West Virginia gives the public access to criminal records for informational and research purposes. Criminal records in Virginia can be obtained in different forms and from different resources. Many of these resources are operated by the state.
The West Virginia State Police is one of the state-run resources for criminal records. If you want to obtain criminal records from the State Police, you need to complete the Criminal and Crash Report Request Form, which is downloadable from the State Police's website. Send the form to:
West Virginia State Police
Criminal Investigation Reports
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, W 25309-1698
A money order or check amounting to the specified fee must be sent together with the request form. The fee depends on the nature of the request.
The West Virginia State Police also maintains the state's Sex Offender Registry. You can conduct a search by providing the last name, street name, and city of the offender being searched. If you want to make a search by county, simply choose a county from the drop-down list.
You can also try to enter an email address or username that you think belongs to a sex offender. The Sex Offender Registry can do a search and determine if a certain sex offender uses the email address or username.
Although the database is regularly updated, the West Virginia State Police acknowledges that some of the information in the Sex Offender Registry might not be accurate, since the offender information changes quickly.
The West Virginia State Police has a list of the Most Wanted Offenders. This list has the mug shot and basic information of the individual fugitives.
The West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Association (WVRJA) also makes it possible for the public to access inmate information. To conduct a search, you only need to enter the last name of the offender. If the information is available, you can also put the first name. However, the accuracy of the inmate locator might not be 100% guaranteed because the information is updated on a regular basis.
The West Virginia Division of Corrections (WVDOC) has its own Offender Search on its website. It gives information on the offenders who are currently under the supervision of WVDOC. To start a search, you have to enter the DOC number, last name, and first name of the offender. Again, the information might not be that accurate because of quick modifications and updates.
WVDOC also provides a list of escapees and absconders. The list provides the name, DOC number, and mug shot of each of the fugitives.
West Virginia courts can also be good resources of criminal records. You can obtain information from the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, and Magistrate Courts.
If you would like to retrieve West Virginia background checks and criminal records, take the following steps:
Step 1.
Visit the West Virginia State Police website in order to download the West Virginia Background Check Request Form.
Step 2.
Fill out the request form by putting the desired quantity beside "Crime/Vehicle Crash Report," which will return the criminal record.
Step 3.
Mail the completed form along with a certified check or money order for $20 to West Virginia State Police.
More information is available through the West Virginia State Police via the following contact details:
West Virginia State Police
Criminal Investigation Reports
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 746-2178
Persons interested in finding information contained in West Virginia arrest records will need to contact the West Virginia Regional Arrest and Correctional Facility Authority. The Authority offers an online website to make it easier to access West Virginia arrest records.
To use the online search option, you will need to:
Step 1.
Go to the West Virginia Regional Arrest and Correctional Facility Authority's website and go to the West Virginia Inmate Search tool.
Step 2.
Read the terms of service and disclaimer and select the agree option at the bottom. Then input the inmate's name in the search box and hit Submit. Hit Ok if you agree to the Terms of Service when prompted.
Step 3.
Results will be displayed. To view the entire available record, click the View Detail link.
For more assistance accessing West Virginia arrest records, you can contact the West Virginia Regional Arrest and Correctional Facility Authority using the information below:
West Virginia Department of Corrections
West Virginia Regional Arrest and Correctional Facility Authority
1325 Virginia St. East
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 558-2110
Gaining Access to West Virginia Criminal Records
The West Virginia State Police is responsible for the state's repository of criminal records. In order to review a West Virginia criminal record, you must fill out a request form and mail it along with a $20 certified check or money order.
Are You Allowed to Access West Virginia Criminal Records?
West Virginia doesn't restrict criminal records and deems conviction records public information. Authorized employers, entities and criminal justice agencies are allowed to view entire criminal records.
What Else Can be Requested?
The request form also provides space to request information about a crash report and gives you the option of ordering video tapes and photos, if applicable, for additional fees. You also have the option of ordering multiple copies of anything you request, but you'll have to pay the same fee per copy.
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