Wood County Court Records

Wood County court records are documents generated by the local courts detailing the county's legal proceedings and court cases. These records include exhibits, judgments, motions, pleas, rulings, and other court documents. They exist in various mediums, including written and typed documents, photocopies, audio, video, electronic files, and microfilm.

The local judiciary is mandated by law to maintain these records and grant access to them for several reasons. They can be used as proof that legal procedure was followed and as research for members of the public to familiarize themselves with the judicial system. Although the courts in Wood County generate them, these records are considered part of West Virginia Court Records.

Are Court Records Public in Wood County?

Yes, West Virginia and Wood County court records are public records under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Under the law, these records may be requested, viewed, and copied by the general public and government agencies via a request to their custodians.

Although court records are generally public information, some may be classified and restricted from public disclosure. Examples of classified records include the following.

• Personal information the release of which would be an unreasonable invasion of privacy
• Any information that is restricted explicitly under state or federal statutes
• Personal information of law-enforcement officers maintained by the public body in the ordinary course of the employer-employee relationship
• Records sealed or expunged under a court order

Wood County Court Records Search

Record Seekers have several options for searching for Wood County court records, including the following.

• Visit the custodians of records at the Wood County courthouse where the case was heard.
• Using available online records services provided by the County Circuit Clerk or County Clerk
• Use online services such as the Magistrate Court Record Search provided by the West Virginia Judiciary.
• Try out reliable third-party record websites

Wood County Courts

The West Virginia court system consists of several types of courts with jurisdiction over different cases. These include circuit courts, magistrate courts, family courts, and municipal courts. Listed below are all the courts in operation in Wood County.

Wood County Circuit Court
Wood County Judicial Office
2 Government Square,
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: (304) 424-1700
Fax: (304) 424-1804

Wood County Magistrate Court
401 2nd Street, Suite 12,
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: (304) 422-3444
Fax: (304) 422-7871

Wood County Family Court
Wood County Judicial Building
2 Government Square,
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: (304) 424-1700
Fax: (304) 424-1804

Municipal Courts in Wood County
North Hills Municipal Court
176 North Hills Drive,
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: (304) 428-9555

Parkersburg Municipal Court
1 Government Square, P.O. Box 1627,
Parkersburg, WV 26102
Phone: (304) 424-8430

Vienna Municipal Court
609 29th Street,
Vienna, WV 26105
Phone: (304) 295-8563

Williamstown Municipal Court
100 West 5th Street,
Williamstown, WV 26187
Phone: (304) 375-7761
Fax: (304) 375-7765

Wood County Criminal Records

The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the West Virginia State Police is the repository for criminal records including Wood County arrest records and processes criminal record requests for West Virginia and Wood County. The Bureau processes all requests for criminal records and background checks. Checks can be requested by persons, public or private agencies, and organizations. If requesting a check on a third party, the request must include written authorizations from the subject of the record check.

To obtain a criminal record check, interested parties must first schedule an appointment with IdentoGO by visiting their website or calling their toll-free number (855) 766-7746.

Note: Depending on local laws, public access to Wood County arrest records may vary.

Get Wood County Civil Court Records

Wood County civil court records are records of cases usually involving disputes between private entities or individuals. These court records include rulings, judgments, settlements, and motions and may be obtained from any of the courts where such cases are heard. These could be the Woods County Circuit Court and Magistrate Court.

Requests can be made by visiting the courthouse in person or mailing a written request containing the information required to search for the records. Such information generally includes names of case parties, case numbers, and court dates.

Inquiries about requesting these records and any process or fees involved can be made to the Circuit Clerk at (304) 424-1700

Or circuitclerk@woodcountywv.com.

Requests for the magistrate court should be directed to:

Wood County Magistrate Court
401 2nd Street, Suite 12,
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: (304) 422-3444
Fax: (304) 422-7871

Wood County Marriage Records

Wood County marriage records can be obtained from the Wood County Clerk’s Office. Record seekers may acquire these records in person or by mail.

To request a marriage record, the requester must provide the names of the bride and groom, the date of the marriage, a valid copy of the requester’s government-issued ID, and the correct fee for the record. Record seekers may also fill out and submit an application for a certified copy of vital records.

In-person requests can be made at the office during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mailed requests can be sent to the office mailing address at:

Wood County Clerk
P.O. Box 1474
Parkersburg, WV 26102

Mailed requests should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to return the copies. A certified copy of the marriage records costs $5 per copy. Money orders and certified checks are accepted for payment. Cash may also be accepted for walk-in orders at the clerk’s office.

Wood County Divorce Records

Wood County divorce records can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk for the court where the divorce was heard. While divorce records are generally considered public records in West Virginia, there may be restrictions on their accessibility to protect sensitive information.

Record seekers may be able to access divorce records by contacting the Wood County Circuit Clerk at:

Wood County Judicial Office
2 Government Square RM. 133
Parkersburg, WV 26102

Requests can be made by visiting the circuit clerk in person or by mailing a written request to the given address. The request should contain details about the divorce to help locate the record, such as the names of the parties involved, the case number, the location/court, and the date of the divorce. Record seekers may also need to show/provide valid identification during the request. The record available from the circuit clerk is usually a divorce decree containing detailed information about the divorce. Requesters with questions about obtaining these records or requiring assistance may call or email the circuit clerk in advance at (304) 424-1700 and circuitclerk@woodcountywv.com.

