Fayette County Court Records

Fayette County court records are official documents, papers, recordings, and other materials or documents pertaining to a trial or hearing in a county court. Court records are submitted to a court or created during case proceedings. Fayette County court records may be pertaining to criminal, civil, probate, or criminal/traffic courts.

Court records strengthen the integrity of the judiciary. Since court records are public, judicial officers are subject to public scrutiny. The content of these documents provides an accurate record of events from arrest to prosecution (in criminal cases) and from the filing of complaints to dispute resolution (in civil cases). In Fayette County, Kentucky, the court clerk is the primary custodian of court records.

Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?

Yes. According to the Kentucky Open Records Law (KRS 61.870 - 61.884), any person can access, examine, and request copies of records from public agencies except as otherwise provided by the law. By law, all records of public agencies in Fayette County shall be to its residents or any resident of a Commonwealth Country. Public agencies must implement mechanisms to enable individuals to exercise their right to know and freedom of information.

Despite the aforementioned statutory provisions, the public's right to freedom of information may be limited to prevent unlawful and needless interference with privacy or security (KRS 61.878). Thus, court records may be restricted from public disclosure by an order of the court or federal or state laws.

Generally, court records are subject to non-disclosure or exclusion clauses if they come within the category of public records listed below:

• Records containing personal information that may constitute a needless invasion of a person's right to privacy, safety, or security
• Records disclosed to an agency in confidence
• Preliminary drafts and notes
• Public records or information restricted from disclosure by federal or state law
• Records that may compromise public safety.

Fayette County Court Records Search

Interested persons can look up Fayette County court records at the following places:

• The county courthouse
• The county court clerk's office
• The relevant court's online case management system
• Third-party court record search sites.

Fayette County Court Records Search by Name

To perform a name-based search for Fayette County court records, visit the public terminals at the clerk's office in the court where the case was filed or decided. The searcher must know and provide the name of either or all parties named in the case, as well as the case number, docket number, date range, and any other information as may be requested by the clerk staff.

Researchers shall be required to pay all associated search and document production costs. The court may charge $0.5 - $1 for each page of uncertified documents, $0.5 per page of a certified document, and up to $2.50 per page for documents with an official seal. The clerk's staff may also ask for proof of identification, a written request, or a request form. The court clerk can refuse access to court records that are sealed, expunged, or do not meet the criteria for public access.

Online access to Fayette County court records is also available as an alternative to searching by name. Residents can find information on court records by name through the Fayette County Clerk Court Docket search. This is an online case search portal for superior court, state civil, domestic, and child support-related court records. Users can find court information by party name, case number, or filing date range.

Fayette County Courts

The Fayette County court system comprises a circuit and district court with specialized divisions. The Circuit court handles civil, criminal, and domestic violence cases. The district court has a civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, and small claims division. Below are the locations and contact information of the Fayette County counts:

Robert F. Stephens Circuit Courthouse
120 North Limestone
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: (859) 246-2141 (Civil)
Phone: (859) 246-2224 (Criminal)

Robert F. Stephens District Courthouse
150 North Limestone
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: (859) 246-2240 (Civil)
Phone: (859) 246-2228 (Criminal/Traffic)
Phone: (859) 246-2234 (Juvenile)
Phone: (859) 246-2242 (Probate)
Phone: (859) 246-2244 (Small Claims).

Fayette County Circuit Court Case Search

The Fayette County Circuit Court is a trial court of record and an appellate court. The circuit court has original jurisdiction over felonies, grand jury indictments, and civil cases involving over $5000. This court has a family court division adjudicating on matters of family law and domestic relations.

The circuit court receives appeals from the district court and processes appeals from the circuit court to the Kentucky Appellate Courts. This court has judicial authority to issue writs, petitions, injunctions, and other judicial orders.

Case information on criminal, civil, domestic violence, family court cases, and appeals can be accessed at public terminals in the circuit court clerk's office. Clerk staff assist and supervise in-person visitors to help them retrieve the records they seek and make all public court records available to requesters. The office hours of the courthouse are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., excluding state and national holidays.

Individuals who wish to look up Fayette Circuit court records in person must present a means of identification upon request, fill out necessary application forms, and provide information that accurately describes and can identify the record. The circuit court is also open to mail record requests. Where this option is preferred, the mail must include the sender's identity, address, and all applicable search, copying, certification, and postage fees.

Fayette County District Court Records

The Fayette County District Court handles a variety of cases ranging from traffic violations, civil disputes involving $5000 or lower, trespass, forcible entry petitions, forcible detainer petitions, juvenile matters (dependency, neglect, child abuse, truancy, juvenile criminal offenses, paternity), injunctions to enforce or stop a cremation, small claims for disputes involving $2500 or less, probate (wills, administration of estate), and mental health-related cases. Requests for all such records should be directed to the district court.

Fayette County Criminal Records

Interested persons may obtain criminal records of Fayette County residents by requesting a criminal record check from the Kentucky State Police. This service costs $20.00 per name. Likewise, the Kentucky Department of Corrections offers criminal information including Fayette County Arrest Records through the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) website. This search portal allows researchers to find information about criminal offenders in Fayette County through its advanced search filters. This service is free.

Fayette County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court case information may be accessed at public terminals located at the court where the case was filed or decided. Interested persons can also search online for a criminal court case at the Fayette County Clerk's court docket portal.

