West Virginia Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records
West Virginia Criminal Records Search: Court Cases, Public Dockets and Official Background Checks
You can search West Virginia criminal court records online using two official statewide systems. Use WVPASS for Circuit Court felony cases and Magistrate Record Search for misdemeanor cases, criminal complaints and preliminary felony proceedings. Both cover all 55 West Virginia counties.
For an official state criminal-history background check, contact the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau and follow its fingerprint-based IdentoGO process. Court docket searches and criminal-history checks serve different purposes.
Where to Search West Virginia Criminal Records
The correct source depends on whether you need a criminal court docket, a copy of a filed document, an official criminal-history report or custody information.
| What You Need | Official Source | Cost / Access |
|---|---|---|
| Felony case or Circuit Court docket | West Virginia Public Access Search System (WVPASS) | Free registration and case browsing; document fees |
| Misdemeanor or magistrate criminal case | Magistrate Case Record Search | Free; no registration required |
| Certified judgment or court file | Circuit Clerk or Magistrate Clerk in filing county | Copy and certification fees may apply |
| Official state criminal-history record | WV State Police / IdentoGO | Fingerprint-based; purpose-specific fees |
| Regional jail or prison inmate | WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation | Public offender lookup |
| Registered sex offender | WV State Police Sex Offender Registry | Public registry lookup |
| Federal criminal court case | PACER | Federal court system; fees may apply |
Free West Virginia Magistrate Criminal Case Search
West Virginia’s Magistrate Record Search allows anyone to look up publicly available magistrate cases from all 55 counties. It was introduced in January 2024 and remains one of the most useful free criminal docket searches in the state.
Magistrate courts generally handle misdemeanors, preliminary examinations in felony cases, complaints, initial appearances, bail and related criminal proceedings.
How to search magistrate criminal records
- Open the Magistrate Case Record Search. Visit the West Virginia Judiciary’s official search website. Review the disclaimer and complete the security verification.
- Choose the search criteria. The system supports searching by first name, last name or case number.
- Enter the known information. A case number is usually more precise than searching a common name. If you do not know the number, search the person’s name.
- Review the results. The public system returns up to 30 records. If there are multiple matches, refine the search rather than assuming the first entry belongs to the correct person.
- Open the case details. Check the case location, filing date, available charge information, disposition and docket activity.
- Identify the county clerk. Write down the court location and case number if you need official documents or clarification.
- Request the case documents separately. The system does not provide downloadable magistrate court documents. Contact the Magistrate Clerk in the county where the case was filed.
What information can appear in a magistrate search?
Depending on the record, a public magistrate result may include the case ID, filing date, case description, criminal charge, parties, bond information, scheduled court events, disposition, nonmonetary sentence information and docket entries.
The system can also indicate which documents exist in a file, without making those documents available for online download.
Magistrate case search versus the payment portal
West Virginia also operates a Magistrate Court Payment System for citations, fines, court costs and payment plans. This is not the same tool as the free criminal docket search.
If you need to pay court costs using a citation ID or payment-plan number, use the official Magistrate Court Payment System. For criminal case research, use Magistrate Record Search instead.
WVPASS: West Virginia Circuit Court Criminal Records Search
The West Virginia Public Access Search System (WVPASS) launched on March 10, 2025, making statewide Circuit Court records available online for the first time through one public search platform.
It covers publicly accessible Circuit Court cases across all 55 counties, including felony criminal cases and other matters within Circuit Court jurisdiction.
How to find a West Virginia felony case using WVPASS
- Open the Judiciary’s Court Record Access page. Choose the Circuit Courts option to reach WVPASS.
- Register for a public account. Registration and ordinary case searching are free. Follow the account confirmation and sign-in steps shown on the official portal.
- Choose your case search. Use the available name, case-number, county or other search criteria offered by the system.
- Narrow to the relevant criminal case. If several cases appear, compare county, filing date, defendant and case type.
- Open the case information. Review the publicly displayed docket events, filings and status. Browsing basic case information is free.
