Guide
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.
Guide
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.
Guide
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. Bankruptcy courts by jurisdiction or by districts. West Virginia state courts contact information such as telephone numbers and more.
Guide
Court search routes
Criminal, civil and divorce records in West Virginia can be held by more than one court, so search each court that may hold the case. The official court site below lists the West Virginia courts and how to reach each one.
Guide
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.
Guide
Vital records
Certified copies of West Virginia birth and death certificates are issued by the West Virginia Health Statistics Center. Marriage records are also kept by the local office that issued the license, and divorce records by the court that granted the divorce.
Guide
Property and asset records
Deeds and mortgages in West Virginia are recorded at the county level, and property taxes are handled by county or local offices. Business and UCC filings are kept by the state, bankruptcy cases are federal court records, and the state runs a free search for unclaimed property.
Guide
Government records and agencies
WV.gov lists the state's agencies, and the West Virginia Code is online from the West Virginia Legislature.
Guide
Driving and vehicle records
The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles keeps driving records and handles vehicle registration.
Guide
Expungements and record clearing
Under West Virginia Code 61-11-26, a person may petition the circuit court where the conviction happened to expunge misdemeanor or nonviolent felony convictions. A single misdemeanor qualifies one year after conviction or the end of any jail term or supervision, whichever is later. Driving under the influence and violent or weapon offenses are among the convictions that cannot be expunged.
Guide
Genealogy and historical research
For family history, start with West Virginia Archives and History and the West Virginia Library Commission.
Guide
Missing children resources
The West Virginia State Police post missing persons cases from West Virginia.
- West Virginia missing personsWest Virginia State Police
- NamUsU.S. Justice Department database of missing and unidentified people
Need a different West Virginia record?
Browse county pages, search vital records, look up court filings, or run a background check from the main hub.