Jefferson County Court Records

Jefferson County court records are records or documentation created during legal proceedings in the county and maintained by the local judiciary. Court records can be in the form of written or typed documents, pictures, electronic data on computers, video/audio records, and information stored in various other media.

The county court system must maintain records of its proceedings for various reasons. They stand as official documentation of proceedings and proof that cases are handled fairly and the rights of the public are protected. The public may also use such records to educate and familiarize themselves with the court system.

Jefferson County court records include court orders, rulings, judgments, motions, indictments, docket information, and other legal documentation filed and submitted by anyone involved in a case. These records can be obtained from the Jefferson County courts and are considered part of Kentucky court records.

Are Court Records Public in Jefferson County?

Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, court records are generally considered public information. This means that members of the public can obtain court records by simply forwarding a record request to their local court.

However, some court records are exempted from public access under the Open Records Act. Examples of these exempted records include the following:

• Records containing information concerning ongoing pending cases or ongoing criminal investigations
• Records containing information under any type of privilege, such as the attorney-client privilege
• Records containing sensitive personal information of court staff or victims of a crime
• Records sealed by a court order from public access
• Records of cases involving juveniles or minors

Sometimes, court records may contain a mix of public and exempted information. The record may be released to the requester in these cases, and the exempted parts may be removed or redacted. Requesters may also obtain a court order that grants permission to acquire such records.

Jefferson County Court Records Search

In Jefferson County, members of the public can make a Jefferson County court records search via the following methods.

• Contact the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk for the county where the case was heard.
• Submit a request to the state records center
• Search the online database provided by the court
• Use a third-party public records website

Jefferson County Court Records Search by Name

To make a Jefferson County court record search by name, the requester must be able to provide an accurate name of the subject of the search. The Jefferson County Circuit Court provides options for name-based case record searches.

A name-based court record search can be made by visiting the office of the Circuit Court Clerk of Jefferson County. The request must provide the name of the subject of the search and any other information, such as their date of birth, a case number, and a timeframe of the case.

Record seekers may submit a written request containing the parties' names to the case via email to JeffersonOCCCrecords.archives@kycourts.net. Make sure to include the date of birth, case number, case type, charges(if applicable), and the requester's contact information. Written requests can also be mailed to the

Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk
Old Jail Building,
514 W. Liberty St., Suite 100,
Louisville, KY 40202

Online requests can be made using the Find a Case search tool available on the Kentucky Court of Justice website. Users have the option to search for a case based on an individual's name or a business name. Although a guest user option is available, some searches will require the user to create an account.

Copies of court records requested in person will cost $0.25 per page. Certification of court records costs an additional $5 per copy. Requests for copies received via the mail will cost $10 for up to 18 pages, certification included.

Jefferson County Courts

The Jefferson County court system serves the largest jurisdiction in Kentucky’s unified court system. The Jefferson County Court system comprises Circuit, District, and Family courts. Listed below are all the courthouses found in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Circuit Court - Hall of Justice
Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice
600 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 595-3055
Fax: (502) 595-4629

Jefferson County Circuit Court - Judicial Center
Jefferson County Judicial Center
700 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 595-3007 (Civil)
Fax: (502) 595-4128 (Civil)
Phone: (502) 595-3009 (Criminal)
Fax: (502) 595-4128 (Criminal)
Phone: (502) 595-3025 (Family Law)

Jefferson County District Court
Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice
600 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 595-4475 (Civil/Small Claims)
Fax: (502) 595-4629 (Civil/Small Claims)
Phone: (502) 595-3060 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (502) 595-4147 (Criminal/Traffic)

Jefferson County District Court Records

The Kentucky Judicial Branch operates a four-tier court system, which consists of a Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuits Court, and District Courts. Jefferson County’s Circuit and District Courts are in charge of hearing the following types of cases:

• Criminal
• Civil
• Small claims
• Traffic
• Probate
• Family law
• Juvenile

The public can access courts relating to the cases by contacting the Office of the Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Jefferson County Criminal Records

The Kentucky Public Record Act allows members of the public to access criminal records and Jefferson County Arrest Records. Under the law, the public may access criminal records information such as an individual's name, physical descriptions, charges information, arrest details, and booking details.

