Kentucky Public Records
Kentucky has long made clear provisions for sharing most of its public records. It is important to understand what the public law says about accessing these records.
First passed in 1976, the Kentucky Open Records Act gives the public the constitutional right to access many of the public records. The Act is found in Chapter 61 KRS 61.870-61.884 of the state statute. The law states that “any person” can examine public records. The word ‘person’ also includes communities, societies, and corporations. You may be required to disclose the reason why you are requesting for the records and what you intend to use them for.
The public bodies that have to produce records include all public agencies, including al local and state government offices. Included here are the legislative and executive branches, as well as anybody in Kentucky that receives at least 25 percent of its funds from the government. The judicial branch is exempt from the law. Records that exempt include:
- Medical files
- Trade secrets
- Personal information
- Law enforcement records
- Examination data
- Records made exempt by court order or statute
Kentucky Criminal Records
There are two agencies that handle background checks in the state of Kentucky. You can apply for criminal records report using the online system of Kentucky Court of Justice. This is a name-based report and it is also for public records report. The Kentucky State Police also administers background checks for employment, criminal justice and licensing purposes. These reports require a signed consent from the person you would want to perform a background check on. They are also name-based reports.
For any information on an offender in the state of Kentucky, or information on the correctional facilities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or if you need any help with the Victim Services, just go to the website of Department of Corrections. There is a page that the state provides known as Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) where you can search for an offender. You will be required to key in the offender’s First, Last, and Middle Name. The system provides the current location, earliest possible release date, and a list of charges of the offender.
Kentucky Court Records
You can get information about the court system of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from the website of the administrator of the courts. You can search court records through the state’s online website known as CourtNet. This will provide you with records on civil and criminal cases. However, you will still have to request for proper copies through the courthouse where the case was heard.
Kentucky Vital Records
Kentucky Vital Records are under the maintenance of the Kentucky Cabinet for health and Family Services, Vital Statistic Office. You can request for birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificate online by ordering directly through VitalCheck.com. You can also make your request in person at Office of Vital Statistics at: 275 E. Main St., 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Alternatively, you can request for these records by mail by completing an appropriate downloadable form, which you will submit to the Office of Vital Statistics, 275 E. Main St., 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621 along with the required documentation.
- Birth records: Birth certificates in Kentucky are available from 1911 to present. You can only be granted access to these records if you are the subject, legal guardian, or a parent.
- Death records: Death certificates in Kentucky are accessible from 10911 to present. These records are only available to close relatives or the deceased’s legal representatives.
- Marriage records: Marriage certificates in Kentucky are available statewide from 1908 to present. Anyone can request for these records.
- Divorce records: Divorce records are available statewide from 1958 to present. Anyone can request for these records.
By making your request appropriately and to the right agency, office, or website, you should be able to obtain any obtainable records without any difficulty.
Kentucky State Court System
Understanding how the system of Kentucky state court works is very important as it helps you find court records easily.
Kentucky Courts Overview
To make your work easier, start searching for court records in Kentucky by simply going to courts by county.
The trial court system of Kentucky State consists of District Courts and Circuit Courts.
Kentucky Circuit Courts
Kentucky Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction to handle all types of criminal and civil cases, but typically handle only those cases that District Courts have no jurisdiction to handle.
Typical civil cases that Circuit Courts hear include civil cases with disputed amount of money being more than $5,000, excluding costs and interest. They also handle adoption, dissolution of marriage, reviews of the decisions made by administrative agencies, contested probate cases, and disputes involving title to real property.
Typical criminal cases that Circuit Courts hear include lesser included offenses, felonies and capital crimes.
There are some Circuit Courts that have Family Court divisions for handling cases such as domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect, termination of parental rights, adoption, paternity, divorce, child support, and child custody. Family Court divisions share jurisdiction with District Courts over certain types of cases.
District Courts, Circuit Courts, and Family Court divisions may have Drug Court divisions for offering an alternative to incarceration for some types of cases that involve drug use. A Drug Court supervises the progress of individuals who have been enrolled into drug rehabilitation programs.
Kentucky District Courts
These courts have jurisdiction to handle certain types of criminal and civil cases. Civil cases that District Courts hear include civil cases with disputed amount totaling to less than $5,000, exclusive of costs and interest. They also handle domestic violence cases, involuntary and voluntary commitments, guardianships, conservatorships, uncontested probate matters, and reviews of decisions by local administrative agencies.
Typical criminal cases that District Courts hear include majority of misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for capital criminal or felony cases, and violations of city or county ordinances.
Each District Court has a Juvenile Court division for handling cases such as child neglect, some criminal offenses, juvenile delinquency, child abuse, and runaways. These Juvenile Court divisions share some jurisdiction with the Family Court divisions of Circuit Courts over some types of cases.
The Small Claims Court division hears majority of civil cases with amount in dispute being less than $2,500 between all parties involved. Certain types of parties and certain types of claims cannot be heard in Small Claims Court. In addition, jury trials are also not available.
A District Court may have a Drug Court division to offer an alternative to incarceration for some cases that involve drug use. A District Court may also have a Teen Court division for children who are aged 10 to 17 who have been either found guilty or have entered a plea of guilty by a court over minor criminal offenses.
