Mineral County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Mineral County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in West Virginia may access publicly available information through MineralRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by Mineral County agencies and state offices. The site provides access to records that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, and other government-generated materials, subject to applicable state law and the availability of digitized records.
Records that members of the public may find through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, magistrate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records (marriage licenses, birth and death certificates)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Online Access: The Mineral County Clerk's office maintains an online portal where members of the public may access marriage certificates, land records, and related documents. For court-related records, the West Virginia Magistrate Case Record Search provides an online database of magistrate court case information. No registration is required to conduct basic searches through these portals, though copies of specific documents may require an in-person or written request.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Mineral County Clerk's Office at 150 Armstrong Street, Keyser, WV 26726, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM) to inspect or request copies of records. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Mineral County Clerk's Office at 150 Armstrong Street, Keyser, WV 26726. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3, custodians are required to respond to requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email: The Mineral County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (304) 788-3924. Email contact information is available through the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Mineral County?
Public records in Mineral County are defined under West Virginia law as any document, paper, photograph, map, book, tape, or other material created or received by a public body in the conduct of official business. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-2, "public record" encompasses all records maintained by state and local government agencies, subject to enumerated exemptions.
The following record types are maintained by Mineral County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Magistrate court records | Magistrate Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk |
| Vital records (marriage, birth, death) | County Clerk |
| Probate and estate records | County Clerk |
| Tax and property assessment records | County Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / State agencies |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Commission meeting minutes | County Commission |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Office |
The Mineral County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian for vital records, land records, and probate documents. Court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the Magistrate Court, with case information accessible through the West Virginia Judiciary's Mineral County information page.
Is Mineral County an Open Records County?
Mineral County operates in full compliance with West Virginia's open records framework. Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county agencies — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The statute establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that records are presumed public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated in the West Virginia FOIA, "the people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know." This foundational principle governs how Mineral County agencies respond to records requests.
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all public records access. The West Virginia Attorney General's Office provides guidance to public bodies and requestors on compliance with the FOIA, and members of the public may consult the West Virginia Attorney General's FOIA resources for additional information on their rights.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Mineral County?
The current fee structure for public records in Mineral County is governed by state law and the policies of the individual custodial office. Under West Virginia FOIA, fees charged must be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Standard fees at the Mineral County Clerk's Office include:
- Copies (standard paper): $0.50 per page
- Certified copies of vital records: $5.00 per document (marriage certificates and related records)
- Land record copies: Fees vary by document length; standard rate applies per page
- Electronic records: Available in some cases; fees reflect actual duplication costs
- Search fees: No separate search fee is charged for routine requests
- Certification fees: Applied per document when official certification is required
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Mineral County Clerk. Members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the custodial office prior to submitting a request, as fee schedules are subject to revision.
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly codified under West Virginia FOIA, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in cases involving indigent requestors or requests serving a clear public interest.
Does Mineral County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Mineral County. Under West Virginia law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect is distinct from the right to receive copies; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access to records is available through the following official resources:
- Mineral County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect land records, marriage records, and other documents maintained by the Clerk at no cost during office hours.
- West Virginia Magistrate Case Record Search: The online magistrate case database provides free access to magistrate court case information statewide, including cases filed in Mineral County.
- West Virginia Judiciary: The magistrate record search portal provides guidance on accessing court records at no cost through the clerk's office.
- WV Regional Jail Daily Incarcerations: The daily incarceration records maintained by the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority are publicly available at no charge online.
As noted by the West Virginia Judiciary, "users are instructed to call or visit the magistrate court clerk in the county where a case is filed to obtain copies of specific court records," which may involve a fee, while basic case information remains accessible without charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Mineral County?
Any person may request public records in Mineral County. West Virginia FOIA does not restrict access to residents of the state; non-residents retain the same right to inspect and copy public records as West Virginia residents. Requestors are not required to provide identification or state a reason for their request when seeking records that are presumptively public.
Specific conditions that apply to certain record types include:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage): Certified copies of certain vital records may require proof of relationship or legal interest, consistent with West Virginia vital records statutes.
- Sealed or restricted court records: Access to sealed records requires a court order regardless of the requestor's identity.
- Law enforcement records: Certain investigative records may require the requestor to demonstrate a legitimate interest or may be subject to partial redaction.
Members of the public requesting their own records — such as personal court filings or property records — follow the same process as any other requestor. No special authorization is required to access one's own public records through standard channels.
What Records Are Confidential in Mineral County?
Certain records maintained by Mineral County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under West Virginia law. W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4 enumerates the categories of records that public bodies may withhold from disclosure. Exempt records include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under state law.
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except where disclosure is required by law or the employee consents.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies is protected.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles established under West Virginia FOIA.
Mineral County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Mineral County Clerk's Office
150 Armstrong Street
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-3924
Mineral County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Mineral County Circuit Court Clerk
150 Armstrong Street
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-1562
Mineral County Judiciary Information
Mineral County is part of the Twenty-Fifth Judicial Circuit, which also includes Grant County. Family Court matters for Mineral County are handled within a circuit that includes Hampshire and Morgan Counties.
Mineral County Assessor's Office
150 Armstrong Street
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-1060
West Virginia State Tax Department — Property Assessment
Mineral County Sheriff's Office
150 Armstrong Street
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-3522
Mineral County Sheriff