What are Winston-Salem City Public Records?
In compliance with the G.S.132, Winston-Salem public records include any document regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received under law or ordinances in connection with North Carolina public agencies or subdivisions. Winston-Salem public records contain information related to public functions and conduct. Members of the public may request for any public record in the state and public agencies must make the exact record available. However, some parts of a public record may be restricted or redacted from public view if it contains:
- Written communication to any public board, council, commission, or other government body of the state or county made within the scope of an attorney-client relationship.
- Tax records containing taxpayer’s income or receipt.
- Billing information compiled and maintained by a city or county or other public entity providing utility service in connection with a public enterprise.
- The address and telephone number of a program participant in the Address Confidentiality Program.
- Records maintained by the University of North Carolina or any constituent institutions containing personal information of an applicant.
- Proprietary computer code that is used or written by an agency of the North Carolina Government.
- Confidential information compiled and maintained by the Division of Employment Security.
Winston-Salem City Crime Statistics
The Winston- Salem Police Department provides members of the public with statistics and up-to-date information on crimes that were committed in the city. The information, which is also known as the crime incident report, is published every first month of the year on the police website. Data released for 2021 reveal that the city recorded a total of 1,141 crimes. Larceny was the most common property crime with 679 cases. Compared to 2020, the city witnessed a 10.9% decrease in the total number of crimes, however, rape cases increased by 50%. Property crime reduced by 15.4% while violent crimes increased by 9.2%. The total number of larceny reduced by 22% and homicide remain the same. The category of homicide does not include justifiable homicide or manslaughter. Note that crime figures are preliminary. All crimes reported by the Winston-Salem Police Department are reported based on categories and definitions conforming to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Are Winston-Salem City Criminal Records Public?
Not all Winston-Salem criminal records may be viewed by the public. According to G.S. 132-4, records of criminal investigations conducted by public law enforcement agencies, or records of criminal intelligence information compiled by the agency, and records of investigations conducted by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission are not available for public inspection or copying. These records may be released by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. However, individuals who have been arrested before or detained by the Winston-Salem Police Department may request copies of their criminal records by contacting the custodian's office.
How to Obtain Winston-Salem City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Winston-Salem Police Department grants access to public Winston-Salem records through an online request portal. Interested persons may visit the portal to register and obtain police reports. The department provides individuals with only non-certified copies of records. Certified copies of arrest records including court dispositions are available at the office of the Forsyth County Clerk. Requesters may be required to pay a fee to obtain public records. Members of the public may visit the office at:
Office of Forsyth County Clerk
Hall of Justice,
200 N Main Street, Winston-Salem,
Courtroom 216,
Phone: (336) 779-6300
Arrest records maintained by the Winston-Salem Police Department do not contain court dispositions. Public records may be obtained in-person at the Record Division in the Public Safety Center between 8 am and 5 P.M, Monday through Friday. Requests for non-certified copies are free. These records are limited to arrests made by the Winston-Salem Police Department and Forsyth County Sheriff's Department.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Winston-Salem City
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation maintains the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry for Winston-Salem and every other city in the state. Members of the public may search the registry or obtain statistics on sex offenders in the state at the site. Note that information is limited to only the records of registered sex offenders. Sex offenders may obtain information on how to register on the database. Residents of Winston-Salem may also obtain sex offender information from the Forsyth County Sherriff Office. The information includes the names and addresses of wanted sex offenders in the county. Information may be obtained online or in person. The names of Forsyth county wanted sex offenders are available on this website. To find sex offender information in person, requesters shall visit the administration building at:
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
301 North Church Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 917-7001
How to Find Winston-Salem Inmate Records
The Forsyth Sheriff Department provides public inmate information via an online inmate locator website. The database contains information on the inmates in Winston-Salem and other cities in the county. Members of the public can search for inmates using their names including first, middle, or last name, race, sex, age, arrest date, primary charge, or booking agency.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Winston-Salem City Jail?
Before a visit can occur in Forsyth Correctional Centre, a completed application must be approved by the facility staff. Inmates must obtain blank application forms from the facility. Each inmate is allowed to receive a maximum of 18 persons while incarcerated. The inmate shall mail each of the forms to the persons that want to visit the prison. Visitors shall download and complete the form, before returning it to the facility where the inmate is housed for approval. Applicants must include a Driver's license ID and any State-issued ID. For applicants under the age of 16, a copy of the birth certificate shall be submitted with the application form. Interested persons may call (828) 757-5738, or send a mail to 4267 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-4267.
Under normal circumstances, inmates are allowed only one visiting session per week and the visit must not exceed thirty minutes. The maximum number an inmate can receive at once is 2. Violations of visiting privileges may result in disciplinary action against the offender and appropriate administrative or legal actions against the visitor. All visitors are subject to pat/frisk search by officials before entering the prison facility. Search is conducted by the least intrusive means in line with the current prison entrance/exit policy.
Court Records
Part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch, the Forsyth County Superior Court provides access to different types of Forsyth county court records including administrative records, criminal records, probate, etc.
Location of Courts in Winston-Salem City
The city and county is home to two courts in Forsyth County located at:
Forsyth County Superior Court
200 North Main Street
P.O. Box 20099
Winston Salem, NC 27120
Phone: (336) 779-6300
Fax: (336) 779-6301
Forsyth County District Court
200 North Main Street
P.O. Box 20099
Winston Salem, NC 27120
Phone: (336) 779-6318
Fax: (336) 779-6336
Are Winston-Salem City Court Records Public?
According to G.S. 132-1, and G.S. 7A-109, most Winston-Salem city court records are open to public inspection and copying. However, the court clerk may redact some part of a record where exempted by the law.
How to Obtain Winston-Salem City Civil Court Case Records
The Forsyth County Superior Court, Civil Division maintains all court records and proceedings for civil and foreclosures cases. Interested persons may visit the Office of the Court Clerk for inspection and copying of records. The record division is situated at:
Forsyth County Superior Court-Civil Division, Record Department
Second Floor, Room 245, Forsyth County Hall of Justice
200, North Main Street,
Winston-Salem
The department is open Monday through Friday, 8 A.M till 5 pm Individuals may call (336) 779-6308 for more information. Note that records of ongoing trials may not be open to everyone, and confidential information may be redacted from public view.
How to Obtain Winston-Salem City Criminal Court Records
The Forsyth County Superior Court-Criminal Division is in charge of all the court records and proceedings for District and Superior Criminal cases as well as a Traffic offense. Members of the public can request a criminal case record by contacting the criminal district record department via the phone at (336),779-6302. Individuals that are interested in walk-in requests may visit the department at:
Criminal District Records Department
The second floor, Room 216, Forsyth County Hall of Justice
200 North Main Street
Winston-Salem
Individuals can access records from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am till 5:00 pm except for holidays.
What are Winston-Salem City Vital Records?
Winston-Salem city’s vital records include all the significant events relating to the life of any residents of the city. These records may include birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records.
Where and How to Obtain Winston-Salem City Divorce Records
Winston-Salem divorce records are maintained by the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public who are divorced are given a certificate of absolute divorce or annulment, which serves as the divorce decree. Interested persons may obtain divorce records from the office of the court clerk at:
Forsyth County Clerk
200 N Main St.
Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (336) 779-6300
As part of the North Carolina Vital Records, some Winston-Salem divorce records are maintained by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services-Division of Public Health. Requesters may submit their requests in person, by mail, and online. All interested persons shall obtain a divorce certificate by filling and completing an application form. For in-person requests, residents shall provide a valid ID, and proof of relationship with the subject of the record. Residents may also provide information on how the requested information will be used. Interested persons may visit the department at:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services -Division of Public Health
225 North McDowell Street,
Raleigh, NC 2760-1382
For mail-in requests, individuals must download and complete a request form stating the type of certificate requested, whether certified or non-certified, their relationship with the subject of the record, and the reason for the request. Send mail to:
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699, 1900
All online requests can be submitted on the department's website. A copy of any vital records certificate is $24. Each extra copy from the same charge attracts a fee of $15. For same-day walk-in service, requesters are expected to pay $15. Individuals must provide the name of the husband/spouse, wife/spouse, date of divorce including day, month, and year, location of divorce, and the number of copies requested. North Carolina issues both certified and non-certified divorce certificates.
Where and How to Get Public Winston-Salem City Marriage Records
The Forsyth County Register of Deeds Office maintains all of the county's marriage records including Winston -Salem City marriage records and others. Copies of marriage records may be requested in person, by mail, or online. North Carolina issues both certified and non-certified marriage records but only direct relatives of the subject of a record can request certified copies. For walk-in requests of certified copies, individuals must present a valid ID. Interested persons may locate the office o the register of deeds at:
Forsyth County Government Center
201 N Chestnut
Winston-Salem
The office is open from Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm Members of the public are required to pay cash on-site during walk-in requests. To mail a request, members of the public download, complete, and print a copy of the request form. Send mail to:
Forsyth County Register of Deeds
201 N Chestnut
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
For online requests, interested persons may visit the online search tool.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Winston-Salem City
Marriage records are considered public but access to some records is restricted due to confidentiality. Forsyth County issues two types of marriage records, certified and non-certified marriage records. Requesters of certified copies must be directly relative to the subjects of the records. Qualified persons may include spouses, parents, children, siblings, etc.
Where and How to Find Winston-Salem City Birth Records
The Forsyth County Register of Deeds manages and issues all the birth records in Winston-Salem and other cities in the county. Requests may be made online via the online portal, in-person, or by mail. To use the online portal, requesters must provide a means of identification. To access records of a person, residents must provide a means of identification and proof of relationship with the subject of the record. Residents must provide the full name of the subject, date of birth, and the name of both parents. Visit the office of the register of deed at:
Forsyth County Government Center
201 N Chestnut
Winston-Salem
Certified birth records attract a fee of $10 plus an additional $10 for every new copy. Only the subject or a direct relative can request certified copies. Uncertified copies attract a fee of $0.50 plus an additional $0.59 for every new copy. For walk-in requests, interested persons may visit the office of the register of deeds. To submit a request via mail, residents must download and complete a birth record application form. Send mail to:
Forsyth County Register of Deeds
201 N Chestnut
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Where and How to Find Winston-Salem City Death Records
The Forsyth County Register of Deed provides members of the public with death records in Winston-Salem and other cities in the county. Requests for death records may be made online, in-person, and by mail. Walk-in requests will require a means of identification and proof of relationship with the subject. Requesters must also complete and submit an application form containing the full name of the deceased and date of birth. Requesters may also visit the office of the Forsyth County register of deeds at:
Forsyth County Government Center
201 N Chestnut
Winston-Salem
The County offers both certified and non-certified copies of death certificates. Fees for death records are the same as the fees for birth records. Online requests can be submitted at the register of deed online portal. Mail-in requests require members of the public to complete and submit an application form. Send mail to the same address applicable to birth records.
