Warren County Court Records

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    Warren County sits in south-central Kentucky, with Bowling Green as its county seat. The county's court system handles thousands of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases each year, and the resulting case files form the official record of those proceedings. Both the Warren Circuit Court and the Warren District Court operate from the Warren County Justice Center, while a dedicated Family Court division handles domestic and juvenile matters. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk, currently headed by Brandi Duvall, maintains all circuit, district, family, and business court records for the county.

    Kentucky runs a unified court system, and if you're searching for Warren County court records, a helpful starting point is KentuckyCourts.us. The Kentucky Court of Justice website offers tools to search case information online, find the right clerk's office, and understand how to request records. You can also review records in person at public access terminals, send a mail request using designated forms, or reach out to state archival facilities for older cases.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Warren County?

    The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is your main contact for any court case record inquiry in Warren County. The clerk manages records for the Circuit, District, Family, and Business courts in the county.

    Warren County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
    Address: Warren County Justice Center, 1001 Center Street, Suite 102, Bowling Green, KY 42101
    Phone: (270) 746-7400
    Fax: (270) 746-7501
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Online case search:

    The Kentucky Court of Justice runs the KYeCourts case search portal, which lets guest users look up case information without creating an account. The portal covers cases filed within roughly the last 15 years. You can search by party name, case number, date of birth, or driver's license number. Results display basic docket information, case status, and party details. The portal also supports the ePay payment system for paying court-ordered fines and fees online.

    Older records (15–35 years):

    Court case records between 15 and 35 years old are typically transferred to the State Records Center. To request them, start by asking the circuit clerk for the case and file locator numbers. Then submit a completed State Records Center request form by email to state.records@ky.gov or by phone at (502) 564-3617. These records can't be searched by name alone — locator numbers are required.

    Records older than 35 years:

    Case records more than 35 years old may be held by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Follow the department's online submission process to request copies.

    Record retention: Depending on the case type and age, records may be at the clerk's office, a state records facility, or they may have been destroyed under the Kentucky Court of Justice's authorized retention schedules. Always confirm availability with the clerk's office before submitting a request elsewhere.

    Are Court Records Public in Warren County?

    Most Warren County court records are public documents. Kentucky's open-access framework rests on the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884), which gives Kentucky residents the right to inspect public records held by government agencies. Agencies must respond to inspection requests within five business days, and if a request is denied, you can appeal through the Office of the Attorney General.

    That said, certain categories of court records are restricted from public access. Under KRS 61.878, records may be withheld if disclosure would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or if a statute or court order requires confidentiality. In Warren County, the following types of records typically carry access restrictions:

    • Juvenile case records — protected under Kentucky law and not included in public case searches or criminal record reports
    • Mental health proceedings — confidential by statute
    • Domestic violence case records — restricted from standard criminal record reports
    • Sealed records — cases sealed by court order or under expungement statutes are removed from public access
    • Records containing photographic evidence of sex-related crimes — exempt from public disclosure

    When requesting records in these categories, the custodian agency may ask you to verify your identity, demonstrate eligibility, and in some cases present a valid photo ID. The Attorney General's Open Records/Open Meetings Guide provides further detail on the exemption framework and the appeal process for denied requests.

    Warren County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Warren County are heard by both the Circuit Court and the District Court at the Warren County Justice Center. The Circuit Court handles felonies and capital offenses, while the District Court covers misdemeanors and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Both courts' criminal records are kept by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.

    Searching criminal court records online:

    The KYeCourts case search portal includes criminal case records from roughly the past 15 years. Search by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers to view docket entries, charges, and case dispositions.

    Obtaining a criminal background report through the AOC:

    The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) runs FastCheck, an online portal for ordering criminal record reports. These reports cover all misdemeanor and traffic cases for at least the last five years and felony records going back to 1978. They are public records and can be requested on any individual. Payment is accepted by credit or debit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa), with a processing surcharge of 2.25% of the transaction amount or $2.50, whichever is greater. Results stay available online for 30 days after processing. If you have questions, contact the AOC Records Unit at (800) 928-6381, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

    You can also request criminal record reports by mail using the Criminal Record Request Form (AOC-RU-004). The form is available in English and other languages. Include a $25 check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer and mail to:

    Administrative Office of the Courts
    Records Unit
    1001 Vandalay Drive
    Frankfort, KY 40601

    Kentucky State Police background checks:

    The Kentucky State Police also provides criminal history checks. A mail-in request requires a completed form from the KSP background check forms page and a $20 check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Send the request along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

    Kentucky State Police
    Criminal Identifications and Records Branch
    1266 Louisville Road
    Frankfort, KY 40601

    Keep in mind that criminal record reports from both the AOC and KSP will not include juvenile cases, mental health cases, or domestic violence case information — those records are confidential by law.

    Warren County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Warren County is split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the dollar amount at stake. The Circuit Court hears civil matters involving claims over $5,000, while the District Court handles small claims and civil disputes below that threshold. Common civil case types in Warren County include general civil actions, contract disputes, landlord-tenant matters, personal injury claims, and small claims.