Individuals can request Jefferson County criminal records from the Kentucky State Police (KSP). Members of the public and eligible organizations can request a subject’s criminal record via a Criminal Background Check from the state police. The KSP offers name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. Eligible parties can make a name-based request in person or by mailing a Background Check Form to the office.

Name-based checks cost $20 per name, payable by a check or money order made out to the Kentucky State Treasure. For a fingerprint check, the requester must submit a set of fingerprints from IdentoGo along with their request. Fingerprinting from IdentoGo will cost an additional $20. It should be noted that in Kentucky.

Jefferson County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Individuals can obtain a criminal record report for Jefferson County from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Criminal court records can be obtained in person, online, or by mail via the following methods.

• Members of the public may request a criminal record in person at the drive-through window of the AOC located at 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601, during office hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• They may mail a completed Record Request Form along with a check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer to:

Administrative Office of the Courts
Records Unit
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601

• Requests can also be made online using any of the AOC online portals. The AOCFastCheck or the One-Time Request portal. Fast check allows registered users to order and receive criminal records online. While the one-time requests allow them to place a single order and receive the records by U.S. mail

A criminal record from the AOC costs $25 per check. Payment is accepted in checks or money orders. Payments with credit/debit cards are also accepted for in-person and online requests. There is an additional fee for credit/debit card transactions of 2.25% of the transaction or $2.50, whatever is larger.

Get Jefferson County Civil Court Records

Jefferson County civil court records can be obtained from the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk for Jefferson County. The circuit court clerk provides records of judgments, rulings, docket information, claims, motions, decrees, and other information considered civil court records. Civil court records from both the civil courts and district courts are available from the circuit court clerk.

Jefferson County civil court records can be obtained by submitting a request to the circuit court clerk's office in person, by mail, or by email. The Archives and Records request form should be filled out and submitted to:

Archives and Records
Old Jail Building,
514 W. Liberty St., Suite 100,
Louisville, KY 40202

Requests can also be submitted by mail to JeffersonOCCCrecords.archives@kycourts.net. A written request should include the names of the parties involved in the case, dates of birth, and a time frame for the case. Any additional information about the case should be added to help expedite the record search,

Court records between fifteen and thirty-five years old can be acquired by mailing the state record request form to state.records@ky.gov or calling (502) 564-3617. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives is responsible for court records over thirty-five years old. To obtain these records, call (502) 564-1781 or email kdla.archives@ky.gov.

Civil court records can also be obtained online by selecting Find a Case on the Kentucky Courts website. Select Jefferson County and enter the details of the record from the options. Record seekers may log in as a Guest or create an account on the website to use the CourtNet 2.0 database to request court records.

Jefferson County Family Court Records

Jefferson County Family Court records include documentation from legal proceedings involving

• dissolution of marriage
• spousal support
• child custody, support, and visitation
• Domestic violence and protection orders
• Termination of parental rights
• Paternity and adoption

The Office of the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk acts as the custodian for court records from the family court. Family court records can be obtained like any other records from the Circuit Court Clerk of Jefferson County. Anybody with inquiries can call the family court at (502) 595-3025.

Jefferson Dissolution of Marriage Records

Records of dissolution of marriage are records concerning divorces handled in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Family Court generates these records, and copies of family court records are available from the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk. Online record requests can be made using the Kentucky eCourts CourtNet 2.0 database.

Jefferson County Marriage and Divorce Records

Members of the public have several options for obtaining Jefferson County Marriage and Divorce records. Marriage records can be obtained from the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office Professional License Department. Divorce records can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk for Jefferson County. On the state level, marriage and divorce records from June 1958 till the present can be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) under the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Eligible persons can obtain Marriage and Divorce certificates from the Office of Vital Statistics in person at the office lobby during office hours or by mail. Requesters can submit the application form in person or using the dropbox at the visitor's entrance. Mail requests must include the completed application form, a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and payment in the form of a money order or check payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

All mailed requests should be mailed to:

Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main St., 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

The price for a certified marriage or divorce record from the Office of Vital Statistics is a nonrefundable fee of $6 per copy. If no record is found, the payment is kept as a search fee.

