Spencer County Court Records

A court record, also known as a court case record, refers to the documentation generated by a court's adjudicative functions. In Spencer County, the courts maintain various court case records (motions, transcripts, exhibits, judgments, etc.), collectively known as the Spencer County court records.

These documents, which stem from either civil (non-criminal) or criminal proceedings, are valuable for fostering judicial transparency and accountability. Additionally, they enable case parties to monitor the progression and current status of their cases effectively. Together with the Spencer County arrest records, Smith County court records contribute essential information to an individual's Kentucky criminal history.

Are Court Records Public in Spencer County?

Yes. In Kentucky, court records are generally considered open to the public. While the Kentucky judiciary establishes an Open Records Policy, the rule only affects administrative records—records of the courts that are not associated with any specific court case. Nonetheless, any member of the public can request to examine or duplicate (copy) a Spencer County court record, except where public access has been restricted by statute or court order.

The following list contains examples of confidential court records in Spencer:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Personally identifying information (PII)
• Attorney-client communications

Note: Kentucky's Open Records Law (KRS 61.870 to 61.884) does not apply to courts or the judicial records they keep.

Spencer County Court Records Search

A Spencer County court records search is an inquiry for official documentation of a case handled by the Spencer County courts. Generally, this search is conducted through one office: the Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, which acts as the official records custodian for the local Circuit, District, and Family courts.

Besides direct access through the court clerk's office, individuals can utilize online platforms maintained by the Kentucky Court of Justice (the state judiciary) and certain private aggregators to find Spencer County court records.

One unique aspect of the Kentucky court system is that the courts only keep records for the first 15 years. Records beyond 15 years but not older than 35 years are maintained by the KDLA's State Records Center (SRC). Meanwhile, court records older than 35 years are housed in the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA).

Spencer County Courts

Different courts in Spencer County receive and hear legal actions or disputes brought by citizens, government agencies, private institutions, or the State. These courts include the Circuit, District, and Family courts; their exact jurisdiction is explained on the Kentucky Court of Justice's About the Courts page. Below is the physical address and contact information of the Spencer County courts.

Spencer County Courthouse Annex
27 East Main Street
P.O. Box 282
Taylorsville, KY 40071
Phone: (502) 477-3220
Fax: (502) 477-9368

Spencer County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal and civil court records in Spencer County are accessible through the Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. These records originate from criminal and civil cases heard in the county's Circuit, District, and Family courts.

Criminal cases involve state-led prosecution against individuals alleged to have committed a crime. Criminal court records feature Spencer County arrest records, grand jury indictments, pre-sentence reports, and other documents generated from these cases.

Meanwhile, civil cases revolve around disputes or actions between private parties (individuals, businesses, etc.). The types of claims covered include probate, breach of contract, dissolution, guardianship, and tort. Civil court records include motions, interrogatories, affidavits, answers, summonses, claims (and counterclaims), and orders.

Spencer County Marriage Records

Spencer County marriage records verify the existence of a legal marital union. These records are managed locally through the County Clerk's Office and at the state level through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS).

The OVS maintains marriage records from June 1958 to the present date, and the procedures and forms for requesting these records are available on the agency's Marriage and Divorce Certificates page. Each marriage certificate ordered from the OVS costs $6.

Marriage records filed prior to June 1958 may be available at the County Clerk's Office, KDLA, or Kentucky Historical Society.

Spencer County Divorce Records

Proof of the dissolution of a marriage in Spencer County is provided by the Spencer County divorce records. Individuals have access to various types of Spencer County divorce documentation: divorce case files, divorce decrees, and divorce certificates.

Regarding divorce decrees (the court's final judgment terminating a marriage) and divorce case files (the complete record of a divorce proceeding), access may be sought through the court system—specifically, the circuit courts. The Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk's Office can be contacted at (502) 477-3220 for divorce record inquiries. Alternatively, parties can stop by the Spencer County Courthouse to request these records from the clerk's office.

Divorce certificates, on the other hand, are official abstracts of divorce information issued by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. To obtain a certified copy, applicants can fill out and submit a Divorce Application form (Spanish version) to the OVS and pay the $6 certified copy fee. The OVS also contracts with a private vendor to process online orders. However, online applications may incur additional charges.

Spencer Birth Records

Essential information regarding a person's birth, including their identity, citizenship, and parentage, is contained in Spencer County birth records. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics is charged with maintaining these records and issuing certified copies. Specifically, the OVS provides birth and stillbirth certificates for events occurring from 1911 to the present. For records predating 1911, individuals may find them through the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives or the Kentucky Historical Society. Application forms and procedures for requesting birth records are available on the OVS's Birth Certificates web page.

Notably, the State of Kentucky restricts who can request or receive a Spencer County birth certificate (KRS 213.131). According to the law, birth records do not become public records until 100 years have elapsed after the date of birth.

Spencer Death Records

Death records certify the occurrence of a death. These records have different vital purposes, including settling decedents' estates and claiming government benefits. Like all other vital records in Kentucky (birth, marriage, and divorce certificates), Spencer County death records are managed by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. However, KRS 213.131 limits public access until 50 years have passed from the date of death.

The OVS provides an Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate that applicants can submit in person, by dropbox, by mail, or online through an approved vendor. It costs $6 for each certified copy of a death certificate.

Spencer County Probate Court Records

In Spencer County, probate cases are under the purview of the circuit and district courts. The circuit courts hear contested probate matters, while the district court oversees probate of wills. Probate cases generally involve the administration of a deceased person's estate, including the distribution to the rightful beneficiaries and the payment or resolution of outstanding debts.

To view a probate case record, individuals can stop by the Spencer County Courthouse Annex in Taylorsville. Alternatively, they can approach the Spencer County Circuit Clerk's Office for access procedures. The Kentucky Court of Justice also provides an online system, where the public can look up court case information.

Older probate records (over 15 years) may be accessible through the State Records Center by submitting a request form to state.records@ky.gov or through the KDLA.

Spencer County Property Records

Property records in Spencer County refer to official documents maintained by county offices regarding a specific piece of real estate. These offices include the Spencer County Clerk's Office and the Property Valuation Administrator's (PVA) Office. The county clerk acts as the official recorder of all legal instruments within the county, such as deeds, easements, mortgages, liens, and releases. Meanwhile, the PVA oversees property assessments/valuations and can provide comprehensive information about a property.

To access recorded real estate instruments held by the Spencer County Clerk's Office, one can contact the office using the following address details:

Spencer County Clerk's Office
Spencer County Courthouse
2 West Main
P.O. Box 544
Taylorsville, KY 40071
Phone: (502) 477-3215
Fax: (502) 477-3216

Alternatively, the clerk's Records page features a web application that individuals may utilize to look up property documents from January 1795 to the current date. Viewing at the courthouse is free, but access fees are charged for the online database.

The PVA office's property records can be accessed through the Property Search tool on the agency's official website or by contacting the office.

Spencer County Property Valuation Administrator
Spencer County Courthouse
2 West Main Street
P.O. Box 425
Taylorsville, KY 40071
Phone: (502) 477-3207
Fax: (502) 477-3208

Spencer County Court Records Online

Third-party online databases, such as Kentuckycourtrecords.us, provide an alternative to court-operated databases when searching for Spencer County court records online. Unlike online court portals, these databases aggregate court case information from various U.S. jurisdictions, enabling a broader and more convenient search for users. However, as these websites are privately owned, data accuracy and completeness may differ across platforms, necessitating verification through official repositories if the data is intended for legal use.