How to Search West Virginia Public Records
West Virginia's court, criminal, vital, property, voter, and licensing records are maintained across state agencies and the 55 counties listed below. Use the tabs to filter by record type, or jump directly to any source.
- Courts: The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia sits at the top of the system; trial-court business is handled by the Circuit Court (31 circuits), Family Court, Magistrate Court. Most courts publish dockets and case lookups online.
- Criminal history: Official background checks run through the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau; the West Virginia criminal records page covers the current fee and request process.
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the West Virginia Vital Registration Office and may also be available locally.
- Property & recorded documents: Maintained at the county level by the Assessor, Recorder, or Clerk's office.
- Business filings: the West Virginia Secretary of State operates the official business-entity search.
Population
1,769,979
Households
729,200
Median Income
$55,948
Median Home Value
$145,800
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2024 Population Estimates Program; 2022 ACS 5-year)
West Virginia Public Records at a Glance
West Virginia still runs records the traditional way: through 55 county courthouses. Circuit court e-filing exists, but public online case search remains limited, so the West Virginia court records page pairs the available online lookups with clerk contacts for the rest. The State Police's Criminal Identification Bureau handles background checks, largely consent-based — see the criminal records page for the public options. Birth and death certificates come from the Vital Registration Office in Charleston. County clerks record deeds, and West Virginia's mineral heritage means those indexes carry decades of coal, gas, and timber conveyances; several counties offer online deed search through shared vendors. All 133 databases below are official sources.
Official Databases
133
County Pages
55
Record Categories
8
Directory Since
1997
Figures reflect sources indexed in this directory and the latest official reports. Content reviewed July 30, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.
West Virginia Guides
Step-by-step pages for the searches people actually run:
Statewide Databases
133 official West Virginia government databases. Click a tab to filter by record type.
Court Records
Court Opinions | Supreme Court of Appeals
Official Free
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia civil, criminal, and family law appeals opinions.
Court Records | PACER Federal District Courts WV
Official Paid
PACER United States District Court civil, criminal, and bankruptcy records for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia. Note: PACER charges $0.10/page; the first $30 per quarter is free.
Court Records | U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Official Free
Search the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals PACER database for West Virginia case records and obtain document copies. Access requires registration and a small fee per search.
Berkeley County Court Dockets
Official Free
Provided by the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney. View dockets with information including case number, date & time, prosecutor, defendant, and hearing type.
Criminal Records
Court Records | Circuit Court Criminal
Official Free
Subscription access to participating West Virginia Circuit Court criminal cases.
Criminal Histories
Official Free
Information from the West Virginia State Police on how to order criminal histories.
🌐 wvsp.gov
Inmates | Department of Corrections
Official Free
Department of Corrections database West Virginia inmates and offenders.
Putnam County Inmates
Official Free
Search the Putnam County, West Virginia Western Regional Jail database by name for inmates.
Wants & Warrants
Escapees and Absconders
Official Free
Department of Corrections list of escapees and parole absconders.
Putnam County Most Wanted
Official Free
Browse this Putnam County, West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney's list of most wanted fugitives.
Vital Records
Births | 1816-1930
Official Free
West Virginia birth records in selected counties between 1816 and 1930. Provided by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
Deaths | 1853-1970
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Division of Culture and History service to search for death records in selected counties between 1853 and 1970.
Marriages | 1856 to 1970
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Division of Culture and History service to search for marriage records in selected counties between 1856 and 1970.
Barbour County Births
Official Free
Barbour County birth records. Provides birth date and name of mother and father.
🌐 joom.com
Barbour County Cemeteries
Official Free
Click on a link to a cemetery in Barbour County to see an alphabetical list of the deceased. Includes birth and death dates, and in some cases headstone inscriptions.
🌐 joom.com
Jackson County Obituaries
Official Free
Local-history and genealogy holdings for Jackson County — older records and obituary indexes often surface here first. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 joom.com
Randolph County Marriages
Official Free
Browse through the text of a book of Randolph County marriages. The names are not in alphabetical order, so use the *find* feature on your browser.
