Kenton County Court Records Search

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    Kenton County occupies the northern tip of Kentucky directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio. It is among the most populous counties in the state and falls within the 16th Judicial Circuit. All trial-level court operations — circuit, district, and family — take place at the Kenton County Justice Center in Covington, where the Office of Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official custodian of court case files. The current Circuit Court Clerk is John C. Middleton, and his office manages records for the Circuit Court, District Court, and Family Court divisions under one roof.

    For anyone searching Kentucky court records, several tools are available through official clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and online databases. The Kentucky Court of Justice website at KentuckyCourts.us provides a statewide Search Court Records tool known as CourtNet 2.0, which covers civil and criminal case data filed across all Kentucky counties, including Kenton. The Kenton County Circuit Clerk’s website also offers an online copy request form and links to court dockets. Whether you visit the Justice Center in person or use these digital resources, the Circuit Clerk’s office is the starting point for locating and requesting case records.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Kenton County?

    Kenton County provides several ways to search for a court case, ranging from free online docket checks to formal copy requests through the clerk’s office.

    Online Search — CourtNet 2.0

    The Kentucky Court of Justice operates CourtNet 2.0, a statewide electronic case search system. Users can look up Kenton County cases by:

    • Party or business name — requires at least three characters of the last name plus either a date of birth or a complete first name
    • Case number — requires the full case number
    • Citation — requires the year and control number

    Viewing basic case information through CourtNet is available to the public, though a name-based search may require an account and may involve usage fees depending on the service plan selected. Fees are communicated to the registered email used when creating the account.

    Online Copy Request

    The Kenton County Circuit Clerk provides a Request for Copies form on the clerk’s website. To submit a request:

    1. Select the division that handles your case type (District Criminal/Traffic, District Civil, Circuit Civil/Criminal, Family Court, or Bookkeeping).
    2. Provide your name, email, phone number, and the case name and case number.
    3. Specify what documents you need (entire file, citation, divorce decree, final judgment, indictment, separation agreement, warrant, or other).
    4. Choose your payment method (cash/check/charge at the courthouse, mailed check or money order, or credit card by phone).
    5. Indicate whether you need certification.

    Allow 7 to 14 business days for processing. Copy and certification fees are:

    ServiceFee
    Copies$0.25 per page
    Certification$5.00 per case
    Minimum credit/debit card charge$1.00

    In-Person Search

    You can visit the clerk’s office at the Kenton County Justice Center during regular business hours:

    Kenton County Justice Center — Office of Circuit Court Clerk
    Address: 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011
    Phone: (859) 292-6523
    Fax: (859) 292-6611
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed on holidays)

    Payment at the counter is accepted by cash, check payable to John C. Middleton (Kenton Circuit Clerk), or debit/credit card. Checks for circuit court matters are held 10 days to clear. A processing fee assessed by the card processor applies to debit and credit transactions. Bond refunds are issued until 3:30 p.m.

    By Mail

    Written requests for copies can be mailed to the Circuit Clerk’s office at 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011. Include the case number, the party name, which documents you need, and a check or money order for the applicable copy and certification fees.

    Appellate Court Records

    If a case was heard by the Kentucky Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of Kentucky, records must be requested from those courts’ clerks directly. The Court of Appeals clerk can be reached at (502) 573-7920, and the Supreme Court clerk at (502) 564-5444. Appellate case information is also available through the C-Track Public Access portal.

    Older and Archived Records

    Depending on the age of a case, records may have been transferred to the Kentucky State Records Center or the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. If the clerk indicates a record is stored at a state facility, you will receive the case and file locator numbers needed to submit a request via the state’s records request form by email to state.records@ky.gov or by phone at (502) 564-3617. Archived records cannot be searched by name alone.

    Are Court Records Public in Kenton County?

    Court records in Kentucky are generally open to the public. The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884) establishes that public records maintained by any public agency — whether on paper or in digital form — are available for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

    The Open Records Act permits agencies to withhold records, in whole or in part, under certain circumstances. Categories of Kenton County court records that may be exempt from public access include:

