How to Search Kentucky Recorded Documents (Start Here)

Recorded documents in Kentucky — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Clerk in each county.

What this page covers: Kentucky recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).

Where to start: Go to the County Clerk in the county where the property is located. Many county county clerks offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.

Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.

Recorder of deeds
Recorder Information for Kentucky - Deeds.com
UCC-1 filings
UCC Online Services - Secretary of State
Statewide deed index?
Kentucky Land Office - Secretary of State
Recording statute
Subtitle 53
Legal system
There is no common law marriage in Kentucky
Number of counties
120 counties
Population
4,588,372
Households
1,810,400
Median Income
$60,183
Median Home Value
$173,300
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Kentucky recorded documents URL verified against the official state publisher at sos.ky.gov on the review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

Kentucky Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)

Deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, liens, military discharges in Kentucky — what gets recorded and where in 2026.
County
Where deeds live
Permanent record
SoS
Where UCC live
Secretary of State
Article 9
UCC governs
Secured transactions
Public
Most recorded docs
With redaction
Federal
DD-214 / IRS liens
National-level
Common recorded document types — typical volume
Deeds
100
Mortgages
95
Liens (property)
70
UCC (business)
55
Powers of attorney
25
Military DD-214
10
Unit: relative volume (deeds=100).

What Changed in 2026 — Kentucky Recorded Documents

2026
Kentucky recorded documents portal active
The official Kentucky portal at sos.ky.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for recorded documents in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for recorded documents
The NASS UCC Filings overview at www.nass.org provides federal-level context that complements Kentucky state records.
2026
Kentucky access in 2026
For 2026, Kentucky continues to publish recorded documents information through state-authorized portals; check sos.ky.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Kentucky's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 5-Type Kentucky Recorded Documents Map

1
Type 1 — Real property (Deeds, Mortgages)
Kentucky County Recorder / Register of Deeds. Permanent record.
2
Type 2 — UCC (business collateral)
Most filed with Kentucky Secretary of State. Some real-estate UCCs are county.
3
Type 3 — Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
Property liens at the county. IRS federal tax liens may file at county OR state.
4
Type 4 — Personal documents (POA, military DD-214)
Often optional county recording in Kentucky for safekeeping. Originals at federal NPRC.
5
Type 5 — Maps & subdivisions
Kentucky county recorder; some at state mapping office.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Kentucky Recorded Documents

MYTH"Recording a deed is what makes it valid."
FACTRecording gives the world notice — it doesn't make the deed good or bad. An unrecorded deed can still bind the people who signed it.
MYTH"Old documents are scrubbed of personal data."
FACTNew filings get SSNs redacted; images recorded decades ago may not. That's one reason bulk access to old images is often restricted.
MYTH"A printout equals a certified copy."
FACTCourts, lenders, and agencies usually want the certified copy with the county's seal — the free printout is for research, not proof.
MYTH"Everything about a property is recorded."
FACTOnly what someone chose to file. Unrecorded agreements, family handshakes, and old paper deeds exist everywhere — the index shows filings, not the whole story.
MYTH"The online index goes back forever."
FACTMost Kentucky counties' online indexes reach back a few decades at best. Before that it's microfilm and deed books, and often a trip to the courthouse.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Recorded Documents Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Recorded docs
Sample Kentucky counties: Adair · Allen · Anderson · Ballard · Barren

Recorded Documents Databases

8 official Kentucky recorded documents sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Recorded Documents

Recording Documents - Boone County Clerk's Office
Official Free
Stay Protected and sign up for ... property records today! Register for Doc Alert Today! The information listed is being provided to serve as general information only and is not intended to be used for legal reliance. NOTE: Since 1969, the BCCO has employed the “group identification” system for all property in Boone County. The group number is an additional mandatory element for any land or land-related documents that may be ...
🌐 boonecountyclerk.ky.gov
Hardin County Clerk's Office in Elizabethtown Kentucky
Official Free
This website contains a large volume of searchable records and information. If you have exhausted these resources and still feel the need to submit an open records request, please choose this link for information about the process. ... Hardin County Clerk's Office Hardin County Government Building 150 N.
🌐 hccoky.org
kenton county online records
Official Free
While Kenton County strives to make the information on this website as timely and accurate as possible, the county makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions ...
🌐 kcor.org
Terms & Conditions - Metcalfe County Clerk’s Office
Official Free
This office answers most records requests in Metcalfe County. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official recorded document office.
🌐 metcalfecountyclerk.ky.gov
W ould you like to be a b l e t o v i e w documents over
Official Free
Recorded documents for Kentucky — deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases — are indexed through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official recorded document office.
🌐 ecclix.com
JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK
Official Free
Click on the desired search option, or type its number in the option box and hit the enter key · Supported browsers: Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer (8, 9, 10, or 11), Firefox, Chrome, Safari
🌐 search.jeffersondeeds.com
Titlesearcher.com - The Leader in Online Land Record Retrieval
Official Free
VanBuren County Document images that are retrieved will be $4.00 each. The search by name option will require a 0.25 cent charge to open each name retrieved. As a Gap Control customer, you can monitor recorded documents in any of the counties available on TitleSearcher.
🌐 titlesearcher.com
Kycountyrecords
Official Free
Recorded documents for Kentucky — deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases — are indexed through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official recorded document office.
🌐 kycountyrecords.com

Kentucky Counties

120 Kentucky counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Jefferson Fayette Kenton Boone Warren Hardin Daviess Campbell Bullitt Adair Allen Anderson Ballard Barren

Which Kentucky counties publish deed and recording indexes online

77 of Kentucky's 121 counties run their own online source for deed and recording indexes, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Kentucky, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Kentucky Recorded Documents at sos.ky.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.

UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Kentucky Recorded Documents at sos.ky.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.

Most Kentucky countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Kentucky Recorded Documents at sos.ky.gov.

Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Kentucky Recorded Documents (sos.ky.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.

A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Kentucky are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Kentucky Recorded Documents at sos.ky.gov publishes the statewide rules.