Boone County Court Records Search
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Boone County, West Virginia maintains a network of courts serving the residents of one of the state's historically coal-dependent regions. The county seat of Madison is home to the primary courthouse, where Circuit, Magistrate, and other court records are kept. Whether you're researching litigation history, verifying a judgment, or tracing a family member's legal proceedings, knowing which court handled a matter — and how its records are organized — is the essential first step.
Court records in Boone County document official legal events including filed pleadings, case summaries, judgments, and court orders. Because multiple offices — the Circuit Clerk, the County Clerk, and the Magistrate Court Clerk — each maintain distinct categories of records, identifying the right custodian before making a request will save you significant time.
Residents and researchers in West Virginia can access a range of publicly available case information through official court resources, clerk offices, in-person public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools. WestVirginiaCourts.us is one place to start locating publicly available court case information by county. The West Virginia Judiciary also operates direct online search systems for both circuit and magistrate court records, described further below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Boone County?
West Virginia's court system offers several pathways to locate Boone County case records, depending on the court type involved.
Online Search Options
- WVPASS (West Virginia Public Access Search System): Launched in March 2025, WVPASS provides free online access to publicly available circuit court documents from all 55 counties statewide, with records dating back to 1999. You can search by party name or case number.
- Magistrate Case Record Search: The West Virginia Judiciary operates a separate Magistrate Record Search portal, letting anyone with a name or case number retrieve magistrate court civil and criminal case information from all counties, including Boone.
- Divorce Forms and Case Search: The West Virginia Judiciary's Court Record Access page serves as a central hub for searching circuit court records and accessing divorce-related forms.
In-Person Requests
For records not available online, or when you need certified copies, visit the relevant clerk's office in person. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Mail Requests
Certain records — particularly vital records maintained by the County Clerk — can be requested by mail. Written requests must typically include the requestor's name, the subject's identifying details, and the applicable fee paid by check or money order.
Court Locations and Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (Clerk: Samuel R. Burns) | 200 State Street, Suite 202, Madison, WV 25130 | (304) 369-7320 | (304) 369-7326 |
| Magistrate Court (Clerk: Elizabeth Summers) | 200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130 | (304) 369-7366 | (304) 369-1932 |
| Family Court | 206 Court Street, Madison, WV 25130 | (304) 369-7847 | (304) 369-7841 |
| County Clerk | 200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130 | (304) 369-7335 | (304) 369-7329 |
Municipal Courts in Boone County
Four municipalities in Boone County operate their own courts for local ordinance violations and certain traffic matters:
- Danville Municipal Court — 731 Hopkins Road, P.O. Box 217, Danville, WV 25053 | (304) 369-5428
- Madison Municipal Court — 255 Washington Avenue, Madison, WV 25130 | (304) 369-2762
- Sylvester Municipal Court — 32832 Coal River Road, P.O. Box 10, Sylvester, WV 25193 | (304) 854-1930
- Whitesville Municipal Court — 39140 Coal River Road, P.O. Box 475, Whitesville, WV 25209 | (304) 854-2658
Are Court Records Public in Boone County?
West Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, codified at West Virginia Code §29B-1-3, establishes every person's right to inspect or copy public records held by any public body in the state. This statute directly governs access to court records in Boone County, and the default presumption under West Virginia law is that records are open unless a specific exemption applies.
Records That Are Generally Public
- Docket entries and case index information for circuit and magistrate cases
- Final judgments and court orders
- Civil filings including complaints, answers, and motions
- Criminal case dispositions and sentencing records
- Marriage records (accessible to the record subject and immediate family)
- Property-related court filings such as liens and judgments
Records Subject to Restriction or Confidentiality
Not every document in a court file is automatically accessible. The following categories are commonly withheld or redacted under West Virginia law:
- Records sealed by court order under federal or state law
- Documents protected by attorney-client privilege when filed under seal
- Confidential information related to active criminal investigations
- Juvenile court records, which receive heightened protection under West Virginia statute
- Adoption records and certain family law filings involving minors
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records incorporated into case files
When a record is restricted, the clerk will typically acknowledge the existence of the case but decline to produce specific documents. Requesters who believe a denial is improper may seek review under the procedures outlined in Chapter 29B of the West Virginia Code.
Boone County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Boone County are primarily handled by the Circuit Court, which exercises general jurisdiction over felony charges, and the Magistrate Court, which handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and certain criminal complaints.
Searching Criminal Court Records
The most direct way to search criminal case records remotely is through WVPASS, which includes publicly available circuit court criminal filings dating back to 1999. For magistrate-level criminal matters, the Magistrate Record Search portal provides free access by name or case number. The West Virginia Judiciary notes that retrieved records represent a complete civil or criminal history in the magistrate system, but recommends contacting the clerk directly to validate specific case information.
Circuit Court — Criminal Division
The Boone County Circuit Court, Ninth Judicial Circuit, handles felony prosecutions, grand jury proceedings, and appeals from magistrate court. Circuit Court Clerk Samuel R. Burns maintains all criminal case files at the courthouse.
Circuit Court (Criminal)
Address: 200 State Street, Suite 202, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7320 | Fax: (304) 369-7326
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Arrest and Detention Records
The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority maintains a Daily Incarceration Search that allows the public to check which individuals are currently held in regional facilities. The Boone County Sheriff's Office posts current inmate roster information, and updated arrest activity is periodically published through official channels. For criminal background check purposes, direct your inquiry to the West Virginia State Police, which administers the state's criminal history program.
