Randolph County Court Records Search

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    WestVirginiaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on WestVirginiaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Randolph County, West Virginia, sits in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains with Elkins serving as the county seat. Its court system encompasses a Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and several Municipal Courts, each maintaining its own records documenting the legal proceedings that come before it. Under WV Trial Court Rule 10.01, court records are broadly defined to include papers, books, maps, photographs, recordings, and any other documentary materials — regardless of format — that relate to judicial operations and decision-making.

    West Virginia residents can locate court records through clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and online case search tools maintained by the state's judiciary. WestVirginiaCourts.us can point you toward publicly available case information across the state's court system. The sections below cover where Randolph County's records are held, how to request them, what fees to expect, and which categories of records are restricted from public access.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Randolph County?

    Start with either the Circuit Clerk's Office or the Magistrate Court Clerk, depending on the type of case you're looking for. Both offices are located at the Randolph County Courthouse in Elkins.

    Randolph County Circuit Court & Family Court Clerk
    Address: 2 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
    Phone: (304) 636-2765
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Randolph County Magistrate Court Clerk
    Address: 11 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
    Phone: (304) 636-5885
    Fax: (304) 636-2510

    Randolph County Family Court
    Address: 2 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
    Phone: (304) 636-2765
    Note: Randolph County is part of the Twenty-Second Family Court Circuit, which also includes Tucker County. The Family Court judge's chambers are co-located with the Circuit Clerk. The Family Court judge can be reached at (304) 630-6197.

    Online Case Search Tools

    The West Virginia Judiciary operates two separate online search portals:

    • Circuit Court records search (WVPASS) — Covers circuit court cases from all 55 West Virginia counties statewide, including Randolph County.
    • Magistrate Court Record Search — Allows searches by first name, last name, or case number and returns up to 30 records per query. Records represent a complete civil or criminal history for cases processed through magistrate courts.

    For either portal, verify retrieved records directly with the appropriate clerk's office, as the official record is the document on file at the courthouse.

    Court Forms

    The West Virginia Judiciary provides a centralized forms library. Commonly needed forms available through the Circuit Clerk's Office or online include:

    • Family Court forms (divorce, modifications, custody, domestic violence)
    • Infant Guardianship forms
    • Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship forms
    • Expungement of criminal records forms
    • Fee Waiver forms
    • Civil Case Information Statement
    • Civil Case Subpoena forms

    Are Court Records Public in Randolph County?

    West Virginia law establishes a general presumption of openness for court records. WV Trial Court Rule 10.01 affirms the state's Freedom of Information Act and confirms that all individuals have the right to access files related to the operations and affairs of the county's judicial system — unless the records fall under a specific legal exemption.

    Restrictions on access are governed by WV Trial Court Rule 10.03, which authorizes a court to limit access to specific case files upon a party's motion. When a restriction is granted, the court must issue a written order detailing the scope, duration, and legal justification for limiting access. Such orders may be issued ex parte and are subject to judicial review at any time.

    Beyond case-specific restrictions, certain broader categories of records are protected from public disclosure, including:

    • Records implicating personal privacy interests
    • Law enforcement investigative records
    • Trade secrets and proprietary business information
    • Internal government memoranda
    • Employment or professional examination materials
    • Financial institution examination reports

    Vital records maintained under W. Va. Code § 16-5-27 also carry their own confidentiality rules: birth records must be at least 100 years old before they become public, while death, marriage, and divorce records must be at least 50 years old. Before those thresholds, access is restricted to the record subject, immediate family members, legal representatives, or parties holding a valid court order.

    Randolph County Criminal Court Records

    Felony criminal cases in Randolph County are handled by the Circuit Court, which sits as the Twenty-Fourth Judicial Circuit. Misdemeanor offenses and minor criminal matters fall within the Magistrate Court's jurisdiction. Both courts generate criminal records maintained by their respective clerks.

    Searching Criminal Court Records Online

    • Circuit Court criminal cases can be searched through the WVPASS portal by case number or party name.
    • Magistrate Court criminal records, including misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings, are searchable through the Magistrate Case Record Search.

    Statewide Criminal History — West Virginia State Police

    The Criminal Identification Bureau of the West Virginia State Police maintains the state's centralized criminal history repository. Under W. Va. Code § 15-2-24(d), the Bureau may release criminal records to private individuals or entities only when the request is accompanied by a written authorization signed and acknowledged by the record subject.

