Mercer County Court Records
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Mercer County sits in the southern coalfields region of West Virginia, with Princeton as its county seat. The county's judicial system includes circuit courts, magistrate courts, family courts, and several municipal courts, each maintaining records that document civil disputes, criminal proceedings, domestic matters, and estate administration. Knowing where those records are kept and how to request them can save considerable time for anyone conducting research, verifying a background, or preparing for legal proceedings.
Whether you're a West Virginia resident or an out-of-state researcher, you can start your search through the West Virginia Judiciary's official web presence at WestVirginiaCourts.us, which offers a centralized gateway to case records across all 55 counties. Records can also be retrieved through courthouse clerk offices, public access terminals at court facilities, and in some cases by mail request. The sections below walk through the specific options available for Mercer County records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Mercer County?
Finding a court case in Mercer County depends on which court handled the matter and how recent the filing is. The West Virginia Judiciary operates two distinct online search systems, and a newer document portal launched in 2025 has expanded remote access to circuit court filings considerably.
Online Search Options
- WVPASS (West Virginia Public Access Search System) — Launched on March 10, 2025, WVPASS provides online access to publicly available circuit court documents dating back to 1999. Searching case details is free for registered users; downloading or viewing documents costs $0.25 per page plus a nominal credit/debit card processing fee. Registration is free and required before documents can be downloaded.
- Circuit Court Record Search — The West Virginia Judiciary's Court Record Access portal allows users to search circuit court case information statewide, including Mercer County filings.
- Magistrate Case Record Search — The free Magistrate Case Record Search allows anyone to enter a first name, last name, or case number to retrieve up to 30 magistrate court records per query. This system covers misdemeanors, civil claims, and other matters within magistrate jurisdiction.
In-Person Access
Records that haven't been digitized yet, or documents filed before WVPASS's coverage window, are accessible at the circuit clerk's office during regular business hours. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site research.
Mercer County Circuit Clerk Julie Ball
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1501 West Main Street, Suite 111, Princeton, WV 24740 |
| Phone | (304) 487-8323 |
| Fax | (304) 425-1598 |
Mail Requests
Written requests addressed to the circuit clerk at the address above are accepted. Include the full name of the party, approximate filing date or year, type of case, and the specific documents needed. Fees apply for copies provided.
Are Court Records Public in Mercer County?
Under West Virginia Code 51-4-2, every court's records and papers must be open to inspection by any person, and the clerk is required to furnish copies when asked. This statutory presumption of openness applies broadly — but it carries important exceptions.
Records that are restricted from public view include:
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Records sealed by court order based on their nature or content
- Expunged or destroyed records under record retention schedules established under WV Code 51-4-3
- Documents containing Social Security numbers, medical information, or detailed financial data
- Sealed records as defined under WV Code 53-8-17, which addresses what constitutes a court record and what sealing means in practice
- Active criminal investigation files
A court may order a record sealed upon motion by a party or on its own initiative when the content warrants protection. If you're trying to access a potentially sealed record, contact the circuit clerk directly for guidance on filing an appropriate motion.
Redaction of personally identifying information — including Social Security numbers and certain financial identifiers — is standard practice before records are made available for public inspection or copying.
Mercer County Criminal Court Records
The Mercer County Circuit Court is the primary venue for felony criminal matters, while the Mercer County Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, arraignments, arrest warrants, and search warrants. Both court systems produce criminal records that are generally accessible to the public under WV Code 15-2-24(d), though certain restrictions apply.
Court Locations — Criminal Jurisdiction
Mercer County Circuit Court
Address: 1501 Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 487-8323 | Fax: (304) 425-1598
Judges: Ryan J. Flanigan (Suite 200), Brian Cochran (Suite 211), Mark Wills (120 Scott Street, Suite 203)
Mercer County Magistrate Court — Karmin Richmond, Clerk
Address: 120 Scott Street, Suite 103, Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 431-7115 | Fax: (304) 425-6106
Searching Criminal Records
- Circuit court criminal case records are searchable through WVPASS for cases since 1999; documents cost $0.25 per page to download.
- Magistrate court criminal history is searchable for free through the Magistrate Case Record Search.
- For a complete statewide criminal history check, the West Virginia State Police Criminal Records Division administers fingerprint-based background checks through IdentoGO (available at www.identogo.com or by calling (855) 766-7746). These checks are required for many employment and licensing purposes.
Sheriff's Office Records
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office maintains a Records Division that is the central repository for incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and warrant information generated by the department. The office is located at the Mercer County Courthouse, 1501 East Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740.
Records available through the Mercer County Sheriff's Office Records Division include:
- Accident and crash reports (also accessible online through CrashDocs.org)
- Closed criminal investigation reports
- Arrest records and warrant records
- Fingerprinting for employment and licensing purposes
Fee Schedule — Sheriff's Records Division
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Accident / Crash Report Copy | $20.00 |
| Incident / Police Report Copy | $20.00 |
| VIN Check | $10.00 |
| Employment Fingerprints | $5.00 per card |
Requests are accepted in person. Crash reports are typically available within 7–10 business days; investigation reports for closed cases may take longer. Reports related to open investigations are not released to the public.
Mercer County Civil Court Records
Civil cases filed in Mercer County are divided between the circuit court and the magistrate court depending on the dollar amount in dispute. The circuit court handles higher-value civil matters, while magistrate court jurisdiction covers smaller civil claims. The Mercer County Family Court, which shares courthouse space with the circuit court, handles domestic matters that are technically civil in nature.
