Knox County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Knox County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through KnoxCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official sources. Knox County, Kentucky maintains a broad range of government-generated documents that are accessible to the public under state law. Requestors may find records pertaining to court proceedings, property ownership, vital events, tax assessments, business registrations, and more, subject to applicable exemptions. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the age of the document, and whether the record falls within a protected category under Kentucky law.
Online Access:
Members of the public may search court records through the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal, which provides case information for circuit, district, and appellate courts statewide. Property records and deed indexes are accessible through the Knox County Clerk's office. Some records require in-person review or a formal written request.
In-Person Requests:
The Knox County Clerk's Office serves as the primary repository for land records, marriage licenses, and other county-level documents. Members of the public may visit the office during regular business hours to inspect records or submit a written request.
Knox County Clerk's Office
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3568
Knox County Clerk
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should include the requestor's full name, a description of the record sought, the time period involved, and a preferred method of response. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, a public agency must respond to an open records request within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
The Knox County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (606) 546-3568 during regular business hours. The Knox Circuit Court Clerk handles court record requests; contact information is available through the Knox County court information page.
What Are Public Records in Knox County?
Public records in Knox County 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. The following categories of records are maintained by various county offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court matters) — maintained by the Knox Circuit Court Clerk; members of the public may request court records through the Kentucky Court of Justice system
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats) — maintained by the Knox County Clerk
- Vital records (birth and death certificates) — maintained by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services; marriage licenses are filed with the Knox County Clerk
- Business records (assumed name filings, occupational licenses) — maintained by the Knox County Clerk and the City of Barbourville
- Tax records (property tax assessments and delinquent tax information) — the Knox County Sheriff's Office collects current-year taxes; after April 15, delinquent property tax bills transfer to the County Clerk's office
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Knox County Clerk in the capacity of election administrator
- Meeting minutes and agendas — maintained by the Knox County Judge/Executive's Office and individual boards
- Budget and financial documents — available through the Knox County Fