West Virginia Public Records

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act makes public all the state’s public records. The Act is covered in the West Virginia Code under Chapter 29B.

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act states that “every person” can have access to West Virginia public records. This includes individuals, associations, and corporations. The reason for requesting the records does not matter unless when the request comes from an inmate. The law doesn’t restrict you on how to use these records once you have obtained them. However, the courts have the right to limit the use of any personal information.

The law covers records such as all records from all state’s public bodies, including the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. Records that are exempt, or that are not subject to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, include:

  • Personal information
  • Trade secrets
  • Test questions
  • Records exempt by statute
  • Internal memoranda
  • National security records

West Virginia Criminal Records

The West Virginia State Police has the responsibility to conduct background checks in West Virginal State, but has contracted out IdentiGo.com, which is an online third party. IdentiGo.com handles all background checks and fingerprint services on behalf of the state. You can use the company to search for things like, pre-employment, licensing, and housing matters. Since these are fingerprint-based checks, you need consent for you to be able to request a criminal record.

To learn about victim services, find information about the state’s correctional facilities, or search for an inmate, simply visit the official website of the state Department of Corrections.

The state allows the public to access arrest records, jail and inmate records freely. You can easily find detailed information about an offender. DOC Offender Search page is where you can search if you want to locate an offender in the state system. You will have to search with a name or a DOC Number. The results will typically return the offender’s location, projected release date, and list of offenses.

West Virginia Court Records

Information about the courts in West Virginia State is available on the administrator of the courts website. WV State Law Library is the only available online search. To obtain specific court records, you will have to contact the clerk of the court at the specific courthouse where the final decree of the case was made.

West Virginia Vital Records

West Virginia Vital Records are available at the Vital Registration Office of the state’s Health Statistics Center. You can request a copy of birth, marriage, or death certificate online through VitalCheck.com or in person by visiting the central offices that sit at 350 Capitol Street in the downtown Charleston. Alternatively, you can request for these records by mail. Simply download and return a completed form to Vital Registration, Room 165, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301-3701.

  • Birth records: Birth records are available starting in 1917 to present. To request for a birth certificate, you must be the registrant, a legal guardian, an immediate family member, or a legal representative.
  • Death records: Death records in West Virginia are available starting in 1917 to present. A death certificate becomes a public record after 50 years. Before then, these records are only available to an immediate family member who has a tangible or direct in the record.
  • Marriage records: Marriage certificates are accessible from 1964 to present. These records become public records after 50 years. Before then, the records are only available to the involved parties whose names are on the certificate, or their children and legal representative.
  • Divorce records: Divorce records are available from 1851 at the circuit courts of the counties where the final decree was made. You can request for a divorce certificate from the clerk of the appropriate circuit court. Divorce certificates become public records after 50 years.

The State of West Virginia has more than 1.8 million residents and a great number of this population may wish to access and copy public records. For this reason, the state does have clear provisions for sharing its records with the general public.

West Virginia state court system

Understanding how the system of West Virginia state court works is very important as it helps you find court records easily.

West Virginia Courts Overview

To make your work easier, start searching for court records in West Virginia by simply going to courts by county.

The trial court system of West Virginia State consists of Legislative Claims Commission, Municipal Courts, Family Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Circuit Courts.

Circuit Courts

West Virginia Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction to handle all criminal and civil cases, but typically handle only those cases that no other court has jurisdiction over.

Civil cases that Circuit Courts hear include civil equity cases and general civil claims for more than $300. Criminal cases include misdemeanors and felonies. Circuit Courts also handle juvenile delinquency, probate matters, and child abuse and neglect. They also review recommended orders from the judicial officers handling juvenile and hygiene matters.

Under some circumstances, a Circuit Court may also handle cases typically handled by Family Courts and some cases connected to Family Protective Orders. Family Courts share jurisdiction over guardianships of minors with Circuit Courts.

Circuits may have judicial officers and specialized court divisions for certain types of cases. Mental Health Court Diversion Program, Teen Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, Juvenile Referees, or Mental Hygiene Commissioners may exist in some individual courts, and are usually supervised by Circuit Courts.

Magistrate Courts

These courts have jurisdiction to handle certain types of criminal and civil cases. Civil cases that Magistrate Courts hear include some general civil claims for less than $5,000, excluding costs and interests. They also handle emergency domestic violence protective orders, and most landlord-tenant disputes. They have original jurisdiction to handle many general civil claims with less than $300 in dispute.

