Search Forsyth County Police Records

Forsyth County police records are available through the Sheriff's Office and the Winston-Salem Police Department. The county seat is Winston-Salem, the largest city in the county. You can search for arrest records, jail bookings, and active warrants using online portals. The Sheriff's Office runs a Police to Citizen system that gives the public free access to booking data and warrant lists. Court records tied to criminal cases are also open for search through the Clerk of Superior Court in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Police Records Portal

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office runs a Police to Citizen portal for online record searches. This tool is free and open to the public. You can access it at any time of day or night. The portal lets you search for jail inmates, view active warrants, and look up recent bookings in Forsyth County.

Visit the Forsyth County Sheriff's P2C portal to start your search for police records.

The inmate bookings page at p2c.fcso.us shows who is currently held in the Forsyth County jail. You can search by name or booking date. The wanted list page at the same site displays active warrants. Both tools update regularly and give you fast results for Forsyth County police records.

The Winston-Salem Police Department also runs its own P2C system. You can search for events, arrests, and incidents through wspdp2c.org. This covers incidents within the city of Winston-Salem. For areas outside the city, use the Sheriff's portal instead.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office is at 120 West 3rd Street in Winston-Salem. The phone number is (336) 727-2112. Staff can help with police record requests during normal hours. You can visit in person or call to ask about specific records.

The Winston-Salem Police Department works out of the Vivian H. Burke Public Safety Center at 725 North Cherry Street. Their records division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you need a police report from the city, contact them at the records office. The Kernersville Police Department is another local agency in Forsyth County. They are at the Stockton Law Enforcement Center, 134 E Mountain St, Kernersville, NC 27284, phone (336) 996-2366. Each agency keeps its own police records, so check with the right one based on where the event happened in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Criminal Court Records

The Clerk of Superior Court handles criminal case records in Forsyth County. The courthouse is at 200 N Main, Hall of Justice, Winston-Salem, NC 27121. Call (336) 779-6300 for questions. Superior Court covers felony cases and civil matters over $25,000. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, and family cases.

You can get a certified criminal record check through Form CR314. The fee is $25. Public access terminals are set up at the courthouse for free searches. You can look up case records by name or case number. For copies by mail, visit the Forsyth County Clerk's copy request page to get started. Police records tied to court cases in Forsyth County include charges, plea entries, court dates, and final outcomes. These are public under North Carolina law.

Note: Certified record checks require a completed CR314 form and payment before processing.

How to Get Police Records in Forsyth County

There are several ways to get police records in Forsyth County. The method depends on what you need and how fast you need it.

For a quick check, use the P2C portal online. It gives you basic booking and warrant data right away. For incident reports or accident reports, visit the police department that handled the call. The Sheriff's Office covers the full county. The Winston-Salem Police Department covers the city. Kernersville Police handles their town. Each one has its own records division with its own staff and hours.

• Online through P2C portals for jail and warrant data
• In person at the right police department
• By mail with a written request and payment
• Through the Clerk of Court for case file records
• Via the NC eCourts portal for statewide criminal case searches

The NC eCourts system lets you search criminal cases across all counties, including Forsyth County. Basic case details are free. For full documents, contact the clerk or visit the courthouse.

Forsyth County Background Checks

For a personal background check in North Carolina, you can use the State Bureau of Investigation's Right to Review program. The cost is $14. This check covers only North Carolina records. It requires fingerprints and takes 10 to 15 business days to process. Mail your application to the NC SBI at 3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.

The Forsyth County Clerk of Court also offers criminal record checks for $25 using Form CR314. This gives you a certified report of local criminal history. You can request this in person at the courthouse or by mail. Both options are public and available to anyone searching for police records connected to Forsyth County.

Sex Offender Registry for Forsyth County

The NC Sex Offender Registry is searchable at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. You can look up offenders by address, name, or zip code. The tool covers all of Forsyth County. It is free and updated as offenders register or move.

The registry shows photos, home addresses, offense details, and risk levels. This is a separate system from the Sheriff's police records portal. Both are public and can be used together for a fuller picture of someone's record in Forsyth County.

Public Records Law in Forsyth County

Police records in Forsyth County are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. This law says government records must be available to anyone who asks. You do not have to state a reason for your request. The agency holding the records must respond as promptly as possible.

Some records are not public. Active criminal investigations may be withheld until the case closes. Records with Social Security numbers are redacted before release. Juvenile files are sealed by default. Law enforcement body camera and dash camera footage falls under NCGS 132-1.4A and may require a court order for release. Most routine police records in Forsyth County, like arrest reports and booking data, are available without these restrictions.

If your request for police records is denied in Forsyth County, you can challenge the decision. The law provides a process for appealing any denial of access to public records. You can also contact an attorney for guidance on how to proceed. The goal of the law is to keep government open and accountable to the people of North Carolina.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County. Check the right county for your search based on where the event took place.