Jefferson County Court Records

Courts in Jefferson County maintain records of all civil and criminal proceedings in the county. These records contain information about such cases, including the parties’ names, filings, pleadings, court dockets, court orders, and judgments. Information in these documents serves as official records of court proceedings and can be relied on by parties to execute judgments or file appeals. When combined with case files from other parts of the state, Jefferson legal documents become part of West Virginia court records.

Are Court Records Public in Jefferson County?

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act grants public access to official records of government agencies, including the courts. As such, anyone who makes the appropriate request may obtain copies of court records in Jefferson County. However, certain records, such as juvenile and sealed court records, are considered confidential by statute and not open to the public.

Jefferson County Court Records Search

In Jefferson County, record seekers can obtain court records by making the appropriate request to the relevant record custodian. Applications to access court records are often made in person or via email. Certain court records can be accessed online through official case portals and third-party websites.

Jefferson County Courts

Jefferson County is part of the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit of West Virginia. Its court system consists of a Circuit Court, a Magistrate Court, a Family Court, and five Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court is the highest trial court in the county. It also has appellate jurisdiction over matters from the Magistrate Court, Municipal Courts, and domestic violence proceedings of the Family Court.

Listed below are the locations and contact information of all the courts in Jefferson County:

Jefferson County Circuit Court
Jefferson County Old Jail Annex
119 North George Street
P.O. Box 1234
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3231
Fax: (304) 728-3398

Jefferson County Magistrate Court
110 North George Street
P.O. Box 607
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3233 ext. 342
Fax: (304) 728-3235

Jefferson County Family Court
Jefferson County Old Jail Annex
119 North George Street
P.O. Box 1234
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3231
Fax: (304) 728-3398

Bolivar Municipal Court
P.O. Box 551
Bolivar, WV 25425
Phone: (304) 535-6366

Charles Town Municipal Court
101 East Washington Street
P.O. Box 14
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 725-2530

Harpers Ferry Municipal Court
1000 Washington Street
P.O. Box 217
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Phone: (304) 535-2206

Ranson Municipal Court
312 South Mildred Street
Ranson, WV 25438
Phone: (304) 725-2411

Shepherdstown Municipal Court
104 North King Street
P.O. Box 237
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Phone: (304) 876-2312

Jefferson County Criminal Records

Law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County maintain records of crime incidents in the county. These records include Jefferson County arrest records as well as criminal court proceedings and their dispositions. In Jefferson County, criminal records are generally open to the public and may be accessed upon request to the West Virginia State Police. To do so, book an appointment with the third-party service nominated on the agency’s website and call (855) 766-7746 before contacting the state police at:

West Virginia State Police Headquarters
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
Phone: (304) 746-2498
Phone: (304) 746-2170
Fax: (304) 746-2402

Get Jefferson County Civil Court Records

Civil court records include documents generated from the adjudication of civil cases. In Jefferson County, the Circuit, family, and magistrate courts handle several civil cases, such as monetary claims, personal injury cases, disputes over property, contract disputes, and other cases that are not of a criminal nature. To access civil court records in the custody of the circuit and family court, submit a request to the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk in person or by mail at the location below.

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
Jefferson County Old Jail Annex
119 North George Street, Suite 100
P.O. Box 1234
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3231
Fax: (304) 728-3398

For records of civil cases involving dispute amounts of $10,000 or less, use the Magistrate Court Record Search. Alternatively, submit or mail a request to the court’s clerk at the location below.

Jefferson County Magistrate Court Clerk
P.O. Box 607
110 North George Street
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3233, ext. 342
Fax: (304) 728-3235

Jefferson County Marriage Records

Jefferson County marriage records are official evidence of legal unions entered within the county. Jefferson County marriage records can only be accessed by the spouses, their adult children, and their legal representatives. However, a marriage record becomes public 50 years after the date of the marriage.

The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office is responsible for maintaining marriage records. Eligible requesters with a valid ID and applicable fees can visit or send a written request to:

Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
Office of Vital Statistics
100 E Washington Street
P.O. Box 208
Charles Town WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3215

Mail requests should include sufficient information about the marriage and the spouses, a check or money order of applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Obtaining marriage records from the county clerk cost $5 per copy. Alternatively, these records may be obtained from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. To do so, submit a completed Application for Certified Marriage Certificate Form, required fees, and valid ID in person or by mail to the Vital Records Office at:

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

Interested persons can also request marriage records from the department by phone at (877) 448-3953, fax at (866) 870-8723, or online using the department-recommended website. Also, note that each copy costs $12 each and payment can be made by check or money order. However, applicants who request these records in person may pay in cash.

Jefferson County Divorce Records

Divorce records refer to official documents relating to the dissolution of a marriage. These include petitions, exhibits, filings, and divorce decrees. In Jefferson County, these records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. To obtain them, submit a written request or visit the clerk’s office to/at:

Jefferson County Old Jail Annex
119 North George Street, Suite 100
P.O. Box 1234
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3231
Fax: (304) 728-3398

Jefferson County Birth and Death Records

Jefferson County birth and death records document births and deaths occurring in the county. Both birth and death records are closed from public access until after 100 years and 50 years of the occurrence, respectively. Before these records become public, only certain persons can access or obtain them, including the following:

• The adult subject (for birth records)
• Relatives, including parents, adult children, spouses, siblings, and grandparents
• Legal representatives

Interested persons can obtain Jefferson County birth and death records by requesting them in person or via mail from the Jefferson County Clerk’s office at:

Office of Vital Statistics
100 E Washington Street
P.O. Box 208
Charles Town WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3215

Requests should include requesters’ valid IDs as well as a check or money order of $5 per copy of the certified records. Mail requests should also have self-addressed stamped envelopes. Jefferson County birth and death records may also be obtained from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources by submitting a Certificate Request Form, applicable fees, and valid ID in person or via mail at:

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

Jefferson County Probate Court Records

Probate court records document proceedings of the Circuit Court relating to wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and matters concerning the administration of a deceased estate. Interested persons may obtain Jefferson County probate court records by submitting their requests to the Circuit Clerk in person or by mail at/to:

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk
Jefferson County Old Jail Annex
119 North George Street, Suite 100
P.O. Box 1234
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3231
Fax: (304) 728-3398

For other documents relating to probate matters, such as copies of wills and codicils, contact the county clerk at:

Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
Office of Vital Statistics
100 E Washington Street
P.O. Box 208
Charles Town, WV 25414
Phone: (304) 728-3215

Jefferson County Property Records

Members of the public can access information about real property in Jefferson County, including ownership, location, and transaction details. To do so, contact the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office by email or at (304) 728-3224. Property information is also available on the county assessor’s mapping website.

Jefferson County Court Records Online

Jefferson County public records can be accessed using third-party websites such as westvirginiacourtrecords.us. These sites offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative to visiting record custodians. They also make record searches seamless through their user-friendly interface. However, because third-party websites are not official sources, the accuracy of the information they provide cannot be guaranteed.