Raleigh County Court Records

Raleigh County court records are a subclass of West Virginia Court records generated and preserved by the county court clerk to keep people updated on the court’s judicial proceedings per WV Code § 51-4-2.

These case files and documents include docket entries, judgments, index, petitions, memorandum, a transcription of proceedings, orders, electronic recordings, participants' names (plaintiff and defendant), case titles, filed charges, and other relevant case information. Anyone can retrieve them by using the statewide databases provided by the state’s unified court system, branch, or through the statutory keeper of records.

People seek court records in Raleigh County for diverse reasons. The public and media may require them to monitor the outcome of a case proceeding or submit an application for criminal record expungements and background checks. On the other hand, legal practitioners use historic cases as suitable references for establishing precedents and issuing fair verdicts. Making them publicly accessible promotes transparency and trust in the justice system.

Are Court Records Public in Raleigh County?

Yes. WV Code § 51-4-2 mandates court clerks to make records and papers of every court proceeding open for public inspection and printing except in situations where it is otherwise provided. WV Trial Court Rule 10.04 also authorizes public members to obtain updated and complete information regarding the affairs and operations of the judicial system except in events where the requested information is restricted to the public by state or county ordinance.

In that case, the record custodian (court clerk) may provide the order of access limitation, duration, and reasonable explanations. For example, per § 53-8-17, sealed records are not available for public perusal and copying.

That being said, the court clerk may destroy all instruments, documents, depositions, transcriptions, and books in any proceeding or cause action provided that the destruction is done in keeping with the"Record Retention Schedule”. If this happens, such records are no longer publicly available.

Raleigh County Court Records Search

Anyone seeking Raleigh County Court records can follow the following outlined steps:

• Verify that the record is publicly accessible: This is the first step to channeling one’s record search efforts in the right direction. As mentioned in the previous section, some records are not part of Raleigh County public records. Also, this process easily reveals the appropriate search method to implement: offline or online.
• Approach the keeper of record: In Raleigh County, the clerk of courts is the backbone of the judicial system. As the official custodian of circuit and family court case files and records, the office is responsible for maintaining and disseminating all case files including civil, criminal, divorce, child custody, child support, juvenile and guardian cases.
• Identify applicable copying fees: The court and clerk of the circuit court may charge a reasonable fee relative to the volume of record demand a person is making.

Aside from government repositories, third-party aggregator websites also provide public access to Raleigh County Court records. They are often run independently, and void of government interference. However, they collate information through official platforms and disseminate it easily.

Raleigh County Courts

Raleigh County falls under West Virginia’s Tenth Judicial Circuit, and the county seat is Beckley. Members of the public can contact the county’s courts using the following address information:

Raleigh County Circuit Court
Raleigh County Judicial Center
222 Main Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 255-9135
Fax: (304) 255-9353

Raleigh County Magistrate Court
Raleigh County Judicial Center
222 Main Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 255-9197
Fax: (304) 255-3701

Raleigh County Family Court
Raleigh County Judicial Center
222 Main Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 255-9135
Fax: (304) 255-9353

Municipal Courts in Raleigh County

Beckley Municipal Court
340 West Prince Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 256-1719
Fax: (304) 256-1731

Lester Municipal Court
122 Grandison Road
Lester, WV 25865
Phone: (304) 934-6301
Fax: (304) 934-7219

Mabscott Municipal Court
302 White Stick Street
Mabscott, WV 25871
Phone: (304) 253-5654
Fax: (304) 253-5655

Rhodell Municipal Court
7261 Coal City Road
Rhodell, WV 25915
Phone: (304) 683-3668

Sophia Municipal Court
100 East Railroad Avenue
Sophia, WV 25921
Phone: (304) 683-4456
Fax: (304) 683-3231

Raleigh County Criminal Records

Raleigh County criminal records are files and information generated from an offender’s interaction with the criminal justice system, such as the county sheriff’s office, police departments, incineration facilities, and parole/probation departments. These records include arrest histories (booking data, arresting agencies, circumstances of the arrest, arresting officers, bail details, and offenses), prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration.

