Franklin County Court Records Search
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Franklin County is Kentucky’s seat of state government, with Frankfort serving as both the county seat and the state capital. The county’s court system reflects this administrative significance, operating a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Family Court — all housed at the Franklin County Courthouse. These courts collectively generate and maintain records covering criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, probate proceedings, and family law matters. Circuit Court Clerk Kem Marshall oversees the custody, control, and storage of records from all four court divisions at the county level.
Researchers and members of the public looking for Kentucky court records have several avenues to explore. Clerk offices remain the authoritative starting point for accessing trial-level case files, while public access terminals and online tools provide additional options depending on the case type. KentuckyCourts.us can assist in locating publicly available court case information across Kentucky’s counties, including Franklin. The sections below detail the specific courts, contact information, search methods, fees, and access rules that apply to Franklin County records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is the primary contact for anyone requesting copies of court case records from Franklin County’s Circuit, Family, District, and Business Courts. The clerk’s office is responsible for managing and providing access to records from all of these courts. The Kentucky Court of Justice confirms that the Administrative Office of the Courts does not itself maintain court case records — all requests must go directly to the clerk’s office.
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
Address: Franklin County Courthouse, 222 Saint Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-7013
Fax: (502) 564-8188
Circuit Court Clerk: Kem Marshall
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Payment options accepted by the clerk’s office:
- Cash
- Personal check
- Postal money order (no personal checks for probation/parole fees or cold-check payments)
- Online payments via KYeCourts
Bond posting: Bonds under $10,000 may be paid in cash at the Franklin County Regional Jail. Bonds of $10,000 or more must be posted in cash at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office during regular operating hours.
Online Case Search
The Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal allows the public to look up court case information. For appellate cases — those heard by the Kentucky Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court of Kentucky — case records are accessible through C-Track Public Access.
Archived and Off-Site Records
Depending on a case’s age, records may be stored off-site at a state record facility rather than at the courthouse. If the clerk indicates a case is at a record facility, they will provide the case and file locator numbers needed to submit a formal request. Off-site records can be requested using the state records request form, submitted to state.records@ky.gov or by calling (502) 564-3617. Historical records may also be available through the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
For county government records (separate from court records), the Franklin County Fiscal Court accepts open records requests using its Open Records Request Form, submittable in person, by mail, or electronically to openrecords@franklincounty.ky.gov.
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Kentucky’s Open Records Act, KRS 61.870–61.884, establishes the public’s right to inspect most government records, including court filings. Any person may request access to court records that have not been sealed or otherwise exempted from disclosure. The exemptions to the Open Records Act are set out in KRS 61.878, which identifies specific categories of records that agencies may withhold.
Records that are generally open to the public include:
- Criminal case dockets, charges, and dispositions
- Civil case filings, judgments, and orders
- Probate records, wills, and estate inventories
- Family court orders (except confidential portions)
- Court dockets and scheduling information
Records restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile records: Sealed by statute to protect the identities and interests of minors
- Adoption records: Confidential under Kentucky law
- Medical and mental health records: Protected from disclosure without authorization
- Sealed records: Cases or documents sealed by court order are inaccessible without a court order granting access
- Centralized criminal history records: Under KRS 17.150, centralized criminal history records maintained by the Kentucky State Police are not subject to public inspection
- Confidential portions of family court filings: Certain financial disclosures and personal identifying information may be redacted
Only the parties to a case and their authorized representatives may access documents that have been declared confidential under state law or sealed by a judge.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases — including murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses — are heard by the Franklin County Circuit Court. The District Court handles misdemeanors, violations, and preliminary hearings in felony matters. Records from both courts are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at 222 Saint Clair Street.
Accessing Criminal Court Records
To request criminal court records, contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office directly at (502) 564-7013. In-person visits are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Records may also be reviewed using the public access terminal available at the courthouse.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office handles open records requests for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement records. The Sheriff’s Office is now located at the Franklin County Public Safety Complex.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 974 River Bend Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 875-8740 (non-emergency)
Open Records Email: openrecordsfcso@franklincounty.ky.gov
To submit a request, download and complete the Open Records Request form from the Sheriff’s Office website and submit it by email or mail.
