Winston-Salem Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Winston-Salem, North Carolina government websites.

  About Winston-Salem City Government
Government Type City Council

Winston-Salem is a city in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Use the official town and county resources on this page to reach the clerk, court, assessment, public-records, and Freedom of Information request pages serving residents and researchers.

  About Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem and Forsyth County have a diverse economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Public records related to economic development, such as major employers, industry trends, and workforce data, are available through the local government and economic development organizations. Residents and businesses can also access information on economic incentives, tax rates, and other relevant data to support their financial and investment decisions.

  Winston-Salem, North Carolina Public Records & Government Resources

Law Enforcement

Beyond the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, several municipal departments handle law enforcement within their jurisdictions. The Winston-Salem Police Department serves the county seat, while the Kernersville Police Department and Clemmons Police Department cover their respective municipalities. Each agency manages local policing and community engagement within its territory. When major crimes or emergencies arise, these departments work together through joint task forces, coordinating their efforts to maintain public safety across the county.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Forsyth County Detention Center serves as Forsyth County's primary jail facility. Everyone arrested in Forsyth County goes through the booking process here, where they're photographed, fingerprinted, and their information is recorded into the system. The facility maintains an online inmate lookup service that allows the public to search for current detainees. Visitation follows specific rules and scheduled times, with security protocols enforced for all visitors.
North Carolina's bond and bail process permits release of detainees while they await trial, and those seeking information about posting bail can contact the detention center or the Sheriff's Office directly.

Arrest Records

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Forsyth County. These records document each individual's arrest, the charges filed, and booking details. Residents and attorneys seeking arrest records can request them by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, the public can access these records, though certain restrictions apply to protect privacy and avoid compromising active investigations. A typical arrest record contains the individual's personal information, the nature of charges filed, and which agency made the arrest.

Court Records

The court system in Forsyth County maintains public records covering both civil and criminal proceedings. These files include court dockets, case documents, and judgments issued by the courts. Those seeking court records can contact the clerk of court's office directly or use online portals such as the North Carolina Judicial Branch's website (https://www.nccourts.gov/) to search for case information.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Forsyth County encompasses various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court maintains these records, providing access to case files and court proceedings. Residents can conduct background checks through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which offers a centralized database for criminal history checks.

Public Records Access

Public records for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County flow through various government agencies and online portals. Census data and vital statistics are accessible through the U.S. Census Bureau's website (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/winstonsalemcitynorthcarolina). For criminal history records and the sex offender registry, residents can check the North Carolina Department of Justice websites (https://www.ncdoj.gov/public-safety-and-crime-prevention/criminal-records/ and https://sexoffender.ncdoj.gov/).

Vital Records

The Winston-Salem and Forsyth County vital records department is responsible for maintaining birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Residents can obtain copies of these documents by submitting requests to the local registrar's office. The office also processes applications for vital record-related services, such as name changes and corrections.

Business & Licensing Records

Businesses operating in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County must obtain appropriate licenses and permits. Public records related to commercial operations, including property assessments, business licenses, and zoning information, are available through city and county government websites. Local entrepreneurs and residents can also tap into economic development data and resources designed to support business growth in the area.

Economy & Demographics

Winston-Salem and Forsyth County have a diverse economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Public records related to economic development, such as major employers, industry trends, and workforce data, are available through the local government and economic development organizations. Residents and businesses can also access information on economic incentives, tax rates, and other relevant data to support their financial and investment decisions.

