Putnam County Court Records Search
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Putnam County is part of West Virginia’s Seventh Judicial Circuit, with the county seat in Winfield. The local court system encompasses the Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, and five municipal courts, all of which generate and maintain records tied to criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings. These records document the progression of legal matters through pleadings, docket entries, orders, motions, indictments, and other filings created under West Virginia Code § 57-1.
Residents and researchers looking for Putnam County court information can begin by consulting official West Virginia judiciary resources, local clerk offices, and online search tools. The state judiciary website at courtswv.gov maintains directories, forms, and statewide search portals. Additional court case information for West Virginia courts may also be located through WestVirginiaCourts.us. In-person access is available at the Putnam County Judicial Building in Winfield, and several electronic portals now allow the public to search circuit and magistrate court records remotely.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Putnam County?
There are several ways to find a court case in Putnam County, depending on the type of case and the court that handled it.
Online Search Portals
The West Virginia Public Access Search System, known as WVPASS, launched in March 2025 and provides online access to publicly available circuit court documents dating back to 1999 across all 55 West Virginia counties, including Putnam. Registration is free. Documents can be downloaded at a cost of $0.25 per page, plus a nominal card-processing fee. Attorneys who are counsel of record in a case may access and download files at no charge.
For magistrate court cases, the Magistrate Case Record Search portal allows users to look up civil and criminal case information by entering a party name or case number. The system returns up to 30 records per search.
The Circuit Court’s E-File system also permits registered users to retrieve and file documents electronically for circuit and family court cases.
In-Person Access
Walk-in requests can be made at the Circuit Clerk’s Office during business hours. A public access terminal is available at the courthouse for individuals who do not have internet access. The clerk’s office is located at:
Putnam County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0203
Fax: (304) 586-0221
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed on holidays)
By Mail
Written requests for copies of court records may be mailed to the Circuit Clerk’s Office at the address above. Include as much identifying information as possible, such as case numbers, party names, and case type. Enclose payment for copy fees: $1.00 per page for standard copies, or $2.00 per page for fax copies.
Are Court Records Public in Putnam County?
West Virginia law establishes a broad right of public access to government records. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., members of the public may inspect and copy records prepared, owned, or retained by any public body, including the courts. This statute, commonly referred to as the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, defines “public record” as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business, regardless of physical form.
Not all records are open, however. Section 29B-1-4 enumerates specific exemptions from mandatory disclosure, including:
- Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
- Records whose release would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, such as medical and personnel files
- Law enforcement investigatory records compiled for enforcement purposes
- Information that could provide an unfair competitive advantage in public contracting
- Records involving security measures at public facilities
- Sealed court records, juvenile case files, and adoption proceedings
Circuit court records accessed through WVPASS exclude sealed filings and juvenile matters. Confidential information such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, and medical records related to a case are subject to redaction before public release. Vital records maintained by the County Clerk are governed by separate restrictions under West Virginia Code § 16-5-27, which imposes specific waiting periods before such records become publicly accessible.
Putnam County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Putnam County are processed through both the Circuit Court and the Magistrate Court. Felony cases and serious criminal matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court, while misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and minor criminal offenses are heard in Magistrate Court.
Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Circuit Court, part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, handles felony prosecutions, appeals from magistrate court, and cases involving significant criminal penalties. The presiding judges are:
- Judge Mark Sorsaia — Phone: (304) 586-0262, Fax: (304) 586-0220
- Judge Phillip M. Stowers — Phone: (304) 586-0209, Fax: (304) 586-0271
Both maintain chambers at the Putnam County Judicial Building, 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213.
Criminal case records from the Circuit Court can be searched through WVPASS, which includes publicly available criminal filings dating back to 1999. The E-File system also stores electronic copies of filings.
Magistrate Court Criminal Records
Three magistrates serve Putnam County:
- Magistrate Linda J. Hunt — (304) 586-0231
- Magistrate Jean Ann Luikart — (304) 586-0233
- Magistrate Sarah Weaver — (304) 586-0232
The Magistrate Clerk is Darry Casto, reachable at (304) 586-0234 or (304) 586-0270, Fax: (304) 586-0267 The office is located at 12093 Winfield Road, Suite 15, Winfield, WV 25213-7907. Magistrate criminal case records are searchable through the Magistrate Case Record Search portal.
Criminal Background Checks
Statewide criminal history checks in West Virginia are processed through IdentoGO, the government-approved third-party provider, under West Virginia Code § 15-2-24(d). Background checks are no longer conducted at State Police headquarters; all requests must go through IdentoGO. To schedule an appointment or obtain information, individuals may visit www.identogo.com or call the toll-free line at (855) 766-7746. The West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau can be reached at (304) 746-2418 for general questions.
Sheriff’s Office
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and incident reports. Contact details:
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 236 Courthouse Drive, Suite 8, Winfield, WV 25213
Law Enforcement: (304) 586-0256
Detective Unit: (304) 586-9846
Tip Line: (304) 941-2300
Dispatch Non-Emergency: (304) 586-0246
Fax: (304) 586-0260
Arrest records may be requested by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly.
Putnam County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Putnam County is divided between the Circuit Court and the Magistrate Court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil cases where the disputed amount exceeds $10,000, including tort claims, contract disputes, condemnation proceedings, and foreign judgments. The Magistrate Court handles civil matters with claims of $10,000 or less.
