Mercer County Court Records

Court records in Mercer County are the official records of court proceedings preserved by the court clerk or other designated court personnel. These records typically consist of various elements such as a docket entry, an index, electronic records, pleadings, petitions, memoranda, transcripts of proceedings, orders, and judgments as outlined in West Virginia Code §53-8-17.

Recognized as fundamental documents within the legal system, court records play a crucial role in the county and state. They serve as essential references and provide valuable insights into legal matters. Moreover, these records offer worthwhile information to individuals seeking to comprehend the justice system and its functions. When considered along with arrest records, they provide a comprehensive view of an individual's interactions with law enforcement and the court. West Virginia court records cover all court proceedings from various counties, including Mercer. These records are typically stored in physical format as hard copy files, digital files, or microphotographic film, and they are usually kept within the courthouse where they were originally compiled.

Are Court Records Public in Mercer County?

According to WV Code § 51-4-2, court records and papers are to be made available for inspection to any individual. The court clerk must also provide copies of sorted records upon request, except for documents deemed confidential by court order or another law.

A court may seal a record for various reasons, such as the nature or content of the record or upon request. Generally, sealed records include those considered better off sealed by law, personal or sensitive records, or records expunged or destroyed based on the record retention schedules. Records not available for public viewing or photocopying include adoption and juvenile records and information like social security numbers and medical or financial reports.

Mercer County Court Records Search

The following means can be used to find a Mercer court record for individuals interested in searching out records:

Through the circuit court/courthouse

• Accessing the court records database remotely is an option provided by the court
• Records can also be obtained through mail or in-person requests

From third-party sites

• Typically, online access is available for browsing and retrieval of records

Mercer County Courts

The Mercer County judicial system comprises two primary levels, each consisting of diverse courts: the circuit court, primary trial court, magistrate court, family court, and municipal court. Across these distinct judicial entities, the county's legal framework upholds the principle of justice. Here are the locations of these courts:

Circuit Courts in Mercer County

Mercer County Circuit Court, Mercer County Courthouse
1501 Main Street
Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 487-8323
Fax: (304) 425-1598

Magistrate Courts in Mercer County

Mercer County Magistrate Court, Mercer County Courthouse
120 Scott Street
Suite 103
Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 431-7115
Fax: (304) 425-8063

Family Courts in Mercer County

Mercer County Family Court, Mercer County Courthouse
1501 Main Street
Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 487-8323
Fax: (304) 425-1598

Municipal Courts in Mercer County

Athens Municipal Court
208 South State Street
P.O. Box 458
Athens, WV 24712
Phone: (304) 384-3525
Fax: (304) 384-7104

Bluefield Municipal Court
200 South Mercer Street
Bluefield, WV 24701
Phone: (304) 327-6101 ext. 2
Fax: (304) 325-3311

Bramwell Municipal Court
100 Simmons Avenue
P.O. Box 338
Bramwell, WV 24715
Phone: (304) 248-7114
Fax: (304) 248-8333

Matoaka Municipal Court
100 Valley Street
P.O. Box 528
Matoaka, WV 24736
Phone: (304) 467-7311
Fax: (304) 467-8982

Princeton Municipal Court
100 Courthouse Road
Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 487-5073
Fax: (304) 487-5030

Mercer County Criminal Records

Per West Virginia Code 15-2-24(d), Mercer County criminal records are considered public and can be requested by members of the general public. However, access to a complete record is restricted to the record owners or individuals who have obtained explicit authorization from the record holder and appropriate documentation.

To retrieve a full criminal record, interested parties can either arrange an appointment with the authorized private vendor approved by the law enforcement agency or contact the designated toll-free number. It is crucial to understand that these are the exclusive channels for obtaining Mercer County criminal records through law enforcement.

On the other hand, if the specific information sought pertains solely to Mercer County arrest records rather than a comprehensive criminal history, individuals can visit the Sheriff's office directly to make inquiries. Generally, Mercer arrest records are readily accessible to those interested in obtaining them.

Get Mercer County Civil Court Records

Access to Mercer County civil court records is exclusive to the court clerk where the case was tried. While the judicial system provides an online platform for remote perusal of court dockets, the system does not facilitate access to the actual court documents.

To examine or procure a specific document from a civil court proceeding, an individual seeking such information can either correspond via mail with the court clerk or personally visit the courthouse. The requester must furnish the clerk with all pertinent details to aid retrieval. The online docketing system can be utilized when the requester is uncertain about specific information. This online tool allows for a rudimentary search using just a name or case number.