- Choose documents only when needed. Publicly accessible pleadings and orders may be available for paid viewing or download.
- Verify the final outcome. For a conviction, dismissal, acquittal or sentence, examine the relevant final order rather than relying only on the opening charge.
What years does WVPASS cover?
The judiciary describes the portal as covering publicly available Circuit Court cases filed from July 1, 1999, onward. That does not guarantee every historical document has been digitized or that all filings are public.
If you need a pre-1999 case, begin with the Circuit Clerk in the county where it was filed. The clerk can explain whether the record is retained locally, stored elsewhere or subject to a records-retention rule.
West Virginia Criminal Court Records: Free Searches and Document Fees
Both main court-search systems offer free access to case information, but their document options are different.
| Service | Search Fee | Document Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Magistrate Record Search | Free; no account required | Court documents are not downloadable; request from clerk |
| WVPASS Circuit Court | Free registration and case browsing | 25¢ per page, plus applicable payment-processing fee |
| County Circuit Clerk | Public records inspection subject to applicable law | Statutory copy or certification charges may apply |
| County Magistrate Clerk | Public records access | Nominal document-copy fee required by law |
| WV State Police Criminal History | No general free public name-search portal | Fingerprint-based check; fee varies by approved service and purpose |
WVPASS purchase details worth knowing
According to the WVPASS public FAQ, ordinary case-detail browsing is free. The document charge is 25¢ per page, with payment processed when a purchase is confirmed.
Documents remain accessible through Purchase History for 30 days after purchase. WVPASS says purchases made for the wrong case are not refundable, so confirm the county, case number and document title before paying.
If you need an officially certified court document rather than a downloaded copy, ask the Circuit Clerk whether certification or a particular delivery method is required.
How to Get Certified West Virginia Criminal Court Records
For court-certified copies, signed judgments, sentencing orders or complete older files, the official custodian is generally the clerk of the court where the case was filed.
Circuit Clerk
Contact the Circuit Clerk for Circuit Court criminal files, indictments, judgments, sentencing orders and certified copies.
The clerk can also help with public cases not available through WVPASS.
Magistrate Clerk
Contact the Magistrate Clerk for magistrate criminal complaint records, misdemeanor case documents, docket sheets and related orders.
This is the correct route for documents listed but not downloadable in Magistrate Record Search.
Before calling the county clerk
Gather the defendant’s legal name, county, case number, approximate filing date and the specific court document required.
Ask whether the clerk can provide a certified copy by mail, whether an in-person request is needed, what fees apply and how long the process may take.
Search Criminal Records by West Virginia County
West Virginia’s statewide systems reduce the need to search a separate database for every county. However, the filing county still matters when you need certified documents, older files, or clarification from the clerk.
| County | County Seat | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|
| Kanawha | Charleston | WVPASS or Magistrate Record Search; Kanawha County clerk for copies |
| Cabell | Huntington | Statewide search; Cabell County clerk for certified records |
| Monongalia | Morgantown | Statewide search; Monongalia County clerk for records |
| Berkeley | Martinsburg | Statewide search; Berkeley County clerk for copies |
| Wood | Parkersburg | Statewide search; Wood County clerk for records |
| Raleigh | Beckley | Statewide search; Raleigh County clerk for copies |
| Ohio | Wheeling | Statewide search; Ohio County clerk for records |
| Harrison | Clarksburg | Statewide search; Harrison County clerk for records |
These examples illustrate how to choose the county after locating a case. The Judiciary’s county court directory covers all 55 counties, not just those shown above.
What if you do not know the county?
Start with the statewide magistrate or Circuit Court search using the person’s name. Review possible matches and note the county associated with each relevant case.
If you know the arrest location but no court case appears, contact the relevant law-enforcement agency or county clerk to determine whether charges were filed in that county or transferred to another jurisdiction.
West Virginia State Police Criminal History Background Checks
The West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau maintains the state’s central criminal-history repository. Its records process is separate from WVPASS and Magistrate Record Search.
The agency directs individuals and authorized organizations seeking background checks to IdentoGO, the state’s approved electronic fingerprinting provider.