Searching Civil Records
Circuit Court civil records are accessible online through two systems. WVPASS provides document-level access, while the E-File system allows registered users to retrieve case filings electronically. In-person requests may be directed to Circuit Clerk Stephanie Smith at (304) 586-0203.
Magistrate Court civil records, including small claims filings, can be searched using the Magistrate Case Record Search by entering a case number, party name, or defendant information.
Filing Fees
The Putnam County Circuit Clerk’s fee schedule sets out the following civil filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil Petition | $200.00 plus service (add $15 per additional defendant) |
| Counterclaim / Cross-Claim / Third-Party Complaint | $200.00 |
| Appeal to Circuit Court | $200.00 |
| Name Change Petition | $200.00 |
| Adoption | $200.00 |
| Medical Malpractice | $400.00 plus service |
| Guardianship / Conservatorship | $110.00 plus $25.00 Sheriff service |
| Expungement (dismissed charge) | No fee |
| Expungement (conviction) | $200.00 |
Service fees are separate and depend on the method chosen: $20.00 for certified restricted mail or $25.00 for Sheriff service (payable by check to the Sheriff’s Department). Service through the Secretary of State costs $25.00 total ($20 to the Clerk’s Office in cash and $5 by check to the WV Secretary of State).
Copy Fees at the Circuit Clerk
Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Fax copies cost $2.00 per page.
Putnam County Family Court Records
Putnam County’s Family Court is part of the Twenty-Sixth Family Court Circuit. Family Court Judge Richard C. Witt presides over divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and related proceedings from the Judicial Building.
Putnam County Family Court
Address: 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0242
Fax: (304) 586-0228
Divorce Filings
The filing fee for a divorce petition is $135.00 plus service costs. Cases involving children require completion of a mandatory parenting class at an additional $25.00 cost. A child custody petition filed without a divorce costs $200.00 plus service. Modification of existing family court orders is $85.00 plus service, while an expedited child support modification triggered by a sudden income change is $35.00 plus service.
Divorce forms are available from the West Virginia Judiciary’s Divorce Forms page, which includes the Petition for Divorce (SCA-FC-101), the Civil Case Information Statement (SCA-FC-103), and the Financial Statement (SCA-FC-106), among others. The Putnam County Circuit Clerk’s website also offers a Divorce without Children packet for self-represented litigants. Additional family court forms are available on the judiciary’s Family Court Forms page.
Family court case records are filed and searchable through the same E-File system used for circuit court cases. WVPASS also provides access to publicly available family case documents.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Putnam County Clerk’s Office. The license fee is $37.00 with proof of a premarital education course or $57.00 without. The Clerk’s Office is located at 12093 Winfield Road, Suite 3, Winfield, WV 25213, and can be reached at (304) 586-0202. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed holidays).
Under West Virginia Code § 16-5-27, marriage records less than 50 years old are restricted and may only be accessed by the individuals named on the record, their adult children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, legal guardians, or authorized representatives. Marriage records older than 50 years are publicly accessible. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $5.00.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk also maintains birth and death records. Birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth; death records become public after 50 years. Within those restricted periods, access is limited to the same categories of eligible individuals that apply to marriage records. Certified copies of either a birth certificate or a death certificate cost $5.00 each. Requests can be submitted in person at the County Clerk’s Office or by mail. A valid government-issued photo ID is recommended when requesting restricted vital records.
Copy fees for general documents at the County Clerk’s Office are $1.50 for the first two pages and $1.00 for each additional page, with an extra $1.00 to certify a document.
Putnam County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Putnam County are administered through the County Commission in coordination with the Circuit Court, rather than a standalone probate court. The County Commission oversees the initial probate process, including the appointment of personal representatives, while the Circuit Court handles contested proceedings, will disputes, and formal estate litigation.
Probate Procedures
When a Putnam County resident dies, the estate may require probate depending on the nature of the assets and how title was held. The Putnam County Commission’s estate probate page outlines the process and provides guidance on asset distribution rules both with and without a will. Probate fees range from $50 to $250 depending on the complexity of the estate and the documents that need to be recorded. The Commission can be reached at (304) 586-0201, Fax: (304) 586-0211, at 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213.
Types of Probate Proceedings
Estates in West Virginia generally follow one of several tracks: formal administration (for larger or contested estates), summary administration, or small-estate procedures for lower-value estates. All filings pass through the County Clerk’s Office and, when litigation arises, through the Circuit Court.
Searching Probate Records
Probate-related circuit court filings can be searched through WVPASS to the extent they are publicly available. The County Clerk’s Office also maintains recorded probate documents, including wills, letters testamentary, inventories, and appraisements. In-person requests for probate records should be directed to the County Clerk’s Office at (304) 586-0202 or the Commission at (304) 586-0201. Copy fees for recorded documents follow the County Clerk’s standard schedule: $1.50 for the first two pages, $1.00 for each additional page, and $1.00 extra for certification.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions are filed through the Circuit Clerk’s Office at a filing fee of $110.00 plus $25.00 for Sheriff service. These cases are heard in Circuit Court and become part of the circuit court record system. Related forms can be obtained from the West Virginia Judiciary’s court forms page or by contacting the Circuit Clerk directly.