    Accessing civil court records:

    The Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Warren County Justice Center maintains all civil case files. You can visit the clerk's office during business hours to review or request copies:

    Warren County Justice Center
    1001 Center Street, Suite 102
    Bowling Green, KY 42101
    Phone: (270) 746-7400
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Online access:

    Civil case records from the past 15 years can be searched through the KYeCourts guest login portal. Enter the party name, case number, or business name to find docket information, filings, and case status.

    Older civil records:

    For civil case files between 15 and 35 years old, ask the circuit clerk for locator numbers first, then submit a request form to the State Records Center at state.records@ky.gov. Civil records older than 35 years may be archived with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

    Filing fees and payments:

    The Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide filing fee schedules. Warren County accepts cash, check, and money order for in-person transactions. Online payments for existing cases can be made through ePay. For current civil filing fee amounts, contact the circuit clerk's office or check the Kentucky Court of Justice website.

    Property-related records:

    Property records such as deeds, liens, and mortgages are kept by the Warren County Property Valuation Administrator, which offers a searchable online database. You can search by owner name, parcel number, address, or account number.

    Warren County Family Court Records

    Kentucky's Family Court operates as a division of Circuit Court under the "One Family, One Judge, One Court" model. Warren County has a Family Court division that consolidates all family-related legal matters under one judge, so the same judicial officer handles every issue involving a particular family. Family Court jurisdiction in Kentucky is defined by KRS 23A.100 and KRS 23A.110 and covers:

    • Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
    • Child custody, support, and visitation
    • Spousal support and equitable distribution of property
    • Paternity and adoption
    • Domestic violence protective orders
    • Dependency, neglect, and abuse proceedings
    • Termination of parental rights
    • Status offenses (runaways, truancy, beyond parental control)

    Requesting family court records:

    Family court case records are maintained by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Warren County Justice Center. In-person requests can be made at:

    Warren County Justice Center
    1001 Center Street, Suite 102
    Bowling Green, KY 42101
    Phone: (270) 746-7400

    Family case records from the past 15 years are also searchable through the KYeCourts online portal. For older records, contact the circuit clerk for locator numbers, then submit a request to the State Records Center or the Department for Libraries and Archives, depending on the age of the record.

    Access restrictions:

    Family court records often contain sensitive or confidential information, especially in cases involving minors, domestic violence, and dependency proceedings. The records custodian may require you to verify your identity and demonstrate legal eligibility before releasing copies. Parties to the case, their attorneys, and — in certain circumstances — immediate family members are typically among the eligible requesters.

    Marriage and divorce certificates:

    The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates. These are separate from court case files and must be ordered through the state agency rather than the circuit clerk. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through VitalChek:

    • In person or drop box: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621 (hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday)
    • By mail: Submit a completed marriage/divorce request form with a $6 check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer to the address above.
    • Online or phone: Order through the VitalChek website or call (800) 241-8322; additional VitalChek processing fees apply.

    Birth and death certificates:

    Birth certificates ($10 per copy) and death certificates ($6 per copy) are also available from the Office of Vital Statistics using the same channels. Applications for birth records come in English and Spanish; death record applications are available in English and Spanish. Mail-in orders should include a check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Allow up to 30 business days for mailed requests to be processed.

    Warren County Probate Court Records

    Probate jurisdiction in Warren County is shared between the Circuit Court and the District Court, with both authorized to hear matters involving estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and related fiduciary proceedings. Common probate case types include formal estate administration, small estate affidavits, guardianship and conservatorship appointments, trust disputes, and name changes.

    Locating probate records:

    The Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Warren County Justice Center maintains probate case files. Direct in-person requests and inquiries to:

    Warren County Justice Center
    1001 Center Street, Suite 102
    Bowling Green, KY 42101
    Phone: (270) 746-7400

    Online probate case search:

    Probate cases are indexed under the civil case category in the KYeCourts online search portal. Enter the decedent's name, the estate case number, or the name of any party to the proceeding. The portal covers cases from approximately the last 15 years.

    Archived probate records:

    Probate case records between 15 and 35 years old may be at the State Records Center. Start by contacting the Warren County circuit clerk for the case and file locator numbers, then submit a completed request form to state.records@ky.gov or call (502) 564-3617. For probate records more than 35 years old, submit your request to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

    Guardianship and conservatorship records:

    Guardianship and conservatorship cases are filed in the county where the incapacitated person or minor resides. These proceedings establish a court-appointed fiduciary to manage the personal welfare or financial affairs of the protected individual. Case files typically include the petition, court orders of appointment, required annual reports, and any related motions. Because these cases may involve sensitive personal and financial information, certain documents within the file may have restricted access. Contact the circuit clerk's office to confirm what's available and whether any eligibility requirements apply.

    Payments:

    The Warren County circuit clerk accepts cash, check, and money order for copy fees and filing costs. Online payments for existing cases can be made through the ePay system. For questions about specific probate filing fees or copy costs, call the clerk's office at (270) 746-7400.