Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of these relationships.
West Virginia County
Hampshire County, West Virginia
Romney - West Virginia's oldest town - and the South Branch Potomac Valley - from Romney's distinction as West Virginia's oldest town (incorporated in 1762, Romney changed hands 56 times during the Civil War - more than any other town in the conflict - and its Indian Mound Cemetery contains the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers buried side by side) to the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's Romney departure point (the heritage railroad's eagle-watching excursions through the North Branch Potomac "Trough" begin in Romney) and Hampshire County's South Branch Potomac River valley farming.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of these relationships.
What do you need to do?
Tell us your goal and we'll guide you step-by-step to the right office, forms, and official resources.
Notes: Hampshire County e9-1-1 Communications, 1160 Jersey Mountain Rd, Romney, WV 26757, non-emergency (304) 822-6000. HCESA is the county’s career EMS agency.
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
Roads: US-50 and SH-28 both run through Romney
Transit: No dedicated fixed-route county transit identified; confirm current regional options directly with the county
Note: The Potomac Eagle scenic rail excursion, a popular tourist draw, offers views along the South Branch Potomac River.
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Hampshire County Planning Office – 90 North High Street, PO Box 883, Romney, WV 26757 (located in the County Courthouse Complex) | (304) 822-7018 | Fax: (304) 822-5115 | Code and Compliance Official: Jarrett Hott
Notes: Confirm whether your property falls under county or Town of Romney jurisdiction, as Romney maintains its own separate permitting process, (304) 822-5118 (Romney City Office). Romney’s water plant was cited for a violation in July 2023 – confirm current water system status directly if relevant to your project.
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
State VSO: West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance – veterans.wv.gov (statewide office locator for the nearest County Veteran Service Officer)
Notes: Confirm current local point of contact directly with veterans.wv.gov.
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Confirm current library system structure directly with the county, as a specific Hampshire County public library name/address was not clearly confirmed in available sources
Notes: Contact Hampshire County or the Town of Romney directly for current library location and hours.
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Hampshire County, created by the Virginia General Assembly on December 13, 1754 from parts of Frederick and Augusta Counties (Virginia), is genuinely WEST VIRGINIA’S OLDEST COUNTY, named for Hampshire, England; Romney, the county seat, was established December 23, 1762 alongside Shepherdstown, making these two the OLDEST TOWNS in West Virginia, carrying the motto “First in West Virginia – Est. 1762”; local historical lore ties the region to Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron; the Hampshire County Courthouse (1922, Neoclassical Revival, designed by Holmboe & Pogue) replaced an 1833 courthouse destroyed by fire in 1921 and still hangs the original 1833 bell in its domed tower – during the Civil War, no court proceedings were held in the county from 1861-1864, and Union soldiers stationed in Romney used the earlier courthouse building as a stable; Clerk of Court John Baker White, concerned for the county’s land registration records’ safety, took extraordinary measures to protect them during this period; the Fort Mill Ridge Wildlife Management Area, southwest of Romney, preserves the genuine Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches at its summit; Nathaniel Mountain Wildlife Management Area (10,675 acres) is one of the state’s largest wildlife management areas; the Potomac Eagle scenic rail excursion draws visitors for its river views; Hampshire County sits within the Potomac Highlands region, part of the Winchester, VA-WV metropolitan area
Notes: Hampshire County’s status as West Virginia’s oldest county, and Romney’s tied status as the state’s oldest town, are both genuinely foundational, verifiable facts of state history – not tourism embellishment.
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Hampshire County GIS – accessible via hampshirewv.com
Parcel Search: Hampshire County Assessor’s records
Addressing/911: Coordinated through Hampshire County e9-1-1 Communications
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Facility: Hampshire County Animal Control & Shelter – Owl Hollow Rd, Slanesville, WV | Non-emergency line: (304) 496-9379
Notes: A separate independent organization, the Humane Society of Hampshire County, also operates in the Augusta, WV area of the county – confirm current relationship and services split between the county-run shelter and this nonprofit directly, as detailed operational information for both was limited in available sources.
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Office: Hampshire County DEP/Environmental Protection contact – (304) 822-7266
Environmental Complaints: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection – dep.wv.gov
Notes: Contact Hampshire County directly for current refuse collection and recycling program details.
NOTES
Hampshire County holds a genuinely foundational place in West Virginia history as the state’s oldest county (1754), with its seat, Romney, tied as the state’s oldest town (1762) – facts the town itself proudly displays in its official motto. The county’s Civil War-era courthouse history, including the protection of vital land records during a period when no courts could convene, adds further historical depth. All contact information above was sourced from official county and community pages as of this writing; phone numbers and hours should be reconfirmed directly with the relevant office before a visit.
About Hampshire County
Hampshire County is West Virginia’s oldest county containing its oldest town – Romney’s extraordinary Civil War record of 56 ownership changes and its 1762 founding make it one of the most historically significant communities in Appalachia.
Romney (the county seat, population ~1,800) – West Virginia’s oldest incorporated town – changed hands between Union and Confederate forces 56 times during the Civil War, more than any other American community in the conflict. The Indian Mound Cemetery contains both Union and Confederate soldiers buried in a shared sacred space.
The South Branch Potomac River valley’s agricultural landscape – orchards, cattle farms, and hay fields – reflects the Eastern Panhandle’s fertile limestone valley character.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Hampshire County Assessor at 66 N. High Street, Suite 104, Romney, WV 26757, phone 304-822-5000. WV residential assessed at 60% of market value. Appeal to Board of Equalization and Review.
Courts & Legal
Hampshire County Circuit Court at 66 N. High Street, Romney, WV 26757, phone 304-822-5112, handles probate.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
COUNTY CLERK
66 N High St, Romney, WV 26757
(304) 822-5112
CIRCUIT CLERK
66 N High St, Romney, WV 26757
(304) 822-5192
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Hampshire County Clerk’s Office, Romney (probate/estate case files – see Probate section above). The Hampshire County Courthouse (1922, Neoclassical Revival), on the National Register of Historic Places, replaced an 1833 courthouse destroyed by fire in 1921; the original bell still hangs in the current building’s bell tower. As West Virginia’s oldest county, Hampshire has an exceptionally deep documentary history dating to the colonial era.
Local societies
No dedicated Hampshire County genealogical society was confirmed in available directories.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Hampshire County Clerk’s Office (Probate/Fiduciary Supervisor) 66 North High Street, Romney, WV 26757
West Virginia’s oldest county, founded December 13, 1754, named for Hampshire, England, in the Eastern Panhandle. Romney, the county seat, is West Virginia’s oldest town (established 1762). West Virginia has NO separate probate court and has NOT adopted the Uniform Probate Code. Probate is handled administratively through the COUNTY COMMISSION, via the elected COUNTY CLERK (clerk of the county commission) and that office’s FIDUCIARY SUPERVISOR – not through the Circuit Court, which handles only contested or referred matters.
Step 1: figure out which path applies
West Virginia’s probate framework runs under Chapter 44 of the West Virginia Code, administered locally at the county commission level rather than in a court of record.
West Virginia Small Estate Act (W. Va. Code §44-1A) – available when the decedent’s ENTIRE personal probate estate does not exceed $50,000 in “small assets,” AND the decedent owned no interest in real property at all. As of a July 9, 2025 change in the law, real estate provisions were removed from the Small Estate Act entirely – any estate involving real property, of any value, can no longer use this affidavit process. If the affiant is the nominated personal representative under a will, the affidavit can be filed 30 days after death; otherwise, 60 days must pass. No personal representative may be pending or appointed in any jurisdiction.
Full/Standard Administration – required whenever real property is involved, or the estate exceeds $50,000 in personal property. The executor (with a will) or administrator (without one) qualifies before the County Clerk, receives Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, files an appraisement within 90 days of qualification, and settles the estate through the Fiduciary Supervisor or, for complex or contested matters, a court-appointed Fiduciary Commissioner.
Only if a genuine dispute arises – a will contest, or disagreement over appointment – does the matter go before the County Commission for a hearing, or in some cases the Circuit Court.
Step 2: filing for administration
The person seeking to serve as executor or administrator brings the original will (if any) and a certified death certificate to the Hampshire County Clerk’s Office to qualify.
The Clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; a corporate surety bond is typically required unless waived by the will or by agreement of all beneficiaries (with no debts).
The personal representative files an appraisement of the estate’s assets, generally within 90 days of qualification.
Notice to creditors must be published; once an appraisement is filed, the County Clerk must publish notice within 30 days (or within 120 days of qualification if no appraisement is filed).
The estate is settled through the Fiduciary Supervisor’s review, or referred to a Fiduciary Commissioner if complex or contested, culminating in a final settlement and accounting.
What it costs
Court filing fees to qualify as executor or administrator generally range from about $44 to $56, depending on whether there is a will.
West Virginia sets statutory executor commissions based on estate value: 5% on the first $100,000, 4% on the next $300,000, 3% on the next $400,000, and 2% on amounts above that.
Attorney fees for straightforward estates commonly range from $2,500-$5,000, and $5,000-$10,000+ for complex or contested cases; add bond premiums, newspaper publication fees, and appraisal/recording fees.
West Virginia does NOT impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax may apply, and only to estates above the federal exemption (roughly $15 million for a 2026 death).
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
66 N High St, Romney, WV 26757
(304) 822-3861
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
ELECTIONS
(304) 822-5112
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Health Department
Hampshire County Health Department, 165 N Grafton St, Romney, WV 26757
(304) 822-3541
DHHR Office
Hampshire County DHHR Office, 152 N Grafton St, Romney, WV 26757
(304) 822-3931
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Hampshire County Health Department – (304) 496-9640
Services: Immunizations, WIC, environmental health, vital records
Notes: Confirm current hours directly.
Editorial independence: CountyOffices maintains strict editorial independence from our affiliate partners. Our content is researched from official government sources. Affiliate relationships do not influence our recommendations or the information we publish.
Editorial Trust
5 official sources cited
Reviewed by CountyOffices Editorial Team
Last verified June 2026
County Facts
County Seat: Romney
Population: 24,000
Established: 1753
Tier: 3
Public Records
TruthFinder
Search public records for Hampshire County residents.