The first place to look when seeking criminal records is the county sheriff’s office, especially if the arrest was carried out locally. This office generates and maintains Raleigh County arrest records, and forwards the report to the West Virginia State Police’s database. Petitioners can utilize the sheriff’s online purchase portal to obtain local criminal background checks at $20.

Apart from the sheriff’s office, city police departments, such as the Bleckley City Police Department’s Record Unit provide police reports detailing arrest information, and other pertinent information within the region. The West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau also serves as a repository for performing criminal record checks and retrieving Raleigh County criminal records.

Finally, inquirers can utilize the free online Magistrate Record Search tool provided by the West Virginia Judiciary to retrieve criminal case information across different counties within the state.

Get Raleigh County Civil Court Records

Civil court case actions are generally initiated by litigants seeking compensation from individuals or companies in payment, and other means of settlements for physical damages or unmet demands. These legal proceedings to settle disagreements between two or more parties are typically filed and adjudicated in the lower courts.

The Raleigh County Circuit Court is West Virginia’s general jurisdiction trial court of record statutorily authorized to handle civil cases involving money claims with more than $300 in dispute, civil equity, landlord-tenant disagreements, habeas corpus proceedings, mandamus, and domestic violence. On the other hand, the Magistrate Court also known as the “people’s court” handles small claims and cases where the financial amount in dispute does not exceed $10,000.

Record seekers can retrieve such documents created during civil proceedings by making oral or written requests to the Raleigh Raleigh County Circuit Clerk’s office at the address below:

222 Main Street
P.O. Box 2518
Beckley, WV 25802

The office can also be contacted at (304) 255-9135.

People can also explore the online magistrate court information portal to find basic court case information using an internet-enabled computer or mobile device. The search requires basic search details, such as the case participant’s first or last name, or a case number and the system will automatically generate a list of up to 30 records bearing exact or similar search term results.

However, Raleigh's civil court records are not accessible online. Users are advised to visit or call the circuit court clerk to obtain copies of specific court documents. The Intermediate Court Of Appeals provides a West Virginia Docket Case Search for residents to view case dockets by case numbers.

Raleigh County Marriage Records

Residents and visitors can visit the Raleigh County Clerk’s Office to get copies of their marriage records.

Obtaining a certified copy of the marriage license requires the physical presence of the couple at the county clerk’s office. However, applicants must book an appointment by calling (304) 255-9123 to schedule an appointment. The office must confirm that the applicants are getting married within sixty days in West Virginia or Raleigh County.

The following documents and information are vital for processing any marriage license request:

• A valid identification showing proof of age
• A copy of a Driver’s License, State-issued ID card, or Military ID
• Passport or Passport Card
• Social security numbers
• The parent’s full name at birth, city, state, or foreign country of the parent’s birth.
• Formerly divorced applicants are typically required to provide the day, month, and year that the previous marriage ended, stating whether it was by annulment, death, or divorce. People whose marriages ended in 6 months are to submit a death certificate or divorce decree.

The marriage license application will attract a charge of $57 by cash, personal check, or credit. Admittedly, the fee is reduced to $37 if the couples submit a premarital education course completion certificate when applying for the marriage license.

For a fee of $5 per copy, applicants may obtain a copy of their marriage certificate at the County Clerk’s Office. Obtaining a Raleigh County marriage certificate involves filling out and submitting an application in person, via email to countyclerk@raleighcounty.com, or by mail to the Clerk’s office along with a check or money order, and a copy of a state-issued identification (as required on the application) to

Raleigh County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Vital Registration
215 Main Street
Beckley, WV 25801

Each request may attract an additional $1 for shipping and handling up to 5 copies.

Raleigh County Divorce Records

Raleigh County divorce records are official documentation of matrimonial actions that annul or suspend a marital union between two adults. These documents are generally required for processing inheritances, marriage license applications, protective orders, name changes, financial account changes, and other official affairs.

There are two record stations for anyone to obtain a Raleigh County divorce certificate. The first point of visit is the Circuit Clerk’s office. Since most divorces and marriage annulments happen at the circuit court, interested persons can visit the office during regular business hours.

