Henderson County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Henderson County in 2026
HendersonCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Henderson County, Kentucky. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find data pertaining to court proceedings, property transactions, vital statistics, law enforcement activity, and other government-generated records through this resource. The information presented reflects what is accessible under applicable state and local law, though completeness and availability may vary by record type and custodial agency.
Records that may be located through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use, zoning, and environmental records
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains county-level court record information through its Henderson County court information page, which directs members of the public to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for case record requests. The Administrative Office of the Courts also operates FastCheck, an online portal for obtaining criminal record background check results. Property records and land documents are searchable through the Henderson County PVA (Property Valuation Administrator) online portal. Some records require account registration or payment prior to access.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Henderson County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of property records, vital records, and other county-maintained documents. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles court record requests in person.
Henderson County Clerk's Office
20 N. Main Street, Suite 100
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 826-3906
Henderson County Clerk
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under KRS § 61.880, the agency must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Henderson County Clerk: (270) 826-3906
- Henderson Circuit Court Clerk: (270) 826-3967
- Henderson County PVA: (270) 827-6024
What Are Public Records in Henderson County?
Public records in Henderson County are defined under Kentucky's Open Records Act 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. The following record types are maintained by specific offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Henderson Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Henderson County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Henderson County Clerk / Kentucky Vital Statistics |
| Business licenses and permits | Henderson County Clerk / City of Henderson |
| Property tax and assessment records | Henderson County PVA / Sheriff's Office |
| Voting and election records | Henderson County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Henderson County Judge/Executive's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Henderson County Sheriff / Henderson Police Department |
| Environmental and land use records | Henderson County Planning Commission / Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet |
The Henderson Circuit Court Clerk's Office serves as the primary repository for all court case records, including civil, criminal, probate, and family court matters. As noted by the Kentucky Court of Justice, "The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in each county is the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases in that county."
Is Henderson County an Open Records County?
Henderson County fully complies with the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870–61.884, which governs public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth. Under this statute, all public agencies — including county offices, courts, and law enforcement — are required to make non-exempt records available for inspection and copying upon request by any resident of the Commonwealth.
Effective June 29, 2021, the Kentucky Open Records Act was amended to restrict inspection rights to residents of the Commonwealth. As stated in the law, only "residents of the Commonwealth" may request to inspect public records under KRS § 61.872(3). Non-residents retain the right to receive copies of records by mail or electronic transmission, provided the request is sufficiently specific.
Henderson County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; all public records access is governed by state statute. County agencies are required to designate an official custodian of records and to post their open records policies in a publicly accessible location.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Henderson County?
The current fee structure for public records in Henderson County is governed by state law and individual agency schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certification of records | $5.00 per document (varies by office) |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law |
Under KRS § 61.874, a public agency may charge a fee for copies that does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction, excluding staff time. Agencies may not charge for the time spent locating or reviewing records. Certification fees for vital records and court documents may differ from standard copy fees and are set by the respective office.
Accepted payment methods at the Henderson County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Kentucky law, though agencies retain discretion in individual circumstances. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and other state agencies maintain their own fee schedules for records within their custody.
Does Henderson County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at the offices of the custodial agency during regular business hours. Under Kentucky's Open Records Act, members of the public have the right to inspect non-exempt records at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- Henderson County PVA Online Portal — Property assessment data, ownership information, and tax records are searchable at no cost through the county's online property search tool.
- Kentucky Court of Justice — Basic case information for Henderson County court proceedings is accessible through the court system's public terminals located at the courthouse.
- FastCheck (Kentucky Court of Justice) — The criminal record background check portal provides online access to court-based criminal history information; fees apply for certified results, but basic record lookups carry a nominal charge.
- Kentucky Open Records Portal — State agencies, including the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, provide free online access to certain environmental permits, inspection reports, and regulatory filings.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review original records in person at no cost, but reproduction of those records is subject to the applicable per-page fee.
Who Can Request Public Records in Henderson County?
Under current Kentucky law, any resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky may submit an open records request to a public agency in Henderson County. Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, and agencies may not condition access on the disclosure of the requestor's intended use of the records.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Requestors must be residents of Kentucky to inspect records in person, per the 2021 amendment to KRS § 61.872(3). Non-residents may request copies by mail or electronic delivery.
- Identification: Agencies may ask requestors to identify themselves, but may not deny access solely on the basis of identity.
- Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for most record types.
- Minors and organizations: Requests may be submitted on behalf of organizations, businesses, or legal entities, provided the requestor is a Kentucky resident.
Certain record types carry additional restrictions. Law enforcement records related to ongoing investigations, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents require a demonstrated legal interest or court order for access. Members of the public requesting their own records — such as personal criminal history through the Kentucky State Police open records process — follow a separate procedure and may be required to provide identification and a signed authorization.
What Records Are Confidential in Henderson County?
Not all government records in Henderson County are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Open Records Act. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court-issued unsealing order.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors in the court system are confidential under Kentucky law.
- Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical and health records — Protected under both state law 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 — Records maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services relating to child abuse investigations and protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records — Employee records are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety.
The exemptions are codified at KRS § 61.878, which enumerates the categories of records that public agencies are not required to disclose. Agencies applying an exemption must notify the requestor in writing and cite the specific statutory basis for the denial.
Henderson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Henderson County Clerk
20 N. Main Street, Suite 100
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 826-3906
Henderson County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Henderson Circuit Court Clerk
20 N. Main Street
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 826-3967
Henderson – Kentucky Court of Justice
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Henderson County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA)
20 N. Main Street, Suite 100
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 827-6024
Henderson County PVA
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Henderson County Sheriff's Office
20 N. Main Street
Henderson, KY 42420
(270) 826-2713
Henderson County Sheriff
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM