Harlan County Background Information
Harlan County is a county based in the state of Kentucky. Harlan County had 26,831 total people back in 2020. The current county seat is Harlan.
It was formed in 1819.
It was named after Silas Harlan. He was one of the early settlers of Kentucky, having arrived with James Harrod in 1774 to found Harrodstown - the oldest permanent white settlement in the territory.
Harlan County Arrest Documents
Every crime that occurs within Harlan County is officially recorded. Crimes in Harlan County are split into two principal groups, violent crime and property crime. There were 4 violent and 42 property crimes in 2021 in Harlan County.
Harlan County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff: Leslie Smith
210 E. Central Street
Harlan, KY 40831
Phone: (606) 573-1313
Fax: (606) 573-2001
Harlan County Criminal Records
In Harlan County, they preserve an up to date list of all sex offenders. This is not limited to those purely living and working in Harlan County, but also those attending school or imprisoned within the county. In Harlan County, this register is available to the public. People in Harlan County can look for any sex offenders within a certain distance of their home.
There are regularly updated criminal records in Harlan County, including jail and inmate documents.
Harlan County Court Records
In Harlan County, the county courthouse oversees all criminal, family, and civil cases. Each individual court record in Harlan County is maintained by the court clerk. Harlan County court files can be obtained at:
Harlan County Courthouse
Circuit Court Clerk: Wendy Flanary
129 S. 1st St.,Harlan, KY 40831
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST
Phone: (606) 573-7114
Fax: (606) 573-5895
In the state of Kentucky, the Court of Appeals has the power to supervise any lower court case in which one party appeals. The superior or trial court in Harlan County is included in the 120 lower courts that the Court of Appeals can watch over.
NOTE - Standard files in Harlan County can be directed by mail, email, or fax. But, any official or credentialed records in Harlan County can only be delivered via mail.
Harlan County Public Documents
Vital documents are kept on every last citizen in the state of Kentucky. These files contain a person's most important life events. These records may include marriage documents, divorce papers, birth certificates, death files, and more. Harlan County plays an important role in finding vital records for the Kentucky state government. Harlan County is tasked with compiling and distributing copies of vital documents to the state.
In Kentucky, marriage files are currently compiled by every individual county clerk. The clerks then send these files to the Office of Vital Statistics. In the past, county offices in Kentucky have also been tasked with acquiring birth and death documents. The documents that these offices may have compiled can include birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, marriage licenses, divorce certificates, marriage certificates, and more. All Kentucky vital records, including those from Harlan County, are kept in one central registry. They can later be used for statistical analysis.
In Harlan County, residents can access and copy these vital files, because they are located in the public domain. The state of Kentucky passed the Kentucky Open Documents Act back in 1976, meaning that members of the public now have the fundamental right to access any public documents. The Act was amended in 1994. Harlan County residents can apply for these files at:
Harlan County Clerk: Ashley Sullivan
210 E Central St, #205
Harlan, KY 40831
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday
8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Phone: (606) 573-3636
Fax: (606) 573-0064
NOTE - Anyone looking to obtain records in person should be aware that the office opens between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST on Monday to Friday. Photo ID is needed to obtain any documents in Harlan County. A person may use a driver's license, state ID, or something similar. A person must also put their request in writing in Harlan County.