Elections & Voter Records

ELECTION HUB for Winston-Salem, North Carolina voters

The Forsyth County Board of Elections serves voters throughout the city. Their office operates from 201 N. Chestnut St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Reach them at (336) 703-2800 or visit https://www.forsythcountync.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/board-of-elections. Voter registration in the city can be completed online at https://www.ncsbe.gov/register-vote. The deadline falls 25 days before any election. You'll need your North Carolina driver's license or DMV-issued ID number to complete registration.
Municipal elections for Mayor and City Council take place in odd-numbered years, with the next contest scheduled for November 2025. Candidate information appears on the county Board of Elections website. Polling place lookups are available through the North Carolina State Board of Elections website at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/. Election records in North Carolina, including voter registration data, campaign finance reports, and absentee ballot requests, are public records accessible through the county Board of Elections. Forsyth County recorded a 66.5% voter turnout in the 2024 general election. The next election cycle arrives in November 2026, featuring races for the U.S. House of Representatives, North Carolina General Assembly, and various county-level offices. North Carolina voters can request absentee ballots by mail or vote early in person. The absentee ballot request deadline is 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before Election Day, and completed ballots must reach the Forsyth County Board of elections by 5:00 PM on Election Day.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: 4/5 | Property: 4/5 | Arrest Logs: 4/5 | Vital Records: 4/5 | Business: 4/5 | Elections: 5/5 | Overall: 4.5/10 — Forsyth County and Winston-Salem generally have good transparency across public records, with robust access to election information and processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina?
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools district serves over 50,000 students in Forsyth County, North Carolina. The district has a graduation rate of 85.2%, which is higher than the state average of 84.3%. The district also has a four-year cohort graduation rate of 87.2%, which is higher than the state average of 86.5%. The district's average SAT score is 1020, which is slightly lower than the state average of 1030. The district's average ACT score is 20.3, which is slightly lower than the state average of 20.7.
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the total number of reported crimes in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina in 2019 was 11,945. Of those, 8,845 were property crimes and 3,100 were violent crimes.
The Winston-Salem Public Library in County, North Carolina provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and North Carolina government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the North Carolina Public Records Law, which governs access to government documents in North Carolina. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Winston-Salem North Carolina Archives and Genealogy at https://archives.ncdcr.gov/. Contact the Winston-Salem Public Library reference desk at (336) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
The Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina Library is located at 660 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Fingerprinting services for Winston-Salem, North Carolina residents are provided at the Winston-Salem Police Department, which serves County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Winston-Salem Police Department at (336) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) at https://www.ncdoj.gov/public-safety-and-crime-prevention/criminal-records/.
The Forsyth County Register of Deeds office is responsible for issuing vital records for Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina.

To obtain vital records from the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office, you must submit a written request with the following information:

* Full name of the person on the record
* Date of birth or approximate age
* Date and place of the event
* Your relationship to the person on the record
* Your name, address, and phone number
* A copy of a valid photo ID
* Payment for the applicable fee

The types of vital records available from the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees.
ELECTION HUB for Winston-Salem, North Carolina voters

Forsyth County Board of Elections serves the voters of Winston-Salem. Their office is located at 201 N. Chestnut St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. You can reach them at (336) 703-2800 or visit their website at https://www.forsythcountync.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/board-of-elections.

To register to vote in Winston-Salem, you can do so online at https://www.ncsbe.gov/register-vote. The registration deadline is 25 days before an election. You'll need to provide your North Carolina driver's license or DMV-issued ID number.

Municipal
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County public records are available through various government agencies and online portals. Residents can access census and vital statistics data from the U.S. Census Bureau's website (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/winstonsalemcitynorthcarolina). Criminal history records, including the sex offender registry, are maintained by the North Carolina Department of Justice (https://www.ncdoj.gov/public-safety-and-crime-prevention/criminal-records/, https://sexoffender.ncdoj.gov/).
The Winston-Salem and Forsyth County vital records department is responsible for maintaining birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Residents can obtain copies of these documents by submitting requests to the local registrar's office. The office also processes applications for vital record-related services, such as name changes and corrections.
Businesses operating in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are required to obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Public records related to business operations, including commercial property assessments, business licenses, and zoning information, are available through the city and county government websites. Residents and entrepreneurs can also access economic development data and resources to support local business growth.
The Forsyth County Register of Deeds office is responsible for issuing vital records for Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina. The office is located at 201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

To obtain vital records from the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office, you must submit a written request with the following information:

* Full name of the person on the record
* Date of birth or approximate age
* Date and place of the event
* Your relationship to the person on the record
* Your name, address, and phone number
* A copy of a valid photo ID
* Payment for the applicable fee

The types of vital records available from the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees.
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools district serves over 50,000 students in Forsyth County, North Carolina. The district has a graduation rate of 85.2%, which is higher than the state average of 84.3%. The district also has a four-year cohort graduation rate of 87.2%, which is higher than the state average of 86.5%. The district's average SAT score is 1020, which is slightly lower than the state average of 1030. The district's average ACT score is 20.3, which is slightly lower than the state average of 20.7.
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the total number of reported crimes in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina in 2019 was 11,945. Of those, 8,845 were property crimes and 3,100 were violent crimes.
Yes, you can find public records in the Forsyth County Public Library in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The library has a wide variety of public records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, as well as property records, court records, and other government documents.
The Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina Library is located at 660 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office provides fingerprinting services for the Winston-Salem area. The office is located at 301 N. Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 336-727-2112.
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