Jefferson County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Jefferson County?

Public records in Jefferson County, Kentucky, are defined under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870 as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation, regardless of physical form or characteristics, which are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. Jefferson County, which encompasses the Louisville Metro area, maintains an extensive array of public documents across multiple agencies.

The following record types are currently available to members of the public:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public may access civil case filings, criminal dockets, probate proceedings, and domestic relations records through the Jefferson County Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Jefferson County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA). Members of the public may conduct a Jefferson County property search through the PVA's online portal.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are administered by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics, and by the Jefferson County Clerk for locally recorded marriage licenses.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and assumed name (fictitious name) registrations are maintained by Louisville Metro Government's Department of Codes & Regulations and the Jefferson County Clerk.
Tax records — Property tax assessments and payment histories are maintained by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (for current-year taxes) and the Jefferson County Clerk (for delinquent tax records).
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Jefferson County Clerk's Elections Division.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Louisville Metro Council meeting minutes, agendas, and board records are maintained by the Louisville Metro Council Clerk and published on the Louisville Metro Government website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are maintained by the Louisville Metro Office of Management and Budget.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are maintained by Louisville Metro Planning & Design Services.

Is Jefferson County an Open Records County?

Jefferson County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which governs public access to government documents throughout the Commonwealth. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.872, all public agencies are required to make public records available for inspection by any person during regular office hours. The Act establishes that the fundamental policy of the Commonwealth is that free and open examination of public records is in the public interest.

Key provisions currently in effect include:

Public agencies must respond to an open records request within five (5) business days of receipt.
Agencies must either provide the requested records, deny the request in writing with a specific statutory basis, or notify the requester that additional time is needed.
The Jefferson County PVA, Louisville Metro Government, the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk, and all other county agencies are bound by these requirements.

Kentucky's Open Meetings Act (KRS § 61.810) further requires that all meetings of public agencies at which public business is discussed or acted upon be open to the public, with limited exceptions. Jefferson County agencies maintain compliance with both the Open Records Act and the Open Meetings Act as a matter of standard administrative policy. The Jefferson County PVA publishes its open records request procedures in accordance with KRS § 61.870 through § 61.884.

How to Find Public Records in Jefferson County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Jefferson County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial agency. Determine which office maintains the record type sought. Court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk; property records by the PVA; vital records by the County Clerk or the Office of Vital Statistics; law enforcement records by LMPD.
Submit a written Open Records Request. Requests must be submitted in writing, either in person, by mail, by fax, or by email, to the specific agency. Many agencies provide standardized request forms on their official websites.
Use online portals where available. The Jefferson County PVA offers an online property search tool. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides an online portal for requesting court records statewide.
Visit the agency in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant office without submitting a formal written request in all cases.
Allow the statutory response period. Agencies have five (5) business days to respond. If additional time is required, the agency must notify the requester in writing.
Appeal if denied. If a request is denied, the requester may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Open Records within sixty (60) days of the denial.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jefferson County?

Current fees for public records in Jefferson County vary by agency and record type, consistent with the fee structure authorized under Kentucky law. Under KRS § 61.874, public agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies of public records, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Paper copies: Agencies may charge up to $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though individual agencies may set lower rates.
Certified copies: Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) issued by the Jefferson County Clerk are subject to statutory fees, currently $6.00 per certified copy for marriage licenses.
Court record copies: The Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk charges fees established by the Kentucky Court of Justice schedule, which vary by document type.
Property records: The Jefferson County PVA does not charge for online property searches; fees may apply for certified or printed documents.
Electronic records: When records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge for the actual cost of the medium used.

Accepted payment methods vary by agency but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency head.

Does Jefferson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at all Jefferson County public agencies during regular business hours, consistent with the requirements of KRS § 61.872. Members of the public are not required to pay any fee solely to inspect records on-site; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

Jefferson County PVA Online Property Search — Members of the public may conduct a Jefferson County property assessment search at no cost through the PVA's official website, including access to ownership history, assessed values, and parcel maps.
Kentucky Court of Justice Online Portal — Basic case information and docket entries for Jefferson County court proceedings are accessible at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice website.
Louisville Metro Government Website — Meeting minutes, agendas, adopted budgets, and ordinances are published at no cost on the Louisville Metro Government's official website.
Jefferson County Clerk's Office — Members of the public may inspect deed books, mortgage records, and other recorded instruments in person at no charge during public counter hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jefferson County?

Any person may request public records from Jefferson County agencies under the Kentucky Open Records Act. KRS § 61.872 does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The following eligibility provisions are currently in effect:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be Kentucky residents or Jefferson County residents to submit an open records request.
Identification: Agencies may not require requesters to provide identification as a condition of access to public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requester.
Purpose: Requesters are generally not required to state the purpose of their request. However, if a requester voluntarily states a purpose, the agency may use that information to determine whether an exemption applies.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be required to provide identification to verify identity, particularly for vital records, tax records, or records containing sensitive personal information.
Requesting records about others: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same general access rules, except where specific exemptions apply (see confidential records section below).
Non-residents: Non-residents of Jefferson County and Kentucky retain full rights to request public records under the Open Records Act.

Certain record types, such as adoption records, juvenile court records, and sealed court files, are subject to additional restrictions regardless of the requester's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Jefferson County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. KRS § 61.878 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to all public agencies in the Commonwealth, including those in Jefferson County. The following records are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not subject to public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in the court system are confidential pursuant to KRS Chapter 610.
Ongoing investigation records — Records of law enforcement agencies compiled in the process of detecting and investigating statutory or regulatory violations are exempt if premature disclosure would harm the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal identifiers are protected from disclosure.
Medical records — Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Kentucky medical privacy statutes are exempt.
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential.
Personnel records — Public employee personnel files are exempt, with the exception of name, position, compensation, and employment dates, which remain public.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Records containing trade secrets or confidential commercial information submitted to a public agency are exempt.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records containing security plans, vulnerability assessments, or infrastructure protection details are exempt from disclosure.

When an agency denies a request based on an exemption, it must cite the specific statutory basis under KRS § 61.878 and provide a written explanation. Kentucky law applies a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals or the operational interests of the agency.

Jefferson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Jefferson County Clerk serves as the official recorder of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property in Jefferson County. The office also maintains marriage licenses, election records, and motor vehicle records.

Jefferson County Clerk — Recording Division 527 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 574-5700 Jefferson County Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Jefferson County PVA Office Glassworks Building, 815 W. Market St., Suite 400, Louisville, KY 40202-2654 (502) 574-6380 Jefferson County PVA Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Chat available Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk 700 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 595-4425 Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Louisville Metro Department of Vital Statistics (Jefferson County) 400 E. Gray St., Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 574-6650 Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Louisville Metro Police Department — Open Records Unit 633 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 574-7660 Louisville Metro Police Department Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.