What Are Harrison County Public Records?
According to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Harrison County public records refer to documentary material of any form that contains data generated or received by a public body. These include papers, photographs, tapes, cards, books, maps, and other recordings. The details contained in these documents especially relate to the public business conducted by government agencies in the county or concerning the county. However, there are exemptions on the disclosure of certain information like:
- Trade secrets
- Personal details that may constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy
- Examination data like test questions and scoring keys used for licensing, employment, or academic examinations
- Investigative or internal records of law enforcement agencies
- Classified national security records and some information concerning terrorist acts, communication codes, or deployment plans
Harrison County Crime Statistics
In 2017, the total number of crimes reported in Harrison County was 235, including 37 violent crimes and 198 property crimes. The violent crimes reported include five rapes, three robberies, and 29 aggravated assaults. The property crimes reported include 54 burglaries, 117 larcenies, 27 motor vehicle thefts, and four arsons. Analysis of these figures, compared with the numbers reported in 2011, shows a significant decline in total crimes reported over five years. There were declines in murders (-100%), robberies (-63%), aggravated assaults (-43%), burglaries (-33%), larcenies (-17%), and arsons (-20%). Rape and motor vehicle thefts increased by 150% and 80%, respectively.
Are Harrison County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Harrison County criminal records are publicly available upon proper and authorized requests. These records provide the official documentation of an individual’s crime-related activities that occurred in the county. Between the municipal police, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, and West Virginia State Police, criminal records are collated within these different jurisdictions. However, requests for Harrison County criminal records can only be made at the state level, but other forms of arrest or conviction details may be available at local police departments, or courts, respectively.
The Criminal Identification Bureau of the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) provides statewide access to criminal records for all counties. Third parties and organizations can access anyone's criminal history information. This access is subject to the provision of written authorization from the person mentioned in the record requested. For third party access to criminal history information, interested parties should visit:
West Virginia State Police Headquarters
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
Phone: (304) 746-2100
Executive Office: (304) 746-2115
How to Obtain Harrison County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Harrison County police records and arrest records are partially restricted. Access may vary depending on the requester's relation to the document or other authorization. Harrison County arrest records are official documents providing summaries of the frequency of arrests from criminal activity in the county. They also provide information on arrest warrants issued and alleged offenders or arrested persons. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office generates and maintains these records and provides data on the rate of crimes solved in the county.
However, while arrest records may report somebody's arrests as part of an active investigation, it does not mean that the person was involved in the crime. Thus, Harrison arrest records should not be used as a substitute for criminal history information.
For Harrison police records, individuals should note that the document custodian may differ depending on the police department that made the arrest or recorded the incident. For instance, municipal law enforcement agencies in the county like the Clarksburg Police Department maintains and issues records of criminal cases, accidents, arrests, and other reports of incidents within its jurisdiction.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Harrison County
The WSVP maintains the sex offender registry of the state. This database is online and available to the public. Residents of Harrison County can use this sex offender registry to search for sex offenders in their neighborhood. The search can be according to last name, street name, city, or county. West Virginia sex offender registry is a public database that provides information on the list of sex offenders in the state and their location. This registry aims to protect children and other vulnerable persons who are usually victims of sex offenders. It does this by providing the public with details of persons who had committed sex crimes in the past.
How to Find Harrison County Inmate Records
The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority keeps a regularly updated list of inmates in the Harrison County jail facility. Interested parties can check the daily incarceration portal or inmate search portal to obtain information about inmates currently in the facility.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Harrison County Jail?
The North Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility houses inmates from Harrison County. The facility serves nine counties in West Virginia, including Harrison County. It is located at
_1 Lois Lane,
Greenwood, WV 26415
Phone: (304) 873-1384
Fax: (304) 873-1381
Visitation Schedule:
Monday: No Visitation
Tuesday: 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: No Visitation
Thursday: 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Friday: No Visitation
Saturday: No Visitation
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. _
Court Records
Harrison County court records are a form of public records that contain information on the matters filed in courts in the county, as well as court proceedings and other administrative actions. Harrison County has one Circuit Court, one Magistrate Court, one Family Court, and 10 Municipal Courts. Below are the addresses and contact details of these courts:
Harrison County Circuit Court
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
Harrison County Courthouse
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Harrison County Magistrate Court
Magistrate Clerk: Leslie J. Haning
306 Washington Avenue,
Room 222
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8648
Fax: (304) 624-8740
_Harrison County Family Court
306 Washington Avenue
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Judge Peter Conley Phone: (304) 627-2148 Fax: (304) 627-2186
Judge Lori B. Jackson Phone: (304) 627-2100 Fax: (304) 627-2149_
Harrison County Municipal Courts
Anmoore Municipal Court
Court Clerk: Mel Coffindaffer
56 Plainfield Ave,
Anmoore, WV 26323
Phone: (304) 622-7431
Email: courtclerk@anmoorewv.com
Bridgeport Municipal Court
515 West Main Street
Bridgeport, WV 26330
Phone: (304) 842-8200
Clarksburg Municipal Court
222 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-1624
Lost Creek Municipal Court
P.O. Box 216
Lost Creek, WV 26385
Phone: (304) 745-3466
Fax: (304) 745-5664
Lumberport Municipal Court
119 George Street,
P.O. Box 519
Lumberport, WV 26386
Phone: (304) 584-4370
Fax: (304) 584-4666
Nutter Fort Municipal Court
1415 Buckhannon Pike
Nutter Fort, WV 26301
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Phone: (304) 622-7713
Email: office@townofnutterfort.com
Salem Municipal Court
P.O. Box 352
Salem, WV 26426
Phone: (304) 782-1313
Shinnston Municipal Court
43 Bridge Street
Shinnston, WV 26431
Phone: (304) 592-2121
Fax: (304) 592-0808
Stonewood Municipal Court
112 Southern Avenue,
Stonewood, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 623-2919
Fax: (304) 624-0125
West Milford Municipal Court
P.O. Box 120
West Milford, WV 26451
Phone: (304) 745-3131
Fax: (304) 745-4625
Are Harrison County Court Records Public?
