Cabell County Court Records Search
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Cabell County lies in southwestern West Virginia along the Ohio River, with its county seat in the city of Huntington. The county’s judicial system operates within the Sixth Judicial Circuit and the Sixth Family Court Circuit, encompassing a Circuit Court with broad general jurisdiction, a Magistrate Court handling lower-level matters, a Family Court dedicated to domestic-relations cases, and several Municipal Courts serving incorporated municipalities. Court records in Cabell County are spread across multiple custodial offices — the Circuit Clerk maintains Circuit and Family Court files, the Magistrate Clerk holds magistrate case records, the County Clerk oversees vital records, property recordings, and probate matters, and individual law-enforcement agencies keep arrest and incident reports. Identifying which office holds a specific record is the essential first step in any search.
Those seeking Cabell County court information can begin with WestVirginiaCourts.us, the West Virginia Judiciary’s website, which provides court directories, downloadable forms, filing-fee information, and links to the statewide case-search tools for both circuit and magistrate courts. Records can also be accessed by visiting a clerk’s office in person at the Cabell County Courthouse in Huntington, by phone, by email, or by written mail request. Public-access computer terminals and online search portals supplement these traditional methods. The sections below address each major category of court records, explain where they are held, and describe the procedures and costs for obtaining them.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cabell County?
Cabell County court cases can be researched through two primary online systems maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary, as well as through direct contact with the relevant clerk’s office.
Circuit Court records — WVPASS. The West Virginia Public Access Search System (WVPASS) provides statewide online access to publicly available circuit court documents dating back to July 1, 1999. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name across all 55 counties, including Cabell. Browsing case information is free. Downloading documents costs $0.25 per page, and users must complete two-factor authentication to register.
Magistrate Court records. The Magistrate Case Record Search portal allows free searches of magistrate court case information statewide. Users may enter a first or last name or case number, and the system returns up to 30 matching records. Actual court documents must be obtained from the magistrate clerk’s office, as the portal provides case summaries rather than full filings.
In-person and telephone searches. Walk-in visitors can review case files during business hours at the offices below. Phone inquiries are accepted, but note the Circuit Clerk’s Office will not release divorce, mental-hygiene, conservatorship, or juvenile case information over the phone — those require an in-person visit with photo identification.
Cabell County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 750 5th Avenue, Room 114, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 526-8622
Fax: (304) 526-8699
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Cabell County Magistrate Clerk’s Office
Address: 750 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 526-8642 or (304) 526-8644
Fax: (304) 526-8646
Cabell County Clerk’s Office
Address: 750 5th Avenue, Suite 108, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 526-8625
Email: coclerk@cabellcountyclerk.org
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Copy and service fees at the Circuit Clerk’s Office:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies | $1.00 per page |
| Fax transmissions | $2.00 per page |
| Personal service by Sheriff | $25.00 |
| Service by first-class mail | $5.00 |
| Service by certified mail | $20.00 |
| Service through Secretary of State | $25.00 ($20 to SOS, $5 to Clerk) |
The office accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, and attorney firm checks.
Are Court Records Public in Cabell County?
West Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., establishes that all persons are entitled to full and complete information about the affairs of government unless a specific exemption applies. Court records maintained by the clerks of Cabell County are generally open for public inspection, including civil pleadings, judgments, orders, docket entries, and most criminal case files.
The following categories of records are exempt from unrestricted public access under West Virginia law or court rule:
- Adoption records — sealed upon finalization and accessible only by court order or through designated state programs.
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors are confidential, with access limited to parties, their counsel, and persons authorized by the court.
- Sealed and expunged records — records sealed or expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public view. The West Virginia Judiciary provides expungement petition forms (SCA-C-903 through SCA-C-907) for eligible offenses.
- Mental-hygiene and involuntary-commitment records — not available to the public; phone inquiries about these matters are not accepted by the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
- Domestic-violence protective-order details — certain identifying information may be withheld to protect victims.
- Grand jury proceedings — deliberations and testimony remain secret.
- Victim and witness information — personally identifying details may be restricted when disclosure could compromise safety.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information filed under protective order.
- Active criminal investigation records — law-enforcement agencies may withhold records related to pending investigations.
Individuals denied access to a record may appeal under the FOIA’s statutory procedures, which require a response from the custodian within five business days.
