West Virginia Background Checks

As much as it would be nice if we lived in a world where you could trust everyone at their word, the truth is that no one knows what the people in their life have done in their past. Your romantic partner may have been someone different before they met you. Your own parents may have been hiding a deep secret. It's impossible to know everything about everyone all the time.

That's why West Virginia background checks can be so valuable. Based on public records available in the state and local governments, you can perform an unedited background check of the people in your life. You'll find things like criminal records, marital statuses, current and former addresses, etc. You'll find most of the information that is relevant to your search simply by entering in their name.

How Was This Data Compiled?

The information you'll find in West Virginia was taken from countless public records. When public records were first released, you would have to apply for each record you wanted specifically. But since these records have already been collected by these websites, the process is much simpler. Websites have already accessed the data for you, since there are no rules about who can access them or how much they can access. Then the data is placed online in people search engines.

Simply type in a first and last name, add state, and search. There you'll find all kinds of information about the people you're interested in. These West Virginia background checks make finding out about those that are important to your life considerably easier.

West Virginia Criminal Records

To access West Virginia criminal reports while you are conducting West Virginia background checks, begin your search with the West Virginia State Police. You will need to file a request form and pay the applicable fees to receive your report.

The request form requires your name and contact information. For West Virginia criminal record reports, you will also be required to fill in the date, location, and victims of the crime, as well as the type of crime. The report costs $20 for a non-certified copy or $25 for a certified one. Video and audio tapes are $50 each, and each set of up to 12 photos costs $25. If the West Virginia criminal record is over 50 pages in length, then there will be a $1 fee per page over 50.

To request criminal records by mail do the following:

For additional information regarding accessing West Virginia criminal records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

West Virginia State Police
Criminal Investigation Reports
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 746-2178

Resource Links
West Virginia Criminal Report Request
Request Form

West Virginia Court Records

To conduct research on West Virginia court records, begin by contacting the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Online you can find their court calendar and docket. Simply choose the appropriate month and day of the case. This will show you all of the cases presented that day, with links to additional information about that particular case. The calendar is available from dates in 1998 until the present time.

For additional information regarding accessing West Virginia court records, you can contact the office using the information below:

West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
Administrative Office of the Courts
Capitol Complex
Building 1, Room E-100
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 558-0145

Resource Links
West Virginia Supreme Court Docket Calendar

West Virginia Jail Records

If you are researching West Virginia jail records, then you will need to contact the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority. This office is responsible for maintaining inmate records, and you will have the ability to search for inmates based on first and last name.

Once you have entered at least the last name of the offender, you will be given a list of matches. You can then select an offender. The record will show a picture of the offender and give additional information, including the first and last name, height and weight, birth date, gender, where housed, and imprisonment status.

To search for jail records online do the following:

For additional information regarding accessing West Virginia jail records, you can reach the office using the information listed below:

West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority
1325 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 558-2110

Resource Links
West Virginia Inmate Search

West Virginia Driving Records

To review West Virginia driving records, contact the Division of Motor Vehicles, where you can request a West Virginia driving record for yourself or someone else.

To obtain your own West Virginia driving record, you can choose to visit any branch office or mail your request. You will need to include a completed driving record request form and a copy of your state issued photo ID. The cost is $5 if you provide your name and license number, or $6 if you provide your name and date of birth or social security number. If requesting records by mail, then you will need to include a return address.

If you are requesting West Virginia driving records on someone else, then you will need to complete the driving record request form, as well as provide a completed release authorization form and copy of your state photo ID. The fees remain the same. Obtaining West Virginia driving records on someone else can only be done through the mail, and the information will not be released without the other person’s written consent.

For additional information regarding accessing West Virginia driving records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Driving Records/Insurance Section
Bldg. 3, Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25317
(304) 558-4444

Resource Links
West Virginia Driving Record Information

Additional Resources

West Virginia Sexual Offender Registry
West Virginia Attorney General