Marriage records from the Professional License Department can be obtained in person or by mail. Requesters can submit a request containing the following information:

• Groom’s name
• Bride’s name and maiden name
• Date of marriage(year)

The information can be presented to the staff at the department in person or as a written request mailed to:

Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
Professional License Department
527 W. Jefferson St., Room 100A
Louisville, KY 40202

Certified copies of the marriage record cost $5 in person and $6 by mail. Payment methods accepted in person include cash, certified check, cashier’s check, money order, personal check, Visa, Discover, AMX or MasterCard. Divorce records for Jefferson County can be obtained by contacting the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk.

Jefferson Birth and Death Records

Jefferson County Birth and Death records can be obtained from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. The Office of Vital Statistics maintains birth and death records for citizens of Kentucky from 1911 till date. Interested parties may submit record requests for these records in person, by mail, or using the dropbox at the office.

According to the law, only subjects of the record, their immediate family, or legal representatives can access vital records in Kentucky.

During the record request, record seekers must submit a completed Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application to the office using any of the available options and pay the required fees. Requests can be submitted in person during office hours or by mail to:

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

Requests can also be dropped off at the dropbox located at the visitor entrance of the office. Birth certificates cost $10 per copy, while death records cost $6 per copy. Fees are nonrefundable and cover certified copies or a search for the record if the record is unavailable. Payment is accepted in a check or money order drawn from a U.S. dollar account from a U.S. bank.

Orders made in person will usually be processed the same day, but any order received after 3.45 p.m. will be processed the next business day. Mail and dropbox requests will be processed within 30 working days.

Birth, death, and marriage records are considered vital records in Jefferson County and are useful when determining an individual's legal identity, parentage, age, and nationality.

Jefferson County Probate Court Records

Jefferson County Probate Court records are records concerning the wills and estates of deceased persons. These include records concerning wills, trustees, administration, settlement orders, and other probate matters. The Jefferson County Probate Court is part of the District Court and is responsible for handling probate and generating their records.

Records from Jefferson County probate court cases can be obtained from the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk. These records can be obtained like any other record from the circuit court clerk’s office. Options for obtaining Jefferson County Probate Records include the following:

• Submit a written request containing names of parties, date of the case, and any additional information by mail to Old Jail Building, 514 W. Liberty St., Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40202
• Send the request by email to JeffersonOCCCrecords.archives@kycourts.net
• Record requests for records that are 15-35 years old or over 35 years old should be sent to state.records@ky.gov and kdla.archives@ky.gov respectively.

Jefferson County Property Records

Jefferson County property records are name changes, deeds, mortgages, liens, and property tax information. These records are maintained by the Jefferson County Clerk who accepts record requests from the public. Record seekers may request property records from the county clerk in person or by mail. In-person requests can be made at the Jefferson County Clerk's main office located at:

527 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202-2814
Phone: (502) 574-5700
Email: countyclerk@jeffersoncountyclerk.org

Mailed requests, including fees for any copies required, should be sent to the office mailing address at:

Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Records
P.O. Box 33033
Louisville, KY 40232-3033

Copies of property records cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first 3 pages and $0.50 for each additional page per document.

There are also options to look up property records online. The county clerk's website provides the Online Land Records search page, and the county Property Valuation Administrator provides the online Property Search tool.

Jefferson County Court Records Online

In General, the public has the option to access Jefferson County court records from either government or third-party websites. These third-party websites like courtrecords.us are record databases managed by private companies. Third-party websites usually assemble and sell court records that have been sourced from various places, including courts and other record repositories.

Even though these sites are convenient and can be accessed from home or the office, the fact that they are not official sources must be noted. Records obtained via third-party sites may not be up-to-date, so it is advised that such records be verified with official government sources.