The Official Website of Kentucky County
Louisville LouisvilleKy.gov News, Events and Online Services for the Louisville Metro area.
Lexington Lexington, Kentucky: Horse Capital of the World® The official site of the City of Lexington provides quick and easy access to information about the agencies, programs and services available.
Owensboro City of Owensboro
Covington The City of Covington, Kentucky – Official Government Website
Hopkinsville City of Hopkinsville, KY Official Website for Local Government Welcome to Hopkinsville, KY
Richmond
Florence Welcome to City Of Florence, Kentucky
Henderson Henderson, KY – Official Website
Elizabethtown City of Elizabethtown – Strong & Growing Since 1779
Nicholasville Nicholasville.org | Welcome to the City of Nicholasville, Kentucky Positioned in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region, on the outskirts of Lexington, Nicholasville is Kentucky’s seventh fastest growing city.
Jeffersontown Jeffersontown, KY – Official Website
Frankfort Frankfort, KY | Official Website
Paducah City of Paducah
Independence City of Independence – The City of Independence KY
Radcliff City of Radcliff – Radcliff, KY 40160
Jefferson County Jefferson County Clerk | Bobbie Holsclaw
Fayette County Lexington, Kentucky: Horse Capital of the World® The official site of the City of Lexington provides quick and easy access to information about the agencies, programs and services available.
Kenton County Welcome to Kenton County, KY
Boone County Welcome to Boone County, KY
Warren County Warren County, KY | Where People Prosper, and Businesses Thrive Warren County, Kentucky, is a great place to live, work, raise a family and own a business. Come visit and see for yourself.
Hardin County Hardin County Government – Centralized Local Government Information Centralized Local Government Information
Daviess County Daviess County Kentucky Daviess County Fiscal Court provides an array of services to its residents, visitors and businesses. Provided are links to the various departments of the Fiscal Court.
Campbell County Campbell County Campbell County Kentucky
Madison County Madison County, KY – Official Site Madison County, KY Government.
Bullitt County Bullitt County Clerk’s Office Kentucky
Christian County Christian County, Kentucky Visit or stay with us awhile and you’ll soon discover that Christian County is a great place to live, work, do business or simply enjoy the pleasures of life.
McCracken County McCracken – Serving the people of McCracken County, Kentucky
Pulaski County Pulaski County Government WELCOME TO PULASKI COUNTY
Oldham County Oldham County Fiscal Court
Pike County Our Home in The Mountains
Jessamine County Jessamine County Kentucky
Franklin County Franklin County | KENTUCKY
Boyd County Boyd County Fiscal Court
Henderson County Henderson County, KY | Official Website
Shelby County Welcome to Shelby County Kentucky!
Nelson County Nelson County, Kentucky
Barren County Welcome – Barren County
Calloway County Calloway County KY Official website of the Calloway County Fiscal Court
Graves County Graves County Welcome Graves County!
Greenup County Greenup County | Kentucky Greenup County was established in 1803 and named for the fourth Governor of Kentucky. Come visit us and explore the beauty for yourself.
Clark County Clark County Kentucky
Whitley County Whitley County
Muhlenberg County Welcome – Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Marshall County Marshall County Chamber of Commerce
Boyle County Boyle County Kentucky – Historically Bold – Rich in History, Traditions, & Opportunity
Meade County Meade County Meade County
Harlan County Harlan County, Kentucky – Official Web Site – Welcome! Complete source for information on all tourism destinations in Harlan County, Kentucky, including ATV and off-road trails, horseback trails, hiking and more.
Bell County Welcome – Bell County, Kentucky
Perry County Perry County, Kentucky Welcome to Perry County The official site for Perry County, Kentucky providing key information about the County.
Montgomery County Montgomery CountyWelcome to Montgomery County!
Kentucky Arrests and Inmate Search
Bell County Detention Center Bell County Detention Center Inmate List
Inmates Boone County Inmate Search
Welcome to the Clark County Detention Center Clark County Detention Center
Daviess County Jail Inmates Daviess County Detention Center Inmate Lookup
Lexington Kentucky Inmate information Resources for information about inmates, bail bonds, visiting, inmate services and more.
Franklin County Regional Jail Franklin County Regional Jail Current Inmates
Hardin County Detention Center Hardin County Detention Center Current Inmates
Henderson County Detention Center Henderson County Detention Center Inmate Search
Archonix XJail Public Louisville Kentucky Inmates
Laurel County Corrections Laurel County Corrections Inmate Roster
Ohio County Detention Center Inmates Ohio County Detention Center Inmate List
Welcome to the Shelby County Detention Center Shelby County Detention Center Recently Booked
Simpson County Detention Center Simpson County Detention Center Jail Tracker Inmates
Union County Jail Union County Jail Inmate Roster
Whitley County Detention Center Inmate List Whitley County Detention Center Inmate List
Kentucky Offender Search – Kentucky Department of Corrections – Offender Online Lookup System KOOL – Kentucky Online Offender Lookup
Criminal Record Reports Criminal Record Reports Kentucky Court of Justice – The Judicial Branch of State Government for the Commonwealth of Kentucky – A unified court system
Welcome to KYeCourts Kentucky Court Case Search
Home Page – Kentucky Sex Offender Registry Kentucky Sex Offender Registry