Yes, although there are exemptions, most court files are available for public viewing. However, Harrison County court records whose public interest is outweighed by the need for privacy may be confidential, especially due to the sensitive nature of the information contained. For example, social security numbers or identifying details of witnesses and certain victims are not publicly accessible. Moreover, the exemptions of the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act also apply to Harrison court records.
How to Obtain Harrison County Civil Court Case Records
Harrison County court records are obtainable by residents of the country. The various courts administer their own court records, sometimes through their court clerks, and individuals may obtain copies of civil case records by making requests to the custodian court. For instance, the Circuit Court and Family Court civil case records are available at the Circuit Clerk Office, while Magistrate Court records are with the Magistrate Court Clerk. Hence, to obtain Circuit Court and Family Court records, interested individuals should approach the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:
Harrison County Courthouse
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301-2967
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
To obtain Magistrate Court records, interested individuals should approach the Magistrate Court Clerk at:
306 Washington Avenue,
Magistrate Clerk: Leslie J. Haning
Room 222
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8645
Fax: (304) 624-8740
Persons interested in obtaining Municipal Court records should visit the court where parties filed or finalized the case of interest. All requesters should note that before the custodian provides the copies, they may require adequate case description, fees, and sometimes valid identification.
How to Obtain Harrison County Criminal Court Records
Individuals may obtain Harrison County court records of criminal cases by making requests to the court where documents are filed or maintained. Circuit Court records are available at the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, while interested persons should seek Magistrate court records from the Magistrate Court and Municipal Court records from the Municipal Court. The record custodian may require requesters to make queries in person, via mail, or other channels by providing case descriptions, fees, or personal identification.
What Are Harrison County Vital Records?
Harrison County vital records are documents that detail the occurrence of life events in the county. These include divorce records, marriage records, birth certificates, death records, and other related documents. The Clerk of the Circuit Court administers Harrison County divorce records, while the Harrison County Clerk maintains and issues marriage, birth, and death records. These may also be available at the state level.
Where and How to Obtain Harrison County Divorce Records
Individuals interested in obtaining certified Harrison County divorce records should direct requests to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:
Harrison County Courthouse
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301-2967
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Note: The Clerk determines the applicable fee(s) for obtaining this record.
Where and How to Get Public Harrison County Marriage Records
The Harrison County Clerk maintains and issues records of marriages that happened in the city. However, these records are only available to individuals with direct claims and tangible interests such as the record subjects, close relatives, legal representatives, and other authorized persons. Requests to obtain marriage records can be made by submitting an online request form or Application for Certified Copies of Vital Records along with a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment to:
Harrison County Clerk’s Office
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Each certified copy costs $5, payable with checks, money orders, or credit cards. Checks should be made payable to "Harrison County Clerk."
Interested persons may also request Harrison County marriage records from the Vital Registration Office of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). This can be done by submitting the filled Application for Certified Marriage Certificate form along with a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment, in person or via mail to:
Vital Registration Office
Department of Health and Human Resources
Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: (304) 558-2931
Each certified copy costs $12, payable with checks, money order, or cash (in-person requests only).
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Harrison County
The Harrison County Clerk maintains Harrison County marriage records and only issues these to qualified applicants like the married couple, close relatives, legal representatives of eligible persons, and other authorized parties. Requests to obtain marriage records can be made by filling and submitting the online request form or completing the Application for Certified Copies and mailing with a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment to:
Harrison County Clerk’s Office
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Each certified copy costs $5, payable with checks, money orders, or credit cards. Checks should be made payable to "Harrison County Clerk."
Additionally, individuals may request copies of Harrison County marriage certificates from the Vital Registration Office of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Requesters should submit the filled Application for Certified Marriage Certificate form along with a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment, in person or via mail to:
Vital Registration Office
Department of Health & Human Resources
Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: (304) 558-2931
The department charges $12 per certified copy, payable with checks, money order, or cash (in-person requests only).
Where and How to Find Harrison County Birth Records
Persons with direct claims or valid interests can obtain birth records by submitting a completed application form accompanied by a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment, to:
Harrison County Clerk’s Office
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Each certified copy costs $5, payable with checks, money orders, or credit cards. Checks should be made payable to "Harrison County Clerk." Individuals may also request Harrison County birth certificates from the Vital Registration Office of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Start by filling the Application for Certified Birth Certificate form and sending it along with a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment to:
Vital Registration Office
Department of Health and Human Resources
Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: (304) 558-2931
Each certified copy costs $12, payable with checks, money order, or cash (in-person requests only).
Where and How to Find Harrison County Death Records
Requests to obtain death records can be made by filling out the Application for Certified Copies of Vital Records. This form, accompanied by a copy of the requester’s valid ID and payment, should be submitted via mail to:
Harrison County Clerk’s Office
Circuit Clerk: Albert Marano
301 West Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: (304) 624-8640
Fax: (304) 624-8710
Each certified copy costs $5, payable with checks, money orders, or credit cards. Checks should be made payable to "Harrison County Clerk." Furthermore, Harrison County death records may be available at the Vital Registration Office of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Interested persons may request these by sending a completed Application for Certified Death Certificate form along with a valid ID and payment via mail or in-person to:
Vital Registration Office
Department of Health & Human Resources
Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: (304) 558-2931
The department charges $12 per certified copy, payable with checks, money order, or cash (in-person requests only).