🌐 joom.com
Voter Records
West Virginia Secretary of State - Elections - Search My Registration / Polling Place
Official Free
This is where West Virginia handles voter registration records and election operations. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
West Virginia Secretary of State - Elections - Am I Registered To Vote
Official Free
Election administration for West Virginia runs through this office, from voter rolls to results. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Licenses
Accountants
Official Free
Certified Public Accountants, Public Accountants, and Accounting Firms licensed with the West Virginia Board of Accountancy.
Acupuncture
Official Free
Browse this West Virginia Board of Acupuncture list by name for Acupuncture licensees.
Alcohol Beverage
Official Free
Search this West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Agency service for retail (e.g. liquor stores) and non-retail (e.g. breweries) alcohol and alcoholic beverage licenses.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Official Free
Check the license status of Ambulatory Surgical Centers. TIP: Use the facility type feature.
Architects
Official Free
Search by license number, last name, city, state, and/or zip code for licensed Architects in West Virginia.
Asbestos Clearance Air Monitors
Official Free
Browse by name for West Virginia Radiation, Toxics & Indoor Air Division licensed Asbestos Clearance Air Monitors.
Asbestos Supervisors
Official Free
Browse by name for West Virginia Radiation, Toxics & Indoor Air Division licensed Asbestos Supervisors.
Asbestos Training Providers (pdf)
Official Free
Scroll down and click on "WV Approved Asbestos Training Providers" to download this Adobe Acrobat pdf file. Browse by name for West Virginia Radiation, Toxics & Indoor Air Division approved Asbestos Training Providers.
Banks, Savings and Loans, Credit Unions
Official Free
West Virginia Division of Banking records for licensed banks, credit unions, savings banks, savings and loans, and bank holding companies.
Bottled Water
Official Free
Browse these West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Sanitation Division lists for approved brands of bottled water, permitted bottled water plants, and water qualit laboratories.
Charitable Organizations
Official Free
Charitable Organizations registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Contractors
Official Free
Search the West Virginia Division of Labor database by name for licensed contractors. Provides license number, company name, address, and phone number.
Counseling
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling informational page to obtain information on how to verify the license of a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Dietitians
Official Free
Click on "License Verification" Use this West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians service to search for licensed dietitians.
Engineering Companies - Authorized
Official Free
Search by name or license number for Authorized Engineering Companies in West Virginia. Provides registration number, name, address, and Engineer in Charge.
Foresters
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Registration for Foresters service to browse or search their pdf roster of licensed foresters.
Ginseng Dealers
Official Free
Browse this West Virginia Division of Forestry list by city for licensed ginseng dealers and agents.
Loggers
Official Free
Click on "Licensed Certified Loggers" to browse this West Virginia Division of Forestry list of licensees. Information is provided in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
Massage Therapists
Official Free
Search or browse this West Virginia Massage Therapy Board database by last name for currently licensed massage therapists operating within West Virginia.
Medical Corporations
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Medicine service to search for licensed Medical Corporations.
Mortgage Brokers & Lenders
Official Free
West Virginia Division of Banking licensed and exempt mortgage brokers and lenders.
Nurse Aides
Official Free
Search this West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification database for licensed Nurse Aides by name, last four digits of social security #, or Eval-Code
Nurses - Licensed Practical - WV
Official Free
Click on "Check License Status" to search the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses by license number, social security number, or name.
Nurses - Registered Professional
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses service to search for licensees by license number, social security number, or name.
Occupational Therapists
Official Free
Browse this West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy list by name for licensed Occupational Therapists.
Optometrists
Official Free
Search this West Virginia Board of Optometry database by license number for West Virginia licensed optometrists.
🌐 wvbo.org
Osteopathic Physicians
Official Free
West Virginia Board of Osteopathy license verification for Osteopathic Physicians.
Pharmacists - West Virginia
Official Free
Search this West Virginia Board of Pharmacy service by name or license number for West Virginia licensed pharmacists. Information includes disciplinary actions.
Physical Therapists
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy informational page to obtain information on how to verify the license of a Physical Therapist. License searches are by written request only and require a fee.
Psychologists
Official Free
The West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists does not provide an online roster or database of licensees, but this link provides information on how to verify a psychologist or school psychologist license.
Radiologic Technologists - WV
Official Free
Click on "Search for Licensed Technologists" to search or browse the West Virginia Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners database by name for Radiologic Technology licensees. Provides name, address, license number, license dates, and status.
Real Estate Appraisers
Official Free
Use this West West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Board service to search or browse their pdf roster of licensed appraisers.
Real Estate Continuing Education Providers
Official Free
Provided by the West West Virginia Real Estate Commission. Browse this listing of Approved Continuing Education Providers.
Respiratory Care Practitioners - West Virginia
Official Free
Click on "Licensees" on the top bar to browse the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care for licensed Respiratory Care Practitioners.
Social Workers in West Virginia
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Social Work Examiners service to search for licensed social workers by license number or name.
Timber Operators
Official Free
Click on Licensed Timber Operators to browse this Division of Forestry list.
Veterinarians
Official Free
Use this West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine service to browse or search their pdf roster of licensees.
Appraisers
Official Free
Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council index of licensed appraisers, including West Virginia.
🌐 asc.gov
Athletic Agents
Official Free
Search this West Virginia Secretary of State licensing database for athletic agents. Search by partial name, firm name, city, county, and license type. Results may include address and phone number.
Child Care Centers
Official Free
Search this West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Children and Families database fo licensed child care centers by county, view the entire list, or browse the database.
Recorded Documents
Barbour County
Official Free
Barbour County liens, Wills, UCCs, births, deaths marriages, deeds, and mortgages.
Calhoun County
Official Free
Land records, UCC's, births, deaths, marriages, and other recorded documents filed in Calhoun county.
Nicholas County
Official Free
Nicholas County Clerk mortgages, deeds, appraisements, assignments, bonds, and other recorded documents.
Preston County
Official Free
Mortgages, deeds, UCCs, birth, death, and marriage certificates, and other recorded documents filed in Preston County.
Ritchie County
Official Free
Ritchie County recorded documents searchable by name, book and page, or instrument number.
Wetzel County
Official Free
Vital records, land records, and other recorded documents from the Wetzel County Clerk's Office.
Wetzel County | Assessor GIS
Official Free
Wetzel County GIS parcel database and tax maps searchable by address, place, or interactive map.
Wirt County
Official Free
Wirt County Clerk recorded documents, Wills, Estates, UCCs, and vital records.
Property Records
West Virginia Property Tax Records and Tax Maps
Official Free
Register with this Seneca Technologies site and purchase access to statewide West Virginia property tax records and tax maps.
West Virginia Tax Maps
Official Free
Register with this Seneca Technologies site to view West Virginia tax maps from all counties. Site is free, but requires registration.
Berkeley County | GIS
Official Free
Berkeley County desktop and mobile access to GIS map property searches.
Berkeley County | Tax Records
Official Free
Property tax search and payment service from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Tax Office.
Cabell County Property & GIS Maps
Official Free
Use this service from Cabell County, West Virginia to locate property information and view interactive maps of the area.
Cabell County Property Tax Records
Official Free
Search property tax records in Cabell County, West Virginia by name, account number, ticket number or map and parcel.
Fayette County | Assessor
Official Free
Parcel ownership, assessment, and sales record searches from the Fayette County Assessor's Office.
Fayette County | GIS
Official Free
GIS property records from the Fayette County Assessor's Office searchable by owner name, parcel ID, address, or interactive map.
Fayette County | Tax Records
Official Free
Tax record index and online tax payment service from the Fayette County Sheriff's Tax Office.