    • Sealed and expunged records — Records sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access. Expungement in Kentucky results in the case being treated as if it never occurred for most purposes.
    • Juvenile records — Cases involving minors in dependency, neglect, abuse, or status offense proceedings are confidential by statute.
    • Adoption records — Adoption case files are sealed and not available for public inspection.
    • Domestic violence records — Emergency protective orders (EPOs) and interpersonal protective orders (IPOs) may have confidential components, and the Family Court division restricts disclosure in these cases.
    • Mental health and involuntary treatment records — Involuntary hospitalization cases and Casey’s Law (involuntary alcohol/drug treatment) proceedings are classified as confidential.
    • Guardianship/disability records for adults — Cases involving appointment of a guardian for a disabled adult carry confidentiality protections.
    • Child custody and paternity records — Certain filings in custody, support, and paternity cases are confidential; the clerk must verify by photo ID that a requester is a party to the case before releasing information.
    • Personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account details, medical records, and tax return data may be redacted or withheld.
    • Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations and records prohibited by federal law or Kentucky statute are also exempt.

    When a request is denied, the agency must respond within five business days (excluding weekends and holidays) with a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. Requesters who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.

    Kenton County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Kenton County are split between two divisions. The Circuit Civil/Criminal division handles felony cases, while the District Criminal/Traffic division handles misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, and felony cases at the preliminary hearing stage before they proceed to a grand jury. Both divisions operate from the Justice Center at 230 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011.

    Searching Criminal Court Records

    Criminal case records can be searched through multiple channels:

    1. CourtNet 2.0 — Use the Search Court Records tool to look up criminal cases by party name, case number, or citation. Select Kenton County from the dropdown when searching. Basic docket information is viewable online.
    2. Request for Copies — Submit a request through the clerk’s online form or by visiting the courthouse counter. Copies cost $0.25 per page; certification is $5.00 per case.
    3. Court dockets — The clerk’s website links to online court dockets maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts, allowing users to check upcoming hearing dates.

    Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office

    Arrest records, incident reports, and booking information are maintained by the Kenton County Sheriff’s Office, not the Circuit Clerk. To request these records under the Open Records Act:

    1. Complete the Standardized Open Records Request Form.
    2. Submit the form by one of the following methods:
      • Email: jerry.knochelmann@kentoncounty.org
      • Mail or hand delivery: Jerome D. Knochelmann, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 1200, Covington, KY 41011
      • Fax: (859) 392-1829

    The Sheriff’s Office charges $0.10 per page for regular photocopies. Color copies and compact discs are billed at actual cost. Mailing costs are also charged at actual cost. The Sheriff’s Office must respond to open records requests within five business days.

    Statewide Criminal Background Checks

    For a comprehensive criminal history that extends beyond Kenton County court records, requests should be directed to the Kentucky State Police. The Kenton County Sheriff’s Office notes that Open Records Act requests are not the appropriate mechanism for obtaining a full criminal background report.

    Kenton County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Kenton County is divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the amount in dispute. The Circuit Civil/Criminal division handles lawsuits exceeding $5,000, foreclosures, land title disputes, contested probate cases, and administrative agency appeals. The District Civil/Probate division handles civil cases up to $5,000, small claims under $2,500, and eviction proceedings.

    Searching and Requesting Civil Records

    Civil case records are available through the same search tools used for all case types:

    • CourtNet 2.0 — Search by case number, party name, or citation through the statewide portal.
    • In person — Visit the 3rd floor of the Justice Center at 230 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011, during business hours (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday).
    • Online copy request — Use the clerk’s Request for Copies form. Copies are $0.25 per page; certification is $5.00 per case.
    • By mail — Send a written request with payment to the Circuit Clerk at 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011.

    Practical Notes for Civil Records

    When visiting in person, bring a valid photo ID. AOC (Administrative Office of the Courts) forms must be signed in the presence of a deputy clerk unless they have been previously notarized. Payments at the counter can be made by cash, check, or debit/credit card. Online payments are also available through the Kentucky Court of Justice’s ePay system, and certain fines and fees can even be paid in cash at participating retail locations.

    Property Records

    Property deeds, conveyance records, and related documents are maintained by the Kenton County Clerk — a separate office from the Circuit Clerk. These records can be searched online through the Kenton County deeds portal or requested in person at the County Clerk’s office:

    Kenton County Clerk
    Address: 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, KY 41011
    Phone: (859) 392-1652 (auto line)
    Fax: (859) 392-1642
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Certified copies of property records cost $5.00 plus $0.50 per page after the first five pages.

    Kenton County Family Court Records

    Kenton County has a unified Family Court that operates as a division of the Circuit Court. All family law matters are handled at the Justice Center, 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011. The Family Court division can be reached at (859) 292-6523, with a dedicated fax line at (859) 292-6639.

