Boone County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Boone County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through BooneCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Boone County, West Virginia maintains a variety of official records that are accessible to the public pursuant to state law. The records available through official channels may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, family, and probate)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax and assessment records
Law enforcement records and arrest logs
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Driving and motor vehicle records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The West Virginia Judiciary provides a centralized court record access portal through which members of the public may search circuit court records from all fifty-five counties statewide, including Boone County. The court record access search portal allows users to search both circuit and magistrate court case information without registration. The West Virginia State Auditor's Office maintains financial and expenditure records accessible online. Driving records are available through the WV Division of Motor Vehicles, which requires the submission of a completed form and applicable fee.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Boone County Clerk's Office, located at 200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the records sought with sufficient detail to allow staff to locate the documents.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to the Boone County Clerk's Office at 200 State Street, Madison, WV 25130. Requests must 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, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

The Boone County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (304) 369-3925. Email inquiries may be directed to the office through the county's official contact channels.

What Are Public Records in Boone County?

Public records in Boone County are defined under West Virginia law as any document, paper, photograph, map, book, tape, or other material made or received by a public body in connection with the transaction of public business. The following record types are maintained by designated county and state offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Boone County Circuit Court Clerk
Magistrate court records	Boone County Magistrate Court
Property deeds and land records	Boone County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	WV DHHR / County Clerk
Tax and assessment records	Boone County Assessor
Business licenses and permits	Boone County Clerk
Law enforcement records	Boone County Sheriff's Office
Voting and election records	Boone County Clerk
Meeting minutes and financial documents	Boone County Commission

Boone County's judicial structure places it within the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which also includes Lincoln County. Family court matters for Boone County fall under the Tenth Family Court Circuit. The Boone County Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters, and appeals from magistrate court. Magistrate court records may be searched through the magistrate record search tool maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary.

Is Boone County an Open Records County?

Boone County follows the open records requirements established under West Virginia state law. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., known as the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (WVFOIA), all public bodies in the state are required to make their records available for public inspection and copying, subject to specific statutory exemptions. The West Virginia Legislature has stated that "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 principle underlies the county's obligation to provide access to public documents.

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act applies to all county agencies, including the Boone County Commission, the County Clerk, the Sheriff's Office, and all other bodies exercising governmental functions. No county-specific ordinance restricts access beyond the limitations established by state statute. The West Virginia Attorney General's Office provides guidance on WVFOIA compliance and has noted that "the FOIA is to be liberally construed with the view of carrying out its purposes and objects."

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

The current fee structure for public records in Boone County is governed by West Virginia Code and individual agency schedules. Standard fees applicable to most record requests are as follows:

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.50 per page (standard)
Certification of documents	$1.00–$5.00 per document
Electronic copies	Varies by agency
Search fees	Not permitted under WVFOIA for routine requests
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection of public records is provided at no cost to the requestor.
Copy fees may vary by office; the Boone County Clerk's Office sets its own schedule within state-authorized limits.
Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
Payment is accepted in the form of cash, check, or money order payable to the applicable county office.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3(5), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the cost of reproducing records but may not charge fees that effectively deny access to public information.

Does Boone County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Boone County. Under state law, members of the public have the right to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodial agency. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The West Virginia Judiciary's court record access portal allows free online searches of circuit and magistrate court case information statewide.
The daily incarceration records maintained by the WV Regional Jails are publicly available at no cost and are updated regularly.
The West Virginia State Auditor's Office provides free online access to state expenditure and financial data.
In-person inspection of property records, deeds, and tax records at the Boone County Clerk's Office is available without charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies of records is subject to the applicable copy fee schedule. Certain personal records, such as a requestor's own driving history, require a fee for certified copies but may be reviewed in person at no cost.

Who Can Request Public Records in Boone County?

Any person may request public records in Boone County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the right to inspect and copy public records is not limited to West Virginia residents. Requestors are not required to:

Demonstrate residency in Boone County or West Virginia
Provide identification for routine inspection requests (though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types)
State the purpose of the request

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, obtaining certified copies of vital records such as birth or death certificates may require proof of relationship or legal interest. Driving records maintained by the WV Division of Motor Vehicles are subject to the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act, which restricts disclosure to authorized purposes. Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same general procedures as any other requestor, though they may be entitled to additional access in specific circumstances under applicable state and federal law.

What Records Are Confidential in Boone County?

Not all records maintained by Boone County agencies are subject to public disclosure. West Virginia Code § 29B-1-4 enumerates specific categories of records exempt from mandatory disclosure under the WVFOIA. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
Adoption records
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The balancing test applied under West Virginia law requires agencies to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interest in nondisclosure. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the West Virginia Attorney General's Office or pursue judicial relief in circuit court.

Boone County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Boone County Clerk's Office
200 State Street
Madison, WV 25130
(304) 369-3925
Boone County Clerk's Office

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

Boone County Circuit Court Clerk
200 State Street, Courthouse
Madison, WV 25130
(304) 369-7321
Boone County Circuit Court

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

Boone County Sheriff's Office
200 State Street
Madison, WV 25130
(304) 369-7340
Boone County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office prepares, audits, enters, and maintains law enforcement reports, records, warrants, and crime data, and assists with sex offender registrations.

Boone County Assessor's Office
200 State Street
Madison, WV 25130
(304) 369-7320

West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (for driving records)
5707 MacCorkle Ave SE
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 558-3900
WV DMV Driving Records