Forsyth County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Forsyth County?

Public records in Forsyth County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1 as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. Forsyth County, as a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is subject to this definition and maintains a broad range of records accessible to members of the public.

The following categories of records are currently maintained by various Forsyth County offices and agencies:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court; members of the public may access Forsyth County judicial branch records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments) — maintained by the Forsyth County Register of Deeds and the Tax Administration Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Forsyth County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Vital Records office
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the Forsyth County Register of Deeds and the City of Winston-Salem Development Services
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Forsyth County Tax Administration Office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Forsyth County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and advisory boards) — maintained by the Forsyth County Manager's Office and published on the county's official website
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Forsyth County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and the Winston-Salem Police Department
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Forsyth County Planning and Development Department

Is Forsyth County an Open Records County?

Forsyth County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person. This statute further provides that certified copies of public records shall be furnished upon request, subject to applicable fees established by law.

North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified at Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, operates in conjunction with the state's open meetings law under Chapter 143, Article 33C, commonly referred to as the "Sunshine Law." These provisions collectively ensure that Forsyth County government operations remain transparent and accountable to the public. At present, Forsyth County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all access rights and procedures are governed by the statewide statutory framework. Agencies within the county are required to respond to public records requests promptly and without unreasonable delay, as mandated by state statute.

How to Find Public Records in Forsyth County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Forsyth County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process currently in effect:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county agency or department maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; vital records may be obtained through the Register of Deeds or the state Vital Records office.
Submit a request in person, by mail, or electronically. Many offices accept walk-in requests during regular business hours. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides a dedicated portal through which individuals may submit a public records request for court-related documents, including civil case files, criminal records, and probate filings.
Use online search tools where available. The Forsyth County Tax Administration Office and Register of Deeds maintain searchable online databases for property and deed records. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides online access to certain court records and background check resources.
Search correctional and offender records online. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains a statewide criminal offender search tool that includes county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders.
Access historical and archival records. Older county records, including miscellaneous historical documents, may be accessed through the Forsyth County miscellaneous records collection maintained by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources State Archives.
Provide sufficient identifying information. Requestors should supply the full name of the subject, approximate dates, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers where applicable to facilitate efficient retrieval.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Forsyth County?

The current fee structure for public records in Forsyth County is governed by N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which authorizes agencies to charge fees that reflect the actual cost of reproducing records. Standard fees currently applicable across principal Forsyth County offices include:

Photocopies: $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the custodial office and document type
Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certified copy for birth and death certificates issued by the Register of Deeds
Certified copies of deeds and recorded instruments: Fees vary based on document length; the Register of Deeds charges per page for certified copies
Court record copies: Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type and certification status
Electronic records: Agencies may charge for the actual cost of producing electronic copies, including staff time for compilation where applicable

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card at in-person counters. Mailed requests typically require payment by check or money order made payable to the relevant county office. Under current law, agencies are not permitted to charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for general public records requests, though certain indigent individuals may qualify for reduced fees in specific court-related proceedings.

Does Forsyth County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Forsyth County, as required by state law. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodian. Fees apply only when copies or certified reproductions are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to Forsyth County records:

Forsyth County Tax Administration online portal — provides free online access to property assessment records, tax bills, and ownership history
Forsyth County Register of Deeds online index — provides free searchable access to recorded deed and instrument indexes
North Carolina Judicial Branch online services — provides free access to certain civil and criminal case information through the eCourts portal
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offender search — provides free online lookup of incarcerated individuals, probationers, and registered sex offenders statewide
North Carolina State Archives — provides free access to historical Forsyth County records through its online catalog and reading room

Who Can Request Public Records in Forsyth County?

Any person may request public records in Forsyth County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Specifically, under the current statutory framework:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Forsyth County and North Carolina retain full rights to request and inspect public records.
Identification is generally not required for inspection of records, though certain offices may request identification for administrative purposes when issuing certified copies.
Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record, and agencies may not condition access on the disclosure of purpose.
Restrictions apply to specific record types. Certain categories of records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and personnel records, are subject to statutory restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
Individuals requesting their own records may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted to the subject of the record, such as specific law enforcement or personnel files, upon providing appropriate identification and documentation.

What Records Are Confidential in Forsyth County?

Not all government records maintained by Forsyth County agencies are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Law. The following records are currently classified as confidential or restricted under state and federal law:

Sealed court records — ordered sealed by a judge pursuant to court authority
Juvenile records — protected under N.C.G.S. Chapter 7B and generally not available to the public
Ongoing criminal investigation records — exempt where disclosure would compromise an active investigation
Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers, which must be redacted prior to disclosure
Medical and health records — protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state law
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under N.C.G.S. § 108A-80
Personnel records — exempt from disclosure under N.C.G.S. § 126-22, with limited exceptions for certain employment-related information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. North Carolina courts apply a balancing analysis in disputed cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.

Forsyth County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Forsyth County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, plats, assumed name certificates, and vital records. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail during standard business hours.

Forsyth County Register of Deeds 201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 703-2700 Forsyth County Register of Deeds Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court Hall of Justice, 200 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 779-6300 Forsyth County | North Carolina Judicial Branch Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Forsyth County Tax Administration Office 201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 703-2300 Forsyth County Tax Administration Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office 301 North Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 727-2112 Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Forsyth County Board of Elections 201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 703-2800 Forsyth County Board of Elections Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.