Accessing Civil Records Online
The circuit court's online docketing system allows users to browse civil case dockets remotely. This system provides case index information only — it does not give access to the underlying court documents themselves. To obtain specific filed documents, you'll need to either:
- Contact the circuit clerk by mail with the full case style, case number if known, and a description of the documents requested.
- Visit the clerk's office in person during business hours to request copies directly.
- Download documents through WVPASS for cases within the system's coverage period (post-1999), paying $0.25 per page.
Requesting Civil Records by Mail
Send written requests to:
Mercer County Circuit Clerk Julie Ball
1501 West Main Street, Suite 111
Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 487-8323
Include the party names, case number if available, filing date range, and a specific description of the documents needed. The clerk will confirm the applicable copy fees before processing your request.
Small Claims and Magistrate Civil Matters
Magistrate courts handle civil claims up to the jurisdictional limit under West Virginia law. Case information from magistrate civil proceedings is searchable for free through the Magistrate Case Record Search tool. Specific document copies require a direct request to the magistrate clerk at 120 Scott Street, Suite 103, Princeton, WV 24740, (304) 431-7115.
Mercer County Family Court Records
Mercer County Family Court is part of the Twelfth Family Court Circuit, which also covers McDowell County. Family court judges in Mercer County hear matters involving divorce, annulment, legal separation, paternity, child custody, child support, grandparent visitation, and modification of existing family court orders.
Family Court Contact Information
Judge Anthony Bisaha
Address: 120 Scott Street, Princeton, WV 24740
Phone: (304) 487-8423 | Fax: (304) 431-2642
Judge Lisa K. [Second Judge — Mercer County Family Court]
Contact via the West Virginia Judiciary's Mercer County information page
Family court records are maintained by the circuit clerk's office, which acts as registrar and custodian for both circuit and family court proceedings. Case index information can be searched through the court's online docket portal and through WVPASS for documents filed since the system's coverage begins.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and dissolution orders are filed with the circuit clerk. The West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration Office does not issue certified copies of divorce records — those must be obtained directly from the circuit court clerk at the courthouse where the divorce was finalized. To request a certified copy, contact the Mercer County Circuit Clerk at (304) 487-8323.
Vital Records — Marriage, Birth, and Death Certificates
Vital records in West Virginia are managed separately from court records through the WV Department of Health, and they carry significant confidentiality protections:
- Marriage records become public 50 years after the event; birth records become public after 100 years; death records after 50 years.
- Before those timeframes, only the record subject, their direct descendants (age 18+), legal representatives, or individuals with documented legal interest may obtain certified copies.
To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, complete the Application for Certified Marriage Certificate and submit it with a $12 fee (per copy) and proof of identity to:
Vital Registration Office
350 Capitol Street, Room 165
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: (304) 558-2931
Third-party requests require submission of a marriage permission slip. Orders placed online or by phone through third-party vendors incur an additional $13.50 convenience charge above the state's $12 fee, plus applicable shipping.
For birth and death certificates, use the respective application forms — birth certificate application and death certificate application — and submit them with the $12-per-copy fee plus photo ID to the same Vital Registration Office address. Walk-in service is available at the Charleston office for same-day processing; mail requests typically take five to fifteen business days.
Mercer County Probate Court Records
In West Virginia, probate jurisdiction falls under the family court system rather than a standalone probate court. The Mercer County Family Court handles estate administration, conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, and adoptions. These cases are filed with the circuit clerk's office, which stores the underlying case documents.
What Probate Records Cover
- Last wills and testaments admitted to probate
- Estate administration filings and inventories
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and orders
- Trust administration matters
- Adoption proceedings (sealed from public access)
How to Search and Obtain Probate Records
Probate case dockets are accessible online through WVPASS for cases within its coverage window, and through the circuit court's online docket system for index-level information. The $0.25-per-page fee applies when downloading documents through WVPASS.
For older probate records or cases not yet in the electronic system, you can:
- Mail a written request to the circuit clerk (1501 West Main Street, Suite 111, Princeton, WV 24740) identifying the decedent or subject, the approximate year of filing, and the type of record needed.
- Visit the courthouse in person to search physical case files at no charge; copies carry a fee set by the clerk's office.
Not all probate records are open to public view. Adoption-related filings are sealed by statute, and guardianship records involving sensitive medical or financial information may be restricted. Reviewing an open case file in person is generally free; obtaining paper copies will incur copying fees. Contact the Mercer County Circuit Clerk at (304) 487-8323 to confirm current per-page copy fees before submitting a request.
Property Records
While not court records, property records are frequently useful alongside probate research. The Mercer County Assessor's Office interactive map database allows searches by parcel number, address, owner name, or deed book. The West Virginia Office of the Assessor also maintains a statewide Property Viewer tool where Mercer County parcel data can be accessed by address or parcel number.
Municipal Courts in Mercer County
Municipal courts handle ordinance violations and certain local matters. The following municipal courts operate within Mercer County:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Athens Municipal Court | 208 South State Street, P.O. Box 458, Athens, WV 24712 | (304) 384-3525 |
| Bluefield Municipal Court | 200 South Mercer Street, Bluefield, WV 24701 | (304) 327-6101 ext. 2 |
| Bramwell Municipal Court | 100 Simmons Avenue, P.O. Box 338, Bramwell, WV 24715 | (304) 248-7114 |
| Matoaka Municipal Court | 100 Valley Street, P.O. Box 528, Matoaka, WV 24736 | (304) 467-7311 |
| Princeton Municipal Court | 100 Courthouse Road, Princeton, WV 24740 | (304) 487-5073 |
Municipal court records are maintained by each municipality and are generally not included in statewide judicial search systems. Contact the individual court directly to request records from municipal proceedings.