Criminal cases these courts handle include preliminary hearings for all types of criminal cases, and misdemeanors.

Family Courts

These courts have jurisdiction to handle some types of cases, such as domestic violence protection, domestic relations, and guardianships. Cases generally heard by Family Courts include child support and child custody, paternity, annulment, divorce, parental plans, child visitation, proceedings for civil domestic violence protection, guardianships of minors, separate maintenance, and grandparent visitation.

Family Courts do not have jurisdiction over cases involving family support or parental responsibility for a child subject to the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.

Municipal Courts

West Virginia Municipal Courts have jurisdiction to enforce majority of municipal ordinance violations. Magistrate Courts hear violations of municipal ordinances in areas where there is no Municipal Courts.

Legislative Claims Commission

Formerly referred to as the Court of Claims, the Legislative Claims Commission has limited jurisdiction to handle civil claims against the State or its agencies.

Typical case that the Commission handle include wrongful imprisonment, injury and damage caused by road hazards, personal injury, property damage, construction contract disputes, contract disputes, claims for damages caused by runaway inmates of the State of West Virginia institutions, and Crime Compensation Act claims. The Commission doesn’t handle cases related to Workers’ Compensation.

The Legislative Claims Commission conducts hearings in Wheeling, Princeton, Martinsburg, Fairmont and Charleston, but usually handles all the administrative aspects of the cases from an office located in Charleston.

The Official Website of West Virginia County

Charleston Welcome To Charleston, West Virginia City of Charleston, WV Official Website | The Cultural, Recreational, and Business Capital of the Appalachian Mountains
Huntington City of Huntington
Morgantown Morgantown, WV | Official Website
Parkersburg City of Parkersburg City of ParkersburgA Beautiful Place to Call
Wheeling Official Website of Wheeling West Virginia
Weirton Weirton, WV | Official Website
Fairmont Fairmont, WV – Official Website
Martinsburg City of Martinsburg, West Virginia – The official website of Martinsburg City Hall
Beckley City of Beckley |?The City of Champions
Clarksburg Clarksburg, WV | Official Website
South Charleston City of South Charleston
Vienna City of Vienna, WV – | Pride of the Valley
Bluefield Bluefield West Virginia
Bridgeport City of Bridgeport, WV
Kanawha County Kanawha County
Berkeley County Berkeley County Council
Cabell County Welcome to Cabell County, WV
Monongalia County Monongalia County in West Virginia Monongalia County’s Website.
Wood County Wood County WV Wood County WV Courthouse get a copy of your birth certificates, apply for a marriage license, or register to vote.
Raleigh County Raleigh County, Southern West Virginia
Harrison County Harrison County Commission
Mercer County Welcome to Mercer County, West Virginia!
Marion County Marion County West Virginia
Putnam County Putnam County, West Virginia Government Portal The Putnam County West Virginia Government website featuring quick links to all government services and agencies
Fayette County Fayette County
Ohio County Welcome to Ohio County, West Virginia!
Wayne County Wayne County West Virginia
Logan County Welcome to Logan County, West Virginia!
Greenbrier County Greenbrier County
Preston County Preston County West Virginia – County Commission Office Preston County County Commission Office
Marshall County Marshall County Commission – Moundsville, WV
Hancock County Welcome to Hancock County, WV Official Homepage of Hancock County, WV. Containing important information, department contacts and purpose, upcoming events and important dates.
Randolph County Randolph County Assessors Office
Jackson County Welcome to Jackson County, West Virginia!
Mason County Welcome to Mason County, West Virginia!
Mingo County Mingo County, West Virginia
Nicholas County Nicholas County Commission – Summersville, WV 26651 Welcome to the official website of the Nicholas County Courthouse, various information offices and special notices for the county.
Boone County Boone County West Virginia : Boone County Community and Economic Developmen Corp. For decades, Boone County has ranked first or near the top in coal production statistics in West Virginia. Nearly 3,000 miners labor in the county, and for every person directly employed in the coal industry, four more work in coal-related support occupations. Boone County’s 506 square miles has more coal reserves than any other place in the world equal to its size. Coal Country people are proud of their coal heritage. We’ll make you feel right at home whether you’re looking to locate here or just visiting. Our hospitality and friendliness are part of the heritage that is Boone County.
Upshur County Welcome to Upshur County, West Virginia
Brooke County Welcome to Brooke County
Hampshire County Welcome to the Official Site of Hampshire County, West Virginia
McDowell County Welcome – McDowell, WV
Lincoln County Lincoln County West Virginia
Morgan Countyt Government | Morgan County, West Virginia
Taylor County Welcome to Taylor County, West Virginia!
Barbour County Welcome to Barbour County, West Virginia!
Lewis County Lewis County Commission
Roane County Roane County, West Virginia
Braxton County Braxton CVB