Cabell County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Cabell County is shared among the Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and appeals from lower courts. The Magistrate Court conducts preliminary hearings for all criminal matters, tries misdemeanor offenses, and processes search and arrest warrants. Municipal Courts in Huntington, Barboursville, and Milton adjudicate violations of municipal ordinances.
Searching criminal court records online:
- WVPASS — Search circuit court criminal case records by defendant name or case number. Documents from July 1999 forward are available; downloads cost $0.25 per page.
- Magistrate Case Record Search — Use the magistrate search portal for misdemeanor and preliminary-hearing records. Results show case summaries; full documents must be requested from the clerk.
- Huntington Police Department — The HPD provides an online case search portal where users can search criminal reports by offense type and case number.
- WV Division of Corrections — The Offender Search tool provides information on incarcerated individuals statewide.
Law-enforcement contacts for arrest and incident records:
Cabell County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 750 5th Avenue, Suite 101, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 526-8663
Fax: (304) 526-8649
Huntington Police Department
Address: 675 10th Street, Huntington, WV 25701
Records Bureau Phone: (304) 696-4470
Website: hpdwv.com
Barboursville Police Department
Address: 815 Main Street, Barboursville, WV 25504
Phone: (304) 736-5203
Milton Police Department
Address: 1139 Smith Street, Milton, WV 25541
Phone: (304) 743-9211
Requests for arrest reports and incident records should be directed to the agency that made the arrest or investigated the incident. A valid photo ID is typically required for in-person requests.
Criminal filing fees at the Circuit Court are governed by statewide statute. Specific conviction-related costs, surcharges, and restitution amounts vary by case. The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals maintains all court forms, including expungement petitions, which are downloadable at no charge. Fee waiver forms are available for defendants who cannot afford court costs.
Cabell County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Cabell County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court and the Magistrate Court, with jurisdiction divided by the amount in dispute. The Circuit Court has authority over civil claims where the amount exceeds $300. The Magistrate Court exercises original jurisdiction over claims of $300 or less and concurrent jurisdiction over civil matters up to $10,000, including landlord-tenant disputes and small claims.
Filing fees for civil cases at the Circuit Court:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil action | $200.00 |
| Each additional defendant (2+ defendants) | $15.00 per defendant |
| Medical malpractice | $280.00 |
| Counterclaim | $200.00 |
| Cross-claim | $200.00 |
| Third-party complaint | $200.00 |
| Motion to intervene | $200.00 |
How to request civil court records:
- Online. Search WVPASS for circuit-level civil case records or the Magistrate Case Record Search for magistrate-level civil matters.
- In person or by mail. Contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 750 5th Avenue, Room 114, Huntington, WV 25701. Provide the case number or party names and pay the applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page).
- By email. The County Clerk’s Office at coclerk@cabellcountyclerk.org can direct inquiries to the appropriate department.
Property records. Land records — deeds, deeds of trust, liens, mortgages, and UCC filings — are recorded by the Cabell County Clerk’s Recording Department. An online index search is available through the Cabell County land records portal. The office also accepts documents through three e-recording vendors: CSC eRecording Solutions, Simplifile, and GOePN.
Selected recording fees:
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deeds and trust deeds (1–5 pages) | $32.00 |
| All other documents (1–5 pages) | $12.00 |
| Each additional page | $1.00 |
| Transfer tax (excise tax) | $5.50 per $1,000 of consideration |
| WV Housing Development Fund fee (with transfer tax) | $20.00 |
Property assessment data and tax records can be searched through the Cabell County Assessor’s Office at 750 5th Avenue, Suite 104, Huntington, WV 25701, Phone: (304) 526-8687, or through the statewide MapWV property search.
Cabell County Family Court Records
Family-law matters in Cabell County are heard in the Cabell County Family Court, which sits within the Sixth Family Court Circuit. The Circuit Court retains jurisdiction over certain family-related matters that exceed the Family Court’s authority, including appeals.