How to obtain a West Virginia criminal-history check
- Determine the purpose of your request. A personal record review, employment screening, licensing requirement and authorized agency check can involve different eligibility and authorization rules.
- Read the State Police instructions. The WVSP Criminal Records Section provides the current procedure and directs applicants to IdentoGO.
- Schedule the correct fingerprint appointment. Use IdentoGO’s West Virginia service page or call 855-766-7746. If an employer or agency requires a particular service code, use the code they provide.
- Bring the required identification. Follow the identification, fingerprint and payment requirements for the selected service.
- Complete the approved screening procedure. Your request will be processed according to the background-check type and applicable access rules.
- Ask how results will be delivered. The person or organization authorized to receive results depends on the request and governing law.
Can you search someone else’s complete criminal history by name?
Not through an unrestricted public State Police name-search website. West Virginia Code §15-2-24(d) imposes authorization requirements for release of protected criminal-history information to private requesters.
Public court records remain separately searchable through the judiciary’s case systems, subject to applicable restrictions.
West Virginia State Police Criminal Records assistance
Criminal Records Section telephone: 304-746-2418
IdentoGO appointments: 855-766-7746
For personal identity-history requests from the FBI, consult the separate FBI Identity History Summary procedure. That is not the same as a West Virginia court case search.
West Virginia Jail, Prison and Offender Records
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) maintains separate online searches for people held in regional jails and state correctional facilities.
Offender Search (Jails)
Use the jail offender search to look for available regional jail custody information.
It is the more relevant starting point when someone has recently been arrested and may not have a final criminal judgment.
Offender Search (Prisons)
Use the prison offender search for qualifying individuals in the state’s correctional system.
It does not replace public magistrate or Circuit Court records when you need the charge history or final judicial disposition.
Daily incarcerations and offender status
DCR also provides Daily Incarcerations and Escapees and Absconders listings through its offender search hub.
Custody information can change because of transfer, release, court action or administrative updates. Contact the facility or court when an exact current status is important.
West Virginia Sex Offender Registry Search
The West Virginia State Police maintains the public Sex Offender Registry under the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act.
You can use it to find qualifying registrants and read available registration information. It is not a general database of all West Virginia criminal convictions.
How to use the official registry
- Open the West Virginia State Police registry.
- Read its disclaimer and accept the conditions for public access.
- Search using the name or available geographical fields.
- Compare identifying details before concluding that a record matches the individual you are researching.
- For possible inaccuracies, contact the State Police registry using its published contact information.
Registry assistance: 304-746-2133 or registry@wvsp.gov.
Registry information is intended for public-safety purposes. It must not be used to threaten, harass or intimidate registered individuals.
How to Read West Virginia Criminal Case Dockets and Dispositions
A court docket records the progress of a legal case. It may include the complaint, indictment, hearings, motions, plea entries, disposition and sentence.
These terms should not be treated as interchangeable:
| Docket Term | What It Means | What to Check Next |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint | A formal allegation initiating a criminal case | Whether charges proceeded to a court determination |
| Preliminary examination | Proceeding concerning whether a felony case should move forward | Whether the case was held for grand jury action or otherwise resolved |
| Indictment | Formal accusation issued by a grand jury | Circuit Court filings and eventual disposition |
| Arraignment | Court proceeding concerning the charge and plea | Subsequent hearings, plea or trial outcome |
| Dismissed | A charge or case was dismissed under the applicable procedure | Final order and whether other counts remain |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecutor has declined to continue prosecution of a charge under the applicable process | Whether the case has a final order and any remaining proceedings |
| Guilty plea or verdict | A plea or fact-finder determination of guilt | Formal judgment and sentence |
| Sentencing order | Court order imposing punishment or conditions | Any subsequent amendments, appeals or supervision orders |
| Expungement | Court-ordered removal or restriction of qualifying records from public access | Applicable statute and implementation of the order |
Why the same criminal matter may have two case numbers
Some felony cases begin in Magistrate Court before moving into Circuit Court after further proceedings. The initial magistrate case and the later Circuit Court prosecution may have different case numbers.
If the magistrate docket shows a preliminary felony matter but no final conviction, search WVPASS for the corresponding Circuit Court case. If the case cannot be matched, contact the Magistrate Clerk in the filing county.
How to Seal or Expunge Criminal Records in West Virginia
West Virginia allows qualifying criminal records to be expunged under specific laws. The procedure differs between dismissed or acquitted charges and eligible convictions.
Expungement is not automatic simply because a case has ended. Generally, the eligible person must file the appropriate petition or motion and obtain a court order.
West Virginia expungement waiting periods
| Record Category | General Waiting Period | Legal Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying dismissed or acquitted charge | At least 60 days after the dismissal or acquittal order | WV Code §61-11-25 |
| Single eligible misdemeanor conviction | At least 1 year after conviction, incarceration or supervision, whichever is later | WV Code §61-11-26 |
| Multiple eligible misdemeanor convictions | Generally 2 years after the relevant final conviction or supervision endpoint | WV Code §61-11-26 |
| Eligible nonviolent felony conviction | Generally 5 years after conviction, incarceration or supervision, whichever is later | WV Code §61-11-26 |
| Certain eligible convictions with qualifying recovery or job-readiness program | Special provisions may reduce the period for eligible nonviolent felonies to 3 years | WV Code §61-11-26a |
These are general statutory rules. Restrictions involving the offense, criminal history, pending charges, victim-related requirements and special eligibility rules can affect the outcome. Some offenses cannot be expunged under these provisions.
Important difference in filing fees
For qualifying dismissed or acquitted criminal charges under §61-11-25, the statute provides that no filing fees or costs are charged for that petition.
For conviction expungements under §61-11-26, the court’s April 2026 criminal-records manual describes a $200 filing fee, subject to an available fee waiver, and state law provides for a separate $100 State Police processing fee following an order. Some qualifying proceedings have statutory exceptions or waivers.
Check the current instructions and fees with the Circuit Clerk before filing.
Official West Virginia expungement forms
- SCA-C900: Instructions for Expungement of Records Petition
- SCA-C903: Motion after acquittal or qualifying dismissal
- SCA-C906: Petition involving qualifying misdemeanor violations and traffic citations
- SCA-C907: Petition involving qualifying felony violations
How to begin the expungement process
- Obtain your case number, charge details and official disposition.
- Identify whether the case concerns a dismissal, acquittal or conviction.
- Review the applicable law and eligibility restrictions.
- Use the judiciary’s appropriate form and instructions.
- File the papers with the Circuit Clerk in the required county.
- Complete any required service, notice or hearing process.
- Keep the signed expungement order and confirm that relevant agencies have received it.
For plain-language guidance, see Legal Aid of West Virginia’s expungement guide.
What to Do When You Cannot Find a West Virginia Criminal Record
An unsuccessful search is not proof that no criminal record exists. Check these common problems before drawing a conclusion.
| Problem | Possible Reason | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Magistrate search returns too many results | Search returns only up to 30 matches | Use a more precise name or case number |
| Felony not found in magistrate search | Case may have moved to Circuit Court | Search WVPASS |
| WVPASS finds nothing before 1999 | Portal coverage begins July 1, 1999 | Contact the relevant Circuit Clerk |
| Magistrate docket exists but documents cannot be opened | Magistrate documents are not available online | Request copies from the Magistrate Clerk |
| WVPASS document is not publicly available | Record may be sealed, confidential, juvenile or subject to another access restriction | Ask the Circuit Clerk about permitted access |
| Jail search finds someone but court search does not | Booking and court systems serve different purposes and update separately | Confirm county, court and case number |
| Need statewide fingerprint-confirmed history | Court searches are not State Police background checks | Use WVSP / IdentoGO authorization procedure |
| A previously visible case no longer appears | Sealing, expungement, restricted status or system changes may apply | Contact the court custodian if legally entitled to information |
How to handle a possible criminal-record error
If a court disposition appears incorrect, begin with the clerk of the court that decided the case. If the issue concerns State Police criminal-history data, contact the WVSP Criminal Records Section and ask for its review or correction procedure.