West Virginia Jail Roster

TypeNameCountyInmate LocatorPhone NumberInmate Search
Federal PrisonGilmer Federal Correctional InstitutionGilmer County201 FCI Lane, Glenville, WV 26351(304) 626-2500Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonAlderson Federal Prison CampGreenbrier County1 Glen Ray Road, Alderson, WV 24910(304) 445-3300Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonMcDowell Federal Correctional InstitutionMcDowell County101 Federal Drive, Welch, WV 24801(304) 436-7300Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonMorgantown Federal Correctional InstitutionMonongalia County446 Greenbag Road, Route 857, Morgantown, WV 26501(304) 296-4416Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonHazelton Federal Correctional InstitutionPreston County1640 Sky View Drive, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525(304) 379-1500Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonHazelton United States PenitentiaryPreston County1640 Sky View Drive, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525(304) 379-5000Federal Inmate Locator
Federal PrisonBeckley Federal Correctional InstitutionRaleigh County1600 Industrial Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 252-9758Federal Inmate Locator
State PrisonMartinsburg Correctional CenterBerkeley County38 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401(304) 267-0156Inmate Search
State PrisonMount Olive Correctional ComplexFayette County1 Mountainside Way, Mt. Olive, West Virginia 25185(304) 442-7213Inmate Search
State PrisonSalem Correctional CenterFayette County7 Industrial Blvd, Industrial, WV 26426(304) 782-2371Inmate Search
State PrisonAnthony Correctional CenterGreenbrier County313 Anthony Center Drive, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986(304) 536-3911Inmate Search
State PrisonCharleston Correctional CenterKanawha County1356 Hansford Street, Charleston, WV 25301(304) 340-6921Inmate Search
State PrisonNorthern Correctional FacilityMarshall County112 Northern Regional Correctional Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041(304) 843-4067Inmate Search
State PrisonLakin Correctional CenterMason County11264 Ohio River Road, West Columbia, WV 25287(304) 674-2440Inmate Search
State PrisonOhio County Correctional CenterOhio County1501 Eoff Street, Wheeling, WV 26003(304) 238-1007 or (304) 238-1008Inmate Search
State PrisonSaint Marys Correctional CenterPleasants County2880 N. Pleasants Highway, St. Marys, WV 26170(304) 684-5500Inmate Search
State PrisonDenmar Correctional CenterPocahontas County4319 Denmar Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946(304) 653-4201Inmate Search
State PrisonBeckley Correctional CenterRaleigh County111 S. Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, WV 25801(304) 256-6780Inmate Search
State PrisonHuttonsville Correctional CenterRandolph CountyUS-250, Huttonsville, WV 26273(304) 335-2291Inmate Search
State PrisonPruntytown Correctional CenterTaylor County2006 Trap Springs Road, Grafton, WV 26354(304) 265-6111Inmate Search
State PrisonParkersburg Correctional CenterWood County225 Holiday Hills Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104(304) 420-2443Inmate Search
McDowell County Jail RosterStevens Correctional CenterMcDowell County795 Virginia Avenue, Welch, West Virginia 24801(304) 436-5420/ (304) 436-8530Jail Roster
Regional JailTygart Valley Regional JailBarbour County400 Abbey Road, Belington, WV 26250(304) 637-0382Inmate Search
Regional JailEastern Regional JailBerkeley County94 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405(304) 267-0046Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthwestern Regional JailBoone County1300 Gaston Caperton Drive, Holden, WV 25625(304) 239-3032Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailBraxton County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailNorthern Regional JailBrooke County112 Northern Regional Correctional Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041(304) 843-4067Inmate Search
Regional JailWestern Regional JailCabell CountyOne OHanlon Place, Barboursville, WV 25504(304) 733-6821Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailCalhoun County, Clay County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailDoddridge County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailFayette County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailGilmer County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailPotomac Highlands Regional JailGrant County355 Dolan Drive, Augusta, WV 26704(304) 496-1275Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailGreenbrier County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search
Regional JailPotomac Highlands Regional JailHampshire County355 Dolan Drive, Augusta, WV 26704(304) 496-1275Inmate Search
Regional JailNorthern Regional JailHancock County112 Northern Regional Correctional Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041(304) 843-4067Inmate Search
Regional JailPotomac Highlands Regional JailHardy County355 Dolan Drive, Augusta, WV 26704(304) 496-1275Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailHarrison County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailSouth Central Regional JailJackson County1001 Centre Way, Charleston, WV 25309(304) 558-1336Inmate Search
