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How to Find Public Records in Shelby County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Shelby County, Kentucky may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. ShelbyCountyRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating publicly available records. The types of records that may be found through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Marriage licenses and related vital records
- Tax and assessment records
- Business filings and fictitious name registrations
- Fiscal court minutes and government meeting agendas
- Voting and election records
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Shelby County Clerk maintains an official website where members of the public may access certain recorded documents. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online case information through its CourtNet system for court-related records. Property and legal records maintained by the County Clerk may be searchable through the clerk's online portal. Some records require in-person review or a formal written request.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Shelby County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The County Clerk's office is located at 501 Main Street, Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved when submitting an in-person request.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the applicable office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, agencies are required to respond to open records requests within five business days.
Phone/Email:
- Shelby County Clerk: (502) 633-4410
- Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk: (502) 633-7976
What Are Public Records in Shelby County?
Public records in Shelby County are defined under Kentucky law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, public records encompass documents created or maintained by any state or local government agency in the course of official business.
The following record types are currently maintained by Shelby County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and family court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | County Clerk |
| Marriage licenses | County Clerk |
| Delinquent tax records | County Clerk |
| Fiscal court minutes | County Clerk |
| Business filings | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Law enforcement incident reports | Shelby County Sheriff |
The Shelby County Circuit Clerk is responsible for managing the records of Circuit and District courts, including receiving lawsuits, maintaining case files, and preserving court orders. The County Clerk maintains property, fiscal, and vital records. The Legal Records Division of the Shelby County Clerk is responsible for legal documents filed as public record, with documents maintained from 1792 to the present.
Is Shelby County an Open Records County?
Shelby County operates in full compliance with Kentucky's Open Records Act. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870–61.884, all public agencies in the Commonwealth, including county offices, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The law establishes a presumption of openness, meaning records are considered public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office has stated that "the Open Records Act reflects the public's right to know about the activities of their government," reinforcing the principle that access to government records is a fundamental right of Kentucky residents and non-residents alike. Shelby County public offices are bound by this framework and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those permitted by state statute. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; the state law governs all requests uniformly.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Shelby County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Shelby County follows the schedule established under Kentucky's Open Records Act and applicable county fee schedules.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.10 per page (standard) |
| Certification of documents | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | May be provided at no charge or at actual cost of duplication |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copy fees: Paper copies are subject to a per-page fee. The Kentucky Open Records Act permits agencies to charge the actual cost of reproduction, which at present does not exceed $0.10 per page for standard paper copies at most county offices.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of recorded documents, such as deeds or marriage licenses, carry additional fees set by the County Clerk's fee schedule.
- Electronic format fees: Electronic copies may be provided at the actual cost of duplication, which may be less than paper copy fees.
- Search fees: Kentucky law does not permit agencies to charge a search fee for locating records.
Accepted payment methods at the Shelby County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Kentucky's Open Records Act, though agencies retain discretion in individual circumstances.
Does Shelby County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at Shelby County government offices during regular business hours. Kentucky law requires that agencies permit inspection of non-exempt records without charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the applicable fee schedule.
The Shelby County Clerk's official website provides access to certain recorded documents online at no charge, including property records and legal filings. The Kentucky Court of Justice offers online case information through its public access portal for court records. Public access terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for in-person electronic searches at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Shelby County?
Any person may request public records in Shelby County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances. As the Kentucky Attorney General's Office has noted, "the purpose of the Open Records Act is to permit the public to scrutinize the conduct of government."
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Kentucky retain full rights to request public records.
- Identification: Not required for most record types, though some offices may request identification for administrative purposes.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for standard public records requests.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be required to provide identification to verify identity, particularly for vital records such as birth certificates.
What Records Are Confidential in Shelby County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.878 enumerates the specific exemptions that permit agencies to withhold records from public inspection. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in court proceedings are protected from public disclosure.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in the course of an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Protected under both state exemptions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public employees' official duties.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a government agency in confidence.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records containing information that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are withheld.
Kentucky law applies a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public's interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals named in the records.
Shelby County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Shelby County Clerk
501 Main Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4410
Shelby County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk
501 Washington Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-7976
Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Circuit Clerk's office serves as the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases filed in Shelby County. The County Clerk's Office handles property records, marriage licenses, fiscal court documents, motor vehicle registration, and delinquent tax records.