What are Bowling Green Public Records?
According to the Kentucky Open Records Act, Bowling Green public records are records that are prepared, owned, or held by the city's agencies. Public records may be related to functions, activities, programs, or operations funded by government agencies as they perform official business. Public records may also include books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, audio or video recordings, software, or any other type of documentation. However, the Open records act exempts some forms of public record from public view and restricts public access to such records. Records will fall under the exemptions to public view include the following:
- Any public records containing information of personal nature disclosure of which would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
- Public records containing preliminary drafts, notes, correspondence with private individuals, other than correspondence which is giving notice of final action of a public agency
- Public records containing information the disclosure of which would threaten public safety by exposing vulnerabilities in preventing, defending against, or responding to crimes or terrorist acts.
- Records containing real estate appraisals, engineering or feasibility estimates, or evaluations made by or for a public agency relative to the acquisition of property. This remains exempt until the acquisition of all properties concerned.
- Any records containing test questions, scoring keys, and other examination materials used to conduct examinations for licensing, examinations, employment, or academic purposes. The examination data remains exempt before the exam is given or if it is to be used again.
- Any public records that are prohibited from disclosure by federal statutes or regulations.
In addition to official agencies, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may 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.
Note: Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Bowling Green Crime Statistics
The Bowling Green Police Department compiles yearly crime statistics for the city as part of the FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR). According to the UCR, between 2018 and 2019, the city's cases of rape, assault, and vehicle theft rose by 6.8%, 2.5%, and 17.1%, respectively. In contrast, murder, robbery, property crime, burglary, larceny, and arson fell by 33.3%, 14.1%, 1.8%, 6.8%, 2.6%, and 50% respectively. Overall violent crime in the city also fell by 2.4%. Data like this is used to help law enforcement make informed decisions on crime-fighting and judge the efficacy of any strategies implemented during the year.
Are Bowling Green's Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records for Kentucky (and, by extension Bowling Green) are generally considered open records that the public can access. However, some records may be regarded as classified and sealed by a court or exempted by statute. Residents may obtain background checks from the Records Unit of the Administrative Office of the Courts of the Kentucky Courts of Justice. Background checks can be obtained online, by mail, in person from the records unit.
Requesters may request checks on themselves or other individuals by first registering an account then making a request on FastCheck or using the One-Time request system. One-time requests can be made by filling the request form and submitting it in person or by mail to:
Administrative Office Of the Courts
Records Unit
1001 Vandalay Drive,
Frankfort, KY 40601
Background checks ordered online can also be returned electronically via email. One-time requests will cost the requester $25 per request payable in a check or money order made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. For any questions, residents may call the records unit at (502) 573-1682 or (800) 928-6381.
The Kentucky State Police also provides Background Check Services for the residents of the state. Requesters can obtain name-based and more comprehensive fingerprint-based record checks.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
City residents can obtain copies of police reports and other records from the Central Records Unit of the Bowling Green Police Department. Requesters may come in person or mail a written request to:
Bowling Green Police Department
911 Kentucky St
Bowling Green, KY 42101
The written request should contain enough details for the staff to locate the record. Copies can be obtained from the Central Records between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through to Friday. Reports from the police department incur a fee of $3 per copy.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bowling Green
Members of the public who require sex offender information can obtain it from the Kentucky State Sex Offender Registry operated by the state police. The search tools on the sex offender registry search tools allow users to search for sex offenders using different parameters such as name, address, city, and county. A neighborhood map can also be generated on request and will show all offenders within a particular area.
How to Find Bowling Green Inmate Records
Records for inmates from Bowling Green can be obtained by contacting the Warren County Jailer who operates the Warren County Regional Jail. The jail website has an inmate search page that provides records and information on all inmates currently housed in the facility. The inmate search lists all current inmates and provides details on each one, such as mugshots, physical description, arresting agency, arrest date, charges, and booking date. A separate search tool on the inmate search page allows residents to search for inmates by name as opposed to seeing a complete list of all inmates. Users of the site may also include released inmates in the parameters of their search.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Bowling Green City Jail?
The Warren County Regional Jail is responsible for housing inmates arrested in Bowling Green. Inmates in the jail are provided with both on-site and remote video visitation using the Securus system. All visitors are required to create an account online on the Securus website or by downloading and installing the mobile application on a smartphone or computer. After the account is approved, visitors may use the application to schedule remote and on-site visits according to the visitation schedule. The County jailer provides information, instructions, and video tutorials on how to register and schedule visits to the regional jail in the visitation section of the website. Prospective visitors who have questions may call the regional jail at (270) 843-4606.
What are Bowling Green Vital Records?