Obtain the certified judicial order before requesting that an agency update a reported dismissal, conviction or sentence.
Federal Criminal Cases and West Virginia Appeals
Federal criminal court records
Federal criminal prosecutions in West Virginia are handled by the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia.
These cases do not appear automatically in the state Magistrate Record Search or WVPASS.
Use the federal judiciary’s PACER Find a Case service or PACER Case Locator to locate qualifying federal criminal cases and filings. Federal court document fees and access restrictions are separate from West Virginia’s state court procedures.
West Virginia Supreme Court criminal appeals
For criminal appeals reaching the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, use the judiciary’s public docket and decisions resources.
The Supreme Court publishes argument dockets, archived docket searches, case decisions and other appellate information. Availability of complete case documents can differ from the Circuit Court WVPASS system.
West Virginia Criminal Records Search FAQs
Can I search West Virginia criminal records online for free?
Yes. The West Virginia Judiciary provides free Magistrate Record Search without registration and free Circuit Court case browsing through WVPASS after registration. Document access or certified copies may cost money.
What is the official West Virginia felony court search?
WVPASS is the statewide public Circuit Court records search. It provides access to qualifying public Circuit Court cases in all 55 counties, with online coverage beginning July 1, 1999.
How do I search West Virginia misdemeanor cases?
Use the West Virginia Magistrate Case Record Search at mcrsearch.courtswv.gov. Search by first name, last name or case number. The system returns up to 30 records per search.
Does WVPASS charge for criminal case searches?
Registration and browsing case information are free. Accessing or downloading public Circuit Court documents costs 25 cents per page, plus applicable payment-processing charges.
How do I get certified West Virginia criminal court records?
Contact the Circuit Clerk or Magistrate Clerk in the county where the criminal case was filed. Provide the case number and the specific judgment, disposition or other document needed.
Can I find criminal court cases from before 1999?
The online WVPASS coverage begins July 1, 1999. For earlier Circuit Court records, contact the clerk in the county where the case was filed and ask about historical records and archives.
Where do I request a West Virginia criminal background check?
Use the West Virginia State Police Criminal Records Section and its approved IdentoGO fingerprinting process. Requirements and fees vary depending on whether the request is personal, employment-related or otherwise authorized.
Where can I search West Virginia jail and prison inmates?
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides regional jail offender searches, prison offender searches and daily incarceration information through its official website.
Can West Virginia criminal records be expunged?
Some dismissed or acquitted charges and qualifying misdemeanor or nonviolent felony convictions can be expunged through the applicable court procedure. Eligibility, waiting periods and fees differ according to the record and statute.
Why does my West Virginia criminal case not appear online?
The record may be in the other court system, older than WVPASS coverage, restricted from public access, sealed, expunged or entered under different identifying information. Ask the relevant court clerk when the online search is inconclusive.
Official West Virginia Criminal Records Resources
Use these official government sources for searches, record requests, fees, forms and verification of current procedures.
- West Virginia Judiciary – Circuit and Magistrate Court Records Access
- WVPASS – West Virginia Public Access Search System
- WVPASS Public Access FAQ – Fees, Coverage and Document Downloads
- West Virginia Judiciary – Magistrate Record Search Instructions
- Official Magistrate Case Record Search
- West Virginia Court Information by County
- West Virginia State Police Criminal Records Section
- IdentoGO West Virginia Fingerprint Services
- West Virginia Corrections – Jail and Prison Offender Search
- West Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry
- West Virginia Judiciary – Official Court and Expungement Forms
- West Virginia Code §61-11-25 – Dismissed and Acquitted Charge Expungement
- West Virginia Code §61-11-26 – Conviction Expungement
- West Virginia Code §61-11-26a – Special Expungement Eligibility
- West Virginia Judiciary – Criminal Records: Roles and Responsibilities Manual
- West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Dockets
- PACER – Federal Criminal Court Records