Winston-Salem Divorce Records
Winston-Salem divorce records are kept at the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Winston-Salem is the county seat and the fifth-largest city in North Carolina. All divorce cases for Winston-Salem go through the Forsyth County Courthouse in the downtown area. The clerk office maintains both current and archived case files. You can search for divorce records in Winston-Salem using the state eCourts portal online or by visiting the courthouse during regular hours. Copies of judgments and other filings are available on request.
Winston-Salem Quick Facts
Where to Find Winston-Salem Divorce Records
Winston-Salem residents file for divorce at the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court. Clerk Renita W. Fox heads the office, which falls under Judicial District 31. The courthouse is at 200 North Main Street in downtown Winston-Salem. The office opens at 8:00 AM, which is earlier than most county courthouses in the state. It closes at 5:00 PM.
| Court | Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N. Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
| Phone | (336) 779-6300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov - Forsyth County Courthouse |
The Forsyth County Courthouse is a modern facility in downtown Winston-Salem with updated technology and amenities. All visitors must pass through security. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit to request Winston-Salem divorce records.
Searching Divorce Records in Winston-Salem
The NC eCourts portal covers all of Forsyth County, including Winston-Salem. Search by party name or case number to find basic case information at no charge. The system shows filing dates, case status, and party names. Full documents are not available online. For copies of actual papers, contact the clerk or visit the courthouse in Winston-Salem.
In-person requests require valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number. A staff search costs $2.00 per name. Uncertified copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 per document. You need the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate year of filing.
You can view the Forsyth County Courthouse details online. The court handles all Winston-Salem divorce records.
The Forsyth County Courthouse in downtown Winston-Salem processes all divorce filings for the county.
Note: The clerk office opens at 8:00 AM in Winston-Salem, thirty minutes earlier than many other courthouses across the state.
Winston-Salem Divorce Filing Rules
Divorce in Winston-Salem follows North Carolina state law. Under G.S. 50-6, you must live separate and apart for one full year before filing for absolute divorce. At least one spouse needs to intend the separation to be permanent. Under G.S. 50-8, at least one spouse must have been a North Carolina resident for six months before filing the complaint.
The filing fee is $225 at the Forsyth County courthouse. You file the complaint and then serve your spouse. Service options include the Forsyth County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. After service, you schedule a hearing. The judge enters the final judgment, which dissolves the marriage and becomes a public divorce record in Winston-Salem.
Under G.S. 50-11, claims for alimony and equitable distribution must be filed before the divorce judgment is signed. If you miss that deadline, those claims are waived. G.S. 50-20 governs how property is split. The court presumes an equal division unless it finds that would not be equitable. G.S. 50-16.3A covers alimony and lists 16 factors the court considers. Custody mediation is available in Winston-Salem by calling (336) 779-6613.
Winston-Salem Divorce Record Resources
Several resources help Winston-Salem residents with divorce records and related needs. The Forsyth County contact directory lists direct phone numbers for every court division. The Guardian ad Litem program is at (336) 779-6321 for cases involving children.
For divorce verification letters, the NC Vital Records office covers cases from 1958 to the present. The first copy costs $24 and extras are $15 each. For older Winston-Salem divorce records, the NC State Archives may have files. Forsyth County was formed in 1849 from Stokes County, and the
The Forsyth County Public Library at 660 West 5th Street in Winston-Salem has a local history collection with genealogical resources. The Forsyth County government portal links to county services. Old Salem Museums and Gardens at 900 Old Salem Road holds historical archives related to the Moravian settlement, which may contain early separation and family records.
The county government keeps marriage records through the Register of Deeds, separate from divorce records at the courthouse. Since 1835, divorces have been filed as civil suits in county superior courts. Before that, the General Assembly handled marriage dissolutions. Those older records are in the Legislative Papers at the State Archives.
The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all divorce records for Winston-Salem.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Winston-Salem
Some Winston-Salem residents choose to file for divorce on their own. This is called filing pro se. It works best when both spouses agree on the divorce terms and there are no disputes over property or child custody. The Forsyth County court does not give legal advice, but several resources are available to help you through the process.
The NC Judicial Branch has all the court forms you need to file in Winston-Salem. These include complaint forms, answer forms, and service of process papers. All forms are free to download and print. If children are part of the case, you will also need custody and child support worksheets. The clerk staff at the Forsyth County courthouse can tell you which forms to file for your situation.
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Winston-Salem and all of Forsyth County. They offer free help to people who qualify based on income. Call (866) 219-5262 to ask about services. The North Carolina State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-662-7660. Under G.S. 50-12, you can ask the court to restore your maiden name as part of the divorce at no extra filing cost. Winston-Salem divorce records include all papers filed in the case, from the initial complaint through the final judgment.
Forsyth County Divorce Records
Winston-Salem is the county seat of Forsyth County. All divorce filings go through the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court at 200 North Main Street. The court handles cases for Winston-Salem and every other municipality in the county. For a complete guide to county resources and records, visit our Forsyth County page.