Vital records for Bowling Green are documents created by the city's agencies which record life events that have occurred in it. Vital records include marriage records, divorce records, death records, and birth records that have occurred in a city. Not all vital records are open to the public. Birth records, as an example, are only issued to certain eligible persons. These records are obtained from their custodians like the clerk of courts and the Office of Vital Statistics in the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Where and How to Obtain Bowling Green Divorce Records
Divorce records are considered public records in Kentucky so members of the public may request these records from their custodians. These records can be obtained from the clerk of the court in the county where the divorce was heard or the state office of vital statistics. For Bowling Green divorce records, requesters can request divorce records by contacting the clerk of the district circuit court at:
Warren County Justice Center
1001 Center St. Suite 102
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Phone: (270) 746-7400
Fax: (270) 746-7501
Copying fees will normally apply for obtaining copies of divorce records from the court clerk. These fees are usually accepted in checks and money orders for mailed requests, while cash is also accepted during in-person requests. For more information on requesting divorce records and their associated fees, requesters may call the circuit court clerk at (270) 746-7400.
Divorce decrees can also be obtained on the state level from the Office of Vital Statistics. The requester should fill the divorce section of the certificate application form and submit it to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
The application can also be submitted using the drop box located at the front of the visitor entrance to the office. Divorce records from the office of vital statistics cost $6 each, payable in check or money orders made out to the Kentucky State Treasurer. In-person orders can be processed the same day or the next business day while mailed, or dropbox will be processed within 30 business days.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Bowling Green
Marriage records from Bowling Green can be ordered from either the County Clerk where the marriage was held or the state office of vital statistics. Marriage records are considered as public information unless specifically sealed by a court, so members of the public are free to access them.
To request a marriage record, record seekers may fill the marriage section of the certificate request form or send in a written request with the following information:
- The full name of first and second parties on the record (including any maiden names)
- The full date of the marriage or divorce (day, month, and year)
- The Kentucky county where the marriage license was issued
- Requester's name and a delivery address where the certificate is can be mailed
- The requester's phone number where they can be reached during office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- The number of copies that are required
The form or written request can be submitted in-person at, by mail, or using the dropbox in front of the visitor's entrance at:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
All requesters will be required to pay a non-refundable search fee of $6 per copy for the marriage records. The records can be paid for in cash during in-person orders and checks or money orders included in mailed or dropbox orders. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. In-person requests that come in early enough during office hours can be completed that same day or the next business day. Mailed and dropbox requests can be processed between 3 to 5 business days.
Where and How to Find Bowling Green Birth Records
Bowling Green Birth records can be obtained from the Office of Vital Records in the Kentucky Cabinet of Health and Family Services. Birth records in Kentucky are not public records and can only be issued to requesters who are among the following authorized persons:
- The registrant on the record
- Parents of the registrant
- The legal guardian of the registrant
- A representative of any of the above with documents showing they are active on behalf of any of the above
- An individual with a court order authorizing them to access the record
The requester will be required to show identification and any other documentation that proves eligibility.
Obtaining Copies of Bowling Green Birth Certificates
Birth records can be obtained by filling out and submitting a birth certificate application form which is available online in English and Spanish. The form can be submitted in three ways:
- Filling it and submitting at the office of vital statistics lobby during office hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Downloading and filling the form and mailing it to the office of vital statistics
- Dropping the application in the drop box at the office
In-person and mailed requests are made by coming in person or mailing the request to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
The dropbox is installed at the visitor's entrance in the office located at the above address. Certified copies of a birth certificate will cost a non-refundable search fee of $10 for the first copy and each additional copy will cost $10. Dropbox and mailed requests must include the form and the correct fee for the number of certificates being requested. Payments can be made in checks or money orders made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Cash is also accepted but only during in-person requests. In-person requests that come in early can be processed on the same day or the next business day, while mailed and dropbox requests take 3 to 5 business days.
Where and How to Find Bowling Green Death Records
Death records in Kentucky and by association Bowling Green are considered public records and can be issued to members of the public. The records can be acquired by mail and in-person from the Office of Vital Statistics in Kentucky. Requesters may download and fill a death Certificate application form available online in Spanish and English. A requester may also fill a form in person at the office lobby. Walk-in requests and mailed requests should be brought in or mailed to the office of vital statistics at:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Requests can also be dropped off in the dropbox installed at the visitor's entrance to the office. A certified death certificate will cost a $6 non-refundable search fee which will only cover the first copy. All additional copies ordered at the same time will cost an extra $6 each. The fees can be paid in check or money order made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, cash will only be taken during a walk-in request. Mailed and dropbox requests will usually take 3 to 5 business days, while walk-in requests are processed the same day or the next business day.
