About West Virginia Public Records

About West Virginia public records

Use the information provided below to conduct West Virginia public record search of criminal background and official document searches. Search court records for divorces, lawsuits and all case filings. Obtain death records, birth records, marriage search. Use the state's data and look up bankruptcy records, property value and fictitious business names filings from the state West Virginia agency websites. Access local and state departments by subject, divisions or subject in a directory of links.

State background and court information

In 1861, fifty counties located in the Northwest part of Virginia separated and formed the state of West Virginia to later join the union in 1863, one of only two states to join the Union during the civil war and one of four connecting to the Mason-Dixon line. The state's population grew from just over 55,000 residents in the late 1700's to nearly 2 million based on the most recent estimates. West Virginia has experienced a declining population with more than half of its residents relocating. Much of West Virginia's economy had relied on its coal production since 1742, which today still contributes over 3 billion dollars annually. A switch to other forms of energy such as biodiesel and other chemicals have been in effect and is a major research center for alternative fuels. Bureau of Labor Statics has non-government civilian labor force at just under 800 thousand.

West Virginia is governed by a three branch system which includes the executive, judicial and legislative. Legislature is comprised of 34 Senate members serving four year terms with elections every 2 years for each half of its members and lead by a president, president pro tem, 2 majority and 2 minority leaders. The House of Delegates make up the rest of the state's legislative body with one hundred members, each serving 2 year terms lead by a speaker of the house, speaker pro tem, majority and minority leaders, whips and their assistants. State elected officials are the Governor, State Auditor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and the state Treasurer. The Judicial branch contains the state's Supreme court, courts of Appeals and clerk's office. The executive branch is comprised of West Virginia's agencies. State level agencies include law enforcement, record keeping and other administrative departments.

The state's capital is Charleston, the largest city in West Virginia with over 50,000 residents in approximately 32 square miles and the location of the state capitol building since 1877 occupying 16 acres. 34 senators and 100 delegates gather at the Capitol to pass new proposed laws, amend or eliminate bills through a state mandated process.

West Virginia municipal courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve traffic, miscellaneous minor violations, exclusive jurisdiction for parking violations and ordinance violations.

Circuit courts have jurisdiction over torts, contracts, and real property rights from $300 and up, exclusive mental health, estate, and civil appeals jurisdiction, domestic relations matters, misdemeanors, and traffic matters. Circuit criminal courts have exclusive felony, and criminal appeals jurisdiction, and exclusive juvenile jurisdiction. Jury trials are available in these courts.

Magistrate courts have jurisdiction to hear torts, contracts, real property rights from $0 to $5,000, misdemeanors, DWI or DUI, domestic, violence matters, traffic violations and courts hold venue to preliminary hearings. Jury trials are available in magistrate courts.

Family courts are made up of 26 circuits, 35 judges, and hear domestic relations matters, including domestic violence with available jury trials.

The supreme court is the highest court in the state and has no mandatory jurisdiction. All cases are heard by discretion of the court. Discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non-capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile,disciplinary, certified questions from federal courts, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases.

Court records and filings

Access West Virginia Courts online directly. Search court records; from West Virginia county courts to Supreme courts. Find criminal filings, West Virginia dissolution of marriage or divorce records from official state websites. File small claims lawsuits. Link to West Virginia probate sources with helpful information. Bankruptcy courts by jurisdiction or by districts. West Virginia state courts contact information such as telephone numbers and more.

Court search routes

As there may be more one source to obtaining West Virginia criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.

West Virginia State Court Structure:

The West Virginia municipal courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve DWI or DUI matters, moving traffic violations, and other miscellaneous traffic violations. The municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving parking violations, and ordinance violations. West Virginia's circuit courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve tort, contract, and real property rights from $300 and up. These courts have exclusive mental health, estate, and civil appeals jurisdiction. Circuit courts hear domestic relations matters, misdemeanors, and DWI or DUI matters. Circuit courts have exclusive felony, and criminal appeals jurisdiction, and exclusive juvenile jurisdiction. Jury trials are available in these courts. West Virginia's magistrate courts have jurisdiction to hear cases that involve tort, contract, real property rights from $0 to $5,000, misdemeanors, DWI or DUI, domestic, violence matters, moving traffic violations, and other miscellaneous traffic violations. Magistrate courts hold venue to preliminary hearings. Jury trials are available in magistrate courts also. West Virginia's family courts are made up of 26 circuits, 35 judges, and hear domestic relations matters, including domestic violence. Jury trials are available. West Virginia's highest court is the supreme court. The supreme court has no mandatory jurisdiction. All cases are heard by discretion of the court. Discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non-capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile,disciplinary, certified questions from federal courts, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases.

Criminal records and background checks

West Virginia criminal records are maintained by the West Virginia State Police Criminal Records Section. Background checks are now processed through IdentoGO by appointment. Court records are accessible through the Magistrate Court Record Search system. The WV State Police operates the Sex Offender Registry providing public access to registered offenders.

Vital records

Statewide West Virginia vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in West Virginia and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in West Virginia to conduct research online. Department of health and human resources, health statistics center, vital registration office and forms, making changes or corrections copies, birth, death and marriage certificates, genealogy, archives and history, search records.

Property and asset records

Search for assets in West Virginia and obtain records of property, business ownership, professional license verification and other personal or corporate assets. Find bankruptcies, liens, UCC judgment filings and find out about information that can effect a person's or company's asset. See the status of a business and verify ownership, DBA, status, activity and whether the corporation or business filed in West Virginia owns property, vehicles, real estate and more. Unclaimed property and asset search from official government databases open to the public.

Government records and agencies

Access West Virginia government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Direct West Virginia official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of West Virginia. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous West Virginia criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

West Virginia genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Find vital records at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Missing children resources

Read the West Virginia code on child welfare and the missing children information act. West Virginia State Police and other agencies join forces when a child is reported missing in West Virginia. The West Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse displays photos and personal information on the children missing in West Virginia. The West Virginia Child Amber Alert website tells you what to do in case of an amber alert and how you can help. This emergency alert system broadcasts information that could help recover a missing child. The West Virginia Department of Education has created AmberVision which uses technology to turn a child's school photo into a 3-D avatar to better assist law enforcement, the media and the general public to facilitate an abducted child's safe return. Parents can download a quick reference guide with steps to take if you believe your child is missing. Friends and family can can find information for those who have experienced a family abduction, learn about the laws that will help them, prevention methods, and suggestions for aftercare following the abduction. Parents can find suggestions and information to teach their children how to use the Internet safely.