Bell County Court Records

Bell County court records are official collections of information received or generated about legal proceedings. They are usually created by court clerks in civil and criminal cases for documentation purposes. They include all documents that contain relevant information about cases filed at or created by the court clerk's office, such as dockets, exhibits, orders, dispositions, summons, and pleadings. Bell County arrest records contain information about arrests. They are introductory documents that provide background information on individuals' criminal tendencies.

Are Court Records Public in Bell County?

Yes. Under Kentucky Open Records Law (KRS 61.870 - 61.844), the public can obtain and inspect records created and maintained by public agencies except those exempt by statutory provisions. Under the law, courts and other public agencies are expected to make provisions to enable citizens to exercise their right to know and grant access to records upon request.

Despite open access provisions under the law, certain information is exempt from public disclosure. These exempted records include:

• Sealed or expunged records
• Records revealing the personal details of witnesses or victims
• Personal information about judicial officers
• Drafts made by court officials in the decision-making process
• Juvenile records
• Medical records

Bell County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking Bell County court records may search both online and offline. For example, the Kentucky Justice Court maintains an electronic repository of judicial case files, while the county clerk's office provides in-person access to court documentation. Irrespective of the chosen method of access, requesters must provide enough identifying information to fast-track the retrieval of the records. The required search criteria may include the names of the case parties or specific case identifiers, such as the docket number and the date of original filing.

Bell County Courts

The judicial structure in Bell County includes Circuit Court and District Court. The following are the addresses of the courts in Bell County:

Bell County Circuit Court
Farmer Helton Judicial Center
101 West Park Avenue, P.O. Box 307,
Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-9900
Fax: (606) 337-8850

Bell County District Court
Farmer Helton Judicial Center
101 Park Avenue, P.O. Box 307,
Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-9900
Fax: (606) 337-8850

Bell County Criminal and Civil Records

Bell County's criminal and civil court records are the official documentation of judicial proceedings in the county. The Circuit Court and District Court share jurisdiction over these cases and may provide access to the associated records.

To obtain Bell County criminal or civil records, interested parties may formally request the record from the court where the case was heard. Alternatively, they may contact the Bell County Clerk's Office. To access the records, interested parties must complete the requisite Right to Request Form and submit it to the clerk's office for processing. Individuals who prefer to visit the county clerk's office for access to records may do so between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Bell County Marriage Records

In Bell County, marriage records are official documents that detail the legal marital union between two individuals. These records are categorized as vital records. Bell County residents may access these records via the County Clerk's office. Record seekers are required to present valid government-issued identification. Driver's licenses and state identification cards are acceptable. Also, each request for vital records must be in writing.

Bell County Clerk's Office
101 Courthouse Sq,
Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-6143
Fax: (606) 337-5415

Bell County Divorce Records

Individuals seeking Bell County divorce records may direct their inquiries to the Bell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. They are the designated custodians of such records. They may have divorce decrees available on file. Additionally, interested parties may contact the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). To obtain the desired divorce records, they may be required to complete an application form, provide a case number, or other vital identifying information to facilitate record retrieval. They must also pay the requisite statutory fees.

Bell Birth Records

Bell County birth records officially document an individual's birth in the county. Birth certificates are important for processing passports, Social Security numbers, and other forms of official identification. Individuals seeking birth certificates must complete an application process and provide proof of their legal eligibility. Also, they must provide valid identification. Interested parties may submit requests for birth records online using the designated portal provided by the Office of Vital Statistics, through postal mail, or by an in-person visit.

Bell Death Records

Bell County death records are categorized as vital records. They officially document an individual's demise in the county. Close family members may need death certificates to process insurance claims, survivor benefits, and the administration of the deceased's estate.

Individuals seeking death records in Bell County have two main options. They may go through either the county clerk's office or the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Requesters must provide the full name of the deceased and the date of their death. There is also a fee of $6 attached for death certificates. For in-person visits to the vital statistics office, the office is open Monday–Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The location is:

Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street
Suite 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

Bell County Probate Court Records

The Bell County district court and circuit court adjudicate matters related to estates, guardianships, and other related issues. To obtain probate court records, record seekers must fill out and submit application forms to the office of the county clerk for either the district court or circuit court. Alternatively, they may use the online portal provided by the courts.

Bell County Property Records

Bell County property records provide details concerning property, including land and buildings, held by individuals or entities within the county. These records serve as evidence of legal title and are essential for the lawful conveyance of real estate and the execution of real estate transactions.

In Bell County, the County clerk's office is the official custodian of these property records. The office administers a range of real estate documentation, including conveyances of title, security interests, easements, affidavits, subdivision maps, and encumbrances on title. These instruments are usually indexed with key identifying data such as the names of the parties to the instrument, legal descriptions of the real property, date, specific book and page references, and the classification of the record type.

Bell County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Kentuckycourtrecords.us may sometimes provide convenient ways to obtain Bell County court records. Such resources typically have an advanced and user-friendly interface, facilitating easy court document retrieval. In addition, the sites have options through which users who would like physical access to court records may download the output. However, third-party site information may be incomplete or inaccurate because they are not affiliated with the government.