Clark County Public Records /Clark County Divorce Records

Clark County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Clark County in 2026

ClarkKYRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Clark County, Kentucky. Members of the public seeking dissolution of marriage records may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, and final decree information through official court and clerk resources. Record availability varies by case age, filing method, and whether any portion of the file has been sealed by court order.

Records may be searched through the Clark County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal, state vital records, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Clark County Circuit Court Clerk maintains case records for Circuit and District courts. Members of the public may search basic case information at no charge. Obtaining copies of documents requires payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a statewide case search tool that allows users to search across jurisdictions. This consolidated database is the most efficient starting point for locating a divorce case filed anywhere in the Commonwealth.

3. State Vital Records

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services maintains divorce records through its Vital Statistics Branch. Members of the public may request marriage and divorce certificates through this office. Fees apply, and the certificate reflects the county where the divorce decree was granted.

In-Person Searches

Clark County Circuit Court Clerk — Family Division

Clark County Justice Center
17 Cleveland Avenue
Winchester, KY 40391
Phone: (859) 737-7200
Clark — Kentucky Court of Justice

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance with locating archived records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Clark County Circuit Court Clerk, 17 Cleveland Avenue, Winchester, KY 40391
Include the following:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed in the order received; allow one to two weeks for standard requests

By Phone

The Clark County Circuit Court Clerk may be reached at (859) 737-7200. Staff can confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, and advise on case status. Detailed document information and copies of records are not provided by telephone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Kentucky may access court records on behalf of a client, request documents from sealed portions of a file upon a proper showing, and assist with complex or older cases. The Kentucky Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing year
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Clark County
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Kentucky law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the Circuit Court of the county where either spouse resides. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.

Kentucky's residency requirement, codified at KRS § 403.140, requires that one spouse have been a resident of the Commonwealth for 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces: Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet be fully indexed in online systems. Allow processing time following the final hearing.
Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional time and a specific written request.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not appear in a search include:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case is still pending and has not been finalized
The record is archived and not yet digitized
The case or portions of the file have been sealed

Members of the public encountering difficulty locating a record may contact the Clark County Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 737-7200, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the Kentucky vital records office for a divorce certificate.

What Are Clark County Divorce Records?

Clark County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Clark County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and constitute part of the permanent family law case file. Under Kentucky law, dissolution of marriage proceedings are governed by KRS § 403.010 et seq., which establishes the legal framework for filing, adjudicating, and finalizing divorce cases in the Commonwealth.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete record of the proceeding, including:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child custody arrangements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing transcripts
Final judgment of dissolution

The Final Decree is the official court order ending the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property, any spousal support obligations, child custody and timesharing arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Court Clerk.

Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure documents, property inventories, appraisals, and any post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes
Supporting immigration proceedings
Facilitating estate planning and property transfers
Verifying Social Security benefit eligibility
Conducting genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Clark County Circuit Court Clerk is the primary custodian of divorce case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Vital Statistics Branch maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates, which contain summary information rather than the complete case file. As noted by the Kentucky Court of Justice, "The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in each county is the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases in that county."

Are Clark County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Clark County Circuit Court are public court records subject to the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 et seq. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, court orders, and the final decree without demonstrating a specific need or interest.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties
Attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and outcomes
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and related evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Kentucky law and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access public portions of the case file, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of non-restricted documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view
Attorneys: May access case files and, upon a proper showing, petition the court for access to sealed materials
Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record; sealed records require a court order

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Clark County?

The Clark County Circuit Court Clerk charges fees for copies of court records in accordance with Kentucky statutes. As stated on the Clark County Clerk's Office 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 law."

Current Fee Structure:

Service	Fee
In-office inspection of records	Free
Standard paper copies	$0.25 per page (Circuit Court Clerk)
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee)
Divorce certificate (Vital Statistics)	$6.00 per certified copy

Fees for certified copies from the Kentucky Vital Statistics Branch are set at $6.00 per certified copy of a divorce certificate, with additional copies of the same record available at a reduced rate when ordered simultaneously.
The Circuit Court Clerk accepts cash, check, and money order for in-person and mail requests. Payment methods for online requests vary by portal.
Fee waiver provisions may be available for indigent requestors upon submission of an affidavit of indigency to the court.
Electronic copies, where available through the court's online portal, may be subject to separate fee schedules established by the Kentucky Court of Justice.

