Population
398K
County Seat
Winston-Salem
Libraries
13
Schools
84
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Forsyth County record-source URLs verified against the official local and North Carolina state publishers on the review date. 6 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Forsyth County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Forsyth County, North Carolina — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
398,143
Population
Census estimate
153,096
Households
Census estimate
$61,229
Median income
Annual household
$205,700
Median home value
Census ACS
Winston-Salem
County seat
In North Carolina
Criminal records
see state portal
Court records
1 source
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
11 sources
Vital records
1 source
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Forsyth County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Forsyth County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Forsyth County | North Carolina Judicial Branch |
| Criminal records | No verified source — see Forsyth County state portal below |
| Wants & warrants | No verified source — see Forsyth County state portal below |
| Property records | Tax Administration Forsyth County, North Carolina |
| Vital records | NCDHHS: DPH: NC Vital Records: Contact Us: County Offices Th… |
| Voter records | North Carolina Voter Search — NCSBE Election Day Polling Place Buffer Zones - Forsyth County |
| Professional licenses | No verified source — see Forsyth County state portal below |
| Recorded documents | No verified source — see Forsyth County state portal below |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Forsyth County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Forsyth County Records
2026
Forsyth County official government portal active
The official Forsyth County government website at www.co.forsyth.nc.us continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Forsyth County court records portal verified
State court system links for Forsyth County verified against the North Carolina judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Forsyth County property records online
Forsyth County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside North Carolina, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step Forsyth County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Forsyth County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Forsyth County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the North Carolina statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the North Carolina state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Forsyth County Records
❌ Myth: "Forsyth County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Forsyth County are held by the North Carolina state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Forsyth County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have Forsyth County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official North Carolina state repository has verified, current Forsyth County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Forsyth County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Forsyth County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources (All Verified)
- www.co.forsyth.nc.us — Official Forsyth County government website
- www.nccourts.gov — Court records — official source
- www.ncsbe.gov — Property records — official source
- vitalrecords.nc.gov — Vital records — official source
- vt.ncsbe.gov — Voter records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Forsyth County & North Carolina Records
For records not specific to Forsyth County, use North Carolina's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 North Carolina statewide record systems:
- North Carolina Court Records →
- North Carolina Criminal Records →
- North Carolina Property Records →
- North Carolina Vital Records →
- North Carolina Voter Records →
- North Carolina Wants & Warrants →
- North Carolina Licenses →
- North Carolina Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
North Carolina statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About Forsyth County, North Carolina
Forsyth County is located in north-central North Carolina. The county seat is Winston-Salem (official site: https://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/).
- Households: 153,096
- Median household income: $61,229
- Median home value: $205,700
- Below poverty line: 15.2%
- Land area: 408.0 sq mi
- Population density: 975.7 people / sq mi
Tax Administration
Official Free
The Tax Parcel Viewer provides users with property tax maps and links to Detailed Property Information for real estate property within Forsyth County. Search Real Estate Tax Records to view property information and print Property Record Cards. Sign up for paperless notices or list personal property / real estate improvements.
Forsyth County, North Carolina
Official Free
If none of this can recover the taxes owed on a real estate property, then it is sent to foreclosure. A foreclosure attorney will then try to contact the property owner and start working on the property. Attorney fees, staring at around $800, are now added to the debt owed. “Properties are not sent to foreclosure without a lot of other previous attempts and communications to satisfy the debt,” said Forsyth County Tax Assessor and Collector John Burgiss.
Mapping / GIS - Forsyth County
Official Free
The Mapping Section of the Tax Assessor's Office is responsible for ownership and location information, as well as tax maps for all properties within Forsyth County . This section provides a listing of property owners, technically known as a "tax scroll," based on information obtained from real ...
Forsyth.cc - Archived Assessment Property Maps
Official Free
Archived assessment property maps in PDF format are now available for viewing or download . These static maps are representative of Tax Administration mapping information as of January 1 for the available years. Archived years begin with 2008.
maury county tn
Official Free
In the case of multiple counties the first county uses the Primary cost and each additional county applies the Additional cost. Pay As You Go Services You can start a pay as you go account with an initial deposit of $5.00 by using a credit card. Document images that are retrieved will be $2.00 each.
WebFeePay.com
Official Free
These contracts enable Webfeepay.com to collect and process citizens' tax and other payments on behalf of these entities. Because we work directly with the government agency, your payment is made securely and swiftly, with no delay in processing. Local payments include everything from property and real estate taxes to utility bills to parking and traffic citations.
