Mineral County Court Records Search
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Mineral County, West Virginia sits along the North Branch of the Potomac River, with Keyser as the county seat. The court system here includes Circuit, Magistrate, Family, and Municipal courts, each maintaining its own records — civil case files, criminal dockets, probate filings, family law orders, and more. Under West Virginia Code §51-4-2, those records, whether kept in paper or electronic form, are officially maintained by the Circuit Clerk and the Magistrate Court Clerk, who serve as the primary custodians of judicial documents for the county.
West Virginia court records can be searched through clerk visits, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and digital platforms. WestVirginiaCourts.us is a useful reference for identifying publicly accessible court case information, including docket entries, case status, and filing details across the state's trial courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Mineral County?
You have several practical options for locating Mineral County court records, from fully online searches to formal written requests. The method you choose will largely depend on whether you need general case information or certified copies of filed documents.
Online Search Options
- WVPASS (West Virginia Public Access Search System): Launched statewide in March 2025, WVPASS provides online access to publicly available Circuit Court documents dating back to 1999. Users must register and log in to search and retrieve records.
- Magistrate Case Record Search: The West Virginia Judiciary operates this portal where anyone can enter a name or case number to pull up a list of up to 30 records. No registration is required for basic case lookups.
- Court Record Access Landing Page: The West Virginia Judiciary's court record access page links directly to both the Circuit Court and Magistrate Court search systems in one place.
- Mineral Indexing Online: The County Clerk's Office indexes property and certain recorded documents through this portal, which has been publicly accessible since March 2018.
In-Person Access
You can inspect records at the clerk's offices during regular business hours, and public terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site searches. When you visit in person, bring a full party name, case number, or approximate filing date — it makes the search considerably faster.
Written Requests
For certified copies or records not available through digital portals, submit a written request directly to the clerk of the relevant court. Include the full names of all parties, the approximate date the case was filed, and the case type. Copy fees apply — see the individual sections below for the amounts.
Are Court Records Public in Mineral County?
West Virginia operates under a broad presumption of public access to judicial records. West Virginia Trial Court Rule 10.04 affirms that the public has a right to complete information about the affairs of the judicial system. The state's Freedom of Information Act, W.Va. Code §29B-1-1, reinforces that any person may inspect or copy public records unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Records That Are Generally Public:
- Civil case filings, dockets, and judgments
- Criminal case filings, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions
- Circuit and Magistrate Court dockets
- Probate filings, estate inventories, and wills
- Court orders in domestic relations cases
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats)
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential:
- Juvenile court records (confidential by statute)
- Adoption proceedings and related filings
- Pleadings and exhibits in domestic relations cases (orders are public; pleadings are not)
- Medical records and sensitive personal data filed under seal
- Law enforcement investigative files exempt under W.Va. Code §29B-1-4
- Complete criminal histories, which are restricted to the subject or authorized entities per W.Va. Code §15-2-24(d)
Rule 10.03 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules permits individual courts to restrict access to specific files when confidentiality is required by law or court order, and courts may redact personal identifiers when releasing documents for public review.
Mineral County Criminal Court Records
Criminal records in Mineral County document charges, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing outcomes for offenses ranging from misdemeanors handled in Magistrate Court to felonies litigated in Circuit Court. The Circuit Court — part of the 25th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Grant County — handles all felony prosecutions and serious criminal matters.
Circuit Court — Criminal Division
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Mineral County Circuit Court |
| Judge | Judge James W. Courrier, Jr. |
| Address | 150 Armstrong Street, P.O. Box 150, Keyser, WV 26726 |
| Phone | (304) 788-5150 |
| Fax | (304) 788-4100 |
| Clerk | Krista Johnson Dixon |
| Clerk Phone | (304) 788-1562 |
| Clerk Fax | (304) 788-4109 |
Magistrate Court — Misdemeanor and Civil
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Mineral County Magistrate Court |
| Magistrates | Patrick A. Amoroso; Charles Gulbronson |
| Clerk | Amy Cannon |
| Address | 105 West Street, Keyser, WV 26726 |
| Phone | (304) 788-2625 |
| Fax | (304) 788-9835 |
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Use WVPASS for Circuit Court criminal filings back to 1999
- Use the Magistrate Case Record Search for misdemeanor and civil magistrate cases by name or case number
- Contact the Circuit Clerk directly at (304) 788-1562 for certified copies of criminal case documents
Criminal History Background Checks
Court-level records reflect individual case dispositions but are not the same as a comprehensive criminal history. For a statewide background check, contact the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau. Full criminal history reports require fingerprinting, valid photo identification, and payment of applicable fees. Under W.Va. Code §15-2-24(d), unrestricted access to complete criminal histories is limited to the record subject or authorized organizations.
Sheriff's Office — Arrest and Incident Reports
The Mineral County Sheriff's Office handles crash reports and investigative records. Crash reports cost $20.00 and can be purchased online through CRASHDOCS.ORG if you have the date and police report number. Investigative reports are available for $10.00. The Sheriff's Office also maintains jail custody records; current daily incarcerations in West Virginia regional jails are searchable through the WV Regional Jail offender search portal.
Mineral County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Mineral County are split between the Magistrate Court and Circuit Court depending on the dollar amount in dispute. Since 2025, following the passage of HB 2761, West Virginia Magistrate Courts handle civil disputes with a claim limit of up to $20,000, making them the venue for most small claims actions. The Circuit Court takes over for civil cases above that threshold, including contract disputes, tort claims, and appeals from lower courts.
