Information You Send
When a visitor uses an address or owner-name search, the entered terms are passed to the third-party provider that returns results. This reference does not keep its own copy of each search. A message sent through a contact route contains whatever details the sender chooses to include, and those details are used to respond.
Data Collected by the Web Host
The hosting service may keep standard access logs such as IP address, browser type, pages requested, and time stamps. These logs support site operation and aggregate traffic review. Cookies or similar tools may be used for basic analytics and, when applicable, advertising measurement.
How Site Data Is Used
Information described above is used to maintain the reference, diagnose errors, understand which pages are useful, and improve the content. Visitor information is not sold as a mailing list, and individual user profiles are not built here.
External Portals and Search Services
Ritchie County property pages link to public assessor, clerk, sheriff, court, GIS, library, and municipal resources, as well as third-party search providers. Each outside service has its own privacy terms. Anything entered on another organization's form is handled under that service's practices, not this policy.
Who May Process Information
Hosting and technical providers may process server logs to keep the reference available. Analytics or advertising partners may receive the automatic information described above. Information may also be disclosed when valid legal process requires it.
Keeping Information Secure
The site uses an encrypted connection. Log information is retained only as long as needed for the operating and measurement purposes described here. There are no user accounts on this reference, so it does not keep visitor passwords or account profiles.
Children and the Site
This reference is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly request personal information from a minor. If a parent or guardian believes a child has sent information through a contact channel, they can ask that it be removed.
Requests About Your Data
Depending on applicable law, a person may have rights to ask about, correct, or delete information a website holds. West Virginia's Freedom of Information Act governs access to records held by public bodies; it does not make this private reference the custodian of Ritchie County deeds or assessment files. Use the Contact page for a request about information sent here. For a public record, contact the County Clerk, Assessor, Sheriff, town, or state office that maintains it. Eligible participants should follow the Secretary of State's Safe at Home process for protected address records. Voter-status lookup and requests for voter data must account for protected records; the official voter lookup and data request form are state services, not owner-search tools.
Changes to This Policy
If these practices change, an updated policy will be posted here. Use of the reference after an update indicates acceptance of the revised statement.