West Virginia's criminal history system runs through the West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau (WVCIB), which is the central repository under WV Code 15-2-24. Background checks for the public use the IdentoGO fingerprint service. The WV Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority provides a free online inmate search for people in regional jail facilities. West Virginia's expungement law has expanded meaningfully in recent years: non-conviction records (dismissed charges, acquittals, deferred adjudications) are governed by WV Code 61-11-25; conviction expungement for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies is governed by WV Code 61-11-26; and an accelerated pathway under WV Code 61-11-26a reduces waiting periods for people who complete approved substance abuse treatment or job readiness training. A statewide automatic expungement program was also authorized beginning July 1, 2024. This guide covers the full system.
What Makes West Virginia Arrest Records Public
West Virginia's public records framework is governed by the Freedom of Information Act at WV Code 29B-1-1 et seq. Government records, including arrest records, are presumptively public under this law. Agencies must respond to records requests within 5 business days under WV Code 29B-1-3(d). Agencies may charge reasonable fees for reproduction but not for searching records.
The West Virginia State Police Criminal Identification Bureau serves as the central repository for criminal history information under WV Code 15-2-24. Law enforcement agencies and courts are required to report criminal data to WVCIB. Under WV Code 15-2-24(D), the Criminal Identification Bureau may release criminal history information to the public with the approval of the Superintendent.
Exemptions from public access include juvenile records, expunged records, active investigation materials, and specifically protected personal information such as social security numbers and medical records.
What a West Virginia Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A WVCIB criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrest and fingerprint data, charges, court dispositions, conviction and sentencing information, and correctional records for incarcerated individuals.
Local law enforcement records at county sheriff offices and police departments include full booking information: name, DOB, date and time of arrest, location, arresting agency, charges, bail amount, court date, and booking photograph.
How to Search West Virginia Arrest Records
Fingerprint-based background checks through WVCIB require scheduling an appointment with IdentoGO (the authorized fingerprinting vendor for West Virginia State Police). The WVCIB does not accept walk-in public requests for criminal history checks in the same manner as some states; fingerprint-based checks are the standard pathway.
WVCIB Criminal Records Section contact information: 725 Jefferson Road, South Charleston, WV 25309. Phone: 304-746-2100. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Mail requests are also accepted with a completed request form from the WV State Police website.
The West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority provides a free online inmate search at regionaljai.wv.gov for people currently held in WV regional jail facilities. This is the practical free tool for locating someone recently arrested and held in a regional facility.
The West Virginia Judiciary provides a free online court case search through the e-filing portal and case lookup tools at courtswv.gov. This provides access to criminal case records from circuit and magistrate courts across all 55 counties.
County sheriff offices and local police departments maintain booking records for recent arrests. West Virginia has 55 counties and each county sheriff manages the county jail or uses the regional jail system. Most sheriff offices provide arrest and booking information through direct contact or online where available.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across West Virginia's 55 counties and other jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation and regional jail facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail Records in West Virginia
West Virginia has 55 counties. Many counties use the WV Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority system rather than operating independent county jails. The Regional Jail Authority operates multiple facilities across the state and holds both pretrial detainees and sentenced individuals.
The Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation manages the state prison system. The WV Regional Jail online inmate search at regionaljail.wv.gov covers people in regional jail facilities. For people in state prisons and on community supervision, the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides an offender search at dcr.wv.gov.
Federal Arrests in West Virginia
Federal arrests in West Virginia are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. West Virginia is home to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (Clarksburg, Elkins, Martinsburg, Wheeling) and the Southern District of West Virginia (Charleston, Beckley, Huntington, Bluefield).
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the WVCIB criminal history system.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. WVCIB records include both arrest and conviction data. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and non-conviction outcomes remain in WVCIB records and court records until expunged under WV Code 61-11-25.
West Virginia Expungement Under WV Code 61-11-25 and 61-11-26
West Virginia's expungement framework covers non-conviction records and qualifying conviction records through separate statutory provisions.
Non-conviction records -- WV Code 61-11-25: Persons who were found not guilty, whose charges were dismissed, or who successfully completed a deferred adjudication or pretrial diversion program may petition for expungement. For dismissals and acquittals, expungement is available after the case is closed. Deferred adjudication completions are also eligible. The petition is filed with the circuit court where the charge was brought.
Conviction expungement -- WV Code 61-11-26: West Virginia allows expungement of qualifying misdemeanor convictions and certain nonviolent felony convictions. The waiting periods are:
- Single misdemeanor conviction: 1 year after conviction, completion of any sentence of incarceration, or completion of any period of supervision -- whichever is later.
