Daviess County Court Records
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Daviess County sits in western Kentucky with Owensboro as its county seat. The county's trial-level judiciary falls under the Kentucky Court of Justice and includes a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Family Court division—all located at the Holbrook Judicial Center. These courts produce records covering criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, family law proceedings, probate administration, traffic infractions, and juvenile matters. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk, currently led by Jennifer Hardesty Besecker, is the central record-keeper for filings from each of these courts.
If you're looking for Daviess County court records, you have several options. The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains online tools covering all 120 counties, and KentuckyCourts.us can help you identify publicly available case information. Beyond state-level resources, the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Owensboro accepts in-person, telephone, and mail inquiries. Public-access terminals at the Holbrook Judicial Center let visitors review electronic docket information during business hours. For land records and certain other filings, the Daviess County Clerk's Office offers a free online search portal. The sections below walk through exactly where to go, what to expect, and how much each service costs.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Daviess County?
There are three main ways to search Daviess County court cases: online portals, in-person visits, and written requests.
Online case search. The Kentucky Court of Justice operates CourtNet 2.0, an electronic portal with access to civil and criminal case data across every Kentucky county, including Daviess. You can search by party name, case number, date range, or case type. A guest login is available for one-time lookups, and registered accounts unlock additional features such as document viewing for electronically filed cases. CourtNet 2.0 displays docket entries, hearing dates, charges, dispositions, and party information. The Kentucky Court of Appeals and Supreme Court C-Track portal covers appellate-level cases.
In-person lookup. The Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at:
Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: 100 E. 2nd Street, P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277
Phone: (Receptionist): (270) 687-7333
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
You can use public-access terminals in the courthouse to look up case information, and staff can direct you to the right division. Bring a valid photo ID, especially if the records you need involve a confidential case type.
Mail and phone requests. To request copies by mail, send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and the documents you need to the address above. Include payment for copy fees. The clerk's office accepts cash, money orders, certified checks, cashier's checks, personal checks from Daviess County residents, and credit or debit cards (a convenience fee applies to card payments). Fines and fees can also be paid through the ePay online system.
Copy fees under Kentucky court rules:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Digital/video recording copy (per unit) | $25.00 |
| Audio recording copy (per unit) | $15.00 |
These fees are set by CR 3.02 and CR 3.03 of the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.
Archived records. If a case file is no longer stored at the clerk's office, the clerk will give you the case and file locator numbers so you can submit a request to the State Records Center by emailing state.records@ky.gov or calling (502) 564-3617. Records older than 36 years may be held by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
Are Court Records Public in Daviess County?
Court records in Daviess County are generally open to the public. Kentucky's framework for public access rests on two pillars: the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884) and the internal policies of the Kentucky Court of Justice.
The Open Records Act declares that free and open examination of public records serves the public interest. Any Kentucky resident can inspect records held by a public agency, including the courts, by submitting a written request to the custodian. The custodian must respond within five business days.
Records that are generally public include:
- Criminal case filings, dockets, and dispositions
- Civil complaints, motions, orders, and judgments
- Divorce decrees and dissolution records (with possible redactions)
- Probate filings such as wills, inventories, and estate accountings
- Traffic and misdemeanor case records
- Land records, deeds, and liens maintained by the County Clerk
Records that are restricted or exempt from public access include:
- Juvenile court records, protected under KRS 610.320 and KRS 610.340
- Adoption records
- Sealed and expunged records
- Mental health proceedings
- Domestic violence case details where disclosure could endanger a party
- Records of active criminal investigations
- Attorney-client privileged material
- Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers
KRS 61.878 lists specific categories of records exempt from public inspection, including preliminary drafts, test questions, real estate appraisals before acquisition, and certain law-enforcement investigatory files. When records are released, the clerk's office redacts protected personal information. If you believe a records request has been improperly denied, you may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General.
Daviess County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Daviess County are split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the seriousness of the offense. The Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions and capital offenses. The District Court adjudicates misdemeanors, traffic violations, county and municipal ordinance infractions, and conducts preliminary hearings for felony charges.
Searching criminal case records. The most direct online method is CourtNet 2.0, where you can filter by criminal case type and county. Criminal record reports that consolidate a person's statewide history of misdemeanors (last five years) and felonies (dating to 1978) are available through the Kentucky Court of Justice's AOC FastCheck system. FastCheck offers two options:
- Registered users can order reports on an ongoing basis.
- One-time requesters can submit a single request without an account.
A criminal record report requires the subject's full name, Social Security number (if available), and date of birth. Payment is by credit or debit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa); a card processing surcharge of 2.25% or $2.50 (whichever is greater) applies. Reports remain available electronically for 30 days after processing. Juvenile cases, mental health cases, and domestic violence cases are excluded from these reports. For questions about report results, contact the AOC Records Unit at (800) 928-6381, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Eastern.
Contact numbers for criminal divisions:
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Circuit Criminal Division 1 | (270) 687-7329 |
| Circuit Criminal Division 2 | (270) 687-7330 |
| District Traffic/Criminal | (270) 687-7200 |
Law enforcement records. Arrest records, incident reports, and warrants are maintained by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office:
Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Address: 212 Saint Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303
Phone: (270) 685-8444
Statewide law-enforcement records requests can also be directed to the Kentucky State Police through their online public records portal. The KSP charges $0.10 per page for copies; photos, compact discs, and videotapes cost between $2.00 and $3.00 each.
Detention Center records. The Daviess County Detention Center maintains its own inmate and booking records. Open records requests must be submitted in writing using the center's standardized request form and can be mailed or emailed to openrecords@daviesscojail.org. The fee is $0.10 per page plus postage. Office hours for records requests are 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. CT, Monday–Friday.
