Lincoln County Court Records Search

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    Lincoln County, Kentucky, is anchored by its county seat of Stanford, where both the Circuit and District Courts operate out of the Lincoln County Judicial Center. Court records produced by these courts document the full scope of judicial activity — from criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to family law matters and probate proceedings. These documents typically include case dockets, complaints and petitions, motions, orders, judgments, evidence exhibits, and trial transcripts. Whether you are conducting background research, managing a legal matter, or simply exercising your rights as a member of the public, understanding how to locate and request these records is essential.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Lincoln County?

    Kentucky residents and researchers can access Lincoln County court records through several official channels. The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains publicly accessible tools and court-specific information, including case search options. Through KentuckyCourts.us, you can find guidance on locating publicly available court case information, including circuit, family, and district court records maintained across the state. Beyond online tools, records can also be searched through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, public access terminals at the courthouse, and archived record facilities for older cases.

    Lincoln County Judicial Center

    Address: 101 East Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484
    Phone: (606) 365-2535
    Fax: (606) 365-3389
    Email: AngeliaDoolin@kycourts.net
    Circuit Court Clerk: Angelia Doolin

    DayHours
    Monday – Friday8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Saturday – SundayClosed

    Note: As of June 2025, the Circuit Clerk's office was temporarily relocated to 104 Agriculture Way, Stanford for building repairs. Court proceedings continue at the Judicial Center at 101 E. Main St. Confirm the current location by calling (606) 365-2535 before visiting.

    To search for a court case, you have the following options:

    • Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person during business hours and request records by case number, party name, or citation number.
    • Use the AOC CourtNet portal at KYeCourts — log in as a guest or create an account to search active and closed civil and criminal cases statewide.
    • Contact the Kentucky State Records Center for cases between 15 and 35 years old, using the ARM-160 Record Request Form submitted to state.records@ky.gov or by calling (502) 564-3617.
    • Contact the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) for records over 36 years old by visiting the KDLA records request page. In-state researchers must submit a $20.00 non-refundable search and copy fee with each request.

    The Kentucky Court of Justice also provides a Request Court Records information page that outlines exactly where to direct requests based on the type and age of the case. Payments at the Circuit Clerk's office are accepted in cash, check, or money order, and court fees may also be paid online through the ePay system.

    Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County?

    Court records in Lincoln County are generally accessible to the public under the framework established by the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884) and the Administrative Office of the Courts Open Records Policy. These statutes affirm the public's right to inspect and copy court records without needing to state a reason for the request, as long as the records are not subject to legal exemptions.

    Under KRS 61.878, certain categories of records are protected from public disclosure. Exempt records in Lincoln County — and across all Kentucky courts — include:

    • Juvenile records, which are sealed to protect the privacy of minors involved in court proceedings
    • Adoption records, which are confidential by statute
    • Sealed or expunged records, which have been removed from public view by court order
    • Preliminary drafts and internal notes that are not part of a final case decision
    • Records subject to specific federal or state confidentiality laws, such as those involving mental health or substance abuse treatment

    When a record is deemed confidential, only the parties to the case, their legal counsel, or individuals authorized by court order may access the restricted portions. Courts are generally required to redact confidential information before releasing otherwise public documents. Anyone who believes a records request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with the Kentucky Attorney General's Office pursuant to KRS 61.880.

    Lincoln County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Lincoln County are heard by the Lincoln County Circuit Court (for felony offenses) and the Lincoln County District Court (for misdemeanors, violations, and traffic matters). Both courts operate from the Lincoln County Judicial Center at 101 East Main Street, Stanford. The Circuit Clerk's office is the official keeper of records for both courts and is the right starting point for any criminal records request.

    To obtain criminal case records, contact or visit the Circuit Clerk's office directly:

    Lincoln County Circuit Clerk
    Address: 101 East Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484
    Phone: (606) 365-2535
    Fax: (606) 365-3389
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    For online access, the KYeCourts CourtNet portal allows public searches of criminal cases using a party name, case number, or citation number. Both active and closed cases are searchable through the portal.

    Arrest records and booking information are maintained separately by local law enforcement. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency for county-level arrests and provides a publicly available inmate roster listing individuals currently booked into the county jail, including charges and bail information. The roster is updated regularly and is accessible online.

    Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
    Phone: (606) 365-2696
    Website:lincoln.kysheriff.org

    For information on offenders in state custody, the Kentucky Department of Corrections operates the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) tool, which offers statewide offender search capability.

    Keep in mind that criminal history records compiled by law enforcement — such as rap sheets summarizing prior arrests and convictions — are distinct from court case records. These may not be obtainable through the Circuit Clerk and may require a separate request to the Kentucky State Police or the relevant law enforcement agency.

    Lincoln County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Lincoln County are divided by case value and type between the Circuit Court and the District Court. The Circuit Court handles general civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000, as well as equity cases and complex civil litigation. The District Court handles civil cases valued at $5,000 or less, along with small claims cases through its Small Claims Division.