Get Fayette County Civil Court Records

Members of the public can get Fayette County civil court records from either the circuit court or district court. The courts have public access terminals at the clerk's office, and a clerk staff member shall undertake and supervise all in-person requests.

Fayette County civil court records are created in cases involving disputes between private individuals or corporations, such as medical negligence, personal injury, trespass, actions for declaration of right to property, tenancy, eviction, foreclosures, breach of contract, dissolution of marriage, spousal support, domestic violence, and other civil family court cases.

Civil court records are available online at the Fayette County Clerk's search portal. The database hosts:

• Superior civil court records.
• Domestic and family records.
• Child support records.
• State civil court records.

Fayette County Family Court Records

The Fayette Family Court Division of the circuit court has original jurisdiction over family law cases such as dissolution of marriage, alimony, termination of parental rights, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence, neglect, child abuse, dependency, juvenile delinquency/Child in Need of Supervision.

Family court records are often confidential and sensitive, so online access may be restricted or, where available, a significant portion redacted. Access may only be available to court staff, attorneys, persons named in the records, legal representatives, parents, guardians, or extended relatives who can prove their relationship with the record subject.

Fayette Dissolution of Marriage Records

Fayette County's dissolution of marriage records are divorce records or certificates that evidence a legal dissolution or formal termination of a marriage. The family court typically handles the dissolution of marriage; thus, it can be accessed at the circuit courthouse. Individuals can contact the Fayette County Circuit Civil Division at (859) 246-2141 to confirm the availability of copies of divorce decrees and the criteria for obtaining such records.

Fayette County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) maintains an index of all marriage certificates, licenses, and divorce decrees issued in the state from as far back as June 1958 to the present. To request or purchase a marriage and divorce certificate through the OVS, the requester must provide:

• The full names of parties named on the record
• The exact date of the marriage or divorce
• The county in Kentucky where the marriage license or divorce decree was issued
• The requester's name and mail address
• The requester's active phone number
• And the number of copies to be purchased.

For in-person requests, visit the office between regular business hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday). There's also a minimum interaction option for requesters to drop their application forms in a drop box at the visitor's entrance of the OVS building; the office makes blank, instructive application forms available on the top of the box.

An alternative option is to mail a request containing the application form and all required information and a check or money order for $6, payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail requests must include a return address. They may take as little as 5-7 days or as long as 30 days to process.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY, 40621
Phone: (800) 241-8322
Fax: (866) 283-7477

Mailing Address
275 East Main Street, Suite 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212

Interested persons can also order a copy of a marriage license from the Fayette County Clerk by mail or in person. This service costs $0.50 per page of a photocopy and $5.00 for certified copies. However, mail requests attract an extra $1.00 fee for postage and handling. The concerned party must also submit a complete request form and all the details about the record and the requester, as listed above. Payments for mail requests can be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the Fayette County Clerk. For In-person payments, the office accepts cash, credit cards, state personal checks, cashiers, and certified checks. Marriages licenses created after 1989.

Fayette County Birth and Death Records

Fayette County birth and death records can also be purchased from the Office of Vital Statistics. Applications to obtain a Fayette County death certificate or birth certificate must include:

• The record subject's full name.
• The date and county of residence.
• The requesting party's name and mailing address.
• Phone number.
• The number of copies they intend to order.

The check or money order for the service fee is payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. A birth certificate costs $10 each, while a death record costs $6. These fees are non-refundable and cover the cost of the search. In other words, the requestor will not be reimbursed even if the record is not found.

Fayette County Probate Court Records

The Fayette County district court has a probate division in charge of proceedings, orders, and judgments that enforce and validate the administration of wills, the appointment of executors and administrators, and estate settlement. Fayette County probate court records also encompass guardianship for minors, trusts, settlement for children below 17, and name change processes for adults and children. Probate court records can be accessed at the district clerk's office.

Fayette County Property Records

People living in Fayette County can access property information on the Property Valuation Administrator's Property Search site, the County Clerk's Online Land Records Search, and the Fayette County Sheriff Property Tax Search website. Fayette County property records are tax records, property ownership records, tax maps, deeds, mortgages, agreements to deed or mortgage, deed of release, assignments, power of attorney, plats, easements, etc.

Interested persons may also request a copy of land records at the county clerk's office during office hours (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). Plain copies cost $0.50 per page or $1 for plats, $5 for three certified pages, and $0.50 for any extra page over three pages. Mail requests shall attract an additional $1 charge for postage and $2 for plats. The request form and payment should be mailed to the address below:

Fayette County Clerk
Room 132
162 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40506
Phone: (859) 253-3344

Fayette County Court Records Online

Third-party public records databases like Kentuckycourtrecords.us are a convenient, expeditious alternative to government record custodians. Third-party websites differ from government sources as they aggregate information from multiple counties in Kentucky and index them in a single database. A researcher who may be unsure of what court has jurisdiction over the case they're searching for can now conveniently search all courts in the state. This feature allows access to broader search results. Users can search by name, location, date of birth, case type, case number, or filing date range.

A significant drawback of third-party search sites is that they are more expensive and susceptible to inaccuracies. Privately owned search websites are primarily for profit. This means a researcher may have to pay per search, pay to view other results, or even purchase a subscription plan before accessing the service. Information on these sites may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated.