Hampshire County
Covering a total area of 645 square miles, Hampshire County lies between West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highland regions. It was created in 1754 from parts of Fredrick and Augusta counties and named after Hampshire County in England. The 2020 decennial census recorded the county's population as 23,093.
The residents of Hampshire County are served by the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Court. As a trial court of general jurisdiction, the circuit court hears all civil cases of equity, felonies, misdemeanors, probate matters, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse.
The Twenty-Third Family Court Circuit shares jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over guardianships of minors. This court also hears cases of annulment, divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence. As a court of limited jurisdiction, the Magistrate Court handles preliminary hearings in felony cases and can also issue arrest warrants, record affidavits, set bail, and hear involuntary hospitalization cases.
In Hampshire County, public court records are documents created by the court system that the public can access. These records contain information about court cases, such as their nature, parties involved, and court judgments. Court records filed with the Circuit and Family Courts are in the custody of the Circuit Clerk, while the Magistrate Court Clerk is responsible for the maintenance of the magistrate court records.
The Circuit Clerk can only provide access to criminal records and certain civil records. Domestic/family, adoption, juvenile, mental hygiene, and adult guardianship records are not open to the public and cannot be provided by the circuit clerk upon request. To view public records, visit the clerk's office at:
50 S High Street
Romney, WV 26757
In addition, the Magistrate Case Records Search System (MCRS) allows remote access to information on cases filed in the Hampshire Magistrate Court. By entering details such as case number, name, or filing date, you can access the following records:
- Wrongful occupation records
- Unlawful detainer records
- Felony records
- Misdemeanor records
- Worthless check records
- Civil records
Copies of court records are available from the magistrate court clerk's office at:
Hampshire County Judicial Center
P.O. Box 881
50 South High Street, Suite 3
Romney, WV 26757