Gilmer County | Tax Records
Official Free
Property tax record inquiry from the Gilmer County Sheriff Tax Office.
Greenbrier County Property
Official Free
Use this service from Greenbrier County, West Virginia to search for property records by owners, parcels, sales, dwelling, parcel summary, or sales information.
Hancock County Property
Official Free
Search the Hancock County, West Virginia Assessor database for property records. Search by name, parcel number, address, or account number.
Harrison County Property
Official Free
Search the Harrison County, West Virginia Assessor database for property records. Search by name, parcel number, address, and account number.
Jackson County Property
Official Free
Use this service from Jackson County, West Virginia to search for property records by name, address or parcel number.
Jefferson County Property Tax Records
Official Free
Search Jefferson County, West Virginia property tax records.
Kanawha County Property Tax
Official Free
Use this service from Kanawha County, West Virginia to locate property tax records by name, account number, year, or district/map/parcel.
Monongalia County Property
Official Free
Search Monongalia County, West Virginia Sheriff's Tax Office records by name, account number, map/parcel or ticket number.
Monongalia County Property - Assessor
Official Free
Search assessor of Monongalia County, West Virginia by owner name, property info, date, sale price, acreage or other options to view information including maps, owner, address, description, acreage and purchase date.
Nicholas County Property - Tax
Official Free
Search the Nicholas County, West Virginia property tax database by tax year, owner name, account number, or map & parcel to view tax and value data.
Pleasants County | Tax Records
Official Free
Pleasants County Sheriff's Tax Office property database.
Preston County | Assessor
Official Free
Property assessment search from the Preston County Assessor's Office.
Preston County| GIS
Official Free
GIS map parcel record search and tax maps from the Preston County Assessor.
Raleigh County | Assessor Records
Official Free
Property record searches from the Raleigh County Assessor, including parcels, sales, dwellings, assessments, map cards, and personal property.
Ritchie County | Tax Records
Official Free
Ritchie County Sheriff's Tax Office property and tax record search.
Summers County | Tax Records
Official Free
Tax record search for Summers County from the Summers County Sheriff's Tax Office.
Tucker County | Tax Records
Official Free
Tucker County property search from the Sheriff's Tax Office.
Wayne County
Official Free
Browse the Wayne County, West Virginia directory for government agencies, departments, and services.
Wood County | GIS
Official Free
Wood County property records. Click on the binoculars to find parcels by name, address, parcel, etc., or use the interactive map.
West Virginia Counties
55 West Virginia counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 14 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are public records organized in West Virginia?▼
West Virginia keeps public records at three levels: federal (FBI, federal courts via PACER), state (court of last resort, state police, department of health, secretary of state), and county-level (sheriffs, clerks, recorders, assessors). Each county maintains its own court, criminal-justice, property, and vital-records offices linked from the county pages below.
Where do I start a West Virginia court-case search?▼
For statewide trial-court information, start at the West Virginia Judiciary: www.courtswv.gov. West Virginia federal cases are searched through PACER. For local case dockets, see the Court Records tab and the county page for your area.
How do I get an official West Virginia background check?▼
West Virginia's official statewide criminal-history check is run by the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau at www.wvsp.gov. Most state-level checks require fingerprints and a fee. A nationwide FBI Identity History Summary is available separately.
Where do I obtain West Virginia birth, death, or marriage certificates?▼
Certified West Virginia vital records are issued by the Official West Virginia Vital Records at oeps.wv.gov. Recent local events (births, deaths, marriages) can often also be requested from the county clerk or local registrar where the event was filed.
What does it cost to access West Virginia public records?▼
Most online record indexes in West Virginia are free to search; fees apply for certified copies, fingerprint background checks, full document images at the recorder, and statewide bulk data. Each agency publishes its current fee schedule — for example the West Virginia Judiciary (courts), the Official West Virginia Vital Records (vital records), the Official West Virginia Voter Records (elections), and the Official West Virginia Professional & Occupational Licenses (licenses).