West Virginia public records
West Virginia's court-access services differ by court level. The statewide assessment map helps locate parcel information, while county clerks hold recorded deeds. Historical genealogy images and certified vital records are different products, with eligibility rules for recent certificates.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsWest Virginia Judiciary | Choose the available court-record access service and the relevant clerk. | Online access and clerk document fees vary. Magistrate and circuit court records have different systems and coverage; protected material is excluded. |
| Property and land recordsWest Virginia Property Assessment portal | Find parcel assessment information and the county source; use the county clerk for deeds. | Assessment lookup and recorded-document copies differ. The map is assessment reference data rather than a certified ownership or title report. |
| Business recordsWest Virginia Secretary of State | Search registered entities by business name and review available filings. | Basic search and certificates are separate services. Entity records do not establish a professional license or business creditworthiness. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceWest Virginia Health Statistics Center | Follow birth, death and marriage certificate instructions; request divorce decrees from the court. | Search and certificate/court-copy fees apply. Eligibility and historical-record rules differ; online genealogy images are not certified copies. |
| Criminal-history checksWest Virginia State Police | Use the criminal-records section's background-check and fingerprint instructions. | Provider and processing charges depend on the requested check. Repository access follows authorization rules and is distinct from public court-record access. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in West Virginia
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Every person may inspect non-exempt public records. Describe the requested records with reasonable specificity and direct the request to the custodian.
- How to submit
- Identify the West Virginia agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The custodian generally must grant or deny access within five business days, excluding weekends and legal holidays.
- Fees and estimates
- Reasonable actual reproduction fees may be charged. The statute does not permit charges merely for searching or retrieving records.
- If access is denied
- Request a written denial citing the exemption. A person denied access can seek relief in circuit court.
West Virginia records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: West Virginia public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the county's approved minutes and executed agreement for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
West Virginia public records FAQ
Where can I find West Virginia court records?
Choose the available court-record access service and the relevant clerk. Magistrate and circuit court records have different systems and coverage; protected material is excluded.
Sources: West Virginia JudiciaryAre West Virginia public records free?
Reasonable actual reproduction fees may be charged. The statute does not permit charges merely for searching or retrieving records. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: West Virginia official public-records guidance; West Virginia Judiciary; West Virginia Health Statistics CenterHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in West Virginia?
Follow birth, death and marriage certificate instructions; request divorce decrees from the court. Eligibility and historical-record rules differ; online genealogy images are not certified copies.
Sources: West Virginia Health Statistics Center; West Virginia JudiciaryIs a West Virginia court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Repository access follows authorization rules and is distinct from public court-record access. Use the criminal-records section's background-check and fingerprint instructions.
Sources: West Virginia State Police; West Virginia JudiciarySources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- West Virginia official public-records guidance — checked
- West Virginia Judiciary — checked
- West Virginia Property Assessment portal — checked
- West Virginia Secretary of State — checked
- West Virginia Health Statistics Center — checked
- West Virginia State Police — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions