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West Virginia Public Records (2026 Guide)
Introduction to West Virginia Public Records
West Virginia residents, employers, journalists, and researchers all rely on public records to make informed decisions every day. Whether you are conducting a background check on a potential neighbor, researching a business partner, verifying someone’s criminal history, or tracing your family’s roots in the Mountain State, understanding how to access public records in West Virginia is an essential skill in 2026.
The legal backbone of public records access in West Virginia is the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. Enacted in 1977, this law establishes the public’s right to inspect and copy government records held by state and local agencies. The law presumes that all government documents are open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. West Virginia’s FOIA is broadly interpreted to favor disclosure, making the Mountain State one of the more accessible states for public records research in the eastern United States.
With a population of approximately 1.8 million people spread across 55 counties — from the Eastern Panhandle near Washington D.C. to the coal fields of the southern coalfields — West Virginia maintains public records at both the state and county level. Key cities including Charleston (the state capital), Huntington, Morgantown, and Parkersburg each have their own local court systems, property offices, and law enforcement agencies that maintain public records under state law.
This 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about accessing West Virginia public records, including criminal records, court documents, arrest records, vital records, and property information. We also explain how to use online tools to speed up your search.
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What Is Considered a Public Record in West Virginia?
Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, a “public record” is broadly defined as any writing, document, photograph, recording, data compilation, or other material maintained by a public body in the course of carrying out its official duties. This definition is intentionally expansive, covering a wide range of government-generated documents at the state, county, and municipal level.
Common Types of Public Records in West Virginia
- Criminal history records — arrest records, conviction records, incarceration records
- Court records — civil, criminal, family, and probate case files
- Vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, tax assessments, liens
- Voter registration records — name, address, and party affiliation
- Business filings — LLC registrations, corporate charters, annual reports
- Sex offender registry — publicly searchable online
- Government contracts and expenditures
- Professional license records — nurses, doctors, contractors, attorneys
- Inmate records — current and former inmates in state prisons
What Is NOT Public in West Virginia?
West Virginia’s FOIA includes 18 specific exemptions. Records that are commonly withheld include medical records protected by HIPAA, certain law enforcement investigative files, juvenile court records, adoption records, sealed court cases, personnel evaluations of public employees, and records whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Additionally, Social Security numbers are routinely redacted from documents before public release.
The West Virginia Legislature’s FOIA exemptions are listed at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4. If a request is denied, the requester has the right to seek judicial review in circuit court.
West Virginia Criminal Records
Criminal records in West Virginia are maintained by the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau (CIB), which serves as the official state repository for criminal history information. The CIB collects, stores, and disseminates fingerprint-based criminal history records from law enforcement agencies across all 55 West Virginia counties.
West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau
The CIB is located at 725 Jefferson Road, South Charleston, WV 25309. Their official website is wvsp.gov. The CIB maintains records of arrests, prosecutions, convictions, and incarcerations for individuals who have had contact with the West Virginia criminal justice system.
How to Request a Criminal Background Check in West Virginia
West Virginia offers two primary pathways for criminal background checks:
- Name-based check: Members of the public may request a name-based criminal history check through the WV State Police CIB. This search looks for matches by name and date of birth and is less definitive than a fingerprint-based check.
- Fingerprint-based check: Required for certain employment and licensing purposes (such as working with children or vulnerable adults), this check uses the West Virginia Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the FBI’s national database. Fingerprinting is conducted at authorized LiveScan locations throughout the state.
Fees and Turnaround
As of 2026, the fee for a state criminal history record check through the WV State Police CIB is approximately $25 for a name-based check. Fingerprint-based checks through Fieldprint WV (the authorized vendor) cost more due to processing fees. Turnaround times vary from same-day for electronic submissions to several business days for mail-in requests.
Sex Offender Registry
West Virginia maintains a publicly searchable sex offender registry through the State Police at sor.wvsp.gov. The registry includes the offender’s name, photograph, address, offense type, and registration status. This is one of the most-accessed public records tools in the state.
Inmate Records
Current and former inmate records for individuals incarcerated in West Virginia state correctional facilities are searchable through the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) at dcr.wv.gov. The Offender Search tool allows the public to search by name and provides current custody status, facility location, and sentence information.
Search arrests and convictions across all 55 West Virginia counties.
Expungement in West Virginia
West Virginia has expanded its expungement laws in recent years. Under W. Va. Code § 61-11-26, individuals convicted of certain nonviolent offenses may petition for expungement after completing their sentence and waiting the required time period (typically five years for felonies). First-time offenders who complete a deferred adjudication or diversion program may also qualify. Expunged records are sealed from public view but may remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing boards.
West Virginia Court Records
West Virginia’s court system is organized into four levels: the Supreme Court of Appeals, the Intermediate Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, and Magistrate Courts. Each level maintains records that are generally available to the public under the West Virginia FOIA and court rules.
West Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information
The West Virginia Judiciary provides a free online case information system called CourtConnect, accessible at apps.courts.wv.gov. This system allows users to search civil and criminal case information by party name, case number, or attorney. You can view case status, hearing dates, and party information for cases in Circuit Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Family Courts across all 55 counties.
Types of Court Records Available
- Circuit Court records — felony criminal cases, civil cases over $10,000, domestic relations, probate
- Magistrate Court records — misdemeanor cases, small claims, civil cases under $10,000
- Family Court records — divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders
- Supreme Court of Appeals records — searchable at courtswv.gov
Obtaining Copies of Court Records
To obtain certified copies of court documents, you must contact the clerk of the specific court where the case was filed. Each county courthouse has a Circuit Clerk’s office that maintains physical case files. Fees for copies are set by statute and typically run $0.50 to $1.00 per page, with certified copies costing slightly more. Many courthouses now accept requests by mail, email, or in person.
Sealed and Confidential Court Records
Certain court records are confidential by law in West Virginia, including juvenile delinquency cases, mental hygiene proceedings, adoption records, and cases where a judge has issued a sealing order. Family court records related to child custody and support may have limited access depending on the nature of the proceeding.
Access West Virginia court filings, civil judgments, and case history.
West Virginia Arrest Records
Arrest records in West Virginia document instances where an individual was taken into custody by a law enforcement agency. It is important to understand that an arrest record does not indicate guilt — charges may be dropped, reduced, or result in acquittal.
Who Maintains Arrest Records
Arrest records in West Virginia are maintained at multiple levels:
- West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau — statewide repository for all arrest and booking data
- County Sheriff’s Offices — maintain local arrest logs and jail booking records
- Municipal Police Departments — maintain records of arrests made by city officers
- Regional Jail Authority — the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority maintains booking and inmate records for its facilities at wvrja.com
Accessing Arrest Records
Arrest logs maintained by county jails and regional facilities are generally considered public records in West Virginia. Many county Sheriff’s offices post daily arrest logs on their official websites or social media pages. For example, Kanawha County (Charleston), Cabell County (Huntington), and Monongalia County (Morgantown) all maintain online portals with recent booking information.
For a complete arrest history, a formal criminal history request through the WV State Police CIB is the most comprehensive option. Name-based requests will return records of all documented arrests in the state system.
Mugshots and Booking Photos
Booking photographs (mugshots) are considered public records in West Virginia and are routinely released upon request. However, a growing number of counties have adopted policies limiting the proactive release of mugshots to protect individuals who are later found not guilty or whose charges are dismissed.