Wayne County Court Records Search
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Wayne County, West Virginia, is situated in the southwestern corner of the state along the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, with the town of Wayne as its county seat. The county’s court system is organized within the Tenth Judicial Circuit for circuit court matters and the Seventh Family Court Circuit for family law proceedings. Courts operating in Wayne County include the Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, and four municipal courts serving individual municipalities. Records from these courts are maintained by separate clerk offices depending on the court level, and a growing set of online tools makes many case records accessible without a courthouse visit.
West Virginia court records can be located through several official channels, including courthouse clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online search tools maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary. For those searching from home, WestVirginiaCourts.us may assist in finding publicly available court case information across the state’s fifty-five counties. The method that works best depends on the court level, case type, and how recently the case was filed.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Wayne County?
Wayne County court records are maintained by two separate clerk offices. The Circuit Clerk handles all circuit court and magistrate court case records, while the County Clerk manages probate records, vital records, and property documents. Knowing which office to contact is the first practical step.
Online Search Tools
Three official online resources cover different court levels:
- WVPASS (West Virginia Public Access Search System) — Launched in March 2025, WVPASS provides free online access to all publicly available circuit court documents statewide dating back to 1999, including Wayne County Circuit Court records. Users can search by party name or case number.
- West Virginia Magistrate Case Record Search — A free portal allowing anyone to search magistrate court case records by party name, case ID, or citation number. Search results return up to 30 records and may not represent a complete case history; the Magistrate Clerk’s office should be contacted to validate information.
- Wayne County Document Inquiry Portal — The County Clerk’s online database for property records, marriage licenses, deeds, tax information, wills, and other official documents.
The West Virginia Judiciary also maintains a central Court Record Access page with links to both the circuit and magistrate court search tools.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Wayne County Circuit Clerk (Regina K. Thompson)
Address: Wayne County Courthouse, 700 Hendricks Street, P.O. Box 38, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6359 | (304) 272-6360
Fax: (304) 272-3496
Wayne County Clerk (Craig Evans)
Address: 700 Hendricks Street, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6362
Fax: (304) 272-5318
Hours: Mon–Wed & Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Thu 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
For mail requests to either office, include the full names of the parties, the approximate case filing date, and the case number if known. Fees apply for certified copies.
Are Court Records Public in Wayne County?
West Virginia law establishes a strong presumption in favor of open access to court records. Under WV Code § 51-4-2, the records and papers of every court in the state are open to inspection by any person unless otherwise specifically provided by law. This statutory right of access is reinforced by WV Trial Court Rule 10.04, which affirms that every person has the right to complete and comprehensive information about the affairs and operation of the judicial system, subject only to applicable state and federal law exceptions.
Despite this broad public access framework, several categories of Wayne County court records are restricted from general inspection:
- Juvenile records — Cases involving minors are confidential under West Virginia law and not available to the general public.
- Adoption records — All records related to adoption proceedings are sealed.
- Sealed and expunged records — Records sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to statute are withheld from public access.
- Victim and witness information — Identifying information for crime victims and witnesses may be redacted or withheld.
- Mental health and medical records — Records relating to mental hygiene proceedings and medical history are protected from disclosure.
Requestors seeking access to records in any of these restricted categories must either demonstrate a qualifying legal interest or obtain a court order authorizing access. The Circuit Clerk’s office can advise on the proper process for submitting such requests.
Wayne County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Wayne County are distributed across several courts depending on the severity of the offense. The Wayne County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all felony cases and certain misdemeanors. The Wayne County Magistrate Court handles preliminary examinations in felony matters, misdemeanor cases, and the initial stages of criminal proceedings before cases move to circuit court. Municipal courts in Ceredo, Fort Gay, Kenova, and Wayne handle violations of city ordinances and related local matters.
Wayne County Circuit Court
Address: Wayne County Courthouse, 700 Hendricks Street, P.O. Box 38, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-5359 (Criminal, Adoption, Mental Hygiene, Guardianship)
Phone: (304) 272-6360 (Civil, Juvenile, Minor Guardianship)
Fax: (304) 272-3496
Wayne County Magistrate Court (Tammy C. Queen, Clerk)
Address: Wayne County Courthouse, 100 South Court Street, P.O. Box 667, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6388 or (304) 272-5648
Fax: (304) 272-5988
Criminal court records held by the Circuit Clerk — including indictments, case dockets, hearing transcripts, orders, and judgments — can be searched online through WVPASS for cases from 1999 forward. Magistrate court criminal case information is accessible through the free Magistrate Case Record Search portal.
For arrest records and information about individuals currently in custody, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office provides a free online inmate inquiry tool. The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority also maintains a statewide offender search portal for incarcerated individuals. State-level criminal history background checks are handled through the West Virginia State Police.
