Kentucky public records
Kentucky's court-record guide directs requests according to court and record age. County PVAs hold assessments; county clerks hold modern deed records. Historical land-grant searches serve a different purpose. Check Kentucky's statutory requester-residency definition before using the Open Records Act.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsKentucky Court of Justice | Request records from the court clerk using the judiciary's record-location instructions. | Court copies and certification can incur charges. Record location depends on age and court; a background report and the underlying case file are different. |
| Property and land recordsKentucky Department of Revenue | Find the county Property Valuation Administrator for assessments; use the county clerk for deeds. | County copy and certification charges vary. Historical land-grant databases do not replace the modern county deed record. |
| Business recordsKentucky Secretary of State | Search the business name and inspect the entity profile and available filings. | Basic search and certified-document requests differ. Business registration and occupational licensing are separate checks. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceKentucky Office of Vital Statistics | Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering. | Record search and certificate fees apply. State coverage and access rules vary; older marriage/divorce documents may require the county clerk or court. |
| Criminal-history checksKentucky State Police | Choose the correct background-check form for the permitted purpose. | Fees depend on check type. KSP record checks and Court of Justice reports have different coverage and authorization requirements. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Kentucky
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Kentucky's Open Records Act is available to people meeting its statutory Kentucky-resident definition, which includes certain workers, businesses and news organizations.
- How to submit
- Identify the Kentucky agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The public agency normally must issue its written decision within five business days. A permitted delay must identify the reason and earliest availability date.
- Fees and estimates
- Non-commercial copying fees generally reflect actual reproduction costs rather than staff search time. Commercial-purpose requests have different rules.
- If access is denied
- A requester may appeal an agency denial to the Kentucky Attorney General by supplying the request and denial, or seek circuit court review.
Kentucky records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Kentucky public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Kentucky Open Records Act (Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 61.870–61.884), I request electronic copies of the county's final road-project contract and payment records for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Kentucky public records FAQ
Where can I find Kentucky court records?
Request records from the court clerk using the judiciary's record-location instructions. Record location depends on age and court; a background report and the underlying case file are different.
Sources: Kentucky Court of JusticeAre Kentucky public records free?
Non-commercial copying fees generally reflect actual reproduction costs rather than staff search time. Commercial-purpose requests have different rules. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Kentucky official public-records guidance; Kentucky Court of Justice; Kentucky Office of Vital StatisticsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Kentucky?
Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering. State coverage and access rules vary; older marriage/divorce documents may require the county clerk or court.
Sources: Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics; Kentucky Court of JusticeIs a Kentucky court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. KSP record checks and Court of Justice reports have different coverage and authorization requirements. Choose the correct background-check form for the permitted purpose.
Sources: Kentucky State Police; Kentucky Court of JusticeSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Kentucky official public-records guidance — checked
- Kentucky Court of Justice — checked
- Kentucky Department of Revenue — checked
- Kentucky Secretary of State — checked
- Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics — checked
- Kentucky State Police — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions