Vital records in West Virginia — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by West Virginia DHHR Vital Registration Office. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the County Clerk.
What this page covers: West Virginia vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact West Virginia DHHR Vital Registration Office. For marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Vital Records Databases
8 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. County-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 West Virginia DHHR (Vital Registration Office) 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.