Register of Deeds page expressly sends questions about divorce decrees to the Clerk of Court. The Register of Deeds handles marriage licenses and certified marriage certificate copies instead. So many people search for marriage and divorce together, but Forsyth County splits the two between two offices. For more on this split, see the marriage and divorce records page.
Where do I apply for a marriage license?
Apply through the Forsyth County Register of Deeds, not the Clerk of Superior Court. The official Register of Deeds page lists the marriage license fee as $60, plus $10 if you need a certified copy, for a total of $70. A magistrate ceremony costs $50 cash only. Both applicants usually appear in person unless a notarized affidavit covers an absent party. The marriage and divorce records page has the full application and fee details.
What court handles probate in Forsyth County?
Probate and estates are handled by the Estates Division of the Clerk of Superior Court. Forsyth County does not have a separate probate court. The clerk acts in estate matters, opening estates, issuing letters, and reviewing inventories and accountings. The Register of Deeds directs estate and will questions to the Clerk of Court. Probate records may include wills, applications, inventories, and orders. See the probate records page for what these files show.
What court handles small claims?
Small claims court is part of North Carolina District Court and is heard by magistrates without a jury. The Forsyth directory lists Magistrates - Small Claims at (336) 779-6319. Small claims cover claims for $10,000 or less, recovery of personal property, and summary ejectment or eviction. The state filing fee is $96, with sheriff service commonly $30. A small claims judgment may be appealed to District Court. See the District Court page for the full process.
Is Forsyth County District Court a federal court?
No. North Carolina District Court is a state trial court, not a federal district court. Forsyth District Court District 31 handles state matters like misdemeanors, traffic, family law, juvenile cases, and small claims. Federal cases for the county go to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, which is a separate system searched through PACER. County court records do not include federal cases. The District Court page explains the state trial divisions.
How do I find a court date in Forsyth County?
Use Search Hearings in the eCourts Portal, or the court-date links on the Forsyth County Judicial Branch page. You can search hearings by case number, party name, business name, attorney name, bar number, judicial officer, or courtroom. Search Hearings is the right tool when you only need a calendar, while Smart Search is better for full case history. See the court dockets page for how dockets and calendars differ.
Are juvenile records public?
Generally no. Under G.S. 7B-3000, juvenile court records are withheld from public inspection except for listed authorized persons or by court order. They do not become public when the juvenile turns 18. Juvenile expunction is handled separately under G.S. 7B-3200. The general public cannot browse juvenile files, and juvenile names and case details are not searchable online. For more on restricted records, see the court records page.
How do I expunge a dismissed charge?
Dismissed-charge expunctions in North Carolina are governed mainly by G.S. 15A-146. Some dismissals are handled by operation of law, while others require a petition. You must identify the right statute, file in the county of the charge, notify required agencies, and obtain a court order. Eligibility rules are technical, so many people need legal advice. The Judicial Branch expunction help page is the official start. See the criminal records page for more.
How do I find someone in the Forsyth County jail?
Use the Forsyth Sheriff's Police-to-Citizen inmate catalog. Public result fields include name, age, gender, race, height, weight, arrested date, court date, expected release, primary charge, booking agency, and total bond amount. Treat this as custody information, not a final criminal judgment. A person listed in jail may still have pending charges and a future court date. For search fields and contact details, see the inmate records page.
How do I search for warrants in Forsyth County?
Use the sheriff's Police-to-Citizen Wanted Persons and Most Wanted catalogs. These are official public lists, but not every active warrant appears online. Sealed warrants, juvenile warrants, newly issued orders, and out-of-county warrants may not show. Do not assume there is no warrant simply because no listing appears. A person who may have a warrant should contact an attorney and use official sheriff or clerk contacts. See the warrant records page for more.
Where do I pay a traffic ticket?
The Forsyth County Judicial Branch page links Payment Information and the eCourts Portal. Portal payments cover probation, parole, and some criminal and infraction cases. The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, but not Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, or Venmo. Some charges require a court appearance and cannot be cleared by paying online. For citation lookup and payment options, see the traffic court records page.
How much are jurors paid, and where do they park?
North Carolina pays jurors $12 for day one, $20 for each day from day two through day five, and $40 per day after the first five days if seated on a trial. The Clerk of Superior Court mails the check. Jurors report to room 305 on the 3rd floor of the courthouse, and free juror parking is at the Liberty Plaza parking deck. The county uses a one-day, one-trial system, so many jurors finish in a single day. See the public records page for related court services.
Can I bring a phone to court?
Maybe. Forsyth County local rules include an administrative order on cell phones and other electronic devices in the courthouse. Review the current order before you arrive. Courts often restrict recording, photography, and device use even when phones pass through security. The rules can change, so check the latest version. For local rules and forms, see the District Court page on this site, which links the county's official rules.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office and certified copies, see the Clerk of Superior Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, court dockets, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate records.