Kanawha County court records, West Virginia, are available through several channels. KanawhaCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official online judicial system tools, the court clerks' offices, and public terminals in the courthouse in Charleston.
Kanawha Court System & Jurisdictions
Kanawha County is the only county in the Eighth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia. It is the largest county in the state by population and has an extensive court system. Each court handles specific categories of cases, so it's important to know where to go before searching the registry.
- Circuit Court — a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal felony cases, civil lawsuits over $10,000, appeals from magistrate and family courts, and probate cases. Circuit Court records are available through the statewide Circuit Court search system.
- Magistrate Court — handles minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), preliminary hearings in felony cases, civil lawsuits up to $10,000, eviction cases, and issues arrest and search warrants. Magistrate Court data can be searched through the Magistrate Case Record Search.
- Family Court — Kanawha County is part of the Eleventh Family Court Circuit. It resolves issues of divorce, custody, alimony, domestic violence, and adoption.
- Municipal Court (Charleston) — the Charleston Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances, minor offenses, and traffic cases within the city. Phone: 304-348-8079.
For federal court cases, including the Southern District of West Virginia centered in Charleston, records are available through the PACER system. Detailed information about the county's courts can be viewed on the Kanawha County page on the state's judicial system website.
Kanawha Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
There is no single online calendar that shows all hearings in all county courts. The method of checking depends on the court level.
- Circuit Court: hearing schedules are usually published through the Circuit Clerk's office. Call the office or visit the courthouse to find out the date and time of a specific session.
- Magistrate Court: basic case information, including scheduled dates, can be viewed through the magistrate records search page. Enter the last name or case number — the system will show available data.
- Family Court: hearing dates in family court are provided by the Circuit Clerk's office, as the family court is administratively linked to the circuit court.
- Municipal Court (Charleston): contact the municipal court directly at 304-348-8079 or by mail at PO BOX 2749, Charleston, WV 25330.
The main page of the West Virginia Judiciary contains links to various court resources, forms, and county information — it's a convenient starting point.
How to Get a Copy of a Kanawha Court Document
According to §29B-1-3 of the West Virginia Code, every person has the right to inspect or copy public records of public bodies, except as provided by law. In practice, this means that most court documents are available for review, but some cases — such as juvenile or sealed cases — have restricted access.
Certified and Non-Certified Copies
- Non-Certified Copy — a regular photocopy of the document. Suitable for personal review.
- Certified Copy — stamped with the court seal, confirming authenticity. Required for submission to other agencies, banks, insurance companies, etc.
How to Obtain a Copy
- In Person: visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the Kanawha County Courthouse. Provide the case number or full name of the party and approximate date.
- By Mail: send a written request with case details and payment to the clerk's office address.
- Online (Magistrate Court): use the Magistrate Case Record Search system to view information. Note: to obtain physical copies of documents, you need to contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed.
County Clerk's contact information:
For records of birth, death, marriage, and divorce, contact the state's Vital Registration Office — this is a separate entity from the court clerk's office.
Kanawha Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in West Virginia are set by state law and may vary depending on the type of court and document. Below are approximate rates — always check the exact amount directly with the clerk's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | Non-certified regular copy |
| Document certification | $0.50–$1.00 per document | In addition to copying cost |
| Registry search (by name) | A fee may be charged | Check with Circuit Clerk's office |
| Online magistrate case search | Free | Via mcrsearch.courtswv.gov |
| Online Circuit Court case search | Free | Via courtswv.gov |
| Federal court records (PACER) | $0.10 per page | Free up to $30 per quarter |
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check. Some offices accept credit cards — check in advance. For mail requests, send a money order payable to "Kanawha County Circuit Clerk."
To check arrest warrants, the county sheriff's office maintains a separate online database. Lists are not updated on weekends and holidays. 24-hour line: 304-357-0169.