Copy Fees — Circuit Court
Standard document copies from West Virginia circuit courts are generally $1.00 per page, with fax copies running $2.00 per page. Certified copies carry additional certification fees. Contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly to confirm the current fee schedule before submitting a request.
Boone County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Boone County are divided between the Circuit Court and the Magistrate Court depending on the dollar amount at stake and the type of dispute.
Circuit Court Civil Jurisdiction
The Circuit Court handles higher-value civil disputes, equity matters, and appeals from lower courts. Common civil filings include personal injury actions, contract disputes, foreclosures, liens, and civil appeals. Judge Stacy L. Nowicki-Eldridge presides over the Boone County division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit from the courthouse at 200 State Street.
Magistrate Court Civil Jurisdiction
The Magistrate Court handles civil claims up to $20,000 — a limit raised from $10,000 effective July 2025 under West Virginia HB 2761, codified at West Virginia Code §50-2-1. This covers contract disputes, property damage claims, landlord-tenant disputes (including unlawful entry and detainer), and small claims matters. Two magistrates — Neil Byrnside and Danny B. Moore, Jr. — serve Boone County, with Clerk Elizabeth Summers maintaining all case records.
Filing Fees
West Virginia Code establishes magistrate civil filing fees at West Virginia Code §50-3-1, with a portion of each fee deposited into the Court Security Fund. Specific fee amounts vary by case type — contact the Magistrate Court Clerk at (304) 369-7366 before filing to confirm current costs.
For circuit court civil filings, standard fees follow the statewide schedule. A general civil case filing typically runs $200.00, with guardianship and conservatorship cases at $110.00 in many West Virginia counties. Contact the Circuit Clerk to confirm Boone County's current schedule.
Searching Civil Records Online
Civil case records filed in circuit court are searchable through WVPASS. Magistrate civil records are accessible via the Magistrate Record Search portal. Both systems are free to use and available to the general public without registration.
Court Forms
The West Virginia Judiciary maintains an extensive library of civil and other court forms available at no cost, including forms for civil complaints, responsive pleadings, and judgment enforcement.
Boone County Family Court Records
Family court matters in Boone County are heard by the Tenth Family Court Circuit, which covers both Boone and Lincoln counties. Judge Elliott Workman was appointed to this circuit in October 2025 by Governor Patrick Morrisey to fill a vacancy on the bench.
Boone County Family Court
Address: 206 Court Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7847 | Fax: (304) 369-7841
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Matters Handled by Family Court
West Virginia's Family Court system has exclusive jurisdiction over a defined set of domestic matters, including:
- Divorce and annulment proceedings
- Separate maintenance actions
- Allocation of parental responsibility (child custody)
- Child and family support proceedings
- Paternity determinations
- Grandparent visitation disputes
- Final hearings in domestic violence civil proceedings
Family court judges do not handle criminal domestic violence charges or child abuse and neglect proceedings — those remain within circuit court jurisdiction.
Accessing Divorce and Family Court Records
Divorce decrees and case files are maintained by the Family Court Clerk. If you're looking for a specific divorce file, contact the Family Court at 206 Court Street with the names of the parties and, if known, the case number. The West Virginia Judiciary provides standardized divorce forms through its Court Record Access portal, which also links to the divorce case search function within WVPASS.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are maintained by the Boone County Clerk, not the Family Court. Access is restricted to the record subject and immediate family members. Whether you request in person or by mail, you'll need to include a completed application for certified copies, a copy of valid government-issued ID, and a $5.00 fee per copy (check or money order payable to the Boone County Clerk).
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are similarly held by the County Clerk and are restricted to the record subject, immediate family, and parties with a demonstrated legal interest. The fee is $5.00 per copy, and a completed request form along with a valid ID copy is required. Mail-in fees must be submitted as a check or money order payable to the Boone County Clerk.
Boone County Probate Court Records
In West Virginia, probate matters don't pass through a dedicated probate court. Instead, the Boone County Clerk's Office administers the probate process and maintains all related records. The Circuit Court may become involved in contested estate matters or complex guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.
What Probate Records Cover
Probate records in Boone County document the administration of decedents' estates, including:
- Last wills and testaments filed for probate
- Appointment of personal representatives and fiduciary commissioners
- Inventories of estate assets
- Settlement accounts submitted to the clerk
- Name change proceedings
- Guardianship and conservatorship appointments and accountings
- Trust-related filings when administered through court supervision
Requesting Probate Records
Probate files held by the County Clerk are generally available to the public during regular office hours. You can appear in person or submit a written mail request to the Boone County Clerk.
Boone County Clerk (Probate)
Address: 200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130
Phone: (304) 369-7335 | Fax: (304) 369-7329
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
For contested probate matters that have been litigated in circuit court, records are held by Circuit Clerk Samuel R. Burns at Suite 202 of the same courthouse building. Those files are searchable through WVPASS if the case was filed in circuit court.
Online Property and Estate Records
The Boone County Clerk's Office provides a searchable online portal for real estate and recorded document research, which includes deeds, liens, mortgages, and judgment records. Property valuation and tax information is separately maintained by the Boone County Assessor's Office at 200 State Street, Suite 106, Madison, WV 25130. The Assessor's office can be reached at (304) 369-7313 for real estate inquiries and (304) 369-7308 for personal property matters.