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: The state's criminal-history repository handles official background checks. Fees and procedures are set by the state agency — see the linked official source.
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the state Department of Health (or equivalent) 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 Secretary of State (or equivalent) operates the official business-entity search.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2024 Population Estimates Program; 2022 ACS 5-year)
Vital Records Databases
15 official West Virginia vital records sources.
Vital Records
West Virginia Counties
55 West Virginia counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in West Virginia?▼
West Virginia's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. Countie-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search West Virginia court cases?▼
West Virginia's court system is headed by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Trial-court business is handled by the Circuit Court (31 circuits), Family Court, Magistrate Court. Many West Virginia courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search West Virginia business entities?▼
The West Virginia Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in West Virginia?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a West Virginia birth or death certificate?▼
West Virginia vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the state Department of Health (or equivalent) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are West Virginia property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a West Virginia sex offender?▼
The West Virginia sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.