This page helps users handle court records needs in Forsyth County, North Carolina, including online case searches, court date lookups, certified record checks, and clerk-assisted copy requests.

Use the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal for online case information, then contact the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court when you need case-specific help, paper files, certified searches, or copies.

North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal

The main online starting point for Forsyth County court records is the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal. The Portal includes Smart Search for court records and case information, Search Hearings for court dates and hearings, Make Payments for probation, parole, and some criminal or infraction cases, and NC Judgment Search.

For case searching, use the Portal when you need online case information. For background checks, use the county clerk's office instead of relying on Portal results.

  • Go to the Portal and allow JavaScript and cookies in your browser.
  • Use Smart Search to look for court records and case information.
  • Use Search Hearings when the task is to find a court date or hearing by name, county, date range, or other available search options.
  • Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned for specific case information.

Portal access note: A CAPTCHA challenge may appear every ten minutes for anonymous, registered, and elevated access users.

Public access terminals and case files

Criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estates case information can be accessed on public self-service terminals in a clerk of court's office. For criminal cases, the terminal can be used to search by defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name.

Paper court files are handled through the clerk of court's office in the county where the case is located. Staff can provide copies of documents from court files for a fee.

For a broader explanation of these access options, review obtaining court records from the North Carolina Judicial Branch.

Court dates and calendars

Forsyth County court date information can be searched through the Judicial Branch court date tools. The statewide court dates page supports searching by name, county, date range, and more.

Use court dates and calendars to search for a court date or review calendar options. Forsyth County also has separate calendar pages for civil calendars and criminal calendars.

If a courthouse closing or canceled court session affects your case, the case will be rescheduled. Notice is generally sent by mail, but you may contact the clerk of court's office once it reopens to ask about the local procedure.

Certified criminal record checks

A certified criminal record search for yourself or someone else is requested through the Clerk of Superior Court office at the courthouse. This is a single-county search and is not a statewide record search.

Use Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the clerk's office with the $25 fee. Mail requests accept money order or certified check; personal checks are not accepted. In-person requests may be paid by credit card, cash, money order, or certified check.

For details on record check options, see the Judicial Branch page for criminal background checks.

Other court-related records

Some records connected to court matters are handled by a different office or process. Divorce judgments are available from the clerk of court's office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee.

Birth, marriage, and death certificates are handled by the Register of Deeds in the county where the event took place. Marriage licenses are also available from the Register of Deeds. Police reports should be requested from the law enforcement agency that investigated or was involved in the case.

Deeds and most real estate records are kept by the Register of Deeds. The clerk of court's office keeps records of court proceedings that affect real estate, including foreclosures, evictions, partitions, condemnations, estates, divorces, judgments, and liens on real property.

Remote Public Access and public records requests

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts offers Remote Public Access to criminal and civil court data in all 100 North Carolina counties. RPA includes online real-time access and bulk data extract options for licensees.

For business or agency access, review the Remote Public Access Program. For Judicial Branch public records that are not handled through the usual court record paths, use the public record request options.

Forsyth County court contacts

Use these Forsyth County court contacts when you need case-specific help, clerk services, court file copies, calendars, or records guidance.

Common questions

Where can I search Forsyth County court records online?

Use the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal for online case information and Smart Search. For case-specific questions, contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned.

Can I use Portal for a background check?

No. Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk's office. Portal may be used for case information, but the clerk's office is the correct route for background checks.

How do I get copies from a court file?

Visit or contact the clerk of court's office in the county where the case is located. Copies of court documents may be made for a fee.

How do I get a certified criminal record search in Forsyth County?

Request a certified single-county criminal record search through the Clerk of Superior Court office using Form AOC-CR-314 and the $25 fee.

What should I do if I missed a court date?

Contact the clerk of court's office in the county where you were charged to ask about the local procedure for rescheduling. If you have an attorney, you may also contact your attorney.

Who handles divorce judgments?

A copy of a divorce judgment is available from the clerk of court's office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee.

Are all court proceedings recorded?

No. For example, criminal district court proceedings, other than pleas in H and/or I felonies, are not recorded unless ordered by a judge.

How can I request an audio recording of a hearing?

If the hearing was recorded by the clerk or a digital recording technician, request the audio from the clerk's office in the county where the case is filed. Non-confidential cases use Form AOC-G-114, while confidential cases require court permission on Form AOC-G-115.