Forsyth County Divorce Records

Forsyth County divorce records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in Winston-Salem. This county was formed in 1849 from Stokes County and named for Benjamin Forsyth, a War of 1812 officer. The clerk office handles all divorce case filings and stores court papers at the Forsyth County Courthouse. Whether you need a copy of a divorce judgment, want to search for a case, or need to verify a filing, the clerk office in Forsyth County is the main resource for obtaining divorce records in this area of North Carolina.

Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court

The Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court is Renita B. Reynolds. This office manages all divorce filings, court records, and document requests. The courthouse is at 201 North Chestnut Street in Winston-Salem. Staff can search for cases, pull court files, and provide copies of divorce judgments and other documents.

Forsyth County is in Judicial District 21. The clerk office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. This is earlier than many other NC courthouses, which open at 8:30. Call (336) 779-6300 for questions. The Forsyth County court page has details about court calendars, civil and criminal schedules, local rules, and forms. The eCourts portal provides online case management tools.

The Forsyth County contact directory lists phone numbers for every department at the courthouse, including custody mediation at (336) 779-6613 and court-ordered arbitration at (336) 779-6318.

Searching Forsyth County Divorce Cases

You can search for divorce records in Forsyth County online or by visiting the courthouse in person. Both methods give you access to case information, but the type of detail you can get varies.

The NC eCourts portal at nccourts.gov lets you look up civil cases by party name or case number. Forsyth County cases appear in this statewide system. Basic case status and dates are free. For full documents, visit the courthouse or send a written request to PO Box 20099, Winston-Salem, NC 27120. Include names, approximate dates, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

In-person visitors should go to 201 North Chestnut Street. Bring a valid photo ID and the full names of both parties. If you know the case number, bring that too. Staff will search their records and pull the file for you.

Copy fees in Forsyth County are as follows:

• Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $2.00 each additional
• Non-certified copies: $0.15 per page in person
• Mail copies: $1.00 per page

Note: The Forsyth County Register of Deeds at (336) 703-2700 handles marriage records separately from divorce records.

Forsyth County Divorce Filing

Filing for divorce in Forsyth County follows North Carolina law. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must live separate and apart for one year. One spouse needs six months of state residency under N.C.G.S. 50-8. If you live in Forsyth County, the courthouse in Winston-Salem is where you file your case.

Start by filing a complaint for absolute divorce at the Forsyth County clerk office. Pay the filing fee. The clerk assigns a case number. Then serve the other spouse through the sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes in the court file. After all requirements are met, the court enters a final judgment. This dissolves the marriage and becomes a public record in Forsyth County. The Guardian ad Litem program at (336) 779-6321 serves children who are part of court cases in Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Government Resources

The Forsyth County government website offers access to many public services and departments. The Register of Deeds handles marriage records and property records that may relate to divorce cases. Public records requests can be submitted through the county portal.

Winston-Salem has a rich Moravian heritage. The Old Salem Museums and Gardens at 900 Old Salem Road may have historical archives of interest for genealogical research. The Forsyth County Public Library also provides access to local historical records and genealogical resources for those searching older records.

Divorce Verification for Forsyth County

The NC Vital Records office at vitalrecords.nc.gov has divorce certificates from 1958 to the present for all North Carolina counties. Forsyth County divorces are included. The fee is $24 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Pre-1958 divorce records for Forsyth County must come from the Clerk of Superior Court in Winston-Salem. Since the county was formed in 1849, historical records go back well over a century. The state archives may also hold older Forsyth County court documents. For the full divorce judgment, always contact the Forsyth County clerk office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County. Make sure you file your divorce case in the county where you live so the court has jurisdiction.