Fayette County Court Records

Fayette County court records typically refer to official records containing information about cases filed or adjudicated in the Fayette County justice system. Generally, these include decisions made by judges, filings, and other documentation generated during a case. Some examples of court records include affidavits, orders, court transcripts, motions, briefs, and audio/video recordings (W. Va. Code §53-8-17). Fayette court records are helpful for different purposes, such as conducting a background check or obtaining veritable case facts.

Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?

Yes. Chapter 29 of the West Virginia Code ensures that Fayette County Court Records are available to every person to inspect or copy when a request is made to the custodian of the record. Upon request, the custodian will make public records available within 5 days, excluding weekends or legal holidays. The law also states that members of the public may access all court records except those containing details that constitute an invasion of privacy or pose a risk to the parties involved.

Some of the information specifically exempt from disclosure per W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4 are:

• Information of a personal nature that is kept in a personal, medical, or similar file, especially if public disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy
• Records of law-enforcement agencies that deal with the detection and investigation of crime, including the internal records of such law-enforcement agencies
• Examination reports containing information prepared by or for the use of any agency regulating financial processes
• Records of the Division of Corrections, Regional Jail Authority, and the Division of Juvenile Services relating to jail and detention facilities owned or operated by the agency.

Fayette County Court Records Search

An individual may conduct a search for Fayette County Court Records through the following offices and sources:

• Fayette County Circuit Courthouse
• Fayette County Clerk's Office
• West Virginia Magistrate Record Search portal.

Fayette County Courts

The Fayette County trial court system comprises Circuit, Magistrate, Family, and Municipal Courts. Below is a directory of court locations in Fayette County:

Fayette County Circuit Court
Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Fayette County Magistrate Court
100 Church Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4279
Fax: (304) 574-2458

Fayette County Family Court
Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Ansted Municipal Court
P.O. Box 798
Ansted, WV 25812
Phone: (304) 658-5901
Fax: (304) 658-4680

Fayetteville Municipal Court
125 North Court Street
P.O. Box 298
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-0101
Fax: (304) 574-3765

Gauley Bridge Municipal Court
278 Railroad Street
P.O. Box 490
Gauley Bridge, WV 25085
Phone: (304) 632-2505
Fax: (304) 632-2504

Meadow Bridge Municipal Court
P.O. Box 27
Meadow Bridge, WV 25976
Phone: (304) 484-7492
Fax: (304) 484-7154

Montgomery Municipal Court
706 3rd Avenue
Montgomery, WV 25136
Phone: (304) 442-5181
Fax: (304) 442-5395

Mount Hope Municipal Court
609 Main Street
P.O. Box 151
Mount Hope, WV 25880
Phone: (304) 877-2211
Fax: (304) 877-2880

Oak Hill Municipal Court
691 Virginia Street
P.O. Box 1245
Oak Hill, WV 25901
Phone: (304) 465-0596

Pax Municipal Court
P.O. Box 118
Pax, WV 25904
Phone: (304) 877-2407
Fax: (304) 877-3004

Smithers Municipal Court
P.O. Box 489
Smithers, WV 25186
Phone: (304) 442-5282

Thurmond Municipal Court
HC 84, Box 184
Thurmond, WV 25936
Phone: (304) 469-9748

Fayette County Criminal and Civil Records

Generally, Fayette County criminal court records are available to interested persons in the court where the case was adjudicated. These court records contain information about misdemeanor and felony cases where the defendant violated the West Virginia criminal code. It is worth noting that these differ from criminal history information such as Fayette county arrest records which are disseminated by law enforcement agencies. 

Meanwhile, Fayette County civil records refer to documents containing information on civil disputes between individuals or business entities. Interested persons may obtain copies of Fayette County civil records at the court where the case was filed or at the Fayette County Circuit Clerk's Office.

Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Interested persons may access civil records such as leases, liens, and breach of contracts through the Fayette County Clerk Document Search portal using dates, names, and search options. According to the Clerk Fee Schedule, a $5 search fee applies.

If applicable, call or visit the Magistrate County Court where a case is filed to obtain copies of civil or criminal court records. The Magistrate Record Search system also allows individuals with remote access to enter a first or last name or a case number to access various records.