Mercer County Marriage Records

Mercer County marriage certificates and other vital records such as divorce, birth, and death certificates are considered confidential in West Virginia, which is not classified as an open records state. These records are only accessible to the public after a speculated number of years, which is 50 years in the case of a marriage and divorce record. Typically, before the time frame elapses, only specific individuals are authorized to obtain certified copies of these records:

• The individuals who are the subjects of the record
• Children or grandchildren of the subject who are 18 years or older
• Individuals with documented legal interest or rights to access the record
• Attorneys or legal representatives of the record holder, their immediate family members, or authorized individuals

To obtain a Mercer marriage certificate, inquirers may query the West Virginia Department of Health. In contrast, a Mercer marriage record can be acquired from the county courthouse where the marriage occurred. Applications for records can be made in person or via mail through the Vital Registration Office of the Department of Health. Alternatively, documents can be obtained through phone, fax, or online services provided by the private contractor appointed by the state government for such purposes. Generally, obtaining a marriage certificate in person is the quickest method of retrieving the vital record. By completing and submitting the Application for Certified Marriage Certificate form, along with a fee of $12, individuals can receive a certificate on the same day of application.

For those unable to visit the office in person, requests can be made via mail, although this method typically takes five to 15 business days for processing. The applicant is to send the completed application form, a form of identification, and the required fee to the following address:

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

Additionally, when a third party needs to obtain a marriage certificate, the individual must provide a marriage permission slip.

Orders placed through the private vendor online, by phone, or by fax incur an additional charge of $13.5, excluding the shipping fee, which varies depending on the chosen shipping method.

Mercer County Divorce Records

Obtaining a Mercer County divorce certificate or record is similar to acquiring a Mercer marriage certificate or record. Individuals directly connected to the certificate can contact the registration office, while those seeking a record can inquire at the family courthouse where the divorce was concluded. Unlike other Mercer County vital records, the Vital Registration does not issue certified copies of divorce records. Those needing a certified copy of a Mercer divorce certificate must contact the circuit court clerk to facilitate this request.

Mercer County Birth and Death Records

Mercer County's birth and death certificates or records are important for various purposes as they comprise part of the county's vital records. For instance, an individual must present their birth certificate or a certified birth record when applying for school admission or obtaining a government-issued identity card. Conversely, death certificates become particularly crucial when benefits or assets left behind by a deceased individual need to be claimed.

As previously mentioned, birth and death records, alongside other vital records in Mercer County, are not publicly accessible. However, residents are permitted to access the indexes of these records, except death records. Birth records become public 100 years after the event, while death records become accessible 50 years following the event.

To obtain a certified copy of a Mercer County birth certificate or death certificate, individuals must provide at least one government-issued identification document and the appropriate request form for the desired record (birth certificate or death certificate). Obtaining a birth or death record or certificate is similar to acquiring any vital record. Such requests can be made online, over the phone, through fax, via mail, or in person.

Requests made through the mail or in person are subject to a $12 fee, while orders placed online, over the phone, or through fax incur additional charges as previously indicated.

Mercer County Probate Court Records

The family court in Mercer County manages adoptions, conservatorship, estate administration, trust, guardianship, and family-related issues. Typically, not all probate records are available to the general public due to their nature. However, as long as these records are not confidential, they are accessible to individuals seeking them. Public access to open cases' dockets is available through the case information system subscribed to by the Mercer court. Inquirers can also submit a mail request for a case file or visit in person to place an order. While reviewing case files is usually free, obtaining copies involves a fee.

Mercer County Property Records

The assessor's office offers an interactive map database where interested parties can explore property records within the county. Searches can be conducted using parcel numbers, addresses, owner names, streets, or deed books. At the state level, individuals can access Mercer property records via the Property Viewer tool made available by the Office of the Assessor. To initiate the search, the researcher is required to indicate Mercer County and provide either an address or parcel number.

Typically, a property search will yield information about the property, the owner's name, tax payment details, historical or assessment values, location, description, maps, plats, and other relevant particulars.

Property records are generally considered public information and can be searched by anyone interested in them.

Mercer County Court Records Online

Mercer County court records are accessible online through various third-party platforms that provide access to court documents. Typically, these services cover an entire county or state like Westvirginiacourtrecords.us does. Third-party sites offer several advantages, including user-friendliness, ease of navigation, broader coverage of court records, and remote accessibility at any time.

However, it is essential to consider associated drawbacks, such as fees for accessing records and concerns regarding the records' reliability, accuracy, and currentness. Consequently, individuals intending to use these records for legal purposes are advised to ensure their legal validity.