null

How to Find Public Records in Brooke County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through BrookeRecords.us and through official county and state government offices. Brooke County, West Virginia maintains a range of government-generated documents that are accessible to the public under state law. Records that may be available include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, magistrate, and probate)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (marriage licenses, death records)
Voter registration and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Tax and property assessment records
Business filings and fictitious name registrations
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning documents

The availability and completeness of specific records may vary depending on the record type, the date of filing, and applicable legal restrictions.

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Brooke County document inquiry system allows members of the public to search county clerk records remotely. Property records, deeds, and related instruments are searchable through this portal without registration. The West Virginia Magistrate Court record search provides free online access to magistrate court case information statewide, including cases filed in Brooke County. Users may search by first name, last name, or case number.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Brooke County Clerk's Office, located at 632 Main Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type and approximate date range when visiting the public counter.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to the Brooke County Clerk's Office at 632 Main Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3, custodians are required to respond to written requests within five business days.

Phone/Email:

The Brooke County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (304) 737-3661. Email contact information is available through the Brooke County Clerk's office official webpage.

What Are Public Records in Brooke County?

Public records in Brooke County are defined under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business, prepared, owned, or retained by a public body. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-2, "public record" encompasses documents, maps, photographs, and electronically stored information created or maintained by government agencies.

The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk
Marriage licenses	County Clerk
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk
Magistrate court cases	Magistrate Court
Property tax assessments	County Assessor
Voter registration	County Clerk
Probate records	County Clerk
Business filings	County Clerk
Commission minutes	County Clerk

The Brooke County Circuit Clerk maintains circuit court records including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters filed at the circuit court level. The County Assessor's Office maintains property assessment and tax records separately.

Is Brooke County an Open Records County?

Brooke County operates in full compliance with the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs public access to government records statewide. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-1, the Legislature declares that "all persons are, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees."

The Brooke County Clerk's office affirms this commitment publicly, stating: "Our office is dedicated to providing efficient, accessible, and responsive services to the citizens." This policy reflects the county's obligation under state sunshine laws to make government records available for public inspection during regular business hours.

The West Virginia FOIA applies to all county-level public bodies, including the County Commission, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, and Sheriff's Office. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions established in state statute.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Brooke County?

The current fee structure for public records in Brooke County is governed by state statute and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests include:

Document copies: $0.50 per page for standard paper copies (8.5" x 11")
Certified copies: Fees vary by document type; deed certifications are subject to a per-page fee plus a certification surcharge
Electronic records: No additional fee is required for records already maintained in electronic format when provided via email or digital download
Search fees: No separate search fee is assessed for routine requests
Inspection: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records

Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance may vary; members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods prior to visiting. Fee waiver provisions are not expressly codified for general public records requests under West Virginia FOIA, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated public interest.

Does Brooke County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Brooke County. Under state law, any person may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodian. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following free online resources are currently available:

The county clerk document inquiry portal provides free online access to recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and other land records maintained by the Brooke County Clerk.
The West Virginia Magistrate Court record search is a free system that increases access to online magistrate court information. Anyone with a computer or mobile device can search by name or case number at no cost.
The Brooke County magistrate case detail search allows free access to individual case details for matters filed in the Magistrate Court of Brooke County.

Who Can Request Public Records in Brooke County?

Any person may request public records in Brooke County regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act does not require requestors to be West Virginia residents, nor does it require individuals to explain why they are seeking records. Members of the public, journalists, researchers, attorneys, and non-residents all hold equal standing to submit records requests under state law.

Requestors are not required to provide identification for general public records inspection, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types such as vital records, where access is restricted by statute. When requesting copies of records pertaining to oneself, additional verification may be required by the custodial office to protect personal information.

Restrictions apply to specific categories of records regardless of who is requesting them. Juvenile records, sealed court files, and records subject to statutory exemptions are not available to any member of the public without a court order or other legal authorization.

What Records Are Confidential in Brooke County?

Certain records maintained by Brooke County offices are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal law. The West Virginia FOIA identifies categories of information that public bodies are not required to disclose. Exempt records currently include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court-issued unsealing order
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse and neglect proceedings are confidential under West Virginia Code
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for criminal investigation purposes are exempt while investigations remain active
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court petition
Child welfare records: Records of the Department of Health and Human Resources relating to child protective services are confidential
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except where disclosure is required by law or the employee consents
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected
Security and infrastructure plans: Documents detailing security vulnerabilities of public facilities are withheld in the interest of public safety

The West Virginia Circuit Clerk's office notes: "Our office is committed to providing public record information and services to the citizens of Brooke County, West Virginia, in an efficient, professional" manner, while adhering to all applicable confidentiality requirements. Agencies apply a balancing test when records contain both disclosable and exempt information, redacting only the exempt portions and releasing the remainder.

Brooke County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Brooke County Clerk's Office 632 Main Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070 (304) 737-3661 Brooke County Clerk's office

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays

The County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of land records, vital records, voter registration files, probate records, and county commission minutes. The county document inquiry system is accessible online at any time for recorded instrument searches.

Additional Offices:

Brooke County Circuit Clerk's Office 632 Main Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070 (304) 737-3667 Brooke County Circuit Clerk

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

The Circuit Clerk maintains all circuit court filings including civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate matters heard at the circuit court level.

Brooke County Magistrate Court 632 Main Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070 (304) 737-3882

Magistrate court case records are searchable online through the West Virginia magistrate court case search portal maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary.

Brooke County Assessor's Office 632 Main Street, Wellsburg, WV 26070 (304) 737-3664