Johnson County Court Records

Johnson County court records are official documents created during legal proceedings in the county. They contain information about legal cases from filing to resolution. Examples of the content of a court record include petitions, complaints, motions, rulings, orders, transcripts, exhibits, and affidavits.

The Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of these records in Johnson County. As public records, they are maintained and made available to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Individuals can access court records to review court actions, track case proceedings, and obtain information about the parties involved.

Are Court Records Public in Johnson County?

Yes. Court records are public in Johnson County under the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to KRS 61.884). This act gives residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky the right to inspect and obtain copies of most court records filed in the circuit and district courts (KRS 61.872). However, some court records, documents, or information are exempt from public disclosure under KRS 61.878. These include:

• Juvenile court records
• Adoption files
• Expunged records
• Mental health evaluations
• Personal data (e.g., Social Security numbers)
• Records involving informants or protected witnesses
• Victim identities in domestic violence or sexual assault cases
• Attorney-client communications
• Sealed court records.

Johnson County Court Records Search

Individuals can search Johnson County court records through:

• In-person visits to the Circuit Court Clerk's office
• Mail or fax requests to the clerk's office
• The Kentucky Court of Justice "Public Court Records" portal
• Third-party websites.

Johnson County Courts

The courts in Johnson County are the Circuit Court and the District Court. The circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction and hears felony matters, civil disputes of $5,000, capital offenses, contested probate cases, family law matters (e.g., adoption, divorce, child custody, domestic violence), land title disputes, and appeals from the district court. The district court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles misdemeanor matters, traffic offenses, probate cases, small claims, and civil disputes under $5000 in monetary value.

The address and contact information of Johnson County courts are listed below:

Johnson County Circuit Court
Johnson County Judicial Center
908 3rd Street, Suite 109
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 297-9567
Fax: (606) 297-9573

Johnson County District Court
Johnson County Judicial Center
908 3rd Street, Suite 109
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 297-9567
Fax: (606) 297-9573

Johnson County Criminal and Civil Records

The Circuit Court Clerk maintains and provides access to Johnson County criminal and civil court records. Civil cases encompass contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, domestic relations (e.g., divorce, child custody, child support), housing disputes (e.g., evictions, foreclosures), landlord/tenant issues, and small claims.

Interested persons can search for or obtain criminal or civil court records in Johnson County by submitting a public record request to the Circuit Clerk's office in person (Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), by mail, or by fax.

Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk
908 3rd Street,
Suite 109
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 297-9567
Fax: (606) 297-9573

Alternatively, record seekers can use the Kentucky Court of Justice's "Public Court Records" portal to access public court records throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, including Johnson County. The portal allows users to search for court records by name, case number, or citation. However, Johnson County arrest records and other criminal history information may be obtained by querying law enforcement agencies. 

Johnson County Marriage Records

A marriage record certifies a legal union and includes a license and certificate containing the spouses' names, marriage dates, locations, and officiants. In Kentucky, the county clerk is the primary custodian of marriage records.

Interested parties should contact the Johnson County Clerk in person or by mail to request Johnson County marriage certificates, including licenses. Copy fees apply.

Johnson County Clerk
230 Court St., Ste 124
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 789-2557
Fax: (606) 789-2559

Individuals may also submit requests to the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services) for Johnson County marriage certificates from June 1958 to the present. The cost is $6 per certificate (non-refundable search fee). Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

Johnson County Divorce Records

The circuit court clerk is the official custodian of Johnson County divorce records, and interested individuals can request these records (e.g., a divorce decree) by contacting the clerk's office in person, by phone, or by mail.

Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk
908 3rd Street, Suite 109
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 297-9567
Fax: (606) 297-9573

Alternatively, requests can be made to the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics online, by mail, in person, or by phone for Johnson County divorce records from June 1958. The fee is $6 per copy.

Johnson County Birth Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) is the official custodian of birth records statewide, including those from Johnson County. It maintains birth records for individuals born in Kentucky since 1911.

Under the law, individuals who can request a birth certificate include:

• The person named on the certificate (18 or older)
• Parents listed on the certificate
• Legal guardian or custodian
• Child, spouse, or next of kin
• Legal representative.

These individuals can obtain a Johnson County birth record for $10 per certificate by purchasing it online, requesting it by phone or by fax, or by submitting a completed "birth certificate application form" in person or by mail to:

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

The certificate fee in mail requests must be made by check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Birth certificates can be used to verify identity and process legal documents like passports and driver's licenses. They are also needed for other purposes, such as school enrollment and inheritance claims.

Johnson County Death Records

Death records serve various purposes in Johnson County, including settling estates and claiming life insurance, social security, and pension benefits. In Kentucky, a death certificate can be requested by the immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling), legal representatives, and executors or administrators of the decedent's estate.

The Office of Vital Statistics has on file death records of persons in Kentucky from 1911. A death certificate costs $6 per copy. Eligible parties can request a death certificate online, by phone, by fax, or by submitting a completed "death certificate application form" in person or by mail to:

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

Johnson County Probate Court Records

Johnson County probate court records document legal proceedings and actions on estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts. The Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of probate court records and provides public access to them under the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Individuals can request Johnson County probate records in person or by mail from the clerk's office. It is advisable to call ahead to inquire about record availability and fees.

Circuit Court Clerk
908 3rd Street,
Suite 109
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (cell): (606) 357-7804
Phone: (office): (606) 297-9567

Alternatively, individuals may search Johnson County probate records through the Kentucky Court of Justice's "Public Court Records" portal.

Johnson County Property Records

Johnson County property records document real estate ownership, sale history, valuation, and legal descriptions. Common documents in these records include deeds, mortgages, tax assessments, liens, and plats. The Johnson County Clerk is the official custodian of these records and is responsible for their preservation and providing public access.

Interested individuals should contact the clerk's office to request inspection or duplication of these records. Note that fees apply for duplication of public records.

Johnson County Clerk
230 Court St., Ste 124
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 789-2557
Fax: (606) 789-2559

Alternatively, individuals can use eCCLIX (the Kentucky land records portal) to search for Johnson County property records online. Note: eCCLIX is not free; a monthly or daily subscription is needed to use the service.

Johnson County Court Records Online

Individuals seeking Johnson County court records online may use third-party resources like Kentuckycourtrecords.us as an alternative to official sources. Though privately owned and operated, these sites aggregate public court records and offer searchable databases where users can look up these records by party name or case number. While third-party sites offer the convenience of fast and remote access to court records, they come with drawbacks. They may contain incomplete, outdated, or limited case information.