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Wood County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Wood County?

Public records in Wood County, West Virginia, are defined under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-2 as any writing, document, photograph, sound recording, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that is prepared, owned, or retained by a public body in the conduct of official business. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these records subject to the exemptions established by state law.

Wood County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple offices. The following record types are currently available to the public:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Wood County Circuit Court Clerk and the Wood County Magistrate Court.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments are recorded and maintained by the Wood County Clerk's Office.
  • Property assessment records — The Wood County Assessor's Office maintains real and personal property assessment data, which members of the public may search through the West Virginia real estate assessment portal.
  • Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued through the West Virginia Office of Vital Registration; the Wood County Clerk also maintains local marriage license records.
  • Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the Wood County Clerk's Office and the West Virginia Secretary of State.
  • Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Wood County Sheriff's Tax Office and the Assessor's Office.
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Wood County Clerk, who serves as the chief election official for the county.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Wood County Commission and its subordinate boards are maintained by the County Clerk and are available for public inspection.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are maintained by the Wood County Commission.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Wood County Sheriff's Office and the Parkersburg Police Department.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Wood County Planning and Zoning Office.

Is Wood County an Open Records County?

Wood County fully complies with the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy government records. Under this statute, all public bodies in West Virginia — including Wood County offices and agencies — are required to make public records available for inspection during regular business hours and to respond to written requests within five business days.

Key provisions of the West Virginia FOIA include:

  • The presumption that all government records are open to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
  • The requirement that public bodies provide written notice if a request is denied, including the specific legal basis for the denial.
  • The right of any person to petition the circuit court for relief if a public body improperly withholds records.

Wood County does not currently maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance; all access rights and procedures are governed by state law. The county's compliance with the West Virginia Open Governmental Proceedings Act, W. Va. Code § 6-9A-1, further ensures that meetings of the Wood County Commission and other public bodies are open to the public and that meeting minutes are preserved as public records.

How to Find Public Records in Wood County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Wood County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-Person Requests Members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records or submit a written request. Walk-in access is available at the Wood County Clerk's Office, the Assessor's Office, the Sheriff's Tax Office, and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Written or Mailed Requests Requestors may submit a written FOIA request by mail or in person to the custodian of the records sought. Requests should identify the records with reasonable specificity and include the requestor's name and contact information. No standardized statewide FOIA request form is currently mandated, though individual offices may provide their own forms.

Online Access Several categories of records are accessible online at no charge:

By Telephone Members of the public may call individual offices to inquire about record availability and request guidance on the submission process prior to filing a formal written request.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Wood County, consistent with the fee schedule authorized under West Virginia law. Current fees vary by office and record type:

  • Photocopies — The standard fee is generally $0.50 per page for black-and-white copies, though individual offices may set their own schedules within statutory limits.
  • Certified copies — Certified copies of recorded instruments (deeds, mortgages, etc.) typically carry a fee of $1.00 per page plus a certification fee, as set by the Wood County Clerk.
  • Vital records — Certified copies of marriage licenses issued by the Wood County Clerk are subject to a statutory fee; birth and death certificates obtained through the state vital registration office carry separate fees established by the West Virginia Department of Health.
  • Court records — Fees for copies of court documents are set by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and collected by the Circuit Court Clerk.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the applicable county office. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment. Fee waivers may be available at the discretion of the records custodian where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, consistent with the provisions of W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3.

Does Wood County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public during regular business hours at the offices that maintain those records, consistent with the requirements of the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. No fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records in person; fees apply only to reproduction and certification services.

The following free online resources are currently available for Wood County records:

Who Can Request Public Records in Wood County?

Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by Wood County offices and agencies. Requestors are not required to:

  • Be a resident of Wood County or the State of West Virginia.
  • Provide government-issued identification as a condition of access (though identification may be required for certain restricted record types).
  • State the purpose for which the records are sought.

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, individuals requesting their own criminal history records through the West Virginia State Police must complete an identity verification process. Sealed court records, juvenile records, and other restricted categories may only be accessed by authorized parties as defined by applicable statute or court order. Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under current state law. Organizations, businesses, and legal entities may also submit public records requests on the same basis as individual persons.

What Records Are Confidential in Wood County?

Not all government records in Wood County are subject to public disclosure. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4, enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are currently exempt or restricted:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under West Virginia law.
  • Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation or endanger individuals.
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure.
  • Medical records — Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state medical privacy laws are exempt.
  • Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed by statute.
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
  • Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for information such as job titles, salaries, and disciplinary actions taken in the public interest.
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public body is exempt from disclosure.
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt where disclosure could endanger public safety.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under West Virginia FOIA jurisprudence.

Wood County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Wood County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Wood County, maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, marriage licenses, and other instruments of public record. The office is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Wood County Clerk's Office One Court Square, Suite 101 Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 424-1850 Wood County Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wood County Circuit Court Clerk One Court Square Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 424-1750 Wood County Circuit Court Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wood County Assessor's Office One Court Square, Suite 302 Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 424-1875 Wood County Assessor Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wood County Sheriff's Tax Office One Court Square, Suite 101 Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 424-1910 Wood County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wood County Magistrate Court One Court Square Parkersburg, WV 26101 (304) 424-1780 Wood County Magistrate Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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