Regional JailEastern Regional JailJefferson County94 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405(304) 267-0046Inmate Search
Regional JailSouth Central Regional JailKanawha County1001 Centre Way, Charleston, WV 25309(304) 558-1336Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailLewis County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailWestern Regional JailLincoln CountyOne OHanlon Place, Barboursville, WV 25504(304) 733-6821Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthwestern Regional JailLogan County1300 Gaston Caperton Drive, Holden, WV 25625(304) 239-3032Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailMarion County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailNorthern Regional JailMarshall County112 Northern Regional Correctional Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041(304) 843-4067Inmate Search
Regional JailWestern Regional JailMason CountyOne OHanlon Place, Barboursville, WV 25504(304) 733-6821Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthwestern Regional JailMcDowell County1300 Gaston Caperton Drive, Holden, WV 25625(304) 239-3032Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailMercer County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search
Regional JailPotomac Highlands Regional JailMineral County355 Dolan Drive, Augusta, WV 26704(304) 496-1275Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthwestern Regional JailMingo County1300 Gaston Caperton Drive, Holden, WV 25625(304) 239-3032Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailMonongalia County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailMonroe County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search
Regional JailEastern Regional JailMorgan County94 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405(304) 267-0046Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailNicholas County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailNorthern Regional JailOhio County112 Northern Regional Correctional Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041(304) 843-4067Inmate Search
Regional JailPotomac Highlands Regional JailPendleton County355 Dolan Drive, Augusta, WV 26704(304) 496-1275Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailPleasants County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailTygart Valley Regional JailPocahontas County, Preston County400 Abbey Road, Belington, WV 26250(304) 637-0382Inmate Search
Regional JailWestern Regional JailPutnam CountyOne OHanlon Place, Barboursville, WV 25504(304) 733-6821Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailRaleigh County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search
Regional JailTygart Valley Regional JailRandolph County400 Abbey Road, Belington, WV 26250(304) 637-0382Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailRitchie County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailRoane County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailSummers County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search
Regional JailTygart Valley Regional JailTaylor County, Tucker County400 Abbey Road, Belington, WV 26250(304) 637-0382Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailTyler County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailTygart Valley Regional JailUpshur County400 Abbey Road, Belington, WV 26250(304) 637-0382Inmate Search
Regional JailWestern Regional JailWayne CountyOne OHanlon Place, Barboursville, WV 25504(304) 733-6821Inmate Search
Regional JailCentral Regional JailWebster County1255 Dyer Hill Road, Sutton, WV 26601(304) 765-7904Inmate Search
Regional JailNorthern Regional JailWetzel County112 Northern Regional Correctional Drive, Moundsville, WV 26041(304) 843-4067Inmate Search
Regional JailNorth Central Regional JailWirt County, Wood County1 Lois Lane, Greenwood, WV 26415(304) 873-1384Inmate Search
Regional JailSouthern Regional JailWyoming County1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813(304) 256-6726Inmate Search

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office | Jefferson County Commission, WV Jefferson County Jail
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office – Charleston, West Virginia Kanawha County Sheriff
Marion County Sheriff s Department Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Division Physical Address 316 Monroe StreetJacobs Building 1st FloorFairmont, WV 26554 Phone 304 367 5300Fax 304 367 5304 The M.C.
Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Jail Inmate Search Mercer County Jail Inmate Search
Wood County WV – Sheriff Wood County’s Sheriff office list of responsibilities include collecting taxes, enforcing the law, and providing security for local courts
WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation West Virginia Department of Corrections
West Virginia Criminal Records West Virginia State Police Criminal Records Background Check
Court Information by County – West Virginia Judiciary Find Parking Ticket, Divorce, Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, Probation, and other court related information on a by county basis.
State Police Sex Offender Registry West Virginia State Police Sex Offender List