Whitley County Court Records

Whitley County court records refer to case and administrative documents, papers, recordings, and discs created, received, or maintained by a court, court clerk, or Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) relating to a particular case or Court of Justice's administration. They include dockets, minutes, case files, and orders in the custody of the Whitley County Court Clerk. Individuals and agencies submit requests to obtain copies of court records for various reasons. For example, case parties may need court records to verify the outcome of their cases. Landlords and employers may use court records to conduct background checks to assess risks and make informed decisions.

Are Court Records Public in Whitley County?

Yes, court records are public in Whitley County according to the Kentucky Open Records Act and the Administrative Office of the Courts Open Records Policy. Anyone who wants to inspect or obtain copies of court records should contact the Whitley County Circuit or District Courts during operational hours. However, some court records may not be available for public perusal because of privacy reasons. Typically, no court in Whitley County will disseminate adoption, juvenile, and attorney/client privilege records, legal research and analysis, and the email addresses of judges, justices, and their staff to the public.

Whitley County Court Records Search

Individuals can easily find Whitley County court records through the following means:

• Submitting a Record Request Form by mail
• By email at state.records@ky.gov
• Visiting the courthouse during business hours
• Online through the CourtNet 2.0 or KDLA Records Ordering System

Whitley County Courts

The Circuit and District Courts are major courts situated in Whitley County. These courts are located at:

Whitley County Judicial Center
100 Main St. P.O. Box 329
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Phone: (606) 549-2973 (Circuit)
(606) 549-5162 (District)
Fax: (606) 539-1664 (Circuit)
(606) 549-3393 (District)

Whitley County Criminal and Civil Records

Record seekers can find criminal and civil records at the Whitley County Circuit and District Courts. The Circuit Court maintains records of civil cases involving more than $5,000 and felonies, while the District Court keeps records of civil cases involving $5,000 or less, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. Copies of criminal and civil records can be obtained through the following methods:

• Online: Individuals can use the CourtNet 2.0 for free criminal and civil records searches. The search parameters are case number and party name. Users can select other search options to streamline their searches. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) also provides criminal and civil records online through its Records Ordering System. This service costs $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents, with an extra $1.50 processing fee.
• By email: Criminal and civil records between 15 and 35 years old can be retrieved by email. Interested persons can send a Record Request Form to state.records@ky.gov.
• In-person: The Whitley County Court Clerk encourages residents to come to the office and submit requests for criminal and civil records. Customers are expected to bring copy fees and basic information about the record to facilitate the search.
• By mail: Requests can send a completed Criminal or Civil Case File Record Request Form to the KDLA to receive copies of criminal and civil records 36 years and older. The requester must send the appropriate fees along with the application form to the mailing address below:

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
P.O. Box 537
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40602
Phone: (502) 564-8300
Fax: (502) 564-5773

Whitley County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Whitley County Clerk records marriage licenses and issues them by mail and in person. Customers can send a written notice to the office that includes the bride's maiden name, groom's name, and date of marriage, as well as a fee of $6. They can also visit the office on Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to obtain copies of Whitley County marriage certificates. The fee for in-person requests is $5. The physical and mailing address of the County Clerk is:

Whitley County Clerk
P.O. Box 8
200 Main Street Ste 2
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Phone: (606) 549-6002, (606) 549-6003
Fax: (606) 549-2790
Email: Carolyn.Willis@ky.gov

The Whitley County Circuit Court's Family Division is the custodian of divorce records. Customers can view these records for free using CourtNet 2.0. The primary search parameters are case and party, but other search options are available to streamline the search. Copies of divorce records can also be obtained at the courthouse during business hours. The court staff will charge a fee for copies of documents.

Marriage and divorce records over 36 years old are available online and by mail at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). Residents must pay $20 per copy, and non-residents must pay $25 per copy. Online requests can be made using the KDLA Records Ordering System for an extra processing fee of $1.50. Mail customers should send a Marriage or Divorce Record Request Form and the appropriate fees to the office.

Whitley County Birth and Death Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics only issues certified copies of Whitley County vital records. The office charges $10 for Whitley County birth records and $6 for death records. These fees can be paid by credit or debit card, an automated clearing house (ACH), check, money order, or cash. Residents can order certified copies of birth and death records through the following means:

• Online, by phone, or by fax: The Office of Vital Statistics partners with a third-party vendor to issue birth and death certificates through these means. This service attracts an additional processing fee.
• By mail: Customers can send the office a completed Birth (English or Spanish) or Death (English or Spanish) Certificate Application Form to obtain copies of birth and death records. They must include the appropriate fees and a return address on the envelope.
• In-person and Dropbox location: Requesters can come to the office Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to complete an application for a certified copy of a birth and death certificate. Orders made after 3:45 p.m. will be processed the next day. Record seekers can also go to the drop box at the visitor entrance and use the blank application form to submit a request.

Whitley County Property Records

Whitley County public records include property documents like deeds, mortgages, mechanic liens, wills, and leases. The County Clerk has a computer index where individuals can view these documents. Customers must create an account and pay the appropriate subscription fee to use the portal. The Clerk also issues property records by phone at (606) 549-6002 option two and in person. The office opens Mondays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Whitley County Court Records Online

Individuals can explore trusted third-party platforms like Kentuckycourtrecords.us to perform court record searches. These platforms require users to provide precise information, such as case numbers or names of parties involved, to perform a search. Some sites return basic case information for free, but most charge for detailed reports. Users should cross-reference third-party court records with official court records to verify accuracy.