FAQs

Records Not Held by the City of Winston-Salem:

• The City of Winston-Salem is not required to create new records, collect or analyze information, or conduct legal research under the N.C. Public Records Law.
• Birth, Death, or Marriage Records are available through the Forsyth County Vital Records Office.
• Criminal, Court, or Divorce Records are available through the Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court.
• Environmental Assessment Records, including above ground or below ground storage tanks and/or hazardous material spills, are available through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Permits and Inspection Branch and the Hazardous Waste Section.
• Real estate and property records are available through the Forsyth County Register of Deeds.
• Property tax information is available through the Forsyth County Tax Office.
• Well/Septic records are available through the Forsyth County Environmental Health Department.

Public Records Available Online:

• Building Permit Search: Building permit history may be searched by address, contractor, or number by using the guest access for BuildIT. BuildIT is the City’s online portal for permit information and inspection scheduling.
• Sanitation Liens Search: https://sanitationliens.cityofws.org/
• Assessments Search: https://assessmentliens.cityofws.org/
• WSPD Police-To-Citizen Portal: Events, arrests, and incidents from 2003 to present.
•  City Council Meeting Minutes: Full-text searching of City Council Minutes from 2005 to present.

Information that Is Not Public Record

• Personnel information and records other than what is specifically made public under G.S.§ 160A-168.
• Personally identifiable information of public utility customers including addresses for water shut offs, etc. (G.S. § 132-1.14).
• Police records that include specific tactics, or specific security or emergency procedures (G.S. § 132-1.7).
• Criminal investigation and criminal intelligence records except those specifically made public by G.S. § 132-1.4.