A divorce certificate is a shorter document confirming the divorce and containing basic details. It is available from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WV DHHR), Vital Registration Office. It should be noted that Wood County divorce certificates from the vital registration office may be restricted, and requesters may need to provide identification or meet other criteria to obtain them.

Wood Birth Records

In West Virginia, birth records are not public records. They are considered confidential and only become public records after 100 years. Before then, only specific individuals may request a certified copy of a birth record. These persons include the following.

• The subject of the record. (if 18 years or older)
• The subject’s immediate family, including parents, grandparents, siblings, and children
• The subject’s authorized legal representatives or legal guardians.

Wood County birth records can be obtained from the Wood County Clerk’s Office. Record seekers may request these records by mail or visit the clerk’s office in person. The requester should fill out the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record and submit it along with a valid copy of a government-issued ID and appropriate copy fees to the County Clerk in person at:

Wood County Courthouse,
1 Court Square, Room 201
Parkersburg, WV 26101

Or by mail to the County Clerk’s mailing address at:

Wood County Clerk,
P.O. Box 1474,
Parkersburg, WV, 26102

Mailed requests must also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the return of the record. Copies of birth records are $5 each, payable in a money order or certified check.

State-level Wood County birth records can be obtained from the Vital Registration Office of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Requesters may be able to pay in cash during in-person requests at the clerk’s office. Birth Records are important records that can be used to identify individuals and investigate their genealogy or nationality.

Wood Death Records

Wood County death records are records of the deaths which have occurred within the county. These records are not considered public records and until 50 years have passed only the following individuals may access these records.

• Spouse of the deceased
• Immediate family of the deceased, including parents, grandparents, siblings, and children
• Legal representative or legal guardian
• Authorized agent

These records can be important during legal disputes and cases involving wills, estates, and other similar probate cases. In Wood County, these records can be obtained from the County Clerk.

Record seekers can obtain a Wood County death record by filling out and submitting an Application For Certified Copy of a Vital Record with the death certificate section filled out. The completed record application should be submitted, along with a copy of a government-issued ID and fees, to:

Wood County Clerk
P.O. Box 1474,
Parkersburg, WV, 26102

The application can also be made in person at the county clerk’s office. A certified copy of a death record costs $5, which is payable in cash during walk-in requests, certified checks, or money orders, which are included in the mailed request.

Wood County Probate Court Records

Probate court records are records of legal proceedings involving probate matters within a jurisdiction. Records of estates, wills, conservatorships, guardianships, and trusts are generated during such proceedings. In Woods County, these records are generated by the probate division of the Wood County Circuit Court.

Record seekers may obtain these records from the circuit by visiting in person or mailing a written request to the Woods County Circuit Court Clerk. Before making the actual request, it is advised to contact the circuit clerk by calling (304) 424-1700 or emailing circuitclerk@woodcountywv.com for more information about probate court records, the requesting process, and any fees.

The Wood County Clerk also offers access to probate records within the county. Requesters may visit the County Courthouse Probate Division on the third floor, Room 306, or the Records Room on the second floor, Room 201. Copies of records from the County Clerk cost $1.50 for the first two pages and $1 for each page afterward. For inquiries about probate records, requesters may call the County Clerk’s Office at (304) 424-1850.

Wood County Property Records

Wood County property records are the records concerning property, assessments of property, and transactions involving property within the county. These types of records include maps, plats, liens, deeds, mortgages, trusts, and assessments. The Woods County Clerk and County Assessor maintain these records.

To obtain property records from Woods County Clerk. Record seekers may visit the clerk's office or write a written request. The requester must provide valid information for searching for the record, including the type of record, names on the record, date of recording, and any other relevant information.

Requests may be made in person at the clerk’s office at:

Wood County Courthouse,
1 Court Square,
Parkersburg, WV 26101

Written requests can be mailed to the clerk's office at:

Wood County Clerk
P.O. Box 1474
Parkersburg, WV 26102

Requesters may also research property records such as deeds, liens, assessor’s land books, and surveys in the property records room in Room 103 of the county courthouse. Copies of records from the county clerk cost $1.50 for the first two pages and $1 for each additional page. For any questions, requesters may call the records room at (304) 424-1870 or the county clerk’s office at (304) 424-1850.

Property records from the Wood County Clerk are also available online using the Online Document Imaging system. Record seekers may find a lot of information about liens, deeds, and other property records.

Property records from the Wood County Assessor may be found by visiting the assessor's office in person, mailing a written request, or using the online search tools. Record seekers may visit the office or mail a written request detailing the record required to:

Wood County Assessor's Office
1 Court Square, Suite 302
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Phone: (304) 424-1875

Property records maintained by the Assessor’s Office can be looked up online using the Online Property Records Search and Online Research Services. Record seekers may use these to search for property records, including Tax assessment data, using criteria such as owner’s name, parcel address, and property type.

Wood County Court Records Online

Third-party record websites such as westvirginiacourtrecords.us may provide an alternative when searching for Wood County court records. These websites offer a convenient way to look up court records from home without going to the courthouses. User-friendly search tools and interfaces allow quick searches using simple criteria, including names, case numbers, and dates. Some provide options for digital copies returned via email or downloaded from the website. However, these websites have no government affiliation. As such, users should note that the accuracy of the records they provide cannot be guaranteed.