About Kentucky Public Records

Kentucky public records are governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 – 61.884), which secures the right of the public to inspect and copy the records of every public agency unless an enumerated exemption applies. County clerks and PVAs hold property and recorded-document data, the Kentucky State Police Records Branch handles statewide criminal history, and CourtNet (AOC) covers court dockets.

Kentucky Public Records

Court Records

Constitution
Official Free
Browse Kentucky state constitution by section or search by keyword. Gives full text of section, subject, ratification date, and history of each section.
🌐 apps.legislature.ky.gov
County Clerks
Official Free
Browse the alphabetical directory of Kentucky county clerks by county to view information including name, address, phone, and fax.
🌐 elect.ky.gov
Court Calendars | by County
Official Free
Select a county to generate a list of District and Circuit Court dockets for the coming week. Provides case name & number, hearing time, and subject matter.
🌐 kcoj.kycourts.net
Statutes
Official Free
Search Kentucky revised statutes by keyword or browse by title, chapter, and section. Gives full text, summary, effective date, and history of each statute.
🌐 apps.legislature.ky.gov

Criminal Records

Inmates
Official Free
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Community Corrections Department inmate search. Requires registration.
🌐 lexingtonky.gov
Daviess County Most Wanted
Official Free
Use this service of the Daviess County Sheriff Department to browse their list of Most Wanted Persons in Daviess County, Kentucky. Includes photos
🌐 daviessky.org
Hardin County Recorded Documents
Official Free
Search the Hardin County Clerk records for recorded documents (mortgages, assignments, deeds, liens, etc) by grantor/grantee name, date, document type, book & page, and more.
🌐 hccoky.org
Most Wanted
Official Free
Browse this Kentucky state police database by name, photo, and crime committed for a list of the most wanted fugitives.
🌐 kentuckystatepolice.org
Rowan County Inmates
Official Free
The Detention Center in Rowan County provides this list of current inmates. You may also search by name and date for current and past inmates.
🌐 rowancountydc.org

Property Records

Land Patents
Official Free
Kentucky Land Office database by keyword for military and non-military land patents (including Jackson Purchase, patents West of Tennessee River & county court order patents). Also supplies city an...
🌐 sos.ky.gov
Unclaimed Property
Official Free
Search for Kentucky unclaimed property by name of owner. Provides address, city, zip code, property ID number, and information on how to make a claim.
🌐 kentucky.gov
Daviess County Property
Official Free
Subscribe to this fee based service to search the Daviess County, Kentucky PVA property records by address, map or name. Minimal information given for free, details require subscription and fee.
🌐 daviesskypva.org
Lobbyists & Employers
Official Free
Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission lists of lobbyists, employers, legislative agents, expenses, and compensation.
🌐 klec.ky.gov

Vital Records

Death Index 1911-1992
Official Free
Search for Kentucky deaths between 1911 and 1986, and 1987 through 1992 by name, place of death, or residence. Gives date of death, age, death certificate number, and location of record.
🌐 uky.edu
Death Records 1911-2000
Official Free
Search for Kentucky death records between 1911 and 2000 by name, place of death, residence, or year. Gives age, place of birth, date of death, death certificate number, and location of record.
🌐 familysearch.org
Marriage Records 1973-1993
Official Free
Search for Kentucky marriage records from 1973 to 1993 by name of bride or groom. Gives name, race, and residence of both bride and groom. Also gives date and place of marriage.
🌐 chfs.ky.gov
Health Services and Facilities
Official Free
Browse the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services Office of Certificate of Need inventory of health services, facilities and major medical equipment to view information including name, county and other details.
🌐 chfs.ky.gov
Divorce Index 1973-1993
Official Free
Search for Kentucky divorces between 1973 and 1993 by name of husband or wife. Gives name, race, & county of residence for husband and wife, date & county of divorce, and date & county of marriage.
🌐 chfs.ky.gov

Licenses

Company Search
Official Free
Search the Kentucky Secretary of State for Kentucky domestic & foreign corporations, assumed business names, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and professional LLCs. Gives company status, type, filing date, expiration date, standing, officers, activity history, stock information, assumed names, and contact info.
🌐 sosbes.sos.ky.gov

Business

Civic

Campaign Finance
Official Free
This database allows you to search for Campaign Finance information in Kentucky by candidate, contributor, organization, election date, individual name, organization name, city, zipcode, employer, ...
🌐 kref.ky.gov
Legislation
Official Free
Browse Kentucky bills, resolutions, & amendments by year & number. Gives full text with amendments, author(s), summary, and complete history of actions.
🌐 apps.legislature.ky.gov
Jefferson County Voters
Official Free
Use this Jefferson County service to search for by address for voter information and view your precinct, polling location and information on your elected representatives.
🌐 lojic.org
Kentucky Official Site
Official Free
Start at this official home page for the State of Kentucky to find more about government agencies, programs, and services.
🌐 kentucky.gov

Other

Auctioneers
Official Free
Kentucky Board of Auctioneers licensee license verification for principal auctioneers, apprentice auctioneers, auction house operators, livestock auctioneers, and tobacco auctioneers.
🌐 web1.ky.gov
Boxing, Wrestling, MMA
Official Free
Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission license verification. Includes boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts contestants promoters, seconds, trainers, event staff, physicians, timekeepers, ju...
🌐 ins.kbwa.ky.gov
Financial Institutions & Services
Official Free
Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions state-regulated banks, trust companies, bank holding companies, credit unions, check cashers, consumer loan, mortgage companies, money transmitters, an...
🌐 kfi.ky.gov
Coal Data
Official Free
Searches for various types of Kentucky coal data including header data for coal borehole locations, coal production data for Kentucky since 1790, and an online version of a field guide.
🌐 kgs.uky.edu
Summons
Official Free
Use this Kentucky Secretary of State Service of Summons Lookup Service to search for summonses serviced in the last six months.
🌐 web.sos.ky.gov
Arts Resources for Teachers & Schools
Official Free
Search the Kentucky Arts Council Arts Toolkit database for Arts Resources for Teachers & Schools. Search by last name/organization, KDE service region, arts discipline, and/or level of expertise.
🌐 education.ket.org
Mine Maps
Official Free
Search the Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System by map, county, or 7.5' quadrangle for available mine maps and known mined out areas.
🌐 minemaps.ky.gov
Historical Society Digital Collection
Official Free
Search the Kentucky Historical Society Digital Collection for manuscripts maps, photographs, and collections by keyword(s), creator/contributor, county, locale, date, collection type, and/or digital resource.
🌐 kyhistory.com
Place Names Database
Official Free
Search for places in Kentucky by name, type (church, airport, office, knob, stream, etc.), county, or source of information. Site fills in unknown information.
🌐
Libraries - Public
Official Free
Browse this directory of Kentucky public libraries by county to view information including library name, address, phone, fax and contact.
🌐 kdla.ky.gov
Libraries - Academic
Official Free
Use this service of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives to browse their alphabetical listing of academic libraries in Kentucky. Provides name, address, telephone/fax numbers and other contact information.
🌐 kdla.ky.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Kentucky?

Kentucky provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Kentucky public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Kentucky?

Kentucky public records are governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Kentucky agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).