Fayette County Magistrate Court
100 Church Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4279
Fax: (304) 574-2458

Fayette County Marriage Records

According to W. Va. Code §16-5-27, Fayette County marriage records are public after 50 years. Until then, certified copies may only be available to eligible persons or third parties under the authority of the court. Eligible persons include:

• Parties listed on the marriage record
• Adult children of the couple
• The couple's legal representatives

Eligible persons may visit the county clerk's office to obtain Fayette County marriage records. Individuals may access marriage records through the Fayette County Clerk Document Search portal using dates, names, and search options. Each copy of marriage records costs $5.

Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Likewise, the Vital Registration Office provides certified copies of Fayette County Marriage certificates in person at 350 Capitol Street in Charleston. Requestors must fill out the marriage certificate application form and pay a non-refundable fee of $12. The office accepts payment by cash, certified check, or money order.

Fayette County Divorce Records

Fayette County Divorce Records become public information 50 years after the divorce is granted. Before the 50 years elapse, they will be made available to the persons named on the record and others with a direct tangible interest in the record. Eligible persons may access copies of divorce records by visiting the office of the Fayette County Circuit Clerk at:

Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Fayette County Birth Records

Fayette County birth records become public records after 100 years in West Virginia. Fayette County birth certificates help to prove an individual's age, citizenship status, and identity.

Eligible individuals may access birth records from the County Clerk by visiting the office in person.

Birth records from 2016 may also be accessed using the custodian's Document Search tool. To process the search, users will need to furnish the tool with dates, names, and related information. Each copy of these records will cost $5, plus an extra $2.50 for certification.

Alternatively, eligible persons can obtain certified Fayette County birth certificates in person at the Vital Registration Office for $12 per copy. Eligible persons include individuals 18 or older, parents/grandparents, adult children/grandchildren, adult siblings, spouses, and legal guardians. Requestors must fill out the birth certificate application form to process their request.

Inquirers may mail the completed form to the Vital Registration Office, along with a copy of their valid photo ID and a money order for the service fee.

Vital Registration Office
350 Capitol Street, Room 165
Charleston, WV 25301-3701.

Fayette County Death Records

Fayette County death records become public records after 50 years. The families of deceased persons usually need these documents to apply for insurance benefits, settle pension claims, or transfer property.

Eligible individuals may access death records from the County Clerk by visiting the office in person.

Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Individuals may also access Fayette County death certificates in person at the Vital Registration Office for $12 per copy. Eligible persons include informants listed on the death certificate, parents/grandparents, adult children/grandchildren, adult siblings, spouses, and legal representatives. The requestor must fill out the death certificate application form at the office.

Fill out the application form to order a certified copy of a death certificate via mail. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for the applicable fee in the application packet. Send the application to:

Vital Registration Office
350 Capitol Street, Room 165
Charleston, WV 25301-3701.

Fayette County Probate Court Records

Fayette County probate records include probate documents, releases, and wills and are accessible at the Fayette County Circuit Clerk's office. Individuals may also access probate records online through the Fayette County Clerk Document Search tool using dates, names, and search options.

Fayette County Courthouse
100 North Court Street
Fayetteville, WV 25840
Phone: (304) 574-4249
Fax: (304) 574-4314

Fayette County Property Records

Fayette County property records are documents containing information on a specific piece of real property in the county. Examples of information in property records include:

• Deeds (1981 to present).
• Deeds of trust.
• County commission documents (starting 2021 to present).
• Plat or map.
• Fiduciary documents.

Individuals may search property records using the Fayette County IAS Web Portal or the Interactive GIS map made available by the Fayette County Assessor's Office. Users may either use the owner option (owner's name, address, parcel ID, deed book, deed page) or the parcel option (appraised, land, and building value) to complete a search.

Fayette County Court Records Online

Third-party online sources allow individuals to access Fayette court records and information. For example, westvirginiacourtrecords.us provides access to the county's many kinds of court records, saving the user time and effort from visiting the court or custodian office in person.

Many third-party sources offer free public record searches. However, free searches mostly return basic details. Users may need to pay a search fee or subscribe to access comprehensive data. Also, note that third-party websites are independently owned and are not affiliated with the county or state government. As such, the completeness and accuracy of records obtained from these sources may vary.