KANAWHA COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Kanawha County Public Records?

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFIA) defines public records to include any writing containing information prepared or received by a public body concerning the conduct of the public's business. Kanawha Public records consist of books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics. The Act provides some exemptions, which may include:

• Trade secrets which may comprise, but are not limited to, any plan pattern, formula, process, mechanism, tool, compound, production data, procedure, or curation of information that is not patented but is known only by certain people within a business arrangement who are employing it to produce, fabricate or compound a trade, article, or a service or finding minerals or substances that gives its users a chance to secure a commercial advantage over competitors or retail value
• Personal information kept in a medical, private, or similar record. However, this exemption does not restrict a person from copying or inspecting their own medical, personal, or similar document;
• Scoring keys, test questions, and other examination information used to examine employment, a licensing examination, or academic examination;
• Law-enforcement agency records dealing with the investigation and detection of criminal activity and the notes and internal documents of such agencies prepared for internal usage in law enforcement matters. This exception also includes records that identify the unmarked motor vehicles used for undercover investigations and the agencies assigned to the vehicles.
• Any information expressly exempted from exposure by statute;
• Archives, records, manuscripts, or documents describing the location or position of battlefield, archaeological, paleontological, historic, and prehistoric sites or comprising gifts to a public agency on which the donor attached restrictions on the handling or usage to prevent irreparable damage to the archives, records, manuscripts, or documents;
• Any information included in or linked to examination, condition, or operating reports developed by, for the use of, or on behalf of any agency accountable for the supervision or regulation of financial institutions;
• Internal letters or memoranda prepared or received by any public agency;
• Any records prepared, assembled, or maintained to mitigate, prevent, or respond to terrorism or the threat of terrorism, so long as such records’ exposure threatens public health and safety.
• Records containing unique or specific vulnerability assessments or response plans, databases, data, and inventories of materials or goods assembled or collected to respond to terrorism and deployment plans or communication codes of emergency response or law-enforcement personnel;
• Specific investigative and intelligence information dealing with terrorism or the threat of terrorism shared between and by international, federal, state, local, and other law-enforcement agencies within the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety;
• Any Division of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services, and Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority records relating to the design of jail, detention, and corrections facilities operated or owned by the agency. Including any operational procedures or policy directives of personnel concerning the secure and safe management residents or inmates, that if exposed, could be employed by a resident or an inmate to plan an escape or to injure another resident, inmate, or facility personnel;
• Information related to petitions filed under §61-7-4 of the WV Code: including renewals, supporting documents, applications, permits, or any other data that would distinguish a holder of or an applicant for a concealed weapon permit: However, such information or any records exempted for this reason may be accessed by an officer or agency of law enforcement to aid in a criminal prosecution or investigation, determine the validity of a permit, or for other legitimate purposes.
• Personal details of law-enforcement staff maintained by a public agency in the ordinary course of the employee-employer relationship: this rule covers data such as the officer’s health information, social security number, home address, personal telephone numbers, personal address, and personal email addresses. It also includes the names and personal details of their parents, spouse, and children.

Kanawha County Crime Statistics

According to data published by the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Division, Kanawha county recorded a total of 338 violent crimes and 1,551 property crimes in 2017. A further breakdown revealed larceny-theft to be the most frequently occurring property crime and the most prevalent crime in total, with 720 reported incidents in that year. These numbers were followed closely by burglary and motor vehicle theft, reported as 491 and 340 times, respectively.

Aggravated assault was the most prevalent violent crime, with 298 reported incidents in total. Other violent index crimes, including murder/manslaughter, rape, and robbery, only recorded 2, 30, and 8 incidents, respectively.

Are Kanawha County Criminal Records Public?

By the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFIA), all records kept by the government are available to the public for inspection or copying unless restricted by law. Thus, Kanawha criminal records are public records unless otherwise stated by law. Requestors may have to present a government-issued ID and any information required to access Kanawha County public records. They may also have to pay prescribed fees.

How to Obtain Kanawha County Police Reports and Arrest Records?

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency of the county. It has the responsibility of generating locally relevant crime-related records like police reports and Kanakawa County arrest records. However, requests for criminal history records and background checks are processed by the West Virginia State Police through the state Criminal Identification Bureau. The Criminal Identification Bureau processes requests for state-wide criminal history records in the state of West Virginia.

Requesters can view the Country sheriff's online database of warrants to obtain information on Kanawha County Arrest records. The database contains information received by the sheriff's office from various courts, and the sheriff’s office regularly updates it. Kanawha County arrest records do not presume the arrestee's guilt. It only shows the arrestee’s detention details for a crime-related investigation.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kanawha County

The West Virginia State Police Department maintains a sex offender registry that houses information about all registered sex offenders resident within its jurisdiction. West Virginia State Law authorizes the electronic release of information regarding certain sex offenders required to register under West Virginia Law. Interested parties may obtain information about Kanawha county sex offenders by searching online. People can search for offenders using the offender’s name, address, compliance, or by the nature of their past crimes/tendencies. The search provides the full name and race of the offender, their location, and age. By further clicking on the offender’s name, people can access more details about the offender, including their passport photograph and the crime committed.

How to Find Kanawha County Inmate Records

The West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority maintains information regarding Kanawha County inmates. People can search for detainees online. They may have to search by county/facility or name. Anyone can obtain other information relating to visitation or inmate welfare from the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation website.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Kanawha County Jail?

The South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility is in the Capital City of Charleston. People can visit inmates incarcerated in the jail at the jail facility at Centre Way, Charleston, WV 25309, Kanawha County. Visitors can book visitation by calling (304) 558-1339. They may have to provide the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Telephone Number
• Driver's License Number

Inmates can have only one visit per day and two (2) visits per week. Visitation days at the jail are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. People may have to present a valid Photo ID to access the jail. Visitors would have to dress and conduct themselves appropriately. For security reasons, visitors may not wear orange clothes.

Court Records

The Kanawha County Court system consists of a Circuit court, a Magistrate court, a Family court, and several Municipal courts. Listed below are the locations and contact information of all the courthouses in Kanawha County, West Virginia:

Kanawha County Circuit Court
Kanawha County Judicial Building
Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0440
Fax: (304) 357-0473

Kanawha County Magistrate Court
Kanawha County Judicial Building
Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0400
Fax: (304) 357-0431

Kanawha County Family Court
Kanawha County Judicial Building
Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0440
Fax: (304) 357-0473

Belle Municipal Court
East Dupont Avenue,
Belle, WV 25015
Phone: (304) 949-3841
Fax: (304) 949-5616

Cedar Grove Municipal Court
Alexander Street
P.O. Box 536
Cedar Grove, WV 25039
Phone: (304) 595-1841

Charleston Municipal Court
Virginia Street East,
P.O. Box 2749,
Charleston, WV 25330
Phone: (304) 348-8079
Fax: (304) 348-6894

Chesapeake Municipal Court
MacCorkle Avenue SE,
Chesapeake, WV 25315
Phone: (304) 949-1496
Fax: (304) 949-5928

Clendenin Municipal Court
1st Street,
P.O. Box 694,
Clendenin, WV 25045
Phone: (304) 548-4192
Fax: (304) 548-4134

Dunbar Municipal Court
12th Street,
P.O. Box 483
Dunbar, WV 25064
(304) 766-0208

East Bank Municipal Court
201 Walnut Street
P.O. Box 307
East Bank, WV 25067
(304) 595-1605

Glasgow Municipal Court
Drawer 130
Glasgow, WV 25086
Phone: (304) 595-1015
Fax: (304) 595-2042

Handley Municipal Court
2nd Avenue
P.O. Box 100
Handley, WV 25102
Phone: (304) 442-5100

Marmet Municipal Court
MacCorkle Avenue
P.O. Box 15037
Marmet, WV 25315
Phone: (304) 949-2241
Fax: (304) 949-2671

Nitro Municipal Court
1st Ave
P.O. Box 308,
Nitro, WV 25143
Phone: (304) 755-0701
Fax: (304) 204-1470

Pratt Municipal Court
Center Street
P.O. Box 128
Pratt, WV 25162
Phone: (304) 442-4731
Fax: (304) 442-5600

South Charleston Municipal Court
D Street
P.O. Box 8597
South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone: (304) 744-8321

St. Albans Municipal Court
6th Avenue,
Saint Albans, WV 25177
Phone: (304) 357-0400

Are Kanawha County Court Records Public?

Most Kanawha court records are public. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFIA) grants public access to government records, including court records. Anyone can obtain these records by querying the appropriate court via the clerk's office. However, the court or the law may restrict some court records from public inspection and copying due to confidential information in such documents.

How to Obtain Kanawha County Civil Court Case Records

The Kanawha Office of the County Circuit Clerk maintains Kanawha County court records and performs clerical roles for its judicial system. The office responds to requests for copies of all court records, including Kanawha County civil court case records, and disburses non-confidential documents to persons with practical intent. Requesters may have to provide sufficient record information with which the court clerk can trace the data sought. Requesters may also pay applicable search and copy fees depending on the document requested. Requesters may request these records by querying the circuit clerk's office in person or via mail to:

Kanawha County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0440
Fax: (304) 357-0473

How to Obtain Kanawha County Criminal Court Records

The Kanawha Office of the County Circuit Clerk maintains Kanawha County court records and performs clerical roles for its judicial system. The office responds to requests for copies of all court records, including Kanawha County criminal court case records, and disburses non-confidential documents to persons with good intent. Requesters may have to provide sufficient record information with which the court clerk will trace the records. Requestors may also pay applicable search and copy fees depending on the document requested. Requesters may request these records by querying the circuit clerk's office in person or via mail to:

Kanawha County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0440
Fax: (304) 357-0473

What Are Kanawha County Vital Records?

Kanawha county vital records comprise information on various events recorded by the State of West Virginia. As recorded by the state, these events include birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. To access Kanawha county’s vital records, requesters may have to be eligible while others are generally available to anyone. Requesters may have to provide a valid means of identification and pay appropriate fees before obtaining copies of Kanawha’s vital records.

Where and How to Obtain Kanawha County Divorce Records

The office of the Kanawha Circuit Clerk maintains records of divorces granted by the Kanawha County court. People may request divorce records by making in-person queries to the office or sending a written request to the Circuit court clerk. Requesters may have to indicate the name of the divorcees as well as other relevant divorce information. People can direct requests for divorce records to:

The Kanawha County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Court Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0440
Fax: (304) 357-0473

Where and How to Get Public Kanawha County Marriage Records

West Virginia vital records are maintained and issued by the West Virginia Health Statistics Center, which serves as the primary repository for the state’s birth, death, and marriage records. However, people may access Kanawha County's vital records at the county level from the Kanawha County Clerk's office or the Circuit Clerk’s office. The Kanawha County Clerk office is responsible for many functions, including maintaining and issuing marriage records, among others.

As per West Virginia State records, only persons listed on the marriage certificates, their children, and grandchildren may request copies of marriage records. Eligible persons may request copies of these records via mail or in-person to:

Kanawha County Clerk’s Office
409 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0130
Fax: (304) 357-0585

Kanawha County marriage records cost $12 per copy. People can obtain Additional searches that cost $12 per three year period. Requesters can make payment in cash or by check and money orders.

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Kanawha County

All marriage records in Kanawha are considered public. West Virginia vital records are maintained and issued by the West Virginia Health Statistics Center, which serves as the primary repository for the state’s birth, death, and marriage records. However, Kanawha County's vital records are available at the county level from the Kanawha County Clerk's office or the Circuit Clerk’s office. The Kanawha County Clerk office maintains and issues marriage records, among others.

As per West Virginia State records, only persons listed on the marriage certificates, their children, and grandchildren may request copies of marriage records. Eligible persons may request copies of these records via mail or in-person to:

Kanawha County Clerk’s Office
409 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0130
Fax: (304) 357-0585

Kanawha County marriage records cost $12 per copy. People can conduct additional searches at $12 per three year period.

Where and How to Find Kanawha County Birth Records

The West Virginia Health Statistics Center serves as the primary repository for the birth records of the state. However, Kanawha County birth records are available at the county level from the Kanawha County Clerk's office or the Circuit Clerk’s office. Only Eligible people can obtain Kanawha County birth records. These Eligible requestors include:

• People named on the Certificate.
• The Parents and Grandparents of the subject of the Kanawha County birth Certificate
• The Spouses of people named on the Kanawha County birth Certificate
• The Children and Grandchildren of the record’s subject
• Siblings of the individuals named on the records
• Anyone who has Legal interest in the Certificate

Requesters can make requests via mail or in-person. Requesters may have to provide necessary information about birth to enable the record search. They may also have to present a valid government-issued ID. Both in-person and mail requests may go to:

Kanawha County Clerk’s Office
Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0130
Fax: (304) 357-0585

Kanawha County birth certificate costs $12 per copy. Additional searches cost $12 per three year period.

Where and How to Find Kanawha County Death Records

The West Virginia Health Statistics Center serves as the primary repository for death records of the state. However, requesters may also obtain Kanawha death records at the county level from the Kanawha County Clerk's office or the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Only Eligible people can obtain Kanawha County death records, death and the people who may obtain Kanawha County Death certificate include:

• The Wife or Husband of the individual named on the Certificate
• The Parents and Grandparents of people on the Kanawha County death Certificate
• The Children and Grandchildren of the subject of the record
• The siblings of the record’s subject
• Funeral Director
• Anyone who has Legal interest in the Certificate

People can submit requests via mail or in-person. Requesters may have to provide necessary information about birth to enable the record search. They may also have to present a valid government-issued ID. People can submit both in-person and mail requests to:

Kanawha County Clerk’s Office
Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0130
Fax: (304) 357-0585

Kanawha County death records cost $12 per copy. People can obtain additional searches at $12 per three year period.