Nicholas County Court Records

Nicholas County court records refer to various documents generated by the Nicholas County Circuit, Magistrate, and Family Courts during legal prosecutions. These documents contain information such as:

• The names of litigants
• Case numbers and types
• Exhibits
• Motions
• Orders
• Judgments.

Nicholas County court records encompass documents relating to personal injury cases, property disputes, contract disagreements, and small claims. It also includes criminal case-related documents like Nicholas County arrest records and incident reports.
Nicholas County court records play vital roles in upholding accountability, equity, and fairness within the county's judicial system. Furthermore, they serve as essential resources for background checks, seeking legal remedies, and conducting historical and genealogical research.

Are Court Records Public in Nicholas County?

Yes. Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Rule 10.04 of the West Virginia Rules of Judicial Administration, almost anyone may access Nicholas County court records unless overriding laws prevent such access. However, notwithstanding its expansiveness, the FOIA exempts public access to Nicholas County court records relating to:

• Minors
• Sealed or expunged records
• Adoptions
• Mental health
• Grand jury proceedings
• Active law enforcement investigations
• Personal identifying information, such as Social Security Numbers, financial account details, and medical records.

Nicholas County Court Records Search

Nicholas County court records are public and accessible to interested persons. Access to these documents is through the West Virginia Judiciary's Court Record Access or Magistrate Case Record Search Portals. Record seekers may also access Nicholas County court records through the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk's Office.

Nicholas County Courts

The Nicholas County legal system comprises the county's Circuit, Magistrate, and Family Courts. In Nicholas County and across West Virginia, the Circuit Courts are the apex judicial bodies at the county level. Although they have broad jurisdiction over civil and criminal trials, they only handle cases that exceed the authority of other county-level courts within Nicholas County, WV.

Interested individuals may reach out to the various Nicholas County courts through the following addresses:

Nicholas County Circuit Court
Nicholas County Courthouse
700 Main Street, Suite 5
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7810
Fax: (304) 872-7863

Nicholas County Magistrate Court
511 Church Street,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7829
Fax: (304) 872-7888

Nicholas County Family Court
Nicholas County
511 Church Street, 3rd Floor,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-9618
Fax: (304) 872-9621

Nicholas County Criminal and Civil Records

Nicholas County civil and criminal records are official documentation on criminal and non-criminal trials within Nicholas County, WV. In Nicholas County, civil court records encompass but are not limited to case files on contract disagreements, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims. Examples of civil court records include:

• Petitions
• Counterclaims
• Exhibits
• Motions
• Affidavits
• Orders
• Judgments
• Post-trial motions
• Notice of appeals.

Unlike civil court records, Nicholas County criminal court records are documents relating to criminal trials within the county. These include Nicholas County arrest records, incident reports, and other documents relating to criminal trials and convictions within the Nicholas County Circuit and Magistrate Courts.

Interested individuals seeking access to Nicholas County civil or criminal court records should visit the West Virginia Judiciary Court Records Access Webpage and access civil or criminal case records through the Circuit or Magistrate Courts Case Access Portals. Alternatively, reach out to the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk's Office between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. during business hours at:

700 Main Street, Suite 5,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7810
Fax: (304) 872-7863
Email: deborahr.facemire@courtswv.gov.

Requesters should note that the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk's Office may redact certain information from some Nicholas County civil court records.

Nicholas County Marriage Records

According to West Virginia laws, marriage records (including those of Nicholas County) are confidential for the first 50 years after the marriage ceremony. Consequently, access to these documents within this period is limited to the named spouses, immediate family members, authorized legal representatives, and individuals with judicial orders. However, Nicholas County marriage records become publicly accessible if they exceed 50 years from their marriage dates.
Individuals seeking access to Nicholas County marriage records older than 50 years should:

• Visit the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History Vital Records Interactive Page
• Scroll down, click the Marriage Records option, provide the necessary information, and click the See Search Results button.

For certified copies of Nicholas County marriage records, mail or visit the Nicholas County Clerk's Office at:

700 Main Street, Suite 2,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7820

Alternatively, download and complete a West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources Marriage Certificate Request Form, and mail or submit it to:

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

Requesters should note that accessing Nicholas County marriage records less than 50 years old requires valid government-issued photo identification. Additionally, the DHHR charges $12.00 per copy of marriage records.

Nicholas County Divorce Records

In Nicholas County and other parts of West Virginia, divorce records are public and accessible. Nevertheless, West Virginia laws mandate that the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk's Office and other custodians redact information infringing privacy laws from publicly accessible divorce records.

Nicholas County divorce records are accessible through the West Virginia Judiciary's Court Record Access Portals. Record seekers may also access certified copies of Nicholas County divorce records through mail or in-person visits to the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk's Office at:

700 Main Street, Suite 5,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7810
Email: deborahr.facemire@courtswv.gov.

Nicholas Birth Records

For confidentiality and security reasons, Nicholas County birth records are confidential documents for the first 100 years after birth. During this period, only the persons named on the certificates (if they are 18 years or older), their immediate family members (such as spouses, children, and siblings), parents or legal guardians, or authorized legal representatives may access these documents. Nonetheless, Nicholas County birth records older than 100 years are publicly accessible.
Birth records are identification documents that may qualify their owners for government services or benefits. They also play crucial roles in inheritance, demographic analysis, and genealogical and historical research.

Access to Nicholas County birth records depends on the age of the documents and eligibility. Eligible individuals seeking certified copies of Nicholas County birth records less than 100 years old should mail or visit the Nicholas County Clerk's Office between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays) at:

700 Main Street, Suite 2,
Summersville,
WV 26651.

Alternatively, download a West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources Certificate Request Form, complete it, and mail or submit it in person to the Vital Registration Office at:

350 Capitol Street, Room 165,
Charleston,
WV 25301-3701

Furthermore, information seekers may search for Nicholas County birth records older than 100 years through the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History's Vital Records Interactive Webpage.

Nicholas Death Records

West Virginia laws place time restrictions on public access to death records. For privacy reasons, Nicholas County death records are confidential for the first 50 years after the deceased's demise. Access to these documents is limited to the immediate families of the deceased, authorized legal representatives or estates, and government agencies with legitimate interests. Nonetheless, Nicholas County death records become public 50 years after death, and interested individuals may access them.
Death records play crucial legal and administrative roles. They are official proof of death and are essential documents for life insurance benefits and updating Social Security and voter rolls. Furthermore, death records (including those of Nicholas County) provide crucial data for epidemiological research and tracking mortality rates.

Access to Nicholas County death records depends on the age of the documents. Individuals seeking Nicholas County death records less than 50 years old should:

• Download and complete the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources Application for Copy of West Virginia Death Certificate Forms
• Enclose photocopies of valid government-issued photo identification documents, self-addressed stamped envelopes with sufficient postage, and checks/money orders to cover applicable fees (at $12.00 per copy of death record)
• Mail or submit the requests in person to: Vital Registration
  Room 165
  350 Capitol Street,
  Charleston,
  WV 25301-3701.

Alternatively, submit formal requests to the Nicholas County Clerk's Office at:

700 Main Street, Suite 2,
Summersville,
WV 26651.

For Nicholas County death records older than 50 years:

• Visit the West Virginia Vital Research Records Project webpage
• Scroll down and click the "Death Records" button
• Fill out the online form and search for death records.

Nicholas County Probate Court Records

Nicholas County probate court records are official documents relating to the administration of deceased persons' estates within Nicholas County, WV. These documents include case files on Will probates, trust administrations, guardianships, escheats, conservatorships, and intestate successions.

In Nicholas County, the Circuit Clerk's Office is the custodian of probate court records, while the Nicholas County Clerk's Office maintains non-case-related probate records. Hence, access to Nicholas County probate records depends on the specific documents.

For probate records relating to judicial decisions, including those involving judicial rulings like contested Wills and intestate successions, inquirers should mail or visit the Nicholas County Circuit Clerk's Office at:

700 Main Street, Suite 5,
Summersville,
WV 26651.

Individuals seeking non-judicial Nicholas County probate court records should call, mail, or visit the Nicholas County Clerk's Office at:

700 Main Street, Suite 2,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7820

Nicholas County Property Records

Nicholas County property records encompass all official documents relating to real estate ownership and transactions within Nicholas County, WV. These include property-related documents and information such as:

• Parcel numbers
• Deeds
• Building permits
• Zoning information
• Plat Maps
• Property sales histories
• Surveys
• Property tax records
• Liens and Encumbrances
• Easements and covenants
• Mortgage information.

In Nicholas County, the specific options for accessing property records depend on the document types. For property ownership and location information, log in to the West Virginia Property Assessment Portal and search for Nicholas County property records by owner name, parcel ID, map number, and other criteria.

The Nicholas County Assessor's office maintains documents relating to property assessments, valuations, and tax maps; record seekers should call, visit, or mail their office at:

700 Main Street,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7800

The Nicholas County Clerk's Office is the primary repository for Nicholas County property records. For deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land-related documents, call, mail, or visit their office at:

700 Main Street, Suite 2,
Summersville,
WV 26651
Phone: (304) 872-7820

Nicholas County Court Records Online

Nicholas County court records are accessible online through third-party websites. Private platforms like Westvirginiacourtrecords.us provide around-the-clock global access to court records from various West Virginia courts. Users may use multiple criteria to access through advanced search tools. However, notwithstanding their numerous pros, information seekers should note that these platforms are independent and do not guarantee the accuracy of their documents.