Cabell County Family Court
Address: 750 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 526-8622
Fax: (304) 526-8699
Types of cases handled:
- Divorce (with and without minor children)
- Child custody and allocation of custodial responsibility
- Child support establishment and modification
- Spousal support (alimony)
- Paternity actions
- Domestic-violence protective orders
- Adoption proceedings
Divorce filing fees:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce (no children) | $135.00 |
| Divorce (with children) | $160.00 |
| Family infant guardianship | $200.00 |
When minor children are involved, a mandatory parenting education class applies. The West Virginia Judiciary provides a comprehensive set of family court forms, including the Petition for Divorce (SCA-FC-101), parenting plan worksheets (SCA-FC-128), modification petitions (SCA-FC-201), and domestic-violence petition packets. All forms are free to download.
Domestic violence. Petitions for emergency and temporary protective orders can be filed with the Magistrate Court (during non-business hours) or the Family Court. No filing fee is charged for protective-order petitions.
Accessing family court records. Family Court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Many family-law documents are public, but access restrictions apply to adoption files, certain domestic-violence records, and cases involving the identity of minor children. The Circuit Clerk’s Office will not provide divorce case information by phone — requesters must appear in person with a valid driver’s license, or submit a notarized letter of authorization along with a notarized copy of their identification.
Marriage licenses and records. Marriage licenses are issued by the Cabell County Clerk’s Vital Statistics Department at (304) 526-8631. The fee for a marriage license in West Virginia is $56. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be ordered online through the county’s VitalDirector portal, in person, or by mail. Each certified copy costs $5.00, with an additional $5.00 service fee for mailed orders. Statewide marriage records can also be requested through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Vital Registration Office at 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301, Phone: (304) 558-2931 State-level copies cost $12.00 each, which includes a non-refundable search fee.
Birth and death records. Certified copies of birth and death certificates are available through the same Vital Statistics office and online portal. The county fee is $5.00 per copy plus a $5.00 service fee. West Virginia law restricts access to vital records to authorized family members aged 18 or older; the list of eligible persons is published by the County Clerk. Birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth, and death records become public 50 years after the date of death.
Cabell County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Cabell County are handled by the Probate Department within the Cabell County Clerk’s Office rather than by a separate probate court. The Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over contested probate proceedings and guardianship/conservatorship matters, while the County Clerk administers the routine processing of estates.
Cabell County Clerk — Probate Department
Address: 750 5th Avenue, Room 106, Huntington, WV 25701
Probate Appointments: (304) 526-8627
Records Room: (304) 526-9820
Email: RecordRoom@cabellcountyclerk.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (by appointment); Walk-ins 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Opening an estate. Under West Virginia law, probate must be initiated within 30 days of the decedent’s death in the county where the decedent resided. To schedule a probate appointment, call (304) 526-8627. The following items are required:
- Original will (if one exists)
- Copy of the death certificate
- Decedent’s Social Security number
- Names and addresses of all heirs
- Payment for applicable fees
Probate fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Appointment fee | $37.00 |
| Will recording (first 5 pages) | $12.00 |
| Each additional page of will | $1.00 |
| Letters of administration (each) | $2.50 |
| Bond recording (if required) | $12.00 |
| Appraisement and settlement filing | $12.00 |
| Final settlement filing | $12.00 |
| Probate claim filing (first 5 pages, effective March 1, 2025) | $12.00 |
An attorney is not required to open an estate, though one may be advisable in cases involving disputes among heirs.
Timeline. The initial appointment takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The personal representative then has 90 days to complete the appraisement and settlement forms (available from the Probate Department or the County Clerk’s website). After the appraisement is filed, a mandatory 60-day creditor claim period begins. Once that period expires with no pending claims, the estate can be closed by filing either a Waiver of Final Settlement or a Final Accounting. The Clerk’s office publishes the required legal advertisements (notice to creditors and notice of estate closure). If referred to a Fiduciary Commissioner, the process extends an additional 30 days.
Guardianship and conservatorship. Petitions for appointment of a guardian or conservator for incapacitated adults are filed in Circuit Court. The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals provides a mandatory guardian/conservator training tutorial, and all necessary forms — including the Petition for Appointment (GC01), Evaluation Report (GC4), and Periodic Report of Guardian (GC31) — are available through the court forms page. The filing fee for a guardianship or conservatorship petition is $110.00.
Searching probate records. Probate files can be reviewed at the Records Room by calling (304) 526-9820 or emailing RecordRoom@cabellcountyclerk.org to arrange access. Property-related probate documents such as recorded wills and deeds from estate distributions are also searchable through the Cabell County land records index.