Simpson County Court Records

Simpson County court records are essential legal documents that detail the county's judicial proceedings. These records typically include a variety of case documents and information, including case numbers, filing dates, subpoenas, orders, motions, and judgments. Simpson County criminal court records, in particular, may contain Simpson County arrest records, charging documents, warrants, sentencing information, and other related materials.

Simpson County court records serve as a vital resource for preserving legal precedents and are useful for conducting background checks, facilitating property transactions, and supporting historical research. Residents, attorneys, and researchers can obtain necessary information for various purposes by learning how to access Simpson County court documents.

Are Court Records Public in Simpson County?

Yes. Court records in Simpson County are generally available to the public, in accordance with the policies of the Kentucky judicial branch. The Kentucky Open Records Act, passed in 1976, does not cover public access to these records. However, certain types of records are limited or sealed to protect personal or sensitive information.

Records that typically have restricted access include adoption proceedings, juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, sealed court orders, and some domestic violence matters. Additionally, some case records may contain redacted material to protect personal identifiers or confidential information. Older records may also become unavailable as they can be archived or erased according to Kentucky's statutory retention schedules.

Simpson County Court Records Search

Several options are available for individuals seeking to perform a court records search in Simpson County. The primary method involves contacting the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, which serves as the county's custodian of court records. Interested persons can visit the courthouse in person, send written requests via mail, or call the clerk's designated phone lines.

The Kentucky Court of Justice also offers online access to certain court records through its CourtNet case search system, and some third-party aggregator websites may provide online access.

Simpson County Courts

Simpson County is part of the Kentucky Court of Justice system, which consists of both trial and appellate courts. Simpson County's courts include the Circuit, District, and Family Courts. The Circuit Court has broad jurisdiction over major civil and criminal proceedings, including felonies, civil cases exceeding $5,000, and appeals from the District Court.

The District Court hears misdemeanors, civil lawsuits valued under $5,000, and traffic offenses, and conducts preliminary hearings for felonies.

The Family Court is a branch of the Circuit Court that handles cases involving divorce, child custody, adoption, paternity, and juvenile matters.

All Simpson County court proceedings take place at the Simpson County Justice Center.

Simpson County Justice Center (County Courthouse)
101 North Court Street
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-4241
Fax: (270) 586-0265

Simpson County Criminal and Civil Records

Accessing criminal and civil court records in Simpson County requires understanding the distinction between the two primary types of cases: civil and criminal. Criminal court records detail the proceedings in which the state prosecutes individuals accused of violating criminal laws, including information about charges, arraignments, plea deals, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and appeals. Simpson County arrest records may also be maintained as part of a criminal case file when an arrest is made.

Civil court records, on the other hand, document private conflicts, such as personal injury claims, property disputes, contract disputes, and other non-criminal concerns.

To obtain criminal or civil court records, interested parties can contact or visit the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk. Alternatively, one can access the Kentucky CourtNet case search system. Individuals requesting court records may be required to provide specific information such as case numbers, estimated filing dates, and the names of involved parties. Fees may apply for duplicating or certifying records.

Simpson County Marriage Records

In Simpson County, marriage records (from 1852 forward) are maintained by the Simpson County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk is charged with issuing marriage licenses and keeping records of marriages performed within the county. The County Clerk's office accepts written, mailed, hand-delivered, or faxed record requests. A standard non-commercial request for marriage records incurs a fee of 50 cents per copy.

Certified copies of marriages that occurred between June 1958 and the present can be acquired from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) in Frankfort. Applications can be made in person, by mail, or online. A $6 fee applies for each certified copy requested.

Simpson County Clerk's Office
103 West Cedar Street
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-8161

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street
Suite 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212, (800) 241-8322

Simpson County Divorce Records

The Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk has jurisdiction over divorce records. Online access is restricted to free CourtNet guest access. For complete records, however, the interested individual may request them in person or via mail. Fees are approximately 25 cents per page. Certified copies cost $5 per document, plus copy fees.

For divorces (certificates) from June 1958 to the present, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics offers mail or in-person services for $6 per certified copy.

Simpson Birth Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics maintains birth records for Simpson County from 1911 to the present. Records before 1911 are primarily available as delayed birth certificates obtained through affidavits.

Birth records are limited for 100 years and can only be accessed by approved individuals, such as the registrant, their parents, spouse, children, or legal representatives. After 100 years, these documents become available for genealogical research. Requests for birth records can be made to the OVS in person, via mail, or online, with a charge for certified copies. These documents may be required for identification verification, proof of citizenship, and judicial proceedings.

Simpson Death Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics holds Simpson County death records (1911 to the present). However, a 50-year restriction applies, limiting access to immediate family members, funeral directors, and anyone who can prove a legal interest. To receive a death record (certificate), eligible individuals may contact the OVS in Frankfort, KY, or apply online, with a fee of $6 per copy. Death records are essential for estate planning, insurance claims, and genealogical research.

Simpson County Probate Court Records

The District Court hears probate matters in Simpson County, including estate administration, will contests, and guardianship proceedings. Probate records are generally open to the public and can be used for genealogical research, verifying property ownership, resolving inheritance disputes, and conducting title searches.

Basic probate case information is available through the Kentucky Courts' CourtNet portal and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office (the primary records custodian). For records older than 15 years, individuals can query the Kentucky State Records Center. Historical probate documents are available through the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Simpson County Property Records

The County Clerk's Office in Simpson County manages property records, which include ownership transfers, mortgages, and liens. Land records have been maintained by this office since 1819. To access these records, one can contact the County Clerk's Office, where indexed papers can be searched by grantor or grantee names.

Simpson County Clerk's Office
Simpson County Courthouse Annex
105 East Kentucky Street
Franklin, KY 42135
Phone: (270) 586-4261
Fax: (270) 586-0278

Additionally, property tax assessment records for Simpson County, Kentucky, are maintained by the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA). These records, which include ownership details, property descriptions, assessed values, and tax maps, can be accessed through the PVA Office. Researchers may need to provide the owner's name, address, or parcel number.

Simpson County Court Records Online

Simpson County court records can also be accessed remotely through the Kentucky Court of Justice CourtNet system. Alternatively, certain third-party databases, such as Kentuckycourtrecords.us, offer convenient access to Simpson County court records. Although these sites provide faster and more streamlined access to court records, the information from these sites should still be verified for accuracy and reliability.