What are Louisville Public Records?
The Kentucky Open Records Act, which regulates Louisville public records, provides that all records prepared, utilized, and maintained by a public agency should be available to the public upon request (except when exempted by law. Louisville public records may consist of documents that are typed, handwritten, stored electronically, or maintained any other way, regardless of physical form. General inspection of Louisville public records may not be allowed for:
- Records containing private information that could violate personal privacy
- Records confidentially disclosed for scientific purposes except as directed otherwise by another statute
- Records of a business or industry potentially situating itself in Louisville if the business or industry hasn’t made the prior announcement
- Records of real estate appraisals or feasibility estimates relating to the acquisition of properties by or for a public agency
- Records of examination questions or data before the examination is conducted
- Records of a confidential informant
In addition to government agencies, public city records may be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- 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.
Louisville Crime Statistics
The Louisville Metro Police Department supplies annual data on crime statistics for the city. The department also makes use of crime maps to share data on the city’s crime rate. Between January 2020 and September 2020, there were 4915 violent crimes, a 29.68% increase compared to the previous year. In the same period, there were 125 cases of murder, a 78.57% increase when compared to 2019. Louisville also recorded 146 cases of rape, 932 cases of robbery, 3712 cases of aggravated assault in the same year. There were also 18369 property crimes, which is a 7.32% reduction compared with the previous year. Regardless, motor vehicle theft and burglary increased by 11.11% and 6.90%, respectively.
Are Louisville Criminal Records Public?
Louisville criminal records are public records except when considered confidential by law. The records are stored with the Administrative Office of the Courts and are made available to interested requestors for $25. The records cover all misdemeanors and traffic violations dating back to the past five years, while records are available for felonies since 1978. These criminal records do not contain driving or arrest records.
Louisville criminal records may be obtained online via the AOCFastCheck. Requesters could also make an online one-time request and receive the records by U.S Mail. Applicants must be registered on the platform to receive results electronically. In-person requests are a third option. City residents can obtain records from the drive-through window at the Administrative Office of the Courts, which is open from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Mail-service requests may be sent to:
Administrative Office of the Courts
Records Unit
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
Interested persons are required to complete the application form when requesting the records via the drive-through window or the mailing service. Payment is accepted via checks or money orders payable to the “Kentucky State Treasurer”. For in-person requests, cards from American Express, Discover, Master Card, and Visa are accepted.
How to Obtain Louisville Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Louisville Metro Police Department provides access to incident or offense reports. These reports can be obtained electronically with a payment of $10. Payments can be made using MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express cards, or through Paypal. There is also the option of an in-person request, which requires a fee of $1. Interested persons can visit the address below to obtain a copy of any of these reports.
701 West Ormsby Avenue
Suite 001
Louisville, KY 40202
Note that requestors are required to present valid means of identification as not all incident reports are public records. Louisville accident reports are not public records and can only be obtained by a related person with proper ID, and the insurance company’s representative if the agency is listed on the report. An attorney representing any of the listed parties may also have access to the accident report.
To obtain a copy of an accident report, the requestor would need:
- Report number
- Report date
- Driver’s last name or owner’s last name
Where the accident report number is unknown, persons may request from the LMPD.
To obtain a copy of an incident report, the requestor would need:
- Victim’s last name
- The report number
- The report date
Interested persons who prefer a copy of the report sent to them via United States Postal Service or via email should send an email to lmpdaccidentreport@louisvilleky.gov for accident reports or lmpdincidentreport@louisvilleky.gov for incident reports. Requestors can also call any of the following numbers between the hours of 8 a.m to 4 p.m on a weekday.
- 574-2308
- 574-6857
- 574-6881
- 574-3278
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Louisville
The Kentucky State Police, in compliance with the provisions of Kentucky Revised Statutes, makes online information available on sex offenders in Louisville and other parts of Kentucky. Interested persons can obtain sex offender information by visiting the sex offender registry and filling in the required details. Search results can be filtered by offender number or last name, street address, city, county, and zip code. There is also the provision of a neighborhood map that helps requestors to determine the number of sex offenders within a particular radius. The map also allows individuals to track a particular offender’s movement throughout the state. To use the neighborhood map, fill out the required fields, and click on the search button. Individuals may also subscribe for notifications if interested in tracking sex offenders in and out of the county.
