Star City, West Virginia Public Records

Law enforcement in Monongalia County is provided by the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Morgantown Police Department serves the city of Morgantown, while the Westover Police Department and Star City Police Department serve their respective municipalities. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the county. Each department operates within its jurisdiction but often coordinates with the Sheriff's Office for larger investigations and emergency responses.

The North Central Regional Jail serves Monongalia County, handling the booking and detention of individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and documenting the personal information of detainees. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance. The bond and bail process in West Virginia allows for the posting of bail through cash, property, or bail bondsmen, with specific procedures outlined by the county's judicial system.

Star City residents are served by multiple court systems depending on the nature of legal matters. The Star City Municipal Court, located at 378 Dupont Road, Star City, WV 26505, phone (304) 292-8245, handles municipal ordinance violations, traffic citations issued within town limits, and preliminary hearings for certain misdemeanors. For more serious criminal matters, civil cases, family law, and probate, residents use the Monongalia County Circuit Court, located at the Monongalia County Courthouse, 243 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone (304) 291-7230. Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $10,000, divorce and family law matters, probate and estate administration, and appeals from lower courts. The Monongalia County Magistrate Court, also at 243 High Street (separate division), phone (304) 291-7267, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases under $10,000, small claims (up to $10,000), emergency protective orders, landlord-tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings. West Virginia offers limited online court record access through individual circuit clerk offices, though the state does not maintain a unified statewide portal. The Monongalia County Circuit Clerk's office provides some case information by phone and in-person searches. Fees for certified copies of court documents are typically $1.00 per page plus a $0.50 certification fee, though specific fee schedules vary by document type. Marriage licenses cost $56, and divorce decree copies cost $1.00 per page plus certification. Remote access to many court records requires visiting the courthouse in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The criminal records system in Monongalia County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Monongalia County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the West Virginia Bureau of Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the Sheriff's Office or the West Virginia State Police. The state's background check system allows for comprehensive searches, including fingerprint-based checks for employment or licensing purposes.

Arrest records in Monongalia County are maintained by the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act governs the release of public records, ensuring transparency and access to arrest information. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.

Property and land records for Star City are maintained by Monongalia County offices in Morgantown. The Monongalia County Assessor's Office, located at 243 High Street, Suite 101, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone (304) 291-7236, maintains property assessment records, tax maps, and ownership information for all parcels within Star City. The Assessor's website at https://www.monongaliacountyassessor.com provides a free online property search tool where residents can search by owner name, address, or parcel number to view assessed values, property characteristics, tax district information, sales history, and property sketches. The database is updated regularly and includes both current and historical assessment data. For recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property title, the Monongalia County Clerk's Office serves as the Recorder of Deeds, located at 243 High Street, Room 124, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone (304) 291-7236. The County Clerk maintains an index of all recorded documents dating back to the county's formation, and many recent documents are available for viewing and printing online through the county's land records search system. Recording fees vary by document type: deeds typically cost $60 for the first two pages plus $5 for each additional page; mortgages cost $105 plus additional page fees. Monongalia County also offers a free online GIS mapping system at https://monogis.mapsonline.net that allows users to view parcel boundaries, zoning information, aerial photography, and links to assessment data. This interactive map is particularly useful for identifying property lines, researching neighboring parcels, and viewing flood zones and other geographic data specific to Star City properties.

Star City's economy is closely integrated with the greater Morgantown metropolitan area, functioning primarily as a residential community for workers employed elsewhere in Monongalia County. The town's most significant employer within its borders is Mylan Pharmaceuticals (now part of Viatris following a 2020 merger), which operates research and development facilities in Star City employing several hundred scientists and support staff in pharmaceutical development. The proximity to West Virginia University in adjacent Morgantown means many Star City residents work for the university, WVU Medicine healthcare system, or WVU-affiliated research organizations. The local economy also includes small retail businesses along Dupont Road and surrounding streets, service providers, restaurants, and professional offices serving the residential population. Star City's median household income is estimated at approximately $55,000 to $65,000, reflecting its character as a working- and middle-class community with many homeowners and renters who commute to Morgantown for employment. Recent development has included residential construction and infrastructure improvements to accommodate modest population growth. The town's economy benefits from Monongalia County's overall economic strength, driven by education, healthcare, energy (natural gas extraction in surrounding areas), and technology sectors. While Star City itself does not have large commercial or industrial districts, its location along US Route 119 provides convenient access to employment centers, and its lower cost of living compared to Morgantown proper makes it attractive to families and individuals seeking affordable housing while working in the county's economic hubs. The town's economic outlook remains stable, tied to the continued presence of the university and pharmaceutical industry.

Law enforcement services in Star City are provided by the Star City Police Department, headquartered at 378 Dupont Road, Star City, WV 26505, phone (304) 292-8245. The department handles municipal law enforcement, traffic enforcement, and initial incident response within town limits. Citizens can request police reports and incident records by visiting the police department during business hours or submitting written requests; there is typically a small fee for copies. For matters outside Star City's jurisdiction or for more serious investigations, the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department, located at 120 North Walnut Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone (304) 291-7260, provides county-wide law enforcement services including civil process, warrant service, and patrol of unincorporated areas. The Sheriff's Office website at monongaliacountysheriff.com provides information on services and some online resources. Arrest records and jail bookings for individuals detained in Monongalia County are managed by the North Central Regional Jail, located at 1100 Pineview Drive, Greenwood, WV 26415. The West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority maintains an online inmate search portal at https://www.wvdoc.com, where the public can search current inmates by name, view booking photos, see charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Public records requests in West Virginia are governed by the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, found at W. Va. Code §29B-1-1 et seq., which requires government agencies to respond to public records requests within five business days, though production of documents may take longer depending on volume and complexity. Requesters should submit written FOIA requests to the specific custodian of records, identifying the documents sought with reasonable specificity.

Vital records for Star City residents are issued primarily through state and county offices. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Star City or anywhere in West Virginia are issued exclusively by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Vital Registration Office, located at 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301, phone (304) 558-2931. Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy and can be ordered online through the state's vendor at www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital, by mail with a completed application form, or in person at the Charleston office. Expedited service is available for an additional fee. Only the person named on the certificate (if age 18+), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives can request certified copies; valid government-issued photo ID is required. Death certificates follow the same fee structure and ordering process, with access limited to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest. Processing time for standard mail requests is typically 4-6 weeks, while in-person requests can often be fulfilled same-day if records are readily available. Marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Star City or anywhere in Monongalia County are issued by the Monongalia County Clerk's Office at 243 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone (304) 291-7236, website at www.monongaliacountyclerk.com. The marriage license fee is $56, there is no waiting period or blood test required, and licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk for $5.00. Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court where the divorce was granted; certified copies are available from the Monongalia County Circuit Clerk at the same courthouse location. West Virginia has digitized most vital records from recent decades, though records prior to 1917 may require additional research time.

Business licensing and registration for Star City involves both municipal and state requirements. The Town of Star City requires business licenses for most commercial operations within town limits; applications are processed through Star City Town Hall at 378 Dupont Road, Star City, WV 26505, phone (304) 292-8245. Municipal business license fees vary based on business type and gross receipts, with annual renewal required. Businesses should contact Town Hall directly to determine specific licensing requirements for their industry. At the county level, certain businesses may need additional permits from Monongalia County; inquiries can be directed to the Monongalia County Commission at (304) 291-7237. For businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, a Trade Name (DBA) registration must be filed with the Monongalia County Clerk at 243 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505. The filing fee is approximately $40, and registrations must be renewed every five years. West Virginia business entity formation and registration—including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofit organizations—are handled by the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division. The state maintains a free online business entity search at https://apps.wv.gov/sos/business/search where anyone can search for registered businesses, view entity status, registered agent information, formation date, and principal office address. New business registrations can be filed online through the same portal. Domestic LLC formation costs $100, while domestic corporation formation costs $125. Annual reports are required for most entity types with fees ranging from $25 to $100. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are also managed by the Secretary of State's UCC Division; searches can be conducted online for a fee. For commercial property tax information in Star City, business owners should consult the Monongalia County Assessor's Office online database to view current assessments, which form the basis for property tax calculations on business real estate and personal property.

Star City voters participate in municipal, county, state, and federal elections, with election administration handled by the Monongalia County Clerk, who serves as the county's election authority. The Monongalia County Clerk's Office is located at 243 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone (304) 291-7236, website www.monongaliacountyclerk.com, where voters can obtain information about registration, polling locations, and election results. West Virginia residents can register to vote online at https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register, the official state voter registration portal maintained by the West Virginia Secretary of State. Voters must register at least 21 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Registration requires a valid West Virginia driver's license or ID card number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Star City holds municipal elections for mayor and town council positions; these elections are typically held in odd-numbered years, with the next municipal election scheduled for 2025. Candidates for local office file with the Town Clerk, and local ballot measures addressing town ordinances or bond issues may also appear on municipal election ballots. Star City residents can find their assigned polling place by using the polling place lookup tool at https://services.sos.wv.gov/Elections/Voter/FindMyPollingPlace or by contacting the County Clerk. In the November 2024 general election, Monongalia County recorded voter turnout of approximately 52% of registered voters, with strong participation in the presidential race. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Star City and Monongalia County voters will decide several important races: West Virginia does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026, but voters will elect members of the West Virginia House of Delegates (all 100 seats), West Virginia State Senate (17 of 34 seats on rotating basis), and various county offices including County Commission seats, Sheriff, County Clerk, and Assessor depending on term expiration. State legislative districts that include Star City will have candidates for delegate and senate positions. West Virginia election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (available for purchase by campaigns and political organizations, with restrictions on commercial use), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees (searchable at https://cfrs.wvsos.gov), candidate filings and declarations of candidacy, and precinct-level election results which are posted by the County Clerk after certification. West Virginia offers absentee voting by mail for voters who meet specific criteria including being age 65 or older, having a physical disability, illness or injury, being absent from the county on Election Day due to work or personal business, incarceration (for those not convicted of treason or felony), or serving as an election official at a different polling place. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the County Clerk by the sixth day before the election, and completed ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. Early in-person voting is available at the County Clerk's office and designated satellite locations beginning 13 days before Election Day.