Investigations Unit 

The Secretary of State's Office has statutory authority over the regulation of elections, notaries, the licensing of private investigators, and charitable solicitations. The Investigations Unit is the office that investigates violations in these areas.

As the elections official for the State, the Secretary of State's Office is committed to ensuring that elections are administered legally and fairly, to the fullest extent provided by law.  The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) provides for an administrative complaint procedure available to complainants who believe that they have been discriminated against or denied their right to vote. To see the statute outlining this complaint procedure, please click here.

Traditionally, the majority of the work for this unit has been possible violations of the state's election laws; however, an additional effort for these investigators will be organization's compliance with the state's charity solicitation code. Maintaining compliance with the statutory requirements for charities soliciting donations from West Virginia citizens is a paramount concern of the Secretary of State.

Notaries Public serve a very important function in the prevention of fraudulent business transactions and legal filings and the regulation of their licensing is a duty that the Secretary of State's Office takes very seriously. Please contact our Investigations Unit should you have any concerns or complaints regarding Notary Public's actions.

The certification and licensing of private investigators and the firms that employ them, is one through the Secretary of State's Office. Because of the important use of these professionals in the legal field, the Secretary of State's Office takes the responsibility that their actions are within the guidelines of the West Virginia Code, very seriously.

You may call and speak with one of our investigators to answer questions regarding compliance to the sections of the West Virginia Code that the Secretary of State oversees. If you wish to file a confidential complaint to be investigated by this office, you must complete a notarized complaint form (attached below).

You may contact the Secretary of State's Investigations Unit at 304-558-6000 or toll-free 1-877-372-8398.

Please click here for Election Complaint Form.                 Please click here for Other Complaint Form.