What are Knox County Public Records?
Knox public records are items or documents created, used, held, or owned by public agencies or institutions. While most records are open to members of the public, section KRS 61.878(1) of the Kentucky Open Records Act permits government agencies to deny access to certain records, including:
- Documents or records personal to government staff
- Information on juveniles or minors
- Classified information showing threat assessments to governmental buildings
- Documents that reveal the identity of an informant
- Documents that contain state secrets
- Documents that include an individual’s Social Security Number, or other personal financial details
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for comprehensive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Knox County Crime Statistics
The Kentucky State Police gathers statewide crime statistics from law enforcement agencies and reports to the FBI. According to the FBI’s 2019 report, Knox County had a total of 98 crimes, including 17 violent crimes and 81 property crimes. Reported violent crimes were 1 rape case, 4 robberies, and 12 aggravated assaults. The report also shows 81 property crimes, including 23 burglary incidents, 27 larceny thefts, and 31 motor vehicle thefts.
In 2018, the county had 19 violent crimes, including 3 robberies and 16 aggravated assaults. There were also 142 property crimes, including 70 burglary offenses, 34 larceny thefts, 38 motor vehicle thefts, and two arson cases. The 2018 total of 324 crimes shows a 65.3% reduction in crime activity between both years.
Are Knox County Criminal Records Public?
Knox County criminal records are primarily closed to the public. Although the Kentucky State Police (KSP) maintains a central database for accessing these records, the agency will process a third-party request if the record’s subject provides consent. The state police charge $20.00 for each Knox criminal record requested. Interested persons can complete the application form and mail it to:
Kentucky State Police
Criminal Identification and Records Branch
Criminal Records Dissemination Section
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Checks and money orders made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer are the only forms of payment accepted by the department. In addition, requestors must include two self-addressed stamped envelopes with their applications.
How to Obtain Knox County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office produces arrest records and police reports and issues copies to requestors. Knox police reports generally contain:
- Witness accounts
- Crime scene images
- Time of arrival and departure from the crime site
- The reason for the arrest
- Details of the arresting officers and law enforcement agency
On the other hand, Knox arrest records include personal information on the arrestee, the booking date, bail amount (if applicable), mugshot, fingerprints, charge description, and arrest date. To request Knox County arrest records or police reports, interested parties can contact the Sheriff’s Office using the information below:
Knox County Sheriff's Office
234 Court Square
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3181
Email: msmith@knoxcosheriff.org
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Knox County
Knox County sex offender information is available online at the Kentucky State sex offender registry or in person at the Sheriff's Office during office hours. Requestors can locate offenders using a unique identifying number, complete name, or address. Alternatively, requestors may find offender records by entering city, county, zip code, and mile radius information into the neighborhood map. Details on the registry include the offender’s personal information (name, race, gender, height, etc.), mugshot, sex offender number, registry status, code number, address, possible nicknames, and offense description.
How to Find Knox County Inmate Records
The Knox County Detention Center provides an online database of inmates currently incarcerated in the county jail. The website displays each inmate's name, booking date, physical description, charge details, and bail information. Additional details are obtainable from the detention center located at:
Knox County Detention Center
570 KY 225
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-6215
Fax: (606) 546-6216
Knox County Court Records
Knox County court records contain details of county court proceedings. Knox County has two courts with varying levels of jurisdiction. For instance, the Circuit Court has exclusive authority over all cases beyond the District Court’s jurisdiction. The District Court attends to felony preliminary hearings, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinances. Civil cases taken to the District Courts involve dispute settlements below $5,000.00.
The Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for creating court records for criminal and civil cases in the county's Circuit and District Courts. Interested persons may view Knox court records online or obtain physical copies.
Locations of Knox County Courts
Knox County Circuit Court
Knox County Courthouse Annex
401 Court Square
P.O. Box 760
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3075
Fax: (606) 546-7949
Knox County District Court
Knox County Courthouse Annex
401 Court Square
P.O. Box 760
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3232
Fax: (606) 546-7949
Are Knox County Court Records Public?
The Kentucky Open Records Act allows public access to court records. The Circuit Court Clerk issues copies of desired court records to interested persons who submit official requests and pay applicable fees. However, the Court Clerk’s Office may restrict access to Knox County court records considered sensitive or confidential by state law. Examples of exempt court records include:
- Juvenile records
- Medical records
- Income tax returns
- Adoption records
- Emergency mental evaluations
- Guardianship terminating parental rights
- Records sealed by court orders
How to Obtain Knox County Civil Court Case Records
The Knox County Court Clerk's Office provides citizens with civil court case records. The names of the litigants, charge information, court dates, and other related information are all required to search for Knox County civil court records. Interested parties can submit applications in person or by mail.
Requestors should include personal contact information and self-addressed stamped envelopes with mail requests. Also, parties should note that the Clerk’s Office may charge varying request fees. Record seekers should send detailed requests to:
Knox County Court Clerk's Office
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3568
Fax: (606) 546-3589
Civil court records in Knox County are accessible online via the CourtNet 2.0 database provided by the Kentucky Courts Of Justice. Interested persons can obtain civil records using different search options on the central repository. Access to the online databases requires a subscription that costs $0.25 per case search.
How to Obtain Knox County Criminal Court Case Records
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office accepts written requests for Knox County criminal court records. Each request should include names, dates, charge information, and other relevant details regarding the records. Interested persons should submit mail or in-person applications to:
Knox County Court Clerk's Office
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3568
Fax: (606) 546-3589
Alternatively, searchers may use the CourtNet 2.0 database created by the Kentucky Courts Of Justice. The online statewide repository is only available to subscribers at $0.25 per case search.
What are Knox County Vital Records
Knox County vital records contain details of county life events, such as divorces, marriages, births, and deaths. Interested persons may access desired Knox vital records by contacting the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS), a division of the Kentucky Cabinet For Health and Family Services. The statewide repository accepts mail and in-person requests.
Divorce Records
Knox County divorce records created since June 1958 are available at the Kentucky OVS. However, persons seeking Knox County divorce decrees or other divorce records older than June 1958 should contact the Circuit Court Clerk. Access to records in the Court Clerk’s custody requires mail or in-person requests submitted using the details below:
Knox County Court Clerk's Office
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3568
Fax: (606) 546-3589
For Knox County divorce certificates, interested individuals can send completed Marriage/Divorce Certificate Application forms to the Vital Statistics Office at:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Applicants should include the full names of the parties involved, divorce location, and divorce date. Each copy of a divorce record costs $6.00. The Kentucky OVS accepts money orders and checks payable to the 'Kentucky State Treasurer.' While in-person requests are granted on the same day, mail requests may take up to two weeks.
Marriage Records
Interested parties can obtain Knox County marriage records from the Kentucky OVS. Each request requires a completed Marriage/Divorce Certificate Application form filled with the names of both parties, marriage location, and marriage date. Requestors should also include personal details and contact information.
Each requested Knox County marriage certificate costs $6.00, payable only through checks or money orders made out to the 'Kentucky State Treasurer.' All parties should submit in-person or mail applications to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Birth Records
The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics grants access to birth records created since 1911. However, Knox County birth records are only open to persons named on the records (if at least 18 years old) and their direct relatives. Each requested Knox County birth certificate costs $10.00, payable only through checks or money orders made out to the 'Kentucky State Treasurer.' Eligible applicants should complete Birth Certificate Application forms and mail them to the OVS at:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Death Records
Knox County death records created since 1911 are available at the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Under the Open Records Act, only the deceased's relatives and legal representatives can request death records. Requestors should complete Death Certificate Application forms and mail them to the Kentucky OVS. Each request requires a $10.00 check or money order payable to the 'Kentucky State Treasurer.' Applicants should send requests to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
