Crime Numbers
The Kentucky State Police compiles crime statistics for all counties in the state. In its latest reports, Kenton County recorded 1,827 violent crimes and 2,504 property crimes in 2018. Compared to the crime figures for 2014, violent crime rate (1.6%) and property crime rate (38%) both declined in the county. A breakdown of reported crimes for 2018 shows that there were 14 murders, 208 rape, 89 robberies, and 1,516 aggravated assaults. Kenton County also recorded 393 burglaries, 1,874 larcenies, and 237 motor vehicle thefts in the same year.
The latest five-year crime trend for Kenton County shows that the following crimes recorded lower numbers in 2018 compared to 2014: rape (0.95%), robbery (35.9%), burglary (53.4%), and larceny (36.9%). In the same period, murder, aggravated assault, and motor vehicle theft rates increased by (55.6%), (1.1%), and (4.4%) respectively.
Criminal Records
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) provides name-based criminal history checks for all counties in the state including Kenton County. It charges $20 for each criminal history check requested. To request a copy of an individual’s background record, download a form from the list of background check forms available on the KSP website. Mail the completed form along with a check or money order for the fee to:
Kentucky State Police
Criminal Identifications and Records Branch Criminal Records Dissemination Section
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 227-8700
The KSP also offers fingerprint-based criminal history check for an additional $10. This requires obtaining the permission of the subject of the check.
The Administrative Office of the Courts Office under the Kentucky Court of Justice also offers criminal record reports. These compile past court activities of the subjects of such checks. Court-derived criminal record reports cost $25 each and can be obtained online, in person, or by mail. There are two ways to submit an online request: by visiting the AOCFastCheck page with the option to retrieve results online or using the One-Time Request option to have results returned by mail. When making an in-person request, come to the drive-thru window of:
Administrative Office of the Courts
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-2350
The window is open to the public from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The location accepts cash and credit card for payment. To submit a mail-in request, complete the criminal record request form, attach a check or money order for the fee, and send it to the Records Unit at the address provided above.
Police reports for incidents that occurred in Kenton County are provided by the police department in the city, borough, or town where the event occurred. For example, the Covington Police Department provides reports for incidents that occurred in the City of Covington, the county seat. To request a copy of a police report from the Covington Police Department, visit the office in person between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Its address and contact information are:
1 Police Memorial Drive
Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 356-3191
Fax: (859) 292-0333
Reports are available 3 to 4 days after submitting requests and provided free of charge for the parties involved in the reported incidences. Third parties are required to file open record requests and pay 10 cents per page of report. The Covington Police Department also provides accident reports for in-person requests at a rate of $5.
The Kentucky State Police maintains a statewide database of registered sex offenders living in the state and makes this registry available to the public. To find registered sex offenders living in Kenton County, visit the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry and search the database by name or street address.
The Kenton County Detention Center is the main correctional facility in the county. The jail is located at:
3000 Decker Crane Lane
Covington, KY 41017
(859) 363-2400
Friends and family can fund inmates’ commissary accounts online through TouchPay. Visitors are also allowed to purchase prepaid phone cards for inmates at the jail lobby. These cards come in denominations of $5, $10, and $20. The jail’s lobby is open to the public between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and during visitations on Saturday and Sunday.
Court Records
Kenton County's primary trial court is the Circuit Court. It handles felonies, capital crimes, and civil disputes with claims over $5,000. The other main court in the county is the District Court with jurisdiction over ordinances violations, most misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings for a felony or capital criminal cases. Civil matters with claims under $5,000 fall under the District Court’s jurisdiction. Both the Kenton County Circuit Court and District Court share the same location:
Kenton County Justice Center
230 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-6523
The Office of the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk serves maintains all court records in the county. The public can request copies of these records in person on the third floor of the Kenton County Justice Center. They can also submit their requests online or by fax to (859) 292-6611. Each copy costs 25 cents per page and certified copies cost an additional $5 per document.
Vital Records
The Office of Vital Statistics of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services maintains Kenton County divorce records from June 1958 to the present. Certified copies of divorce certificates can be ordered by phone, mail, or in-person by visiting the office. When making a request by mail, complete the application form (also provided in Spanish) and send it with a check or money order for the fee of $6 to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-4212
Make the check or money payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. For an in-person order, visit the address above anytime from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For divorce records prior to June 1958, contact the Kenton County Family Court Division of Circuit Court (address above).
The process and requirements for obtaining Kenton County divorce records are the same for requesting certified copies of marriage records. Use the same application form and follow the order process as described above. Certified copies of marriage certificates older than June 1958 are available from the Kenton County Clerk’s Office. Each of these old marriage records cost $5. To request for copies, send a written request to:
Kenton County Clerk’s Office
303 Court Street, Room 102
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 392-1652
Kenton County birth and death records are also provided by the Office of Vital Statistics. The Office has records of births and deaths from 1911 to the present. Follow the process described above for divorce records when requesting these vital records. Download a birth certificate (Spanish copy) or death certificate (Spanish copy) application form to initiate a request. Vital Statistics charges $10 for each certified copy of a birth record and $6 per copy of death certificate.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Kenton County
In compliance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, non-confidential property records are accessible to the members of the public. Interested persons and entities can request, view, inspect, and obtain copies of Kenton County property records from the custodian office in charge of maintaining and issuing copies of the documents.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Kenton County
The Kenton County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian of all land and real estate documentation within the county. Property records, such as deeds, plats, encumbrance, judgement liens, mortgage, and other documents pertaining to real estate transactions, are accessible through the County Clerk's Office.
Record seekers may obtain Kenton County property records in-person by visiting the County Clerk's Office at:
1840 Simon Kenton Way
Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 392-1650
Fax: (859) 392-1613
Likewise, the Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator is also a custodian of all documented property records in the county. It provides access to online and offline copies of property records. Record seekers may visit the Property Valuation Administrator's Office to obtain offline copies of property records at the location below.
1840 Simon Kenton Way
Suite 3300
Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 392-1750
Fax: (859) 392-1770
How to Look Up Kenton County Property Records
The Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator's Office maintains a searchable online database for property records. To obtain property information via the online platform, record seekers must use the free access or create a paid account.
To use the paid account, record seekers may sign up for the hourly subscription plan or the monthly subscription plan. The PVA charges $5 for the hourly subscription. In contrast, record seekers must fill out a request form, the subscription fee, and the fee worksheet to the mail address provided below.
Kenton County PVA
1840 Simon Kenton Way
Suite 3300
Covington, KY, 41011
Requesters must send the subscription fee as a check payable to the Kenton County PVA.
Location of Kenton County Property Assessors
Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator
1840 Simon Kenton Way
Suite 3300
Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 392-1750
Fax: (859) 392-1770
