Cabell County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cabell County?

Public records in Cabell County are defined according to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-2) as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business, prepared, owned, and retained by a public body. These records document the activities and operations of government agencies serving Cabell County residents.

The following types of public records are maintained by various Cabell County offices:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Cabell County Circuit Clerk. These include case filings, judgments, and court proceedings from the Circuit Court and Magistrate Court.

• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers are recorded and maintained by the Cabell County Clerk's Office. Property assessment records are available through the Cabell County Assessor's Office.

• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are maintained by the Cabell County Clerk's Office, with some records also available through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations (doing business as) are maintained by the Cabell County Clerk's Office.

• Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by the Cabell County Sheriff's Tax Office and the Assessor's Office.

• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results are maintained by the Cabell County Clerk's Office.

• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Cabell County Commission meetings, including minutes and agendas, are maintained by the County Clerk's Office.

• Budget and Financial Documents: County financial records, budgets, and expenditure reports are maintained by the Cabell County Commission.

• Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs and incident reports are maintained by the Cabell County Sheriff's Department, subject to exemptions for ongoing investigations.

• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning documents are maintained by the Cabell County Planning Commission.

The West Virginia Property Viewer provides online access to parcel information for Cabell County, as the county assessor is responsible for maintaining surface property tax maps.

Is Cabell County an Open Records County?

Cabell County adheres to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. This state law applies to all counties in West Virginia, including Cabell County.

Under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(1), "Every person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body in this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by section four of this article." This provision establishes the fundamental right of access to public records maintained by Cabell County agencies.

Cabell County government offices comply with these state transparency requirements, which are designed to ensure accountability and openness in government operations. The county does not maintain separate ordinances governing public records access but follows the state statutory framework.

The West Virginia FOIA also requires that public bodies respond to records requests within a maximum of five business days, as specified in W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(4). Cabell County offices adhere to these response timelines when processing public records requests.

Additionally, Cabell County complies with the West Virginia Open Governmental Proceedings Act (W. Va. Code § 6-9A), commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions.

How to Find Public Records in Cabell County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Cabell County records may utilize the following procedures:

1. Identify the Appropriate Office: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek. The Cabell County Clerk's Office handles property records, marriage licenses, and business filings, while the Circuit Clerk maintains court records.

2. Submit a Written Request: While some records may be available for in-person inspection without a formal request, submitting a written request is recommended for most record types. Requests should include:

   • Specific description of records sought
   • Requestor's contact information
   • Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)

3. Court Records Access: For Circuit Court records, utilize the West Virginia Judiciary's online search system. For Magistrate Court records, contact the magistrate court clerk in Cabell County.

4. Property Records: Visit the Cabell County Clerk's Office in person or use their online search portal for property records, deeds, and mortgages.

5. Vital Records: For birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, submit a request to the Cabell County Clerk's Office with proper identification and any required fees.

6. Law Enforcement Records: Contact the Cabell County Sheriff's Department directly for available incident reports or arrest records. Some information may be exempt from disclosure under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4.

7. Online Resources: Utilize the West Virginia Judiciary website for court information and case searches. For inmate information, the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority maintains an online database.

8. Follow Up: If you do not receive a response within five business days, follow up with the agency. Under West Virginia FOIA, agencies must respond within this timeframe, either by providing the records, denying the request with a written explanation, or requesting an extension.

9. Appeal Process: If a request is denied, you may file an appeal in the Circuit Court of Cabell County as provided under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-5.

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

Cabell County agencies charge reasonable fees for public records in accordance with W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(5), which permits fees for the "actual cost of reproduction." Current fee structures for various record types include:

General Copy Fees:

• Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus certification fee
• Electronic records: Varies by department and file size

Specific Record Fees:

• Marriage License: $56.00
• Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate: $12.00
• Certified Copy of Birth Certificate: $12.00
• Certified Copy of Death Certificate: $12.00
• Deed Recording: $15.00 for first 5 pages, $1.00 each additional page
• UCC Filings: $20.00 for initial filing
• Circuit Court Case Copies: $0.25 per page
• Circuit Court Certified Copies: $5.00 plus $0.25 per page

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks (made payable to the specific county office)
• Money orders
• Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)

Under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(5), agencies may waive fees if disclosure of the information is in the public interest. Additionally, inspection of records in person is typically available at no charge, though appointments may be required.

For extensive searches requiring substantial staff time, additional fees may apply based on actual cost of search and retrieval. These fees must be reasonable and based on actual costs incurred by the agency.

Does Cabell County Have Free Public Records?

Cabell County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

In-person inspection of public records is available free of charge at various county offices during regular business hours, as guaranteed by the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. This right to inspect records without charge is fundamental to government transparency in West Virginia.

The following free online resources are available to access Cabell County public records:

• The West Virginia Judiciary website provides free access to court case information, though detailed documents may require fees.

• The West Virginia Property Viewer offers free access to basic property information and parcel maps for Cabell County properties.

• The Cabell County Commission website provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and certain county documents.

• The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority maintains a free inmate search database that includes individuals housed in facilities serving Cabell County.

• Voter registration verification is available at no cost through the West Virginia Secretary of State's website.

• The Cabell County Assessor's Office provides free online access to property assessment information.

While these resources are available without charge, requestors should note that obtaining certified copies or extensive document reproduction typically involves fees as outlined in the previous section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cabell County?

Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3), "every person" has the right to inspect or copy public records maintained by Cabell County agencies. This broad eligibility includes:

• West Virginia residents
• Out-of-state residents
• Foreign nationals
• Business entities
• Media organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies

The law does not require requestors to:

• Provide identification for most record types (though ID is required for certain vital records)
• State a purpose or reason for the request
• Be a resident of West Virginia or Cabell County
• Demonstrate a particular interest in the records

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates typically require the requestor to demonstrate a direct relationship or legitimate interest, as governed by W. Va. Code § 16-5-25.

• Voter Registration Records: While basic voter information is public, access may be restricted for certain protected individuals under W. Va. Code § 3-2-30.

• Juvenile Records: Access is generally restricted to parties directly involved in the case, as specified in W. Va. Code § 49-5-101.

When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply:

• Personal records typically require identity verification
• Records of other individuals may have privacy restrictions
• Business records generally have fewer restrictions unless they contain trade secrets or proprietary information

Cabell County agencies process all requests in accordance with state law, regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose, except where specific statutory exemptions apply.

What Records Are Confidential in Cabell County?

Certain records maintained by Cabell County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4, which establishes specific categories of information protected from release. These exemptions include:

• Law Enforcement Records: Information related to ongoing investigations, intelligence information, and records that would identify confidential informants.

• Personal Privacy Information: Information of a personal nature such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and medical records protected under HIPAA.

• Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are generally sealed and confidential pursuant to W. Va. Code § 49-5-101.

• Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by court order and exempt from public disclosure.

• Child Welfare Records: Child abuse and neglect investigations and protective services records are confidential under W. Va. Code § 49-5-101.

• Personnel Records: Employee personnel files containing personal information, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions, though certain information such as salary and position title remains public.

• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product prepared by or for county legal counsel.

• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to county agencies.

• Security Information: Records related to security systems, emergency response plans, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

• Deliberative Process Materials: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated.

• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order, including certain expunged criminal records and domestic violence protective orders.

• Test Questions: Examination data used to administer licensing or employment examinations.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Cabell County agencies must apply a redaction process to provide access to the non-exempt portions while protecting confidential information, as required by W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4(e).

Cabell County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cabell County Clerk's Office
750 5th Avenue, Suite 208
Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 526-8625
Cabell County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays

Cabell County Circuit Clerk's Office
750 5th Avenue, Suite 103
Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 526-8622
Cabell County Circuit Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays

Cabell County Assessor's Office
750 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 526-8651
Cabell County Assessor

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays

Cabell County Sheriff's Office
750 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 526-8663
Cabell County Sheriff

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays

Lookup Public Records in Cabell County

Magistrate Court case records

West Virginia Judiciary court record access

West Virginia Judiciary information portal

Magistrate Court record search system

Regional Jail inmate information database

West Virginia property records viewer