Monongalia County, West Virginia State Court Records

Monongalia County court records are official recordings of court-related activities, such as case proceedings and judicial decisions. Such records may reveal the case parties' personal information, names of legal representatives, case identities, transcripts, and judgments. In addition, court records may include filed documents, such as vital records, arrest reports, and financial statements.

Court records in Monongalia County are under the purview of the clerks of the circuit and magistrate courts. The circuit clerk's office maintains records of criminal, civil, and family law cases, while the magistrate court keeps records of less-severe criminal and civil cases.

Are Monongalia County Court Records Public?

Under the West Virginia Code §51-4-2, most court records in Monongalia County are classified as public records. The law allows the public to make requests for court documents in the custody of local or state entities. Court clerks are required by law to release copies of court records upon receiving requests from record seekers.

Nevertheless, the court clerks may refuse access to specific court documents. Publicly-exempt records generally include information that may endanger concerned parties or entities. Under West Virginia laws, non-public court records may include the following:

• Court documents protected by attorney-client privilege.
• Documents that may interfere with an ongoing criminal prosecution.
• Court records that may reveal personal details of security-vulnerable parties, such as crime victims.

What Information is Available in Monongalia County Court Records?

Monongalia County court records may provide information on the following:

• Defendant's and respondent's personal information.
• Case identification, such as case number and status.
• Case filing date.
• Case transcripts.
• Pleadings and motions.
• Docket entry.
• Judicial actions, such as orders, decrees, and agreements.

Monongalia County Court Records Search

Record seekers may search for court records in Monongalia County by using these options:

Online Access

The West Virginia Judiciary website maintains an online search portal for cases heard in the magistrate court. Record seekers may find records on the platform by providing these data:

• Case party name and type.
• Case ID.
• Citation number.
• Case filing date.
• Court location.

In contrast, record seekers can look up circuit court records via the West Virginia Public Access Search System. Record seekers must register and enter relevant information to view records on the system.

In-Person Access

To request records in-person, record seekers must first determine the court that heard the case. Next, they must call ahead to verify if the record is available.

For cases heard at the circuit and family courts, record seekers submit an in-person request to the circuit court clerk's office at:

75 High Street

Suite 12

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 291-7240

To obtain cases from the magistrate court, record seekers must visit the courthouse during official business hours at this address:

75 High Street

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 291-7296

Mail and Phone Requests

There is no specific information about mail-in requests for court records in Monongalia County. Nevertheless, record seekers may send mail-in requests by using these general steps:

1. Create a request letter that includes details, such as the case party name, number, filing year, and court name.
2. Include a copy of a valid ID if the request contains confidential information.
3. Send the form and ID to the court that heard the case.

Upon receiving the request, the court may send the estimated fees for retrieving such documents. Record seekers must pay the required fees to obtain the records at their mail address.

Fees for Court Records in Monongalia County

Court record fees in Monongalia County can vary depending on the type of document and request. Record seekers must pay $1 per page for non-certified records and $3 for exemplified copies.

Note: Monongalia courts may offer fee waivers to record seekers who meet the legal requirements. To obtain a fee waiver, record seekers must submit a financial affidavit and application form to the court.

Monongalia County Courthouse Locations

Monongalia County's trial court system comprises the Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court. The public may find the courts at these locations:

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court

75 High Street

Suite 32

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 291-7240

Monongalia County Magistrate Court

75 High Street

Suite 25

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 291-7296

Fax: (304) 284-7313.

Monongalia County Family Court

271 Spruce Street

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 285-3228.

Criminal Records Access in Monongalia County

The West Virginia State Police is the official custodian of criminal history records generated in Monongalia County. To obtain a criminal record, the subject must be fingerprinted by a licensed third-party fingerprint provider. The provider then sends the requester's fingerprints and relevant information to the agency. Next, the agency will process the request and send the record to the record seeker's email address.

Note that criminal history records differ from Monongalia County's local criminal records. Criminal court records are case files that document criminal proceedings. Record seekers can obtain such records by submitting a request to the circuit clerk's office. The West Virginia Judiciary website also maintains access to criminal court records. Interested parties must provide relevant details to obtain records on the platform.

Monongalia County Probate Records

Probate cases are under the jurisdiction of the Monongalia County Commission and the County Clerk's Office. The former oversees probate-type disputes, while the clerk's office handles administrative probate proceedings. For example, the clerk's office handles the appointment of will executors, validation of wills, name changes, and the review of estate inventories.

Monongalia County probate records mostly contain public information. Record seekers may request such records by submitting a request to the county clerk's office. Nevertheless, the clerk may deny access to records whose disclosure may violate the privacy of concerned parties.

Monongalia County Family Court Records

The Monongalia County Family Court hears family law cases, including divorce, custody, adoption, and support matters. Record seekers may find records of family cases in the custody of the circuit court clerk's office. The circuit clerk maintains an online search platform for family court records. Interested parties may view records on the platform by providing search details, such as the case party name, number, and filing date.

In addition, the circuit clerk allows offline requests for non-certified and certified copies of family court records. Interested parties may obtain records by submitting a request in-person to the clerk's office at this address:

75 High Street

Suite 12

Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone: (304) 291-7240

Note: The circuit clerk's office charges $2 per certified document and $0.50 per page of photocopied documents.

Federal Court Records in Monongalia County

Federal cases in Monongalia County are under the purview of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. The court hears federal cases, including bankruptcy, civil rights violations, and drug trafficking.

Record seekers may view online federal court records through the PACER system. To access records on the system, record seekers must register an account and provide relevant search information. Alternatively, record seekers can request records in-person by visiting the federal court at this address:

500 West Pike Street

Room 301

Clarksburg, WV 26301

Phone: (304) 622-8513.