How to Search West Virginia Criminal Records (Start Here)

West Virginia criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.

What this page covers: West Virginia state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.

Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.

Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.

Statewide criminal-history agency
Criminal Records
Public name-based search
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-based screening
Background Check Information - WV RN Board
Sex offender registry
State Police Sex Offender Registry - West Virginia
Open records statute
West Virginia Code Section 29B-1-3
Number of counties
55 counties
Population
1,769,979
Households
729,200
Median Income
$55,948
Median Home Value
$145,800
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: West Virginia repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

West Virginia Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)

WV State Police CIB issues fingerprints, photographs, and criminal record information per W.Va. Code §19-2C-5B.
$15-$25
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Fingerprint-based via CI
Primary method
How to submit
West Virginia State Poli
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
W. Va. Code §15-2-24
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.

What Changed in 2026 — West Virginia Criminal Records

2026
West Virginia state-only check active
The West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau continues to process state criminal history checks via www.wvsp.gov.
2026
West Virginia background check fee structure
Current fee for a West Virginia state-only check: $15-$25. Method: Fingerprint-based via CIB.
2026
West Virginia statutory framework
West Virginia criminal history records are governed by W. Va. Code §15-2-24 and disseminated through West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside West Virginia, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.

The 4-Step West Virginia Criminal Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a West Virginia state-only check from the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Fingerprint-based via CIB. Current fee: $15-$25.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at www.wvsp.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.

Five Things People Get Wrong About West Virginia Criminal Records

❌ Myth: "West Virginia background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau check covers ONLY West Virginia arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only www.wvsp.gov (the official West Virginia repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under West Virginia law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most West Virginia public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The West Virginia state check shows West Virginia-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.

Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)

Related Criminal Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Sample West Virginia counties: Barbour · Berkeley · Boone · Braxton · Brooke

Criminal Records Databases

7 official West Virginia criminal records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Criminal Records

West Virginia Southern District Court | PACER: Federal Court Records
Official Free
An official website of the United States government · Here’s how you know
🌐 pacer.uscourts.gov
Criminal Records
Official Free
This site includes information on the services we provide to the citizens of West Virginia and its visitors as well as missing persons and most wanted listings and sex offender registry information.
🌐 wvsp.gov
Active Inmate by Sentencing County or Institution - OIS Search
Official Free
By view this page, you are hereby agreeing to the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation terms of service and disclaimer · The WV Regional Jail Authority has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse. If you have information from an inmate of alleged sexual abuse or sexual ...
🌐 apps.wv.gov
State Police Sex Offender Registry - West Virginia
Official Free
Please read the following information concerning the WV Sex Offender Registry. If you understand and agree to the terms, please click accept to access the website. West Virginia State Code §15-12 entitled the Sex Offender Registration Act authorizes the electronic release of information regarding certain sex offenders required to register under West Virginia Law.
🌐 apps.wv.gov
West Virginia Southern Bankruptcy Court | PACER: Federal Court Records
Official Paid
Official websites use .gov A .gov ... to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Multi-court Voice Case Information System: 866-222-8029 ext. ...
🌐 pacer.uscourts.gov
Courts & Judicial Services | Berkeley County, WV
Official Free
Authorized by the West Virginia Constitution, the state judicial system is comprised of Appellate (Supreme Court of Appeals, Intermediate Court of Appeals) and Lower (Circuit, Family, Magistrate, Treatment, Mass Litigation, Business Court Division) Courts that serve all 55 counties. Court information, including a listing of the elected members of the Judiciary that preside in Circuit, Family, Magistrate, Treatment and other court proceedings in Berkeley County can be found here.
🌐 berkeleywv.org
Active Inmate by Sentencing County or Institution - OIS Search
Official Free
To begin a search, select a county from the list below. By pressing this Search button, you are hereby agreeing to the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation terms of service and disclaimer · By view this page, you are hereby agreeing to the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation terms of service and disclaimer · The WV Regional Jail Authority has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse. If you have information from an inmate ...
🌐 apps.wv.gov

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.

Kanawha Berkeley Cabell Wood Monongalia Raleigh Jefferson Harrison Mercer Barbour Boone Braxton Brooke Calhoun

Frequently Asked Questions

West Virginia's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau. Begin the request at www.wvsp.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by West Virginia statute.

Most adult criminal-history information in West Virginia is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau explains who can request what at www.wvsp.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.

A state check from the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau (www.wvsp.gov) covers only criminal activity within West Virginia. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.

Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau. The West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau documentation at www.wvsp.gov lists each authorized requester category.

If you find an error on your West Virginia criminal history, the West Virginia State Police - Criminal Identification Bureau offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.wvsp.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.