Kentucky Public Records
Kentucky public records refer to any records, including “all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics.”
How to Find Kentucky Public Records
Under the Open Records Act of Kentucky, any person can request, inspect, or duplicate a public record unless the records required are non-exempt and considered confidential. However, private sources can also provide access when the records are available.
Are Kentucky Public Records Available Online?
Public records in Kentucky are also available online through the state’s official government sites or authorized third-party websites. However, records that are considered confidential may not be available online.
What Records are Not Available in Kentucky?
The following records are not available for public scrutiny and inspection in Kentucky:
- Records containing personal information that would constitute an invasion of privacy
- Confidential records for scientific research
- Law enforcement records
- Preliminary drafts, recommendations, and memoranda
- Other records sealed by law
Types of Public Records Available in Kentucky
The following records are available for public inspection in Kentucky:
Kentucky Public Criminal Records
The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts allows requesters to access public criminal records in the state using their online portal, FastCheck, via mail or in person. You may request another person’s criminal record information except for criminal records involving juvenile cases, domestic violence cases, and mental health cases.
Take note that each record request comes at a fee of $25.00.
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Kentucky :
Arrest Records and Warrants
Similar to criminal records, arrest records and warrants in Kentucky are available online through the Administrative Office of the Courts. You may also request arrest records and warrants from the Kentucky State Police and pay $0.10 for every released page. An additional $2.00 to $3.00 will apply if you get other records, including photographs, videotapes, diskettes, or compact discs.
Inmate and Jail Records
The Kentucky Department of Corrections has an online offender lookup (KOOL) system where you can search for inmates using their names and aliases or their unique identification numbers,
Advanced searches are available using the following information:
- Department of Corrections (DOC) number
- Person Identification (PID) number
- Supervision status
- Location
- Conviction information
- Crime or offense
- Age
- Race
- Gender
Jails and Prisons in Kentucky :
Kentucky Background Checks
You may perform a name-based or a fingerprint-based background check in Kentucky.
Name-based background checks take an average of 10 business days to complete and are available for a fee of $20.00 made out to the Kentucky State Treasurer. You may request another person’s background check with their permission.
For fingerprint-based background checks, you need to submit your fingerprints and pay $10.00 for the fingerprinting fee. The same length of 10 business days applies for fingerprint-based background checks.
How to Find Sex Offenders in Kentucky
The Kentucky State Police has a sex offender registry where you can look up sex offender information using their name, address, city, county, and ZIP code. You can also do a neighborhood search and opt to track offenders in and out of your area.
Kentucky Public Vital Records
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) is the primary public office that collects, preserves, and issues vital public records in the state, including birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees.
You need to provide the following information when requesting each document.
For birth certificates
- Full name of the person named on record
- Month, day, and year of birth
- Mother’s full maiden name
- Father’s full name
For death certificates
- Full name of the deceased
- Month, day, and year of death
- Country of death
For marriage and divorce certificates
- Full names of both parties
- Month, day, and year of the marriage or divorce
- The county where the license was issued
All requestors must provide their full name and mailing address, including a phone number. You may also order vital public records in Kentucky online through VitalChek with additional fees for delivery and card payments. Note that a non-refundable search fee of $10.00 applies for birth certificates, while $6.00 applies for death, marriage, and divorce certificates.
Kentucky Court Records
You may access court records in Kentucky online or make your request through the county clerk of court.
State Court System in Kentucky
The Kentucky court system is divided into four: the Supreme Court, the court of appeals, the circuit court, and the district courts.
Courts in Kentucky :
Driving Records
Kentucky provides a clearance letter, which is a certified copy of your complete driving records for five years, for a fee of $3.00. A three-year driving history record (DHR) is available online for $2.50. You must enter your full name and license number with one letter followed by eight digits.
Civil Driving Infractions
Kentucky uses a driver point system to assign points to drivers who might be habitually negligent of traffic rules.
Civil driving infractions are assigned three, four, or six points depending on the violation, like the following:
Three-point violations
- Overspeeding from 11-15mph on limited and non-limited access highway
- Wrong way on a one-way street
- Failure to yield
- Improper start or improper turn
- Careless driving
Four-point violations
- Reckless driving
- Following too closely
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Changing drivers while the vehicle is moving
- Failure to yield to emergency vehicle
Six-point violations
- Overspeeding from 16-25mph on any road or highway
- Failure to stop for school or church bus
Attempting to elude police officers will cause an immediate suspension while racing, and overspeeding at 26mph is bound for a possible license suspension.
Kentucky License Plate Lookup
Kentucky has no available website to lookup a license plate online, although you may use third-party sites to do a VIN check.
Kentucky Property and Asset Records Online
Property records in Kentucky are managed by the registry of deed offices, which are also organized on a county level.
Kentucky Unclaimed Property and Assets
The Kentucky State Treasurer handles all unclaimed properties in the state, including, but not limited to:
- Vendor checks
- Life insurance policies
- Unclaimed safety deposit boxes
- Payroll checks
- Other similar property and assets
You may search for unclaimed property or check the status of your claim.
Important Government Agencies in Kentucky
The following government agencies can help you find the public records you need in Kentucky.
- Secretary of State
- Governor’s website
- Legislature office
- Office of the Attorney General
- Administrative Office of the Courts
- State Police
- Department of Corrections
- State Treasurer
- Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Counties in Kentucky
- Adair
- Allen
- Anderson
- Ballard
- Barren
- Bath
- Bell
- Boone
- Bourbon
- Boyd
- Boyle
- Bracken
- Breathitt
- Breckinridge
- Bullitt
- Butler
- Caldwell
- Calloway
- Campbell
- Carlisle
- Carroll
- Carter
- Casey
- Christian
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Crittenden
- Cumberland
- Daviess
- Edmonson
- Elliott
- Estill
- Fayette
- Fleming
- Floyd
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallatin
- Garrard
- Grant
- Graves
- Grayson
- Green
- Greenup
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Harlan
- Harrison
- Hart
- Henderson
- Henry
- Hickman
- Hopkins
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Jessamine
- Johnson
- Kenton
- Knott
- Knox
- Larue
- Laurel
- Lawrence
- Lee
- Leslie
- Letcher
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Livingston
- Logan
- Lyon
- Madison
- Magoffin
- Marion
- Marshall
- Martin
- Mason
- Mccracken
- Mccreary
- Mclean
- Meade
- Menifee
- Mercer
- Metcalfe
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Muhlenberg
- Nelson
- Nicholas
- Ohio
- Oldham
- Owen
- Owsley
- Pendleton
- Perry
- Pike
- Powell
- Pulaski
- Robertson
- Rockcastle
- Rowan
- Russell
- Scott
- Shelby
- Simpson
- Spencer
- Taylor
- Todd
- Trigg
- Trimble
- Union
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Webster
- Whitley
- Wolfe
- Woodford