Hardin County Court Records
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Hardin County sits in central Kentucky, with Elizabethtown as the county seat and Fort Knox contributing significantly to the local population. The county's courts operate within Kentucky's unified judicial structure as part of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which includes a Circuit Court with general jurisdiction, a District Court for more limited matters, and a dedicated Family Court division handling domestic relations cases. All records from these divisions flow through one office — the Circuit Court Clerk — located at the Hardin County Justice Center. Whether you're verifying a criminal conviction, tracking down a civil judgment, locating a divorce decree, or reviewing an estate file, that's where you'll start.
Start your search at KentuckyCourts.us, which links to case docket search tools, background check portals, and Circuit Court Clerk contact information for every county. You can also search at public-access terminals at the Justice Center, call the clerk's office, or mail in a written request. The sections below walk through the specific steps, fees, and legal rules for each type of court record in Hardin County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hardin County?
You have several options depending on the type of case and how much detail you need.
Online Docket Search
The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains a free case docket search system covering all 120 Kentucky counties around the clock. To find a Hardin County case:
- Go to the docket search page.
- Select Hardin from the county dropdown menu.
- Choose the appropriate case category — criminal, civil, and so on.
- Enter the party's name, date of birth, or docket listing number.
- Review the results, which typically include charges, hearing dates, and disposition information.
The tool is free and available at any hour. It shows case summary data but does not let you download copies of filed documents.
KYeCourts Guest Access
The KYeCourts portal offers guest access for online payments and limited case lookup. You can use it to pay fines, court costs, and other obligations electronically. Credit and debit cards are accepted, with a processing fee of 2.25% of the transaction amount or $2.50, whichever is greater.
Appellate Case Lookup
If a case has been appealed, the C-Track Public Access system covers proceedings before the Kentucky Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Kentucky.
In-Person and Telephone Requests
The Hardin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office takes walk-in visitors and phone calls during regular business hours. Staff can confirm case status, pull copies of documents, and point you toward files stored either at the courthouse or off-site at the state records facility.
Hardin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Hardin County Justice Center
120 East Dixie Avenue
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Phone: (270) 766-5000
Fax: (270) 769-6505
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (phones answered until 3:30 p.m.) |
| Saturday–Sunday | Closed |
Payment is accepted by cash, check, and money order. Online payments can be made through the ePay system. Free parking is available at the back of the building.
Records Stored Off-Site
Older case files may have been transferred to the State Records Center. If the Clerk's office confirms a record is off-site, they'll give you the case and file locator numbers you need to submit a retrieval request. Complete the records request form and email it to state.records@ky.gov, or call (502) 564-3617. Historical records may also be accessible through the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
Are Court Records Public in Hardin County?
Kentucky law gives the public broad access to government records. KRS 61.870 through 61.884 — commonly known as the Kentucky Open Records Act — require public agencies to make records available for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. The Kentucky Open Records Policy of the Administrative Office of the Courts spells out how court records are managed statewide, including in Hardin County.
Most case filings, docket entries, judgments, orders, and related documents in Hardin County courts are generally accessible to the public. However, several categories are exempt from disclosure under KRS 61.878 and other statutes:
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in Hardin County District Court are confidential and not available for public inspection.
- Sealed and expunged records — Cases sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access. Individuals with expunged records may lawfully deny that the arrest or conviction ever occurred.
- Victim and witness information — Identifying details for crime victims and witnesses may be withheld when disclosure could jeopardize safety.
- Ongoing investigations — Records tied to active law enforcement or judicial investigations are exempt while the investigation remains open.
- Medical and mental health records — Mental health proceedings under KRS Chapters 202A, 202B, and 387 are confidential.
- Domestic violence case records — Certain filings in protective order cases carry restricted access to protect petitioner safety.
- Adoption records — These proceedings are sealed by statute and accessible only to the parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.
You may need to present valid identification when requesting records. The Clerk's office may also charge copy fees set by the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.