Municipal Courts in Wayne County:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ceredo Municipal Court | 766 B Street, P.O. Box 691, Ceredo, WV 25507 | (304) 453-1041 |
| Fort Gay Municipal Court | 3407 Wayne Street, P.O. Box 336, Fort Gay, WV 25514 | (304) 648-5246 |
| Kenova Municipal Court | P.O. Box 268, Kenova, WV 25530 | (304) 453-2206 |
| Wayne Municipal Court | P.O. Box 186, Wayne, WV 25570 | (304) 272-3221 |
Wayne County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Wayne County is divided between the Circuit Court and the Magistrate Court based on the amount in dispute. The Circuit Court holds general jurisdiction over civil cases involving $300 or more in controversy, along with appeals from lower courts. The Magistrate Court handles civil claims of $10,000 or less. The Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of records from both courts, making it the single point of contact for most civil record requests.
To request civil court records, contact the Circuit Clerk directly:
Wayne County Circuit Clerk
Address: Wayne County Courthouse, 700 Hendricks Street, P.O. Box 38, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6359 | (304) 272-6360
Fax: (304) 272-3496
When submitting a request — whether in person or by mail — provide the full names of the parties involved, the approximate filing date, and the case number if available. Circuit court civil case records from 1999 onward can also be searched and retrieved online through WVPASS. Magistrate court civil cases are searchable through the Magistrate Case Record Search portal at no cost, with searches available by party name, case ID, or citation number.
The Wayne County Courthouse also hosts an online document inquiry system through the county’s official records portal, which provides access to deeds, liens, court orders, and other official documents maintained by the County Clerk.
Wayne County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Wayne County are handled by the Wayne County Family Court, which is part of the Seventh Family Court Circuit. The Family Court has jurisdiction over divorce proceedings, legal separation, child custody and visitation determinations, child support matters, paternity actions, and domestic violence protective orders. Judge Sean Maynard presides over the Family Court in Wayne County.
Wayne County Family Court
Address: 618 Hendricks Street, P.O. Box 429, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-5828
Fax: (304) 272-5126
Family court records are maintained in conjunction with the Circuit Clerk’s office and subject to the same public access rules that govern circuit court filings — most are publicly available, though records involving domestic violence matters may carry confidentiality protections under West Virginia law per WV Trial Court Rule 10.04.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings in Wayne County are filed with the Circuit Clerk’s office. These records are open to the public. Requestors can visit or contact the Circuit Clerk at (304) 272-6360 to obtain copies of divorce decrees and related filings.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are maintained locally by the Wayne County Clerk’s Office and at the state level by the West Virginia Department of Health Health Statistics Center. The County Clerk charges $5.00 per marriage certificate copy. The state Health Statistics Center charges $12.00 per copy. To request a marriage certificate from the state, complete the marriage certificate application form and submit it with the required fee in person or by mail to the Vital Registration Office, 350 Capitol Street, Room 165, Charleston, WV 25301-3701. Marriage certificate requests through the County Clerk can also be initiated online through the County Clerk’s website using the Application for Certification of Vital Records form.
Birth Records
Under WV Code § 16-5-27, birth records become public 100 years after recordation. Before that threshold, access is limited to the registrant, immediate family members, and those holding a court order. Birth certificates cost $5.00 through the County Clerk’s office and $12.00 through the Health Statistics Center. The state birth certificate request application can be submitted with valid photo identification (driver’s license, passport, or military ID) and the applicable fee by mail or in person to the Vital Registration Office in Charleston.
Death Records
Death records become public 50 years after recordation under WV Code § 16-5-27. Before that period, access is restricted to the decedent’s immediate family and those with a court order. Fees mirror those for birth records: $5.00 through the County Clerk and $12.00 through the state Health Statistics Center. The death certificate request application is available from the West Virginia Department of Health and must be submitted with valid identification and applicable fees.
Wayne County Probate Court Records
In Wayne County, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over probate matters, but all probate records and filings are administered through the County Clerk’s Probate Office. Probate cases handled in Wayne County include the administration of decedents’ estates, the probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust proceedings.
Wayne County Clerk’s Probate Office
Address: 700 Hendricks Street, Wayne, WV 25570
Phone: (304) 272-6362
Fax: (304) 272-5318
Hours: Mon–Wed & Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Thu 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Important: The Wayne County Probate Office operates strictly by appointment only. Individuals who wish to search or request probate records in person must schedule an appointment before visiting. Walk-in access is not available for probate matters.
To prepare for a probate records request, gather the following information in advance:
- Full legal name of the decedent or the person subject to the guardianship or conservatorship
- Approximate date of death or the date the probate case was opened
- Case number, if known
- Your relationship to the subject of the record and the purpose of the request
Many probate-related documents — including wills, deed records, and court orders — are also searchable through the Wayne County online document inquiry portal, which indexes records by document type including “Will Probate”, court orders, and related instruments. This online tool allows remote access to indexed records before an in-person appointment, making it useful for initial research. Copies of documents found through the portal can be requested from the County Clerk’s office, with applicable copy fees assessed per document or per page depending on the record type.