    All background check requests — whether for pre-employment, housing, or licensing purposes — are now processed exclusively through the Bureau's authorized contractor, IdentoGO:

    Walk-in fingerprinting at West Virginia State Police headquarters is no longer available. You'll need to schedule an appointment through IdentoGO. For status inquiries related to expungements, all communication runs through the Circuit Clerk's Office rather than the Criminal Records Section directly.

    Expungements

    If you want to expunge a criminal record, the process involves three steps: (1) obtain a background check through IdentoGO to confirm what is on file; (2) contact the Circuit Clerk for the county of the originating arrest; and (3) petition the Circuit Court. All expungement forms are available through the West Virginia Judiciary's expungement forms page and can be filed with the Circuit Clerk at (304) 636-2765.

    Randolph County Civil Court Records

    Civil disputes in Randolph County are divided between the Circuit Court and the Magistrate Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court handles larger civil matters, while the Magistrate Court handles smaller claims and limited civil actions.

    The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all civil court records filed in Circuit Court — including pleadings, motions, judgments, and orders. You can access these records several ways:

    • Search civil case records online through the WVPASS Circuit Court portal by case number or party name.
    • Search Magistrate Court civil records through the Magistrate Case Record Search.
    • Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person at 2 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241 during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) to inspect case files or request copies.
    • Call the Circuit Clerk at (304) 636-2765 to confirm record availability and copy fees before visiting.

    The Circuit Clerk also collects fees, fines, and costs associated with civil cases and manages bond disbursements and restitution payments. Fee Waiver forms for civil matters are available through the clerk or the WV Judiciary website.

    Randolph County Family Court Records

    Randolph County's Family Court — part of the Twenty-Second Family Court Circuit — handles divorce, child custody, child support, modifications of prior orders, and domestic violence cases. The Circuit Clerk's Office at 2 Randolph Avenue maintains all Family Court records, as the circuit clerk acts as the official record keeper for both circuit and family court proceedings.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Under W. Va. Code § 16-5-27, divorce records are confidential until they are at least 50 years old. Before that threshold, access is restricted to the parties named in the proceeding, their legal representatives, or persons holding a valid court order. To request copies of a divorce file, contact the Circuit Clerk at (304) 636-2765.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage records — including marriage licenses — are maintained by the Randolph County Clerk's Office at 2 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241, Phone: (304) 636-0543 Marriage license applications are available from the County Clerk's Office, with a filing fee of $57.00. Under W. Va. Code § 16-5-27, marriage records are confidential until at least 50 years old, with pre-threshold access limited to the spouses, their legal representatives, or persons presenting a valid court order.

    Birth and Death Records

    The County Clerk's Office also maintains birth and death records for Randolph County. Birth records are confidential until 100 years old; death records are confidential until 50 years old. Indexed records can be searched online through the "Search Public Records" function in the County Clerk section of the official county website. For certified copies, contact the County Clerk directly at (304) 636-0543. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Fax: (304) 636-0544

    Domestic Violence and Custody Matters

    Family Court forms for domestic violence protective orders, custody modifications, and support enforcement are available directly from the Circuit Clerk's Office or through the WV Judiciary's Family Court forms library. The Family Court judge for Randolph County can be reached at (304) 630-6197.

    Randolph County Probate Court Records

    In West Virginia, probate matters are handled at the county level, and the Randolph County Clerk's Office is the official custodian of all probate-related filings. The office holds records dating back to the late 1700s, making it an important resource for both current legal matters and historical genealogical research.

    What Probate Records Include

    • Wills and testamentary documents
    • Estate inventories and appraisements
    • Letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Guardianship and conservatorship filings
    • Liens and judgments recorded against estates
    • Final settlement records

    How to Access Probate Records

    • In person: Visit the County Clerk's Office at 2 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Staff can help you locate wills, estate files, and related documents.
    • Online index search: The County Clerk's website provides a public records search tool where you can search indexed records by name. Navigate to the County Clerk section of the official county website and select "Search Public Records".
    • By phone: Call (304) 636-0543 to confirm record availability and copy fees before submitting a request.

    The County Clerk's Office provides an Estate Appraisement form for use in probate proceedings. Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship matters that pass through the Circuit Court also generate records maintained by the Circuit Clerk; the relevant forms are available through the WV Judiciary's mental hygiene and guardianship forms page.