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How to Find Public Records in Mason County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through MasonCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, and other official records maintained by county and state agencies. Mason County, West Virginia maintains a range of government records that are accessible to the public pursuant to state law. The information available through official channels may include, but is not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget documents and financial reports
Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Land use, zoning, and permit records

Records may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online tools provided by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Mason County official website provides access to county government information, commission meeting schedules, and departmental contacts. The West Virginia Judiciary maintains a statewide portal through which members of the public may search circuit court records from all fifty-five counties. Magistrate court case records are searchable through the magistrate case record search portal. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on these platforms. Financial and expenditure records maintained at the state level are accessible through the West Virginia State Auditor's Office.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Mason County Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of land records, vital records, and commission documents. The office is located at the Mason County Courthouse, 200 6th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought and be prepared to pay applicable copy fees at the time of pickup.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should be directed to the Mason County Clerk's Office at 200 6th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. Each request should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's return address. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

The Mason County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (304) 675-1997. Email contact information is available through the Mason County government portal.

What Are Public Records in Mason County?

Public records in Mason County are defined under West Virginia law as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business, prepared, owned, or retained by a public body. Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 29B-1-2, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of documents maintained by government agencies. The following record types are currently maintained by Mason County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Court Clerk
Probate and estate records	County Clerk
Property deeds and mortgages	County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	County Clerk / WVDHHR
Tax assessment records	County Assessor
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Commission minutes and budgets	County Clerk
Arrest logs and incident reports	Mason County Sheriff
Zoning and land use records	County Planning Office

Circuit court filings from Mason County are searchable through the West Virginia court record access portal, which indexes records from all fifty-five counties statewide. Magistrate court records are accessible through the magistrate record search maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary.

Is Mason County an Open Records County?

Mason County operates in full compliance with the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy government records. Under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-1, the Legislature declared 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 foundational principle governs all public records access in Mason County and throughout the state.

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act applies to all public bodies, including county commissions, elected offices, and administrative agencies operating within Mason County. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all access requests. The West Virginia Attorney General's Office provides guidance on FOIA compliance, and public bodies are required to designate a custodian of records responsible for responding to requests.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Mason County, consistent with the fee schedule established under state law. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records. Current fees at the Mason County Clerk's Office are as follows:

Standard paper copies: $0.50 per page (standard size)
Certified copies of vital records: $5.00 per document (birth, death, marriage)
Deed and land record copies: $1.00 per page
Certification fee: $1.00 per document
Electronic records: Fees vary based on the format and volume of records requested
Inspection of records: No charge for in-person inspection during regular business hours

Accepted payment methods at the Mason County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Mason County Clerk. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian. Fees for court records obtained through the West Virginia Judiciary's online systems may differ from those charged at the county level.

Does Mason County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public during regular business hours at the Mason County Clerk's Office and other county offices. Under state law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a record in person; charges apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

The Mason County government website provides free access to commission meeting agendas, minutes, and county government information.
The West Virginia Judiciary's court record portal allows free online searches of circuit court case information statewide.
The magistrate case record search provides free online access to magistrate court case data. As noted by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, "The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided," and users are advised to verify records directly with the court clerk.
Daily incarceration records maintained by the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority are available at no cost through the daily incarcerations database.
Driving records may be obtained through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles; fees apply for certified copies, but basic record review options are available.
Financial expenditure data for state and county agencies is accessible through the West Virginia State Auditor's Office at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records without charge, but reproduction of those records is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mason County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Mason County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. West Virginia's Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access. The following provisions apply under current law:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of West Virginia retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Not required for general public records requests, though some offices may ask for identification when releasing sensitive documents such as certified vital records.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as certified copies of birth certificates, are subject to eligibility requirements under state vital records statutes. Persons requesting their own records may be required to provide proof of identity.
Requesting records about others: Members of the public may request records pertaining to other individuals, subject to applicable exemptions protecting personal privacy.

What Records Are Confidential in Mason County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under West Virginia law. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, at § 29B-1-4, enumerates specific exemptions that permit or require agencies to withhold certain information. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted in Mason County:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse and neglect proceedings are confidential under state law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for information related to public employees' official duties.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

When an agency withholds a record, it is required to notify the requestor of the specific exemption relied upon. A balancing test may apply in cases where partial disclosure is possible through redaction of exempt information.

Mason County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Mason County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of land records, vital records, probate records, and county commission documents. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains court filings for civil, criminal, and family cases heard in the Mason County Circuit Court.

Mason County Clerk's Office
200 6th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
(304) 675-1997
Mason County – West Virginia

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

Mason County Circuit Court Clerk
200 6th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
(304) 675-2840
West Virginia Judiciary

Mason County Assessor's Office
200 6th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
(304) 675-2840

Mason County Sheriff's Office (Tax Division)
200 6th Street, Point Pleasant, WV 25550
(304) 675-2080

As noted by the West Virginia Judiciary, "Users are instructed to call or visit the magistrate court clerk in the county where a case is filed to obtain copies of specific court records." The Mason County Magistrate Court is located at the same courthouse address and handles small claims, misdemeanor, and civil matters under the magistrate court's jurisdiction.