Montgomery County Court Records

Court records are materials generated during criminal and civil proceedings, including judgments, orders, complaints, motions, and dockets. Members of the public can use Montgomery County and other Kentucky court records for legal research, as evidence in other cases, to run criminal background checks, and for certain applications. Lawyers and prosecutors also review these documents to find precedents and prepare for court cases. Additionally, the judiciary uses court records to maintain transparency and manage administrative affairs.

Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County?

Yes. Montgomery court records are considered public information under the Kentucky Open Records Act. That means anyone can copy or view documents, information, or other items generated during case proceedings. However, custodians can deny requests for records declared confidential or protected by law unless the requester demonstrates they are explicitly authorized to have access. Nonetheless, custodians can process requests for a record containing confidential data, but the protected information will be redacted before the record is released.

Examples of confidential court records include:

• Records containing sensitive personal information that could cause significant harm if disclosed
• Juvenile court records
• Montgomery arrest records that are part of sealed court proceedings
• Montgomery County criminal records tied to ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Financial information and trade secrets
• Some family court case records, such as adoption and paternity

Montgomery County Court Records Search

The Montgomery Circuit Clerk’s office provides public access to case records generated by the circuit and district courts within the past 15 years. To make inquiries or request records, individuals can contact the office at:

Montgomery County Courthouse
One Court Street
P.O. Box 327
Mount Sterling, KY 40353

For cases between 15 and 35 years old, the requester should complete a Records Request Form and forward it to the State Records Center by email at state.records@ky.gov or call (502) 564-3617. Requesters will need to provide locator and case numbers, along with names or Social Security numbers. Those who do not have the relevant numbers can contact the circuit clerk for assistance.

The Kentucky State Department for Libraries and Archives stores court records older than 36 years. To request these records, individuals can call the department at (502) 564-1787 or email kdla.archives@ky.gov.

Additionally, members of the public can use the statewide case search tool to look up Montgomery court cases. The portal accepts searches by party name, case number, or citation number. The database displays party details, case numbers, and upcoming court dates.

Montgomery County Courts

Trial courts in Montgomery County include the circuit and district courts, which handle every civil, criminal, and family matter within the county's boundaries. Members of the public can contact or visit these courts using these details:

Montgomery County Courthouse
One Court Street
P.O. Box 327
Mount Sterling, KY 40353

Montgomery County Criminal and Civil Records

Montgomery criminal records are created when individuals are apprehended for alleged crimes. The county's circuit court handles felonies and capital offenses, while the district court oversees county and city ordinance violations, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and probable cause hearings for felonies. Both courts share jurisdiction over some cases, such as juvenile matters and domestic abuse and violence.

Civil records, on the other hand, detail legal disputes between two or more parties. The local circuit court handles civil cases worth over $5,000, while the district court has jurisdiction over matters where the disputed amount is less than $5,000. Additionally, the circuit court handles contested probate cases and title disputes involving landlords, and the district court adjudicates small claims matters less than $2,500 and probate of wills.

To obtain records from Montgomery civil and criminal cases, one can contact the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk or use the Kentucky case search portal. In addition, anyone can approach local law enforcement agencies, such as the county sheriff and city police departments, for Montgomery County arrest records, inmate information, and other criminal data.

Montgomery County Marriage Records

Montgomery County marriage records provide proof of a couple's marriage and are often needed during divorce and other court proceedings, inheritance cases, tax filings, and insurance claims processes.

Individuals can request a Montgomery County marriage certificate from the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS), Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The office dispenses certificates for marriages held from June 1958 to date.

Request options include in-person, mail-in, online, telephone, and fax purchases. Each marriage certificate costs $6. Mail-in requests should be sent to:

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

The in-person option involves dropping off requests at the 275 East Main Street entrance in Frankfort, KY. People can also visit the office to submit requests for same-day processing.

Online, telephone, and fax requests are processed by the agency's third-party vendor.

Individuals can contact the county clerk's office (which issues marriage licenses) to obtain marriage records that precede 1958.

Montgomery County Divorce Records

Divorce records are products of dissolution of marriage proceedings, which are handled by the domestic division of the county's circuit court. The Office of the Circuit Court Clerk can be contacted to obtain or view divorce case proceedings and obtain divorce documents, like divorce decrees.

Additionally, the Office of Vital Statistics issues divorce certificates verifying that a divorce incident occurred. Interested parties can refer to the methods explained under the marriage records section to obtain these documents. Each divorce certificate costs $6.

Montgomery County Birth Records

Montgomery County birth records provide proof of age, citizenship, and parentage. These records are required for school enrollment, passport applications, and inheritance proceedings, among other purposes.

Individuals can visit the Office of Vital Statistics or use the agency's mail-in, online, telephone, or fax options to order copies of any Montgomery County birth certificate issued from 1911 to the present date. Each birth certificate costs $6.

Montgomery County Death Records

Death records, part of the Montgomery County vital records, document deaths within the county. Individuals can request death certificates for $6 each from the OVS using any of the previously mentioned methods.

Montgomery County Probate Court Records

Probate court records are generated when a court administers a deceased person's estate. In Montgomery, probate proceedings are heard by the local district court. However, contested probate cases are handled in the circuit court.

Individuals can contact the circuit clerk for probate records or view information online using the state’s case search database.

Montgomery County Property Records

Montgomery County property records contain ownership, financial, and descriptive details about real estate located in the county. County offices that disseminate these records include:

• The County Clerk: Maintains real estate documents, including deeds, conveyances, leases, mortgages, etc.
• The Property Valuation Administrator (PVA): Assesses real estate properties to determine property taxes. Individuals can use the search portal on the PVA's official website or contact the agency directly to request property assessment and tax records.

Montgomery County Court Records Online

Montgomery County court records can be obtained from third-party websites like Kentuckycourtrecords.us. These sites consolidate arrest, property, court, and other public documents into one searchable database, making it easier for the public to find the records they seek without visiting various government agencies.

However, verifying records from third-party sources through official custodians is crucial for ensuring information accuracy and completeness.