About Princeton

Among the city's landmarks are the Princeton Railroad Museum, which showcases the area's railroad history, and the beautiful Brush Creek Falls, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Princeton is also home to the Mercer County Courthouse, a significant architectural feature completed in 1898, which reflects the city’s historical significance. Economically, Princeton has historically been influenced by the coal industry, which played a vital role in the region's development. In recent years, the city has diversified its economy, with healthcare and education becoming increasingly important sectors.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Princeton

Princeton Police Department

Princeton City Police Department serves to protect the citizens of Princeton, WV. The department maintains active roles in Child Protect, Mercer County’s Special Response Team, the Southern Regional Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, and the West Virginia Coalfields Highway Safety Program.

https://cityofprinceton.org/departments/police-department/

Mercer County Sheriff's Office

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our West Virginia community through trustworthy and cutting edge law enforcement.

https://wvmcsd.org/

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Princeton

Mercer County Information | West Virginia Judiciary

Karmin Richmond, Clerk 120 Scott Street, Suite 103 Princeton, WV 24740 304-431-7115 Fax: 304-425-6106 · Greg Arnold, Chief Krista Anne Ellison, Deputy Mercer County Courthouse 1501 Main Street, Suite 201 Princeton, WV 24740 304-487-8386 Fax: 304-487-8400

🔗 https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/mercer_county

🏠 Property & Public Records in Princeton

Mercer County Clerk

Property records for Princeton, West Virginia are maintained by the Mercer County Clerk. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Mercer County, including Princeton.

🔗 https://mercer.wv.gov OR mercerwv.gov

About Princeton West — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

The Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, is the booking facility holds individuals arrested in Mercer County or serving short-term sentences. The facility processes arrestees through standard procedures including photographs and fingerprinting. Families and attorneys can access inmate information through the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority's online search tool. Visitation follows a strict schedule and requires appointments.

Arrest Records

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the area, documenting details of each arrest, associated charges, and booking information. Residents and legal representatives can request copies by contacting the sheriff's office directly. Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the public has the right to access these records unless specific legal exemptions apply. Typical arrest records contain personal information about the individual, circumstances of the arrest, and any charges filed against them.

Criminal Records

Mercer County's criminal records system includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. The Mercer County Circuit Clerk maintains court records, while the sheriff's office handles arrest and incident reports. Residents can conduct background checks through the West Virginia State Police, which provides statewide criminal history reports. The West Virginia State Police offers additional resources for residents seeking detailed criminal information, including fingerprint-based background checks.

Vital Records

For matters related to vital records, Princeton residents can access the West Virginia Vital Records office, which oversees the registration and issuance of birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses. This state-level resource serves the 24740 ZIP code area, so that local residents have a centralized hub to obtain these important personal documents. The Vital Records office also maintains historical archives, making it a valuable resource for those conducting genealogical research or seeking to verify family information.

Business & Licensing Records

Businesses operating in Princeton or planning to establish operations here can access several government resources for permits, licenses, and zoning information. The City of Princeton's official website provides details on local business requirements and the process for obtaining commercial licenses and permits. The Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce is a networking and support organization for the area's business community, offering guidance and resources to help both entrepreneurs and established companies succeed.

Economy & Demographics

Princeton's economy has evolved over the years, transitioning from a heavy reliance on the coal industry to a more diversified landscape. Today, the city's largest employers span sectors such as healthcare, education, and professional services. The Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce is important in supporting local businesses and promoting economic development, offering resources and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and established companies.

Elections & Voter Records

The Mercer County Clerk's Office at 1501 W Main Street, Room 101, Princeton, WV 24740 administers all elections for local voters. Residents can reach the office at 304-487-8311 or visit https://www.mercercountywv.org/county-clerk. The office manages voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots, and election administration throughout Mercer County. West Virginia residents can register online at https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing, with a deadline of 21 days before any election.
Registration requires a West Virginia driver's license number, state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. As an incorporated municipality, the city holds elections for mayor and five city council members who serve staggered four-year terms. Municipal elections typically occur in odd-numbered years, with the next scheduled for 2025. Voters will elect council members and potentially the mayor depending on term expirations. City election details and candidate filings are available through Princeton City Hall at 304-487-5000. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the West Virginia Secretary of State's lookup tool at https://services.sos.wv.gov/Elections/Voter/FindMyPollingPlace or by contacting Mercer County Clerk directly. West Virginia maintains multiple categories of public election records. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes. Campaign finance reports are filed with and accessible through the West Virginia Secretary of State's office. Candidate filings and qualifications remain on file with Mercer County Clerk as public records. Precinct-level results are published by both Mercer County Clerk and secretary of state after each election. West Virginia does not have a U.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Princeton voters are published by the West Virginia Secretary of State Elections (https://sos.wv.gov/elections/).S. State-level races include seats in both the West Virginia Senate, which has 17 districts with staggered terms, and the West Virginia House of Delegates, where all 100 seats are contested every two years. Voters can request absentee ballots by submitting an application to Mercer County Clerk's office at least six days before the election. Early in-person voting is available at the clerk's office beginning 13 days before election day. Applications can be downloaded from https://sos.wv.gov/elections or requested from the Mercer County Clerk at 304-487-8311.
City Info
StateWest Virginia
CountyMercer
Population5,780

Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Princeton, West Virginia, residents can register online through the West Virginia Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Mercer County elections office. West Virginia requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the West Virginia Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Princeton, contact the Mercer County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Princeton, West Virginia are maintained by the Mercer Commissioner of the Revenue's Office and the Mercer County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Mercer County, including parcels in Princeton. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Mercer County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many West Virginia counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Mercer County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Princeton, West Virginia residents are available through both county and state offices. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Vital Registration, located in Charleston, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in West Virginia. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Mercer County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Mercer County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.