Sheriff’s Office record request fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Accident and/or case reports | $5.00 per copy |
| Photos on CD/Thumb drive | $15.00 per CD/Thumb drive (up to 700 MB) |
| Additional documents | $0.10 per page |
The total fee will be emailed to the requester; payment must be received before records are mailed. Checks should be payable to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, mailed to P.O. Box 5260, Frankfort, KY 40602 (Attn: Open Records Request).
Criminal History Background Checks
Centralized criminal history records are maintained by the Kentucky State Police and are not available for general public inspection under KRS 17.150. Background checks for authorized purposes must be submitted through the Kentucky State Police in accordance with applicable regulations.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Franklin County are divided by dollar amount and complexity between the Circuit Court and the District Court. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil matters with no upper dollar limit and handles complex commercial disputes, tort claims, and cases seeking equitable relief. The District Court handles smaller civil claims and forcible detainer (eviction) actions.
Requesting Civil Records
Civil case records are held by the Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk. Requesters should visit or contact the clerk’s office at 222 Saint Clair Street with the names of the parties, approximate filing year, and case number if known. Copies may also be requested in writing by mail.
Property Records
Property ownership, deeds, mortgages, liens, and related real estate documents are recorded with the Franklin County Clerk — a separate office from the court clerk.
Franklin County Clerk
Address: 315 West Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 875-8702
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Franklin County Clerk offers an online property records search portal through Schneidercorp for parcel and ownership lookups. In-person visits are also accepted during office hours.
Franklin County Family Court Records
Franklin County operates a dedicated Family Court within the 48th Judicial Circuit, reflecting Kentucky’s statutory framework for handling domestic matters in a specialized division. Family Court jurisdiction covers dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence, and dependency, neglect, and abuse cases. The Kentucky Court of Justice notes that Family Court judges also handle family matters that were traditionally decided in District Court, giving the division a broad and consolidated role in Franklin County’s judicial system.
Family Court Contact
Franklin County Family Court
Address: Franklin County Courthouse, 222 Saint Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-2278
Fax: (502) 564-2311
Family court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. To obtain copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, child support orders, or domestic violence protective orders, contact the clerk at (502) 564-7013 or visit the courthouse during office hours.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Franklin County Clerk at 315 West Main Street. Contact the clerk’s office at (502) 875-8702 for current fee information and eligibility requirements. Written requests for certified marriage records should include the bride’s maiden name, groom’s name, and date of marriage, and may be mailed to the Franklin County Clerk at 315 West Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40602.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are maintained by the Franklin County Clerk. Written requests submitted in person or by mail to 315 West Main Street should include the full names of both parties, the place and date of the divorce, the requester’s name, contact information, mailing address, and the number of copies needed.
Vital Records — Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Kentucky are issued by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, which has maintained statewide records since 1911. The office is located at 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Certificate fees:
| Certificate Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $10.00 (non-refundable search fee) |
| Death, marriage, or divorce certificate | $6.00 (non-refundable search fee) |
Applications can be submitted in person, by mail (check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer), or online through VitalChek, which charges an additional service fee. Required forms include the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate and the Application for a Certified Copy of Death Certificate. Access to birth and death records is restricted to the individual named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others who can demonstrate a legal entitlement to the record.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
In Kentucky, probate and estate administration matters are handled at the District Court level, while contested probate matters — such as will disputes, trust litigation, and contested estate administration — proceed in Circuit Court. This means both the Franklin County District Court and the Franklin County Circuit Court play roles in probate, depending on whether a matter is contested. The Kentucky Court of Justice probate guide explains the procedural framework for estate administration under Kentucky law, including the requirements under KRS Chapter 395, which governs personal representatives and estate administration.
Accessing Probate Records
All probate records — whether originating in District or Circuit Court — are maintained by the Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk at 222 Saint Clair Street.
To request probate records:
- Contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at (502) 564-7013 or visit the courthouse Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Provide the name of the decedent or protected person, the approximate year the case was filed, and any known case number.
- Specify whether you need plain copies or certified copies of specific documents.
- Pay applicable copy fees at the time of the request.
Probate records typically include petitions to open an estate, wills filed for probate, inventories of estate assets, letters testamentary or letters of administration, annual settlements, final accountings, and orders closing the estate. Guardianship and conservatorship cases involving living protected persons are also handled by the District Court and their records are held by the same clerk’s office. Certified copies of probate documents carry the standard copy fees applicable to all court records, payable by cash, personal check, or postal money order.