Key Civil Filing Offices
- Circuit Clerk (civil cases, appeals, injunctions): 150 Armstrong Street, Keyser, WV 26726 — Phone: (304) 788-1562
- Magistrate Court Clerk (small claims, civil matters up to $20,000): 105 West Street, Keyser, WV 26726 — Phone: (304) 788-2625
Searching Civil Records
- Visit WVPASS for Circuit Court civil case documents (registration required)
- Use the Magistrate Case Record Search for magistrate civil cases
- Request case files in writing from the Circuit Clerk, providing party names and estimated filing dates
- Access recorded civil judgments through Mineral Indexing Online
Copy Fees
Under West Virginia Code §59-1-10, standard copy fees for circuit court and county clerk records are $1.50 for the first two pages and $1.00 for each additional page. Certification adds a nominal fee. Recording fees for new instruments follow a separate schedule: $32 for the first five pages, then $1 per additional page, with a $1.00 preservation fee applied to instruments exceeding 19 pages.
Court forms for civil filings, including small claims complaints and civil cover sheets, are available on the West Virginia Judiciary website at no cost.
Mineral County Family Court Records
Family Court in Mineral County operates as part of the 23rd Family Court Circuit, which also serves Hampshire and Morgan Counties. The Family Court has jurisdiction over divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, paternity, grandparent visitation, parental responsibility allocation, and family support proceedings. Civil domestic violence matters are also heard in Family Court through final protective order hearings.
Mineral County Family Court
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Mineral County Family Court |
| Judges | Judge Deanna Rock; Judge Meredith Haines |
| Address | Mineral County Courthouse Annex, 107 West Street, Keyser, WV 26726 |
| Phone: (Judge Rock) | (681) 266-8059 |
| Fax | (304) 788-0044 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed noon–1:00 p.m.) |
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings in Mineral County are governed by West Virginia Code §48-5. The Circuit Clerk at 150 Armstrong Street maintains the filed case records. To obtain divorce records, visit in person or send a written request identifying both parties' full names and the approximate divorce date. Fees for certified copies follow the standard schedule under §59-1-10.
Divorce records from 1968 forward are also indexed statewide by the West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration Office, which issues certified copies for $12.00 per copy. Mail requests go to: Room 165, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301-3701; Phone: (304) 558-2931
Marriage Records
The Mineral County Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage certificates as required by W.Va. Code §48-2-102. Copies require a completed request form, valid photo ID, and a fee of $5.00 per copy. Marriage records from 1866 to 1969 can be viewed digitally through the West Virginia Culture Archives online database. Marriage certificates are confidential records accessible only to the subjects or authorized parties for records fewer than 50 years old.
The WV DOH also processes certified marriage record requests by mail using the prescribed marriage record request form for a $12.00 fee, submitted to the same Charleston address above.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk's Office issues certified birth certificates for those born in Mineral County and death certificates for those who passed away locally. The statewide Vital Registration Office also maintains these records. Key details:
- Birth records (1865–1942): Viewable online via the WV birth certificate search; certified copies require the birth certificate request form and a $12.00 fee
- Death records (1865–1967): Viewable online via the WV death certificate search; certified copies require the death certificate request form and a $12.00 fee
- Certified copies are restricted to the record subject, immediate family members, or legal representatives
- Online ordering is available through the WV Vital Registration Office
Mineral County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Mineral County — including the administration of decedents' estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships — fall under the jurisdiction of the County Clerk's Office rather than a separate probate court. The Mineral County Clerk's Office maintains all probate filings. Staff contact for probate specifically is listed as Kristina Raye, reachable through the main clerk number.
Mineral County Clerk — Probate and Records Division
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Mineral County Clerk's Office |
| Address | 150 Armstrong Street, Second Floor, Keyser, WV 26726 |
| Phone | (304) 788-3924 |
| Fax | (304) 788-4109 |
| countyclerk@mineralwv.org | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Types of Probate Records Maintained
The Clerk's Office records and preserves the following probate-related instruments:
- Wills and testamentary documents
- Estate inventories and appraisements
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration
- Bonds filed by administrators and executors
- Guardianship and conservatorship filings
- Releases and final estate accounts
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records can be searched in person at the Clerk's Office or through Mineral Indexing Online, which catalogs recorded instruments including probate books, will entries, and related filings. The online index has been publicly accessible since March 2018, so you can search remotely without a courthouse visit.
For in-person or mail requests, provide the decedent's full name and the approximate date of death. Copy fees are $1.50 for the first two pages and $1.00 for each additional page under W.Va. Code §59-1-10. For questions about available forms or to inquire about a specific estate, contact the Clerk's Office by phone or email using the contact details above.
Mineral County Probation Office
While not a records custodian for public searches, the Probation Office handles supervision of individuals under court-ordered probation and may be contacted for administrative matters related to criminal case compliance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Chief | Corey N. Shoemaker |
| Address | P.O. Box 1108, 150 Armstrong Street, Keyser, WV 26726 |
| Phone | (304) 788-6720 |
| Fax | (304) 788-0832 |
Municipal Courts
Mineral County includes several municipal courts that handle local ordinance violations and traffic matters. These courts don't maintain the same breadth of records as the Circuit or Magistrate courts, but their records are generally accessible upon request from the respective court clerk.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Garden Municipal Court | P.O. Box 70, Elk Garden, WV 26717 | (304) 446-5740 |
| Keyser Municipal Court | 111 North Davis Street, Keyser, WV 26726 | (304) 788-1511 |
| Piedmont Municipal Court | 52 2nd Street, Piedmont, WV 26750 | (304) 355-2621 |
| Ridgeley Municipal Court | P.O. Box 1290, Ridgeley, WV 26753 | (304) 738-9400 |