    Types of Cases

    The Kenton County Family Court handles:

    Confidentiality of Family Court Records

    Many family court cases in Kenton County are confidential by law. The clerk’s office must verify by photo ID that a person is a party to a confidential case before disclosing any information. Because of this requirement, the office cannot provide information about confidential family cases over the phone. Non-exempt family court records can be searched through CourtNet 2.0 or requested through the online copy request form. Standard copy fees apply ($0.25 per page; $5.00 for certification).

    Marriage Licenses and Certificates

    Marriage licenses in Kenton County are issued by the Kenton County Clerk’s Office, not the Circuit Clerk. Key details:

    • Appointments are required and available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    • Both parties must appear together at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 1300, Covington, KY 41011.
    • The license fee is $60.00 (non-refundable).
    • The license is valid for 30 days and must be used within Kentucky.
    • Applicants can save time by completing the application in advance at GetCertificateNow.com.

    To obtain a certified copy of a previously issued marriage license, send a written request with a $7.00 check or money order ($5.00 for the certified copy plus $2.00 for postage) to the Kenton County Clerk’s Office at 1840 Simon Kenton Way (P.O. Box 1109), Covington, KY 41011. Include the date of marriage (with year), names of both spouses (including maiden name if applicable), and a phone number for follow-up.

    Marriage and Divorce Certificates Through Vital Statistics

    The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) maintains statewide records of marriages and divorces from June 1958 to the present. To request a certified marriage or divorce certificate from OVS:

    • Cost: $6.00 per certificate (non-refundable search fee)
    • Mail requests to: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621
    • Include a check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer
    • Online orders are available through VitalChek (additional processing fees apply)
    • In-person pickup is available at OVS in Frankfort during business hours (8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday)

    For marriages prior to June 1958, contact the county clerk in the county where the license was issued. For divorces prior to June 1958, contact the circuit clerk who granted the decree.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates, while not court records, are frequently needed in family and probate matters. OVS has maintained these records since 1911. The certificate purchase page outlines current fees:

    Certificate TypeFee
    Birth$10.00 per certificate
    Death$6.00 per certificate

    Birth certificates are restricted to the person named on the record, immediate family members, and legal representatives. Death certificates are limited to immediate family members and legal representatives. Orders can be placed online through VitalChek, by mail to OVS, or in person at the Frankfort office. The Kenton County Health Center at 2002 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41014, can assist applicants with completing forms.

    Kenton County Probate Court Records

    Probate cases in Kenton County are administered through the District Civil/Probate division of the court system, with contested probate matters handled by the Circuit Court. Both divisions operate from the Justice Center at 230 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011, Phone: (859) 292-6523

    What the Probate Division Handles

    The District Civil/Probate division covers:

    • Estate administration — proceedings related to the settlement of a deceased person’s property, debts, and distribution to heirs
    • Guardianship of minors
    • Name changes
    • Settlements of minors’ claims
    • Wills, letters of administration, and letters testamentary
    • Estate inventories and accountings
    • Court orders and decrees

    Contested probate cases — such as will contests and disputes over estate administration — are handled by the Circuit Civil/Criminal division rather than the District Court.

    Confidential Probate-Related Cases

    Certain cases filed through the probate division are confidential and not accessible to the public:

    For confidential cases, the clerk must verify by photo ID that the requester is a party before releasing information.

    How to Search and Request Probate Records

    Probate case records can be located through the following methods:

    1. CourtNet 2.0 — Search the statewide case search portal by the decedent’s name, the ward’s name, or case number. Select Kenton County from the county dropdown.
    2. In person — Visit the 3rd floor of the Justice Center during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID, especially if the case involves confidential filings. Sign AOC forms in the presence of a deputy clerk unless previously notarized.
    3. Online copy request — Submit a request through the clerk’s Request for Copies page, selecting “District Civil” as the division.
    4. By mail — Mail your request and payment to the Circuit Clerk’s office at 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011.

    Standard fees apply: $0.25 per page for copies and $5.00 per case for certification. Payments accepted at the counter include cash, check, and debit/credit card.

    The Legal Self-Help Center, located in the Law Library on the 2nd floor of the Justice Center, is open Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Attorneys there can assist members of the public with filing cases in limited case types, which may include certain probate matters. For additional legal guidance, contact the Northern Kentucky Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at (859) 781-1525 or Legal Aid of the Bluegrass at (859) 431-8200.

      Kenton County Court Records Search - KentuckyCourts.us