Start with the West Virginia Judiciary case search at courtswv.gov for court records. For criminal background checks, use the West Virginia State Police. For property, start with the County Assessor, then the County Clerk for deeds. West Virginia has 55 counties with limited online access in most.
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West Virginia Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Start your search with the databases listed here.
Criminal & Court Records
Property & Tax Records
Vital Records
Business, Voter & Other
How to Search West Virginia Criminal Records
The West Virginia Judiciary search at courtswv.gov covers Circuit Court criminal cases statewide — felonies, major misdemeanors, and appeals. That's the free tool. Magistrate Court records (lower-level misdemeanors, preliminary hearings) are harder to access online — many of the 55 counties have limited digital infrastructure, and you may need to contact the magistrate court directly. The State Police Criminal Identification Bureau runs fingerprint-based background checks. The Division of Corrections publishes inmate data, and the sex offender registry is at statepolice.wv.gov. West Virginia is a state where the free online tools get you partway, but rural counties often require old-fashioned phone calls.
How to Search West Virginia Court Records
Circuit Court is the main trial court — felonies, major civil, divorce, appeals from lower courts — and courtswv.gov provides statewide search for Circuit Court cases. Below that, Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, civil under $10,000, and emergency protective orders — but online access for Magistrate Court records is spotty across the 55 counties. Family Court is separate from Circuit Court and handles divorce, custody, and domestic matters. Kanawha County (Charleston) has the best online access. Many rural counties — and West Virginia has a lot of them — still require direct contact with the clerk's office for anything beyond basic Circuit Court data.
How to Search West Virginia Property Records
Three offices, one surprise. The County Assessor determines property values. The County Clerk records deeds, mortgages, and liens. And the County Sheriff — yes, the Sheriff — collects property taxes. Most states use a Treasurer or Tax Collector for this. West Virginia doesn't. If you need tax payment records, delinquent tax information, or tax lien data, the Sheriff's office is where you go. Online property access exists in some counties but is limited in many of the 55 counties. Kanawha, Cabell, and Berkeley counties have the most developed online tools.
How to Get West Virginia Vital Records
The Vital Registration Office at dhhr.wv.gov maintains statewide records from 1917 forward — $12 per certified copy, making it one of the cheaper states. Earlier records may exist at the county health department level but aren't guaranteed. Marriage licenses come from the County Clerk. Divorce records sit with the Circuit Clerk in the county where the decree was issued. West Virginia's relatively low fees and centralized state office make vital record requests straightforward — the main limitation is pre-1917 records, which are incomplete at the state level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to find West Virginia records? ▼
Start with the Clerk of Court for court and criminal case records — this is the main source for felony filings, civil cases, and dispositions. Can’t find it? Check the County Assessor. Records are split across offices and the one you need may be elsewhere.
Where do I search for West Virginia public records? ▼
Public records in West Virginia are not in one place. Court records, property records, and vital records are handled by different offices. Use The Clerk of Court for cases, The County Assessor for ownership and valuations, and The County Clerk for birth, death, or marriage records.
Why does my West Virginia search return no results? ▼
Results are often missing when you search the wrong database. Court records, property records, and vital records are stored in completely separate systems. Make sure you are in the right one.
Is there a single database for all West Virginia records? ▼
No. Each government office in West Virginia runs its own database independently. You need to search the specific office that handles the record type you need.
Why does the Sheriff collect taxes in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia's constitution assigns property tax collection to the County Sheriff rather than a Treasurer. This dates back to the state's founding in 1863. For property tax payments, delinquent taxes, or tax lien information, contact the Sheriff's office in the relevant county.
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