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For Kentucky public court records, use CourtNet or Find a Case to identify the proceeding, but request the official case record from the clerk of the court that heard it. Kentucky’s AOC does not maintain the case files, and older records may require locator information from the clerk.
Kentucky distinguishes online case information from the official record
CourtNet / Find a Case
- Use online case information to identify the county, court and case number.
- Treat database information as research that should be verified against the official file when accuracy matters.
- Use the online result to decide which clerk must receive the record request.
Court clerk
- Maintains or locates the official case record for the court that heard the proceeding.
- Handles requests for copies and access to Circuit, Family, District and Business Court files.
- Provides record-facility and locator details when older material has been transferred.
Kentucky details the clerk needs to locate a court record
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| County | Identifies the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for trial-court files. |
| Court level | Separates Circuit, District, Family, Business and appellate record routes. |
| Case number | Provides the direct key to the proceeding. |
| File locator if archived | Supports retrieval when the clerk reports that the record is stored at a records facility. |
Kentucky’s AOC manages systems, but the judicial file remains with the court clerk
The Kentucky Court of Justice makes an explicit custody distinction: the Administrative Office of the Courts is not the source of court case records. That matters because a general statewide inquiry should not be sent to AOC as if it held every pleading, exhibit or transcript. Use online case information to identify the proceeding, then follow the court-specific record route.
The clerk may also tell a requester that an older case has moved to a records facility or has been handled under a retention schedule. In that situation, the clerk supplies the case and file-locator information needed for the next step. This makes the court office essential even when the initial discovery happened through CourtNet.
Kentucky court-record workflow
1
Find the case informationUse CourtNet or Kentucky’s case-finding resources to identify the matter.2
Confirm the courtRecord county, court level and case number.3
Contact the clerkAsk the office serving that court for the record or copy.4
Follow archive instructionsUse any locator or records-facility information supplied for older files.