Clark County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Clark County in 2026
ClarkKYRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Clark County, Kentucky. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data pertaining to a range of record categories, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and other materials created or held by county and state agencies. The information presented reflects what is available through official channels and may not represent a complete index of all records in existence.
Record categories that may be accessible through official sources include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, family, and probate)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Marriage and divorce records
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records in Clark County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Clark County Clerk's Office records portal provides online access to certain property and land records. The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online portal through which members of the public may submit requests for court records. Some records are available without registration; others may require account creation or written authorization.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Clark County Clerk's Office at 34 South Main Street, Winchester, KY 40391. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type sought, provide relevant identifying information (such as names, dates, or parcel numbers), and submit a written or verbal request to staff at the public counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be mailed to the Clark County Clerk's Office at 34 South Main Street, Winchester, KY 40391. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, a public agency must respond to an open records request within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Clark County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (859) 745-0280. Contact information for additional departments is available through the respective agency websites.
What Are Public Records in Clark County?
Public records in Clark County are defined under Kentucky law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics, which are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. This definition is established under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, which governs the Commonwealth's Open Records Act.
The following record types are maintained by Clark County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | County Clerk |
| Marriage licenses | County Clerk |
| Probate records | District Court / County Clerk |
| Business registrations | County Clerk |
| Property tax records | Property Valuation Administrator |
| Election records | County Clerk |
| Zoning and land use records | Planning and Zoning Office |
| Law enforcement records | Winchester Police / Clark County Sheriff |
The Clark County Clerk's Office records division serves as the primary repository for property, land, and vital records at the county level. Court records are maintained separately by the Circuit Court Clerk, which operates under the authority of the Kentucky Court of Justice.
Is Clark County an Open Records County?
Clark County fully complies with the Kentucky Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government-held documents. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest," and all public agencies within the Commonwealth are required to make non-exempt records available for inspection and copying upon request.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides oversight of open records compliance and issues decisions on disputed requests. As stated in guidance from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General, "the Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's recognition that government is the servant of the people and not their master." Clark County agencies, including the County Clerk, Sheriff's Office, and Planning Commission, are subject to these requirements.
The Clark County Attorney's Office handles open records matters at the county level and provides guidance on the submission and processing of open records requests directed to county agencies. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General within 30 days of the denial.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clark County?
The Clark County Clerk's Office charges standard fees for copies of public records, consistent with the fee schedule established under state law. As noted on the Clark County Clerk's records page, "all public records (documents and indices thereof) are available for viewing in the office of the County Clerk free of charge. The fees charged for copies are established by state statute."
Current standard fees include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy (per page) | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Certified copy of deed or instrument | $5.00 (first page) + $3.00 (each additional page) |
| Marriage certificate copy | Varies by instrument |
| Electronic record reproduction | Actual cost of duplication |
| Search fee | Not permitted under KRS § 61.874 |
Accepted payment methods at the Clark County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fees for court records obtained through the Circuit Court Clerk may differ and are governed by the Kentucky Court of Justice fee schedule. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent requestors or when records are sought for official governmental purposes.
Does Clark County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at the Clark County Clerk's Office. Members of the public may examine original documents and indices at no charge during regular business hours. The right to free inspection is established under Kentucky's Open Records Act and does not require the requestor to pay any fee simply to view a record.
Free online access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- The Clark County Clerk's Office provides free online access to property indices and recorded instrument information
- The Kentucky Court of Justice offers a self-help portal and online case search tools at no cost for basic case information
- The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections provides free public access to offender status information
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Clark County?
Any person may submit an open records request to a Clark County public agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, requestors are not required to be Kentucky residents, and agencies may not condition access on the disclosure of the requestor's identity or the reason for the request, except in limited circumstances involving law enforcement or personnel records.
Requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of Clark County or Kentucky
- Provide government-issued identification for most requests
- State the purpose of the request
Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed court documents, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a legal basis for access. Individuals seeking their own records—such as personal court filings or vital records—may be required to provide proof of identity. Third-party requests for records pertaining to another individual may be subject to redaction of exempt information prior to release.
What Records Are Confidential in Clark County?
Not all government-held records are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Open Records Act. The following record types are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and personal financial account information
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Child protective services and welfare records
- Personnel files (with limited exceptions for public employees)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.878 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public agency records in the Commonwealth. Agencies invoking an exemption are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding and, where possible, provide access to any non-exempt portions of the requested record. The Clark County Attorney's Office advises county agencies on the proper application of these exemptions.
Clark County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Clark County Clerk's Office
34 South Main Street
Winchester, KY 40391
(859) 745-0280
Clark County Clerk's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Clark County Circuit Court Clerk
17 Cleveland Avenue
Winchester, KY 40391
(859) 737-7260
Clark County Court Information – Kentucky Court of Justice
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Clark County Attorney's Office
31 Wall Street, Suite 400
Winchester, KY 40391
(859) 744-4390
Clark County Attorney – Open Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Kentucky Department of Corrections – Offender Information
P.O. Box 2400
Frankfort, KY 40602
(502) 564-4726
Kentucky Offender Search