Lincoln County Court Records

Lincoln County court records are official documents and information that local courts, court agencies, and court clerks create or receive in connection with cases under their jurisdiction. These records are preserved in various formats, including paper, disks, recordings, or other materials. They serve as official documentation of judicial proceedings, ensuring transparency and accountability in how cases are handled within the local legal system. Additionally, they may be utilized to initiate future cases, such as appeals, and to establish legal precedents.

Generally, Lincoln court records consist of different documents, materials, and information. These include, but are not limited to:

• Court dockets,
• Evidence/exhibits
• Complaints/petitions
• Orders
• Motions
• Judgement
• Trial transcript

Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County?

Yes, the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884) and the Administrative Office of the Courts Open Records Policy establish the general public's right to access court records in Kentucky, including those from Lincoln County. Under these laws, anyone can request Lincoln County court records, provided that the record is not subject to any exemptions under state or federal laws. Examples of exempt records include, but are not limited to:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Preliminary drafts and notes
• Sealed or expunged records

Lincoln County Court Records Search

Record seekers can perform a Lincoln County court record search through any of the following:

• The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's Office
• Kentucky's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) CourtNet portal.
• The Kentucky State Records Center (for court records between 15 and 35 years old)
• The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) (for court records over 36 years old).
• Third-party websites.

Lincoln County Courts

Lincoln County has a Circuit Court and a District Court, both located in the Lincoln County Judicial Center at:

101 East Main Street,
Stanford, KY 40484
Phone: (606) 365-2535
Fax: (606) 365-3389

Lincoln County Criminal and Civil Records

The Lincoln Circuit Clerk serves as the primary custodian of records for most cases handled by the Lincoln County courts, including both criminal and civil cases. Thus, record seekers can query the Circuit Clerk to access Lincoln County criminal and civil court records. Queries may be made by visiting the Circuit Clerk's office during operating hours to submit an in-person request for the desired record. The Circuit Clerk's office operates from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Public terminals may be available at the Circuit Clerk's office that individuals can use to electronically search and access criminal and civil court records. Interested parties can also request physical copies of records for a fee.

Alternatively, public court records for Lincoln County's criminal and civil cases are available online through the AOC CourtNet portal. Record seekers must register for an account or log in as a guest to access the portal. Additionally, searches can be conducted on the portal using case number, party name, or citation number.

The Kentucky State Records Center and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) maintain older court records. The former preserves records that are between 15 and 35 years old, while the latter keeps records that are over 36 years old. Interested individuals can request Lincoln County court records from the Kentucky State Records Center using the ARM-160 Record Request Form. Meanwhile, the KDLA offers various options for requesting court records in its custody.

It is important to note that certain types of Lincoln County criminal records are generated and maintained by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. Most notably, these agencies generate Lincoln County arrest records. These records are subject to the KentuckyOpen Records Act and are generally accessible to the public. As a result, anyone can request or access Lincoln arrest records through the local law enforcement agencies that produced them. Requests can be made by contacting the relevant agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office also provides an inmate roster containing arrest information and other details of individuals who have been recently arrested and booked in the county jail.

Lincoln County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) preserves Lincoln County vital records, including marriage and divorce records from June 1958 to the present. In contrast, marriage records prior to June 1958 are kept at the county level by the Lincoln County Clerk's office, while the County Circuit Clerk's office holds divorce records from the same period. Certified copies of these records are only available to eligible individuals, such as the record's subject, their immediate family, and others with a direct tangible interest in the record.

Eligible parties can order a certified Lincoln County marriage certificate or death certificate from the OVS at $6 per request. Requests can be made using the VS-230 Marriage and Divorce Application form (also available in Spanish). The application must be appropriately completed and submitted in person, via drop box, or by mail. For in-person requests, requesters can visit the OVS during regular working hours (from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday. The OVS also has a drop box installed at its visitor entrance for drop box requests. Alternatively, requesters can mail the completed application form, applicable fee (via check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer), and other required documents to:

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

Generally, mail-in and drop box requests are processed within five (5) to seven (7) business days, though sometimes it may take up to 30 days. Meanwhile, same-day processing is typically available for in-person requests, provided the request is submitted before 3:45 p.m. EST.

On the other hand, interested individuals can obtain Lincoln County marriage records recorded before June 1958 by contacting the County Clerk's Office at:

301 N. 3rd Street
Stanford, KY 40484
Phone: (606) 365-4570
Fax: (606) 365-4572

On the other hand, divorce records dated before June 1958 can be accessed at the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's Office at:

101 East Main Street
Stanford, KY 40484
Phone: (606) 365-2535

Lincoln County Birth and Death Records

Similar to other vital records, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) maintains Lincoln County birth and death records dating back to 1911. Individuals seeking these records can order them from the OVS in person, via drop box, or by mail using the dedicated request form provided by the agency. Applicants can use the Birth Application form (also available in Spanish) to request Lincoln County birth certificates. Meanwhile, the Death Application form (also available in Spanish) can be used to order a death certificate. The OVS charges applicants a $10 fee for a birth certificate and a $6 fee for a death certificate request.

Lincoln County Probate Court Records

In Lincoln County, probate cases can fall under the jurisdiction of either the Circuit Court or the District Court. The latter handles contested probate matters, while the former has limited jurisdiction and handles probate of wills. Notwithstanding, the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk serves as the record custodian for both courts. Therefore, record seekers can obtain probate court records through the Circuit Clerk's Office. They can request these records by contacting or visiting the Circuit Clerk's Office at:

101 East Main Street
Stanford, KY 40484
Phone: (606) 365-2535

Lincoln County Property Records

In Lincoln County, the County Clerk's Office and the Property Valuation Administrator's Office (P.V.A.) are the primary custodians of property records. The County Clerk's Office records and preserves local land records, such as deeds, plats, mortgages, liens, UCC filings, releases, condominiums, and surveys. Most of these records are considered part of Lincoln County Public Records and are typically available to the public upon request. Therefore, interested individuals can obtain land records from the County Clerk's Office by submitting an open records request using the 2021 Standardized Open Records RequestForm or a written request. Please note that requests are subject to specific fees.

On the other hand, the Lincoln County P.V.A. the office assesses real and personal properties within the county. Records seekers can access property assessment records generated by the P.V.A. Office online through the office's property search portal. Alternatively, they can request these records by contacting or visiting the P.V.A. Office at:

201 E. Main Street,
Suite 2
Stanford, KY 40484
Phone: (606) 365-4550
Fax: (606) 365-2159

Lincoln County Court Records Online

Record seekers may access Lincoln County court records online through the AOC CourtNet portal and third-party websites like Kentuckycourtrecords.us. These third-party websites are relatively easy to use, with minimal information about the sought-after court record, such as the party name or case number, to conduct a search for the desired court record. Additionally, search results are provided promptly, and online searches can save individuals both time and transportation costs that they would otherwise incur by visiting the Lincoln County Judicial Center to request court records in person. However, there are some downsides to using third-party websites. Most notably, the completeness and accuracy of the documents they provide are not guaranteed.