West Virginia Criminal Records at a Glance
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.
1West Virginia Statewide Criminal Search Resources
West Virginia no longer processes walk-in criminal background checks at State Police Headquarters. All background checks are now handled through IdentoGO by appointment. This transition changed how individuals and employers access the state criminal history system.
- WVSP, Criminal Records Sectionwww.wvsp.govWest Virginia State Police Criminal Records Section. Schedule an appointment with IdentoGO for background checks.
- WV State Police Homewww.wvsp.govOfficial WVSP portal. Missing persons, most wanted, criminal records, and public safety services.
- WV Magistrate Court Record Searchmcrsearch.courtswv.govSearch magistrate court civil and criminal case records. Contact clerk of court to validate information.
- WV Sex Offender Registryapps.wv.govWest Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry. Search registered sex offenders.
- West Virginia VINELink, Victim Notificationvinelink.vineapps.comSearch offenders in WV custody and register for automated victim notification.
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement West Virginia's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when West Virginia state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
West Virginia Criminal Records, FAQ
Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?
No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.
What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?
A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.
Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?
Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.
How long does an expungement take?
It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.