Lynne Johnson, Register of Deeds
Recorded Documents
OfficialFree
Lynne Johnson, Register of Deeds
co.forsyth.nc.us
Learn more about the NC Registration Repair Project
Property & Tax Records
OfficialFree
Learn more about the NC Registration Repair Project
ncsbe.gov
Registered Motor Vehicle Tax
Property & Tax Records
OfficialFree
Registered Motor Vehicle Tax
co.forsyth.nc.us
Codes
Official Free
The Forsyth County Register of Deeds now offers the public a free user-friendly web portal for performing title searches and necessary research for property sales and other transactions .
Forsyth County, North Carolina
Official Free
Forsyth County Animal Shelter now manages cat and dog intake, care and sheltering, adoptions, foster, and transfer .If you are interested in fostering or adopting a new best friend please view their website by clicking here, https://forsyth.cc/AnimalShelter/ or call 336-703-2480.
Community Information - Forsyth County, North Carolina
Official Free
Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court · North Carolina Visitors Guide · Piedmont Triad Regional Council · Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County · Carolina Classic Fair · Historic Bethabara Park · Kaleideum · Korner's Folly · Forsyth County Public Library ·
About the Inspection Process - Forsyth County
Official Free
In the state of North Carolina, foodservice establishments such as restaurants, take-out or delivery food businesses, school cafeterias and institutions (hospital, nursing home, etc.) are to be inspected at a frequency that is determined by the complexity of the menu and the susceptibility ...
Lost and Found Pets
Official Free
As soon as possible, contact Forsyth County Animal Shelter at 336-703-2480 to file a lost pet report. Please note that it is best to come in-person to see if your pet is at the animal shelter. We receive calls daily about sightings of animals and from individuals who have found pets.
Human Resources | Forsyth County Government | Forsyth County North Carolina
Official Free
Our Human Resources department provides quality, professional services to attract, develop, motivate and retain a qualified workforce . As a strategic partner, we provide comprehensive HR services along with guidance in the development, implementation and equitable administration of policies ...
North Carolina Voter Search — NCSBE
Official Free
Pursuant to NC law, only certain Death, Marriage Copy For your convenience, you may request your vital records online. Online payments are available. Order Vital Records Online From changing an Assumed Business Name to applying for a Business License we are here
Election Day Polling Place Buffer Zones - Forsyth County
Voter Records
OfficialFree
Polling Places
co.forsyth.nc.us
Forsyth County | North Carolina Judicial Branch
Official Free
Find out more about paying court fees, fines and traffic citation in Forsyth County. View civil court calendars. View criminal court calendars. Find your local GAL program. Search Portal by name, citation number, county, and more. Search statewide judicial forms by keyword, form number, and more. Find online services for court records, File & Serve, Guide & File, make payments, request interpreter, and more.
Judgment Search
Official Free
Your browser is currently set to block cookies. Your browser must allow cookies before you can use this application · Cookies are small text files stored on your computer that tell this application when you're signed in. To learn how to allow cookies, see online help in your web browser
NCDHHS: DPH: NC Vital Records: Contact Us: County Offices That Have Vital Records
Official Free
Birth, death and marriage certificates may also be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event took place. In most cases, certificates can be obtained from the Register of Deeds on the same day. Note: NC Vital Records is the only office from which you may obtain a ...
Obtaining Marriage License - Forsyth County
Vital Records
OfficialFree
Apply for a Marriage License
co.forsyth.nc.us
North Carolina Offender Registry
Official Free
The NSOPW mobile application provides users with information about registered sex offenders that have residential, employment, or school addresses that are within a close proximity of the mobile device running the app. Searches can be conducted nationally using a ¼ mile, ½ mile, or 1-mile ...
North Carolina Registers of Deeds Association
Official Free
The following is a list of Forsyth County polling places and a description of each buffer zone concerning electioneering. Buffer zones are set as designated by G.S. 163-166.4. Election officials will mark buffer zones on Election Day with blue tape and “No Campaigning Beyond This Point” signs.
🌐 ncard.us
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Forsyth County?
Forsyth County court cases are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. Search the Forsyth County | North Carolina Judicial Branch portal: https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/forsyth-county. For federal matters, see PACER.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by North Carolina law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Does an arrest show up on a background check before conviction in North Carolina?
Yes — in North Carolina, an arrest can appear on a name-based background check from the moment of booking, even before any court ruling. Whether it appears on an employment screening depends on the type of check (name-based vs. fingerprint-based) and how recent the arrest is.
What's the difference between a court record and a criminal record in North Carolina?
A court record shows everything filed in a specific case — pleadings, motions, judgments. A criminal record (rap sheet) is a person-centric history from the North Carolina SBI that aggregates arrests and dispositions across all courts in North Carolina. Court records are searched by case; criminal records by person.