On the other hand, West Virginia’s Vital Registration Office serves as the state’s official repository of Raleigh County vital records, including divorce certificates. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone. The cost of obtaining a certificate is $12 per copy.

Applicants may forward the application form, a copy of required identification, and payment fee by mail to:

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

Notably, ordering in person is the fastest means, provided the person fills out the application form in advance. Meanwhile, mail orders are the slowest requiring at least five to 15 business days or one to three weeks.

Raleigh Birth and Death Records

Several circumstances may necessitate obtaining Raleigh County birth records and death certificates. For example, when a person needs to present legal proof of age, citizenship, or death for school enrolment, a driver’s license application, social security registration, deceased person estate settlement, wills, rusts, claiming insurance benefits, collecting retirement packages, or conducting genealogy research.

People looking to obtain certified copies of vital records can approach the County Clerk’s office. The office maintains an archive of records from the formation of the county in 1850. Requests can be made by filling out and submitting the following applications in person, via email, or by mail following the instructions outlined in the previous section.

• Application for certified copy of Raleigh County birth certificate
• Application for certified copy of Raleigh County death certificate

These records cost $5 each including postage (applicants may send a self-addressed stamped envelope); or, call the clerk’s office at (304) 255-9123 to verify the appropriate fee before mailing the application and payment.

However, only the person named on the record, spouses, parents, children, immediate family members, designated legal representatives, guardians, or anyone who can provide proof of relationship to the record owner. Most importantly, mail requests must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s driver’s license.

Finally, vital records only become publicly accessible 50 years after the date of marriage, death, divorce, or annulment, and 100 years after the date of birth per WV Code § 16-5-1.

Raleigh County Probate Court Records

Raleigh County probate court records are created when handling probate cases within the county. This includes probate matters such as settling a decedent’s estate, appointing an estate executor, will and trust settlements, and guardianships.

The county provides several ways to probate an Estate:

• Testate – with an original will signed by the decedent.
• Intestate – without the decedent’s will.
• Ancillary – if the decedent owned real estate in Raleigh County, but was not a resident of West Virginia.
• Small Estate Affidavit – This shortens certain aspects of probate or distributing property without a lengthy court procedure. However, the estate must include assets valued below an amount to be eligible for this process. Petitioners can contact the county Assessor’s office at ((304) 255-9120) to confirm the value of owned real estate before visiting the probate office.

In like manner, the office may request a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate or letter from the funeral home stating the decedent’s date of death, county of residence before death, and Social Security Number.

Individuals can find the documents and information records generated during these processes at the county clerk’s probate office. The probate office can be contacted for any concerns or questions via email at probate@raleighcounty.com or by calling (304) 252-0161.

Raleigh County Property Records

Raleigh County Property records provide comprehensive information on personal and real property ownership within the jurisdiction. These documents include deeds, trust deeds, liens, right of way, maps, and other vital documents regarding the transfer of property.

Members of the public can obtain a copy of these public recorded documents by mail or by visiting the record room of the clerk’s office in person, alongside the applicable fee for certification and postage depending on the number of pages at Raleigh County Courthouse, 215 Main Street, Beckley WV 25801.

Another option is to approach the Raleigh County Assessor's office within the jurisdiction where the piece of real estate lies. Requesters can visit the office during regular business hours, call the office at (304) 255-9178 or email raleigh@wvassessor.com. The assessor’s office also offers an online Raleigh County IAS Web Portal to allow public members to view information on any parcel within the region by owner name, address, parcel ID, or deed book/page. The result page typically displays the property owner’s name, owner’s address, property address, and district.

Raleigh County Court Records Online

Anyone looking for ways to find Raleigh County public records may explore third-party websites like Westvirginiacourtrecords.us. Though owned by private individuals, they provide an easier means of navigating the database, unlike government repositories. An added advantage is the ease of centralizing search requests, such as Raleigh County arrest records, property records, and other public information from the comfort of one’s abode without visiting several offices.

However, depending on the website's policy, these services may attract a certain fee based on one-time use or subscription. Users are also advised to cross-check documents retrieved from third-party websites for completeness and accuracy.