Kentucky Public Records
In accordance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, this website provides every person living in Kentucky with the right to obtain, observe, and search for public records. The act specifies that all records and government information are presumed public and available to citizens.
The tools on this website help to ensure that all members of the general public have the right and ability to access these records easily and concisely without necessarily requiring personal information.
The information documented on this website includes criminal records, court records, vital records, and over 41 million transparent public records.
Are Kentucky Records Public?
Almost all records created or maintained by government entities in the State of Kentucky are considered open to the public unless exempt by law. The Kentucky Public Records Act defines public records as all books, papers, pictures, tapes, discs, and other documentation prepared, used, or in possession of public agencies. Kentucky public records also comprise information created or used in performing any form of government business, such as emails, databases, and other electronic records.
What is Considered Public Information in Kentucky?
Records considered public information in Kentucky include the following:
- Divorce records
- Inmate records
- Land and Property records
- Bankruptcy records
- Sex offender information
- Marriage records
- Court records
- Mugshots
- Court records
- Criminal records
The public records act gives an expansive description of what public records can be. They can be books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, discs, tapes, audio, video, software, and any other documentation, regardless of physical form or characteristics. Under the public records act, these records can be obtained by contacting the correct government entity or their record custodian.
How Do I Find Public Records in Kentucky?
According to the Kentucky Public Records Act, each government agency must appoint an official custodian of the agency’s records. This is the employee who is responsible for the keeping and maintenance of the records whether they are in his custody and control or not (KRS 61.870(5)). Requesters may access records with the custodian using some very easy steps.
- Know the type of record to be requested and its agency or custodian
Requesters must be able to accurately describe the record they require and know the correct custodian in charge of it. Inaccurate requests or requests sent to the wrong location will most likely be delayed. Court records requests are directed to the correct circuit court clerk and an arrest record would be obtained from the custodian at the local sheriff’s office. Similarly, requesters can obtain property records from the county assessor’s office, and vital records from the county department of health. Working out this part is important and will help prevent delays and rejections.
- Contact the custodian
As the law states that all government agencies must appoint a records officer, a requester must identify this person. Customarily, this officer’s identity and contact details can be found on the government agency’s website. The Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives also provides a list of state government agency records officers and their contact details on their website. This will help identify who to contact when in search of a certain record from a government agency. Some government agencies allow requests to call before requesting to inquire if a certain record exists and is a public record.
- Make the Request
The record request itself must be made to the custodian. Most government agencies will have a request form that can be used to make public record requests from them. The Attorney General of Kentucky has also produced a standard record request form that all government agencies must accept. A request can not be denied because the standard form was not used and a precisely written request will also be accepted. The government agency may require that a written request with the following:
- The requester’s name printed legibly
- A clear description of the records required to be inspected or copied
- The requestor's signature
- In addition, some agencies may require a written statement explaining how the requester is a resident of the commonwealth.
The request can be submitted by hand-delivery, mail, email to the custodian at any of the valid addresses published by the agency. If requested the custodian must mail the required records to the requester after receiving the costs of copying and mailing the records. If the records are required for commercial use the requester will be required to state this for billing purposes. Filing of a records request will be free but requesters will be charged for copies and postage of the copies to the requester. It is also a good idea to keep copies of your requests as they might be useful during an appeal if the request is denied.
Using Third-Party Sites to Find Public Records in Kentucky
City Records
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Public Records
Public records can also be accessed from third-party websites. These third-party public records aggregate websites offer search services that are non-geographically limited, making the search result expansive and typically straightforward. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record as long as the subject is not a juvenile
- The last known or location of the record subject
Third-party public records search websites are not government-sponsored services. Therefore, the availability and accuracy of results can vary.
How Do I Lookup Public Records for Free in Kentucky?
Being able to look up free records in Kentucky will generally depend on the type of record and which agency is in charge of it. However, looking up records for free can usually be done in a few ways. The easiest way is to request to inspect the records in person at the custodian’s office during regular office hours (KRS 61.872(3a)). Many Kentucky government agencies have public terminals where records can be looked up and accessed for free. The state of Kentucky also operates an online sex offender database and the Department of Corrections operates an offender locator where information and records can be obtained. The search tools on these websites and databases allow users to locate information and records online for free using names and criteria like offender numbers. Court case information and other records can also be looked up online using the CourtNet database found on the Kentucky Courts of Justice website. The best ways to locate and lookup records for free remain searching online and requesting to physically view an agency’s records in person.
Kentucky public records were created starting in 1852 and were from all 120 counties in the state. Digitization of public records has become the standard over the past 30 years, and more are digitized with each passing year. This means that both third-party and governmental websites can offer these records with increased reliability. This helps to ensure Kentucky abides by the commitment of the United States of America to remain a fair and just society for all.