Members of the public seeking records through the Kentucky Court of Justice records request process should review the current fee schedule posted on that portal prior to submitting a request.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Clark County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Clark County Circuit Court Clerk contains documents generated at every stage of the proceeding.

Basic Case Information includes the case caption with the case number, court name, names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record, along with the filing date and case type.

Initial Pleadings consist of the petition for dissolution of marriage, which sets forth the parties' identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, information regarding minor children, property claims, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or counterpetition is also part of the initial pleadings. Financial affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, and business financial records where a party owns a business interest.

Property-Related Documents include a marital asset inventory, a debt inventory, and any appraisals or expert valuations of real property, business interests, or personal property.

Children-Related Documents, where applicable, include the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the timesharing schedule for regular periods, holidays, and vacations, child support calculation worksheets, income information for both parties, and any custody evaluations or guardian ad litem reports ordered by the court.

Support Documents address alimony or spousal support, including the type, amount, duration, and conditions for modification or termination.

The Marital Settlement Agreement, if the parties resolved their case by agreement, is a comprehensive document addressing all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions.

Court Orders and Judgments include any temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case and the final judgment of dissolution, which is the court's definitive order ending the marriage and resolving all contested issues.

Post-Judgment Documents may include petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence-related evidence in cases involving protective orders
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Clark County?

Proof of divorce in Clark County is obtained through either a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution or a certified divorce certificate from the Kentucky Vital Statistics Branch.

Certified Copy of the Final Decree — This document is the most comprehensive proof of divorce and is issued by the Clark County Circuit Court Clerk. To obtain a certified copy:

Contact the Clark County Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 737-7200 or visit the office in person at 17 Cleveland Avenue, Winchester, KY 40391.
Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce, or the case number if known.
Submit payment for the applicable certification and copy fees.
Requests may also be submitted by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment enclosed.

Certified Divorce Certificate — For purposes requiring only confirmation that a divorce occurred, a certified divorce certificate is available through the Kentucky Vital Statistics Branch. This document contains summary information and is accepted for many legal and administrative purposes, including remarriage applications and name change proceedings.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Vital Statistics

Members of the public may also access the Kentucky Court of Justice legal self-help resources for guidance on navigating the court records process without an attorney.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Clark County?

Divorce proceedings in Clark County are presumptively public, but Kentucky law and court rules permit certain records or entire case files to be sealed under defined circumstances.

A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
Cases involving domestic violence, sexual abuse allegations, or threats to the safety of a party or child are most frequently subject to sealing orders or redaction of sensitive identifying information.
Mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological assessments of minor children are routinely restricted from public access even in cases that are not fully sealed.
Mediation communications are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public court record regardless of whether the case is sealed.
Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents as a matter of standard court practice.
A sealed case file may be accessed by the parties themselves, their attorneys of record, and certain government agencies authorized by law, such as child protective services investigators.

Members of the public seeking access to a sealed record must file a motion with the Clark County Circuit Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Clark County Keep Divorce Records?

Clark County Circuit Court divorce records are retained for extended periods in accordance with Kentucky court records retention schedules established by the Kentucky Court of Justice and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Final judgments of dissolution and complete case files for contested divorce proceedings are retained permanently as part of the official court record.
Uncontested dissolution case files are also retained for a minimum period established under Kentucky administrative regulations, with permanent retention applying to final orders.
Paper records predating electronic filing systems may be stored in the State Records Center. The Kentucky Court of Justice records request page provides guidance on locating and requesting archived case files held at the State Records Center.
Post-judgment modification orders and enforcement actions are filed in the original case and retained as part of that permanent record.
Vital statistics divorce records maintained by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services are retained permanently in accordance with state vital records law.
Members of the public requesting older records should allow additional processing time, as archived paper files may require retrieval from off-site storage before copies can be produced.