Hampshire County Circuit Clerk - Romney, WV
Circuit Court
Information & Forms
Welcome
Each tab above provides general information and, when available, forms and resources for matters within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.
Adoption
Adoptions, including stepparent adoptions and recognition of foreign adoptions. These types of cases are not public record, and all hearings are closed to the public.
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Currently, there are no fillable forms available for adoption cases.
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Helpful information and resources can be found on the WV Legal Aid Website here.
Expungement
The packet linked below includes the following forms provided by the WV Supreme Court of Appeals.
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Expungement Instructions
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Petition for Expungement of Misdemeanor Violations and Traffic Citation
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Petition for Expungement of Felony Violations
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Motion for Expungement of Criminal Records Due to Acquittal or Dismissal for Reasons Other than Entry of a Plea
The Circuit Clerk’s Office cannot advise you on which form to complete for your specific situation.
Helpful Resources - Home - Jobs and Hope (wv.gov)
Habeas Corpus Proceedings
A habeas corpus case is a civil action in which a person who is incarcerated or otherwise restrained of their liberty asks the court to review whether the detention, conviction, or sentence is lawful.
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Self-litigant forms can be located on the WV Supreme Court Judiciary website here.
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Specifically, you can find them under:
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“Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus” (Appendix A – Post-Conviction Habeas Corpus Form)
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“Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis and Affidavit” (Appendix B)
Name Change
Name change petitions can be filed in Circuit or Family Court.​ You may find assistance and information on filing a Name Change Petition on the WV Legal Aid website.
Criminal Cases
Criminal felony and misdemeanor cases are public records, and all hearings are open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Links to the public access websites can be found below.
Juvenile Cases
These types of cases are not public records, and all hearings are closed to the public.
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Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Proceedings – Cases involving allegations of child abuse or neglect, including the review of voluntary placement agreements.
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Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Administrative Proceedings – Proceedings instituted by circuit court administrative order directing the Department of Human Services (DoHS) to investigate and report on suspected child abuse or neglect.
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Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Mandamus – Proceedings instituted by the circuit court relating to determinations of whether the Department of Human Services has a mandatory duty to file an abuse and neglect petition.
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Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings – Cases involving allegations that a juvenile committed a delinquent offense.
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Juvenile Status Offense Proceedings – Cases involving juvenile status offenses, such as truancy, incorrigibility, or running away, which would not be criminal offenses if committed by an adult. Parents or guardians seeking information about filing an incorrigibility petition may contact the Hampshire County Prosecuting Attorney's Office at (304) 822-3567.
Minor Guardianship
Minor guardianship petitions can be filed in Circuit or Family Court (also known as Infant guardianship). ​
For kinship caregivers, such as grandparents or other relatives caring for children in their family, the WV Legal Aid Kinship Connector Tool may be a helpful resource. Click here to learn more.
Adult Guardianship and/or Conservatorship
Adult Guardianship and or Conservatorship are filed in Circuit Court. Hearings are typically held before the Mental Hygiene Commissioner. ​
Additional Guardianship Information & Forms
Click a title to access the website or form document
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​Guardian and Conservator Mandated Education Training
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​Forms completed and filed after filing/before appointment​
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Designation of Resident Agent by Nonresident Guardian/Conservator (required for guardians and conservators appointed by the court who reside outside West Virginia).
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​Required Reports
Note: Accounting and Inventory Reports/Forms are only required if appointed Conservator.
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Periodic Report of Guardian – Due within 6 months of appointment and annually thereafter by December 31.
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Inventory of Conservator – Due within 60 days of appointment.
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Accounting of Conservator – Due annually by December 31.
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Post-Appointment Petitions
Forms used after the initial appointment of a Guardian and/or Conservator.
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Petition for Removal of Guardian/Conservator (used to remove a current guardian or conservator and appoint a successor)
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Petition for Termination, Revocation, or Modification of Guardianship/Conservatorship
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Petition for Approval of Compensation for the Guardian/Conservator
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Petition for Permission to Sell or Mortgage Real Estate of a Protected Person
Mental Hygiene Forms (Commitment)
These types of cases are not public record. Hearings are typically conducted by the Mental Hygiene Commissioner; however, in some instances, hearings may be held before a County Magistrate.
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Forms and Resources
Links below provide access to the Involuntary Commitment Application (for non-incarcerated individuals), the Potomac Highlands Guild website, and additional Commitment Forms provided by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Informational videos regarding the Involuntary Commitment process are also available below.
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​​Disclaimer
The Circuit Clerk’s Office serves as the record keeper and cannot provide legal advice or assist in completing forms. Applicants may consult an attorney and/or contact the Potomac Highlands Guild for assistance with completing the application or related forms.
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​​Emergency / After-Hours Assistance
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If there is an emergency, please call 911.
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For assistance in filing an Application for Involuntary Commitment after 4:00 p.m., please contact Hampshire County Non-Emergency Dispatch at (304) 822-6000 and request the Magistrate on call.
WV Supreme Court Involuntary Commitment Process
Involuntary Commitment
Involuntary Commitment
Involuntary Commitment Extended Video
Civil Complaints
These types of cases include, but are not limited to, torts, contract cases, extraordinary writs, condemnation cases, removals from magistrate court, post-conviction habeas corpus proceedings, foreign judgment actions, and appeals from county commissions (unless the county commission is acting in its capacity as the board of equalization and review).
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Note: Civil complaints seeking a monetary amount of $20,000 or less should be filed in the Magistrate Court. While the WV Supreme Court does not supply civil complaint forms for the Circuit Court, there are forms available for the Magistrate Court and can be found here by searching "Magistrate Court".
Legal Resources
​​​Disclaimer
The Circuit Clerk’s Office serves as the record keeper and cannot provide legal advice or assist in completing forms. All forms linked on this website are approved for use by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Hampshire County Circuit Court, and/or Hampshire County Family Court.
Legal resources provided on this website are made available for informational purposes. The availability of a form or resource does not constitute legal advice or guarantee that it is appropriate for a particular situation. Individuals are encouraged to consult an attorney regarding their specific legal rights and responsibilities.