Hardin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Hardin County are split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions and appeals from the District Court, while the District Court takes misdemeanors, traffic violations, ordinance infractions, and preliminary hearings for felony and capital offenses.
Searching Criminal Case Records
You have several ways to find Hardin County criminal case information:
- Online docket search — Select Criminal as the case category and Hardin as the county on the Kentucky Court of Justice docket search page.
- AOC FastCheck — The Background Checks page on the Kentucky Court of Justice site gives you access to criminal record reports through two routes:
- FastCheck Registered Users — Designed for employers and entities that run background checks regularly. Requires account registration.
- One-Time Request — For individuals running a single search. Provide the subject's name, Social Security number, and date of birth, then pay by credit or debit card. Criminal record reports cost $25.00. Reports cover all misdemeanor and traffic cases for at least the last five years and felonies dating back to 1978. Results are processed in the order received and delivered electronically. Questions about report content can go to the AOC Records Unit at (800) 928-6381, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Circuit Court Clerk — Call (270) 766-5000, Option 4 for Circuit Criminal matters, or Option 3 for District Traffic and Criminal cases.
Sheriff's Office and Law Enforcement Records
The Hardin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and other law enforcement documentation.
Hardin County Sheriff's Office
150 North Provident Way, Suite 101
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Phone: (270) 765-5133
Email: HCSOInfo@hcky.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
You can submit requests for arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement records in person, by phone, by email, or by mail.
Detention Center Inmate Information
The Hardin County Detention Center publishes a current inmate roster online showing booking details for individuals currently in custody. To receive notification about an inmate's release, register with VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) by calling (800) 511-6702.
Kentucky State Police Background Checks
If you need a comprehensive statewide criminal history — for employment or licensing purposes, for example — the Kentucky State Police offers a name-based check for $20.00, payable by check or money order to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Fingerprints are not required.
Offender Search
You can look up active offenders under the supervision of the Kentucky Department of Corrections through the Kentucky Offender Search tool by entering the individual's name.
Hardin County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Hardin County runs through both the Circuit Court and the District Court, with jurisdiction determined largely by the dollar amount at stake. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil matters, while the District Court handles cases under $5,000.00 and small claims not exceeding $2,500.00.
Filing Fees
Civil filing fees are set statewide by the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. A court technology fee of $20.00, plus applicable library and court facility fees, is assessed on top of the base filing amounts. Note that under Supreme Court Administrative Order 2026-15, civil filing fees are scheduled to increase effective July 1, 2026.
| Court / Case Type | Base Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court civil case (CR 3.02) | $150.00 |
| District Court civil case (CR 3.03) | $75.00 |
| Small Claims (amount ≤ $2,500) | $30.00 |
| District civil (amount ≤ $500, not small claims) | $40.00 |
| Forcible detainer (eviction) | $40.00 |
| Appeal from District to Circuit Court | $60.00 |
Additional Civil Court Costs
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification (including Act of Congress) | $5.00 |
| Jury of six persons | $40.00 |
| Jury of more than six (Circuit Court) | $70.00 |
| Third-party complaint | $35.00 |
| Garnishment | $15.00 |
| Writ of attachment / execution order | $25.00 |
| Digital or video recording copy | $25.00 |
| Audio recording copy | $15.00 |
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case docket information is searchable online through the Kentucky Court of Justice docket search. For certified or uncertified copies of specific documents, call the Hardin County Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 766-5000, Option 4. You can also mail written requests to the Clerk at 120 East Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.
Property Records
If you need property ownership or valuation data, the Hardin County Property Valuation Administration (PVA) portal lets you search online. Recorded deeds, liens, and other instruments are maintained by the Hardin County Clerk's Office and are searchable through its eSearch tool.