Daviess County Detention Center
Address: 3337 Hwy 144, Owensboro, KY 42303
Phone: (270) 685-8466
Fax: (270) 685-8449
Daviess County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Daviess County is divided by the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over civil claims exceeding $5,000. The District Court handles general civil matters up to the statutory limit and processes small claims where the disputed amount is $2,500 or less. Forcible detainer (eviction) actions are also filed in District Court.
Filing fees (effective through June 30, 2026):
| Case Type | Court | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court civil filing | Circuit | $150.00 |
| District Court civil filing (general) | District | $75.00 |
| Small claims (≤ $2,500) | District | $30.00 |
| District civil (≤ $500, not small claims) | District | $40.00 |
| Forcible detainer | District | $40.00 |
| Third-party complaint | Either | $35.00 |
| Appeal from District to Circuit | Circuit | $60.00 |
A court technology fee of $20.00 and any applicable facility or library fees are charged in addition to the base filing fee.
How to access civil case records:
- Search CourtNet 2.0 by selecting the civil case category and Daviess County.
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Holbrook Judicial Center with a photo ID to review files in person.
- Mail a written request specifying the case number and documents needed, along with payment for copy fees ($0.25 per page), to the clerk at P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277.
Phone contacts for civil matters:
- Circuit Civil: (270) 687-7220
- District Civil/Small Claims: (270) 687-7205
Land and property records. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments are filed with the Daviess County Clerk's Office, which also serves as the ex officio recorder. The eCCLIX portal provides free online access to recorded documents for registered users. In-person copies are $0.50 per page; certified copies are $5.00 for the first three pages plus $0.50 per additional page. Mail requests cost $1.00 per page for plain copies, or $5.00 for the first three pages plus $1.00 per additional page for certified copies.
Daviess County Clerk's Office
Address: 212 Saint Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42301
Phone: (270) 685-8434
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 609, Owensboro, KY 42302-0609
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Property assessment data is also accessible through the Daviess County PVA at the same Saint Ann Street address, Room 102, Phone: (270) 685-8474
Daviess County Family Court Records
Daviess County has a dedicated Family Court division, operating under the One Family, One Judge, One Court model established statewide by constitutional amendment in 2002. Family Court is a division of Circuit Court and has exclusive jurisdiction, as defined by KRS 23A.100 and 23A.110, over the following matters:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) and annulment
- Spousal support and equitable distribution of property
- Child custody, support, and visitation
- Paternity actions
- Adoption proceedings
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Dependency, neglect, and abuse proceedings
- Termination of parental rights
- Status offenses (truancy, runaways, beyond parental control)
Accessing family court records. Contact the Family Court/Juvenile division of the Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 687-7220. Records can also be searched through CourtNet 2.0 by selecting the appropriate family case type. Because family cases often involve sensitive matters, certain records carry access restrictions: adoption files are sealed, juvenile proceedings are confidential under KRS 610.340, and domestic violence records may be partially restricted to protect the safety of the parties involved.
Divorce records. A certified copy of a divorce decree can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's office where the divorce was granted. The copy fee is $0.25 per page, plus $5.00 for certification. Alternatively, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics maintains divorce records from June 1958 to the present and issues certified copies for $6.00 per certificate.
Marriage licenses and records. The Daviess County Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses and keeps the recorded copies. Records can be searched through eCCLIX or requested in person at 212 Saint Ann Street. Certified copies of marriage licenses from the County Clerk cost $5.00 for the first three pages. The Office of Vital Statistics also provides certified marriage certificates for $6.00. Orders through the OVS can be placed online via VitalChek, by phone at (800) 241-8322, by mail, or at the walk-in office at 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621. An additional processing fee applies to VitalChek orders.
Birth and death records. These vital records are not public in Kentucky. Access is limited to the registrant (for birth certificates), immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a court order. Birth certificates become publicly accessible 100 years after the date of birth; death certificates become accessible 50 years after the date of death. Certified birth certificates cost $10.00 per copy; death, marriage, and divorce certificates cost $6.00 each. The Office of Vital Statistics can be reached at (502) 564-4212.
Daviess County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Daviess County are handled by the District Court. The probate division oversees the administration of decedents' estates, the probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust-related proceedings. The filing fee to open a probate estate is $40.00, and the same fee applies to standalone guardianship or conservatorship petitions.
What probate records typically contain:
- Last wills and testaments
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Estate inventories and appraisals
- Accountings and distribution reports
- Claims against estates
- Court orders approving settlement or closing an estate
- Guardianship petitions and annual reports
How to search and obtain probate records:
- Online: Search CourtNet 2.0 using the probate case type filter and selecting Daviess County. Docket entries and basic case information are available for electronically filed matters.
- In person: Visit the Probate Division at the Holbrook Judicial Center. The probate clerk can be reached directly at (270) 687-7207.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Circuit Court Clerk's office at P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277, specifying the decedent's name, approximate date of death, and the documents you need. Include $0.25 per page for copies and $5.00 for any certification.
- County Clerk records: Wills that were recorded with the County Clerk prior to being filed with the court, as well as older estate settlements, may be available through the eCCLIX portal maintained by the Daviess County Clerk's Office.
Probate records are generally public in Kentucky. However, certain filings within a probate case—such as medical records submitted as part of a guardianship proceeding or financial account numbers in an estate inventory—may be redacted before release. If a dispute arises over access, the presiding judge may issue a protective order limiting disclosure.
For general questions about probate procedures, the Kentucky Court of Justice publishes guidance through its legal help resources, and the clerk's office can provide standard forms used in Daviess County probate filings. Parking for courthouse visitors is available in the free two-hour garage at 112 Daviess Street or the all-day garage at 414 W. 2nd Street, which offers the first two hours at no charge.