    The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk maintains the official docket and case files for all civil proceedings in both courts. If you need copies of civil court documents — complaints, motions, judgments, or orders — submit your request in person at the Clerk's office at 101 East Main Street during regular business hours. Public access terminals may be available at the office for electronic searching of civil records.

    For small claims cases, the filing fee is set under KRS 24A.270, with typical amounts ranging based on the dollar amount claimed. Filers in the District Court Small Claims Division can obtain the necessary forms through the Circuit Clerk or through the Kentucky Court of Justice's Legal Forms page, which provides downloadable forms for a wide range of civil proceedings.

    Copies of civil court records are available for a fee. Standard reproduction fees for public records in Kentucky are generally $0.10 per page for standard copies, though fees for certified copies or special reproductions may differ. Confirm current fees with the Circuit Clerk's office before submitting a request.

    For civil cases that are older and have been transferred out of the Circuit Clerk's office, the following repositories apply:

    • Kentucky State Records Center — for civil case records 15 to 35 years old; use the ARM-160 Record Request Form
    • Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) — for civil records older than 36 years; follow the procedures outlined on the KDLA Records Request page

    Lincoln County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Lincoln County fall under the jurisdiction of the Lincoln County Circuit Court, which in Kentucky also functions as the Family Court for counties that have one established. Family Court judges handle the full range of domestic and family law proceedings, including:

    • Divorce and legal separation
    • Child custody and parenting time disputes
    • Child support establishment and modification
    • Domestic violence protective orders
    • Adoption proceedings
    • Guardianship of minors
    • Paternity actions
    • Juvenile matters (subject to confidentiality restrictions)

    The Kentucky Court of Justice Family Court page provides background on the types of cases handled statewide. In Lincoln County, all family case records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk, and requests follow the same procedures as other court records — in person at the Judicial Center, by phone, or through the online CourtNet portal.

    Several categories of family records carry significant confidentiality protections. Adoption records are sealed under Kentucky law and are not available to the general public. Juvenile court records — including delinquency proceedings and dependency, neglect, and abuse (DNA) cases — are similarly restricted and accessible only to authorized parties. Domestic violence case records may also have protected components depending on the court's orders.

    Marriage and Divorce Records are closely tied to family court proceedings. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) maintains marriage and divorce records from June 1958 to the present. Certified copies cost $6.00 per record and can be requested using the VS-230 Marriage and Divorce Application (also available in Spanish).

    Requests to the OVS may be submitted:

    • In person at 275 E. Main St., 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; same-day processing available if submitted before 3:45 p.m. EST)
    • By mail, enclosing the completed form, applicable fee by check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, and required identification (mail processing typically takes 5–7 business days, up to 30 days in some cases)
    • Via drop box at the OVS visitor entrance

    For marriage records predating June 1958, contact the Lincoln County Clerk's Office:

    Lincoln County Clerk — Nancy Jackson
    Address: 301 N. 3rd Street, Stanford, KY 40484
    Phone: (606) 365-4570
    Fax: (606) 365-4572
    Website:lincolncoclerkky.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; First and last Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

    Pre-June 1958 divorce records are held by the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk at 101 East Main Street, Stanford.

    Lincoln County Probate Court Records

    Probate jurisdiction in Lincoln County is shared between the Circuit Court and the District Court, depending on the nature of the matter. Generally, the District Court handles the formal probate of wills and routine estate administration, while the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over contested probate matters and other proceedings requiring more complex adjudication.

    The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk maintains records for both courts and is the appropriate contact for probate case documents. Probate records may include:

    • Original wills submitted for probate
    • Petitions for administration of estates
    • Inventories and appraisals of estate assets
    • Accountings filed by personal representatives
    • Orders of distribution
    • Guardianship and conservatorship filings
    • Settlements of contested estate claims

    To request probate records, contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly:

    Lincoln County Circuit Clerk
    Address: 101 East Main Street, Stanford, KY 40484
    Phone: (606) 365-2535
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Wills recorded after probate are also preserved by the Lincoln County Clerk's Office, which maintains land records, wills, surveys, and marriage records dating back to the late 1700s. The County Clerk notes on its Wills page that once a will is probated in District Court, it must be recorded with the County Clerk's office. Historical wills for Lincoln County have also been indexed by the Kentucky Secretary of State, which maintains a scanned database of early will records.

    For probate case records that are older and have been transferred to state facilities, the same archival pathways apply — the Kentucky State Records Center for records 15–35 years old (using the ARM-160 form), and the KDLA for records older than 36 years. Researchers can also consult the KDLA Visiting the Archives page or contact the Research Room at kdla.archives@ky.gov or (502) 564-1770 for assistance with historical probate documents.

      Lincoln County Court Records Search - KentuckyCourts.us