How to Find Louisville Inmate Records
The Louisville Department of Corrections keeps records of all inmates incarcerated in Jefferson County jails. Interested persons can use the inmate search tool to find information on inmates as well as their mugshots.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Louisville Jail?
Individuals who wish to visit an inmate housed in Louisville Jail must first register. Thereafter, a visitation time will be allocated to the visitor. Visits are usually based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visitation is allowed after arraignment, classification, and housing assignments have been made. Inmates are allowed one 20-minute session for every scheduled day, and no more than two adults, or an adult and a child, may visit for every session. Visitors who travel at least 100 miles to Louisville will be allowed an extended period of 40 minutes, once every seven days. Such visitors will be required to present two forms of identification, including a valid government-issued ID, a piece of mail dated within the past 30 days, or a departing fare ticket. A visit may be canceled and rescheduled if the visitor leaves and returns after signing up.
Court Records
By adopting the Open Records Policy, the Kentucky Supreme Court provides general access to court records through the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Locations of Courts in Louisville
Louisville is home to the following courthouses:
Jefferson County Judicial Centre
700 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY.
The Jefferson County Judicial Center houses the following courts:
Circuit Civil Court
Circuit Criminal Court
Jefferson Family Court
Jefferson District Criminal/Traffic Court
Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice
600 W. Jefferson St. Louisville, KY
Jefferson Civil District/ Small Claims Department
Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice
600 W. Jefferson St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Other courts, such as juvenile courts and probate courts, are also housed at the Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice.
Are Louisville Court Records Public?
Except when sealed by a judge or restricted by another law, all Louisville court records are considered public records. Louisville residents may access public records upon request. Obtaining a Louisville civil court case record by U.S Mail will require a $10 fee for every 18 pages and $0.25 per page for in-person requests. To obtain a Louisville civil court case record, interested parties would need to send a written request to:
Archives and Records Department
Office of Circuit Court Clerk
Old Jail Building, Room 100
514 W. Liberty Street
Louisville, KY 40202.
Additionally, a requester can access the circuit or district court dockets for review on the Kentucky Court of Justice Website. The Archives and Records department in the Office of the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining records of closed court cases. The department is also responsible for providing access to records of the district, small claims, and probate courts, as well as cases from the family court. Interested persons may also be able to access circuit civil court cases from 1700 to date.
What are Louisville Vital Records?
Louisville vital records are documented details of life events such as birth, stillbirth, death, marriages, divorce. These events are recorded and maintained by government entities that preserve, protect, and issue certified copies of these certificates. Louisville vital records may be obtained by submitting applications to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Where and How to Obtain Louisville Divorce Records
The Office of Vital Statistics contains records of all divorces and marriages in Kentucky from June 1958 to date. To obtain a Louisville divorce record, complete an application form with all known information on the desired record. Each record costs $6, payable by check or money order made out to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail the request to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Note that the fee is a search fee and thus non-refundable even if the certificate is not found. The Office of Vital Statistics has made provisions for a drop box at its visitors’ entrance.
Where and How to Get Marriage records in Louisville
Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, all marriage records are considered public and accessible to anyone for a fee of $6. Interested persons may obtain the application form from the website of the State Vital Records Office. Fill out the information and mail the form to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
A money order or check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer must be attached and submitted alongside the form. The requestor may also deposit the documents in the drop box at the visitors’ entrance of the Office of Vital Statistics.
Where and How to find Louisville Birth records
The Office of Vital Statistics is responsible for maintaining birth records in Kentucky from 1911 to date. Kentucky birth records are not public records and can only be accessed by the subject of the record, parent or legal guardian, and the subject’s attorney. Every other person must provide a court order granting them access.
To obtain a Louisville birth record, requesters must complete the birth certificate application form and attach a money order or check of $10 per record payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail the request to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
A government-issued ID is required, along with proof of a relationship to the subject of the record. Ineligible persons may only access Louisville birth records after obtaining a court order that grants access. Requestors may also deposit the documents in the drop box at the visitors’ entrance of the Office of Vital Statistics.
Where and How to Find Louisville Death Records
Kentucky death records are considered public records and can be accessed by the general public. Obtaining a Louisville death record will require a non-refundable fee of $6 for each copy. To order, complete a death certificate application form, attach a money order or check made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, and mail the documents to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
The requestor may also deposit the documents in the drop box at the visitors' entrance of the Office of Vital Statistics.
