West Virginia State Records
West Virginia Public Records
Find West Virginia public records across state and county sources, start with online indexes where available, then route to the proper office for certified copies.
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Property Records
Deeds Liens
Business Filings
Vital Records
Court Dockets
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Deeds Are County-Recorded
Land records are filed with the county clerk where the property is located; there is no single statewide deed index.
Property Data Is Local
Assessment, ownership, and tax billing are maintained by county offices; searches vary by county.
Business Filings Are Statewide
Business entities and UCC filings are indexed by the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Vital Certificates
Certified birth, death, and marriage certificates are requested from the state vital records office.
Start Here
- Start with the Secretary of State business entity and UCC index for statewide name or ID searches.
- Check the county clerk land records index for deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases by grantor or grantee.
- Use the county assessor search to confirm parcel ownership, assessed value, and legal descriptions.
- Search the county tax office for property tax bills, payment status, and delinquencies by parcel or owner.
- Request certified birth, death, or marriage certificates from the state vital records office after confirming required details.
Record Routing
- Recorded documents (deeds, liens) → County Clerk
- Property assessment and ownership → County Assessor
- Property tax bills and payments → County Tax Office
- Business entities and UCC → Secretary of State
- Vital certificates → State Vital Records
Common Search Inputs
- Owner Name
- Parcel Number
- Property Address
- Grantor or Grantee
- Book and Page or Instrument Number
- Business Name or Entity ID
Source Map
| Source / Office | Best For | Search Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State | Business entities, trade names, UCC filings | Statewide index by business name, entity ID, or filing number | Entities and UCC are registered centrally; start here for organization status and secured transactions affecting West Virginia businesses. |
| County Clerk | Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats | County index by grantor/grantee, book/page, or instrument number | Land records are recorded in the county where the property is located; there is no statewide deed database. |
| County Assessor | Parcel ownership, assessments, maps | County lookup by parcel number, address, or owner | Assessors maintain parcel IDs, ownership snapshots, and values used to verify the correct property and legal description. |
| County Tax Office | Property tax bills, payments, delinquencies | County lookup by parcel, bill number, or owner name | Property tax billing and collections are county functions; payment status and delinquencies are tracked locally. |
| State Vital Records | Certified birth, death, and marriage certificates | Application-based request; eligibility and identity details required | Vital certificates are issued by the state; online verification helps ensure you have the correct event details before requesting. |
| State Courts | Appellate opinions and some docket information | Statewide search by case number, party name, or date | State-level court materials can be checked online to confirm status before seeking files from a specific courthouse. |
Quick Answers
What should I check online first in West Virginia?
Begin with the Secretary of State for entity and UCC searches, then use county clerk land record indexes and county assessor parcel databases, followed by county tax lookups.
Is there a single statewide search for deeds and liens?
No. Search the county clerk where the property is located. Many counties provide name or instrument indexes, but certified copies come from the county.
Where do I get vital certificates?
Request certified birth, death, or marriage certificates from the state vital records office after confirming eligibility and required event details.
How do I research a property if I only have an address?
Use the county assessor to find the parcel number and owner from the address, then search the county clerk index by owner or legal description.