- Multiple misdemeanor convictions: 2 years after the last conviction, incarceration, or supervision completion -- whichever is later.
- Nonviolent felony conviction: 5 years after conviction, incarceration completion, or supervision completion -- whichever is later.
Certain offenses are not eligible under WV Code 61-11-26, including crimes of violence, DUI offenses under WV Code 61-11-26b, sexual offenses, and other specifically enumerated serious crimes.
Accelerated pathway -- WV Code 61-11-26a: For persons who complete an approved substance abuse treatment or recovery counseling program or a WV Department of Education-approved job readiness adult training course, shorter waiting periods apply. The $100 State Police processing fee is also waived for petitions filed under this section.
The petition for conviction expungement is filed with the circuit court in the county where the conviction occurred. A $100 fee is paid to the State Police records division for processing the expungement order. The court may notify relevant agencies and provide opportunity for the prosecutor to respond.
Automatic expungement: Beginning July 1, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security was authorized to identify and process cases eligible for automatic expungement on a monthly basis under applicable WV statutes.
After expungement, the person may respond to inquiries as though the arrest or conviction did not occur.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover West Virginia's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are West Virginia arrest records public?
Yes, under the WV FOIA (WV Code 29B-1-1 et seq.). Arrest records are presumptively public and agencies must respond within 5 business days. The WVCIB is the central state repository under WV Code 15-2-24 and may release criminal history information to the public with Superintendent approval. Juvenile, expunged, and active investigation records are exempt.
How do I search West Virginia arrest records?
For fingerprint-based criminal history checks, schedule through IdentoGO for WVCIB processing; contact WVCIB at 725 Jefferson Road, South Charleston, WV 25309, phone 304-746-2100 (M-F 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). For recent arrests in regional jail facilities, use the free WV Regional Jail inmate search at regionaljail.wv.gov. For court case records, use the WV courts search at courtswv.gov (free). For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For custody notifications, VINELink at vinelink.com is free. For state prison inmates, search at dcr.wv.gov.
What does a West Virginia arrest record contain?
A WVCIB criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrest and fingerprint data, charges, court dispositions, and conviction and sentencing information. Local law enforcement records include name, DOB, arrest date/time/location, charges, bail amount, court date, and booking photograph.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in West Virginia?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and non-conviction outcomes remain in WVCIB records until expunged under WV Code 61-11-25. A separate petition from the one used for conviction expungement applies to non-conviction records.
How do I find someone in a West Virginia jail?
Use the WV Regional Jail online inmate search at regionaljail.wv.gov for people in regional facilities -- many West Virginia counties use the regional jail system rather than independent county jails. VINELink at vinelink.com provides custody notifications. For someone in state prison, use the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation search at dcr.wv.gov. For county-operated facilities, contact the relevant county sheriff directly.
Can I search federal arrest records in West Virginia?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the WVCIB criminal history system.
How long does an arrest stay on record in West Virginia?
West Virginia arrest and conviction records remain in WVCIB records indefinitely unless expunged. Non-conviction records (dismissals, acquittals, deferred adjudications) can be expunged by petition after the case closes under WV Code 61-11-25. Misdemeanor convictions are eligible after 1 year (single) or 2 years (multiple). Nonviolent felony convictions after 5 years.
Who qualifies for expungement in West Virginia?
Under WV Code 61-11-25: non-conviction outcomes (dismissed, acquitted, deferred adjudication completions) qualify after case closure. Under WV Code 61-11-26: single misdemeanor convictions after 1 year; multiple misdemeanor convictions after 2 years; nonviolent felony convictions after 5 years. Under WV Code 61-11-26a: shorter waiting periods for people completing approved substance abuse treatment or job readiness training. Violent crimes, DUI offenses (under 61-11-26b), sexual offenses, and other specifically enumerated offenses are not eligible.
What is the WV automatic expungement program?
Beginning July 1, 2024, West Virginia authorized a monthly automatic expungement process under which the Department of Homeland Security identifies cases that are eligible for expungement under WV Code 61-11-26 and processes them without requiring the individual to file a petition. Cases eligible under WV Code 61-11-25 (non-convictions) and certain pardoned convictions are also covered. Verify the current operational status of this program at publish.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
Non-conviction arrests remain in WVCIB and court records until expunged. Under WV Code 61-11-25, dismissed charges, acquittals, and deferred adjudication completions can be expunged by filing a petition with the circuit court where the charge was brought. Check the WV judiciary courts site at courtswv.gov for case status information. ---
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