Hardin County Clerk's Office
150 North Provident Way, Suite 103
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Phone: (270) 765-2171
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Hardin County Family Court Records
Hardin County has a dedicated Family Court division within the Circuit Court. This division covers dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, and related matters.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court case docket information is available through the statewide docket search. For copies of specific filings, call the Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 766-5000, Option 5 (Family Court and Domestic Violence). Many family law records carry confidentiality restrictions, and requesters who are not parties to the case may be denied access to sealed or restricted filings.
Restricted family court record categories include:
- Adoption proceedings (sealed by statute)
- Child custody evaluations and reports
- Domestic violence petition details (access may be limited to protect the petitioner)
- Juvenile dependency and neglect case files
Protective Orders
To start an Emergency Protective Order, Interpersonal Protective Order, or Domestic Violence Order, a petitioner must file through law enforcement. During business hours — Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — petitions can be initiated at the Hardin County Justice Center, 120 East Dixie Avenue. After hours, any law enforcement agency can assist with the process.
Reopening Domestic Relations Cases
Under CR 3.02(3)(a), a $50.00 fee is charged when a domestic relations case is reopened more than six months after entry of the decree to modify the decree. This fee is collected from the movant when the motion is filed.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are filed with the Hardin County Clerk's Office. You can request copies in person, by mail to 150 N. Provident Way, Suite 103, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, by fax at (270) 765-6193, or by email at openrecords@hccoky.org. The District Court filing fee for a petition to marry is $20.00 per CR 3.03(1)(j). Marriage records may also be ordered through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics certificate purchase page at $6.00 per certificate, plus any applicable vendor processing fees if ordering online through VitalChek.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. Docket entries are searchable online, while certified copies of the decree must come from the Clerk's office. Divorce certificates can also be ordered from the Office of Vital Statistics for $6.00 each. Historical marriage and divorce records are available through the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not public documents in Kentucky. Access is limited to immediate family members, legal representatives, and certain authorized individuals. Kentucky law permits public access to birth records 100 years after the date of birth and death records 50 years after the date of death.
Certified copies may be ordered through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics:
| Certificate Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $10.00 per copy |
| Death, marriage, or divorce certificate | $6.00 per copy |
Orders can be placed online or by phone through VitalChek (additional vendor and shipping fees apply), by mail to the Office of Vital Statistics at 275 E. Main St., 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621, or in person at the Frankfort office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hardin County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Hardin County are handled by the District Court's Probate Division, with case files managed by the Circuit Court Clerk. The probate division's jurisdiction covers validation of wills, appointment of personal representatives, estate administration, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and trust-related proceedings.
Probate Case Types and Filing Fees
Under CR 3.03, the following District Court filing fees apply to probate-related matters:
| Proceeding Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Probate of an estate | $40.00 |
| Guardianship / conservatorship (not related to pending probate) | $40.00 per application |
| Name change | $40.00 |
A court technology fee of $20.00 and any applicable library and facility fees are assessed in addition to the base amounts.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is searchable through the Kentucky Court of Justice docket search — select the appropriate case category and Hardin County. For detailed document review or certified copies, call the Clerk's office at (270) 766-5000, Option 5 (Probate division).
Guardianship Proceedings
To file a guardianship petition in Hardin County, review the petition materials and forms available through the Hardin County government website, which includes links to guardianship petition resources and emergency guardianship requests. The County Attorney's office can walk you through the filing process — it's worth calling ahead to confirm current requirements before you submit anything.
Estate Administration Process
When a Hardin County resident dies, the personal representative or next of kin typically files a petition in the District Court Probate Division to either probate a will or open an administration proceeding. The Clerk assigns a case number, and subsequent filings — including inventories, accountings, and petitions for distribution — are added to the file over time. All probate filings are subject to a standard copy fee of $0.25 per page when copies are requested.
Historical probate records, including older wills and estate files, may have been transferred to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives under the Kentucky Court of Justice's record retention schedule. Check with the Clerk first to confirm where the records currently are before submitting a request to the state facility.