Wayne County Court Records

Wayne County court records are official documents and other materials that contain information about legal cases filed with Wayne County Courts. Essentially, they serve as legal documentation of local cases that can be reviewed to find pertinent information about a case and what transpired during its legal proceedings.

Wayne County court records comprise various legal documents and files, including, but not limited to, dockets, complaints, petitions, case transcripts, judgments, orders, appeals, and exhibits. General information about a case typically found in these documents includes the case ID, case type, case description, names of involved parties, and filing date.

Are Court Records Public in Wayne County?

Yes. Under WV Code § 51-4-2, records of all courts in West Virginia, including Wayne County, are open to anyone for inspection except when otherwise specially provided by law. Additionally, according to WV Trial Court Rule 10.04, everyone has the right to access complete and comprehensive information about the affairs and operation of the judicial system unless state or federal laws specify otherwise. Hence, most court documents are available upon request as part of Wayne County public records.

Nonetheless, some court records are exempt from being public under relevant state and federal statutes. These include and are not limited to:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Sealed and expunged records
• Victim and witness information
• Mental and medical health records.

Wayne County Court Records Search

Interested persons can search for Wayne County Court records through any of the following

• The clerk of court office of a local courthouse
• Online resources provided by the West Virginia Judiciary
• Third-party websites that offer court records search services

Wayne County Courts

There are four (4) types of courts in Wayne County: a Circuit Court, a Magistrate Court, a Family Court, and four (4) Municipal Courts. The courthouse address and contact information of these courts are outlined below:

Wayne County Circuit Court
Wayne County Courthouse
700 Hendricks Street,
P.O. Box 38,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-5359 (Criminal, Adoption, Mental Hygiene, Guardianship)
Phone: (304) 272-6360 (Civil, Juvenile, Minor Guardianship)
Fax: (304) 272-3496

Wayne County Magistrate Court
Wayne County Courthouse
700 Hendricks Street,
P.O. Box 667,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6388
Fax: (304) 272-5988

Wayne County Family Court
Wayne County Courthouse
700 Hendricks Street,
P.O. Box 38,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6360
Fax: (304) 272-3946

Ceredo Municipal Court
766 B Street,
P.O. Box 691,
Ceredo, WV 25507
Phone: (304) 453-1041

Fort Gay Municipal Court
3407 Wayne Street,
P.O. Box 336,
Fort Gay, WV 25514
Phone: (304) 648-5246
Fax: (304) 648-5014

Kenova Municipal Court
P.O. Box 268,
Kenova, WV 25530
Phone: (304) 453-2206
Fax: (304) 453-1601

Wayne Municipal Court
P.O. Box 186,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-3221
Fax: (304) 272-5791

Wayne County Criminal and Civil Records

In Wayne County, a criminal or civil case can fall under the jurisdiction of different courts depending on the case's specifics. For instance, Wayne County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases with $300 or more in dispute, all felonies, and certain misdemeanors. Meanwhile, the County Magistrate can hear most cases, including misdemeanors cases, preliminary examinations in felony cases, and civil cases with $10,000 or less in dispute.

The Wayne County Circuit Clerk serves as the record custodian of both courts (the County Circuit and Magistrate Courts). Hence, record seekers can access or request records of civil or criminal cases handled by either court through the County Circuit Clerk. Interested persons can request or access these records by visiting or contacting the Wayne County Circuit Clerk's office at:

Wayne County Courthouse
P.O. Box 38
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6359
Phone: (304) 272-6360
Fax: (304) 272-3496

It is worth noting that interested persons can also use the West Virginia Judiciary Magistrate Record Search portal to access records of criminal and civil cases handled by Wayne County Magistrate Court online. The portal is accessible for free, and users can search by party name, case ID, or citation number.

Wayne County Marriage Records

Wayne County marriage records are maintained locally by the Wayne County Clerk's Office and at the state level by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) Health Statistics Center. The County Clerk's Office charges $5.00 per marriage certificate, while the WVDHHR cost for a marriage certificate is $12 per copy.

To order a Wayne County marriage certificate from the County Clerk's Office, record seekers can utilize the Application For Certification of Vital Records online form provided on the County Clerk's website. Requesters can complete the form, submit it online, and pay the required fee to make requests. Record seekers can request records by contacting or visiting the County Clerk's office in person at:

Wayne County Clerk's office
700 Hendricks Street,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6362
Fax: (304) 272-5318
E-mail: andrea.ellis@waynecountywv.org

On the other hand, interested persons can order Wayne County marriage certificates from the WVDHHR using the agency's marriage certificate application form. Requester can appropriately complete the application form and submit it with the required fees to the WVDHHR in person or by mail at:

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

Wayne County Divorce Records

The Wayne County Circuit Clerk's Office is responsible for preserving divorce records in the county. These records are open to the public. Hence, anyone can query the Wayne County Circuit Clerk's Office for divorce records. Queries may be made by contacting or visiting the Circuit Clerk's office in person at:

Wayne County Courthouse
P.O. Box 38
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6359
Phone: (304) 272-6360
Fax: (304) 272-3496

Wayne County Birth Records

A Wayne County birth record is a government-issued document that records the birth of a child within the county. It is one of the first documents a child might get, proving an individual's identity, citizenship, and age. Birth certificates are also needed for school and military enrollment, and they are utilized in other official contexts, such as when applying for a driver's license, passport, or social security number.

