Shepherdstown, West Virginia Public Records

Felony criminal cases, major civil litigation (over $10,000), domestic relations including divorce and child custody, probate matters, and appeals from Magistrate Court are heard at the Jefferson County Circuit Court, 110 North George Street, Charles Town, WV 25414, phone (304) 728-3230. West Virginia offers online court record access through the Supreme Court's Case Search system at https://courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-records/index.html, where users can search statewide civil and criminal case records by name, case number, or county. The system provides case information, party names, filing dates, dispositions, and docket entries, though some records may be sealed or restricted. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk's office for $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee. Magistrate Court charges similar fees for certified copies of judgments and case files.

The Assessor's website at www.jeffersoncountywv.org provides a free online property search tool where users can search by owner name, address, or parcel number to view assessment data, property characteristics, building sketches, and recent sales information. The Jefferson County Clerk's Office, 110 North George Street, Room 101, Charles Town, WV 25414, phone (304) 728-3213, website www.jeffersoncountyclerk.org, serves as the Recorder of Deeds and maintains official land records including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, easements, right-of-way agreements, and plat maps. Land records dating back to the county's formation in 1801 are recorded and indexed here. The Clerk's office offers online access to recorded land documents through the County Clerk Records Information Search at https://jefferson.edocrecording.com/DocumentSearchAndRetrieval, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, book and page reference, or instrument type. Viewing and printing documents typically requires a fee. Jefferson County also maintains a GIS mapping system at https://www.jeffersoncountywv.org/assessor with interactive parcel maps, aerial photography, and property boundary information available for public viewing.

The town's historic district supports approximately 60 small businesses including antique shops, art galleries, restaurants such as the Bavarian Inn and Resort in nearby Shepherdstown, boutique retail stores, and bed-and-breakfast establishments catering to tourism. Many residents commute to employment in Washington D.C., Frederick and Hagerstown in Maryland, Martinsburg, or Charles Town, taking advantage of Shepherdstown's location within 75 miles of the nation's capital. The median household income in Shepherdstown is estimated at approximately $45,000, lower than the Jefferson County median of around $75,000, partly reflecting the student population. Jefferson County as a whole has experienced significant growth as part of the Eastern Panhandle region, with industrial development around Martinsburg and commercial growth in Charles Town including the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Shepherdstown maintains a distinct character focused on historic preservation, arts and culture, and educational services rather than industrial development. Recent economic activity includes renovation of historic properties along German Street, expansion of dining establishments, and growth in remote workers choosing Shepherdstown for its small-town character and high-speed internet access.

The Shepherdstown Police Department serves the incorporated town limits and is located at 100 West German Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. The department can be reached at (304) 876-6103. Police reports and incident records can be requested in person at the police department during business hours or by written request citing the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. For areas outside town limits, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services and is headquartered at 104 Industrial Boulevard, Kearneysville, WV 25430, phone (304) 728-3205, website www.jeffersoncountywv.org. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol, investigations, and civil process throughout unincorporated Jefferson County areas surrounding Shepherdstown. Arrest and jail booking records for Jefferson County are maintained at the Eastern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, which serves multiple counties. Current inmate information can be searched online through the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority website at https://www.wvdoc.com/wvdoc/Facilities/WestVirginiaDivisionofCorrectionsandRehabilitation/InmateSearch/tabid/146/Default.aspx, where users can search by name or booking number to view mugshots, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Public records requests in West Virginia are governed by the Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code §29B-1-1 et seq.), which requires public agencies to respond to records requests within five business days. Requests should be made in writing to the custodian of records at the specific agency, clearly describing the records sought. Law enforcement agencies may redact portions of records that would compromise ongoing investigations or victim privacy.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees, offering expedited processing and overnight delivery options. West Virginia birth records are confidential for 100 years and accessible only to the person named (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper identification. Death records are confidential for 25 years. Marriage licenses are issued by the Jefferson County Clerk's Office at 110 North George Street, Room 101, Charles Town, WV 25414, phone (304) 728-3213. The marriage license fee is $56 and requires a three-day waiting period after application before the ceremony can be performed. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Marriage records are public and can be searched at the County Clerk's office, with certified copies available for $12. Divorce records are maintained as part of circuit court case files at the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's office and can be searched through the court records system. Historical vital records dating back to the 1800s may be available through the State Archives or county records repositories.

Fictitious name (doing business as/DBA) registrations in West Virginia are filed with the county clerk where the business operates. The Jefferson County Clerk's Office at 110 North George Street, Charles Town, WV 25414, phone (304) 728-3213, maintains DBA records which cost $25 to file and must be renewed every five years. The county clerk's office maintains an index of trade names available for public inspection. West Virginia corporation, LLC, and business entity records are managed by the West Virginia Secretary of State, Business & Licensing Division. The Business Organizations database at https://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/corporations/ provides free online searching of all registered entities, including corporation and LLC status, registered agent information, business addresses, officers and directors, formation dates, and annual report filing status. UCC financing statements (secured transaction liens) are also filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State and searchable at https://apps.sos.wv.gov/UCC/Default.aspx. Commercial property owners in Shepherdstown can look up assessed values and tax information through the Jefferson County Assessor's online database, which includes commercial property classifications, improvements, and taxable valuations.

Shepherdstown voters are served by the Jefferson County Clerk's Elections Division, located at 110 North George Street, Room 101, Charles Town, WV 25414, phone (304) 728-3238, website www.jeffersoncountyclerk.org. This office manages all aspects of voter registration, election administration, and voting services for Shepherdstown residents. West Virginia residents can register to vote online at https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing or in person at the County Clerk's office, with registration closing 21 days before any election. Voters must provide their West Virginia driver's license or state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Shepherdstown holds municipal elections for mayor and town council positions in odd-numbered years, typically in June. The next Shepherdstown town elections are scheduled for 2025, with the mayor serving a four-year term and council members serving four-year staggered terms. Candidate filings and local ballot measures can be found through the town clerk at (304) 876-1323. Shepherdstown voters participate in county, state, and federal elections administered by Jefferson County. Polling place assignments can be found through the County Clerk's office or by calling (304) 728-3238, or by checking the West Virginia Secretary of State's voter information portal at https://services.sos.wv.gov/Elections/Voter/FindMyPollingPlace. Most Shepherdstown voters cast ballots at Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department or Shepherd University facilities depending on precinct assignment. West Virginia election records that are public include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes), campaign finance reports filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State's office at https://cfrs.wvsos.gov, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Jefferson County reported approximately 67% voter turnout with roughly 35,000 ballots cast from approximately 52,000 registered voters, reflecting the county's high civic engagement. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Shepherdstown and Jefferson County voters will decide important races including all three U.S. House seats for West Virginia's congressional delegation, West Virginia State Senate District 15 and House of Delegates District 65 which cover Shepherdstown, and county offices including County Commissioner positions, Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, and County Clerk. Governor Jim Justice's term expires in 2024, so that office will not be on the 2026 ballot. West Virginia does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026. Absentee voting in West Virginia is available to any registered voter who requests an absentee ballot. Applications can be requested online through the County Clerk's office, by phone at (304) 728-3238, or downloaded from the Secretary of State's website. Completed applications must be returned to the Jefferson County Clerk no later than six days before the election. Emergency absentee voting is available until the day before Election Day for voters with unexpected emergencies or medical issues.