Only certain eligible persons can access certified copies of Wayne County birth certificates. These eligible persons include the registrant, their immediate family members, and individuals or entities with legal authority (i.e., a court order). Notwithstanding, birth records become public 100 years after their recordation under the WV Code §16-5-27.

Wayne County birth records are under the custodianship of the County Clerk's Office and the WVDHHR Health Statistics Center. Hence, Wayne County birth certificates are obtainable through either public agency/office. The Wayne County Clerk's office charges requesters $5 per copy for a birth certificate. Meanwhile, a birth certificate obtained through the WVDHHR Health Statistics Center costs $12 per page. Additionally, requesters must present an acceptable form(s) of identification, such as a state-issued driver's license, passport, or military ID, to be allowed access to obtain a birth certificate.

Interested persons can order a birth certificate through the Wayne County Clerk's Office by completing the online application on the County Clerk's Office website and paying the required fee. Record seekers may also visit the County Clerk's Office in person to request a birth certificate.

On the other hand, interested persons can order Wayne County birth certificates in person or by mail through the WVDHHR Health Statistics Center. In-person requests are generally the fastest way to order certificates. Nonetheless, both methods of request (in-person and by mail) require applicants to complete the agency's birth certificate request application form. Next, the complete application, together with other items needed (i.e., applicable fees and the requester's ID), can be submitted by mail or in-person to:

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

Wayne County Death Records

All Wayne County vital records, including marriage, birth, and death, are preserved locally by the County Clerk's Office and at the state level by the WVDHHR Health Statistics Center. Hence, record seekers can obtain Wayne County death records from these agencies.

Pursuant to WV Code §16-5-27, Wayne County death records only become public 50 years after their recordation. Before being part of Wayne County public records, a death certificate is only accessible to certain eligible persons, such as the decedent's immediate family members or individuals or entities who possess a court order for the certificate.

Generally, requesters are charged a fee when they request a Wayne County death certificate through the County Clerk's Office or WVDHHR Health Statistics Center. The Wayne County Clerk's Office charges $5, while the WVDHHR Health Statistics Center charges $12 per copy. Additionally, requesters must present an acceptable form of identification when ordering a death certificate.

Interested persons can order a Wayne County death certificate in person by visiting the County Clerk's Office during regular office hours. Alternatively, requesters can complete the online vital records application on the Wayne County Clerk's Office website. On the other hand, record seekers can use the death certificate request application form to order Wayne County death certificates from the WVDHHR Health Statistics Center. The application form should be properly completed and submitted along with other required items (i.e., applicable fees and the requester's ID) in person or by mail to:

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

Wayne County Probate Court Records

Wayne County probate court records are official documents containing information about probate cases handled within the county. Examples of probate cases include will and trust settlements, appointment of administrator/executor, guardianships, and decedent's estate administration.

In Wayne County, the County Circuit Court hears probate cases, and record seekers can obtain probate court records through the County Clerk's Probate Office. Interested persons can visit or contact the probate office to request or access probate court records. Note that the probate office operates strictly by appointment. Hence, individuals who wish to look up probate records in person may need to schedule an appointment before visiting the probate office. The County Clerk's Probate office can be contacted at:

Wayne County Clerk's office
700 Hendricks Street,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6362
Fax: (304) 272-5318

Wayne County Property Records

Wayne County property records provide general information about properties situated within the county, including ownership details, sales history, attached encumbrances, maps, and tax details. In Wayne County, property records are primarily maintained by the County Clerk's Office and Assessor's Office. Fortunately, both public offices provide online tools, the Assessor Land Book portal and the County Clerk's Document Inquiry portal, that record seekers can use to access the property they maintain. Alternatively, researchers can contact these offices directly to request property records they preserve:

Wayne County Assessor's office
P.O. Box 40
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6352
Phone: (304) 272-6368
Fax: (304) 272-5863
Email: assessor@waynecountywv.org

Wayne County Clerk's office
700 Hendricks Street,
Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6362
Fax: (304) 272-5318

Wayne County Court Records Online

Wayne County court records are accessible online through third-party resources like WestVirginiacourtrecords.us. These online resources, with their user-friendly interface, provide convenient access to public records of different cases (e.g., criminal, civil, probate, and others). Users can search for records by case number or party name on third-party sites. It is important to note that the completeness and accuracy of court record search results provided by third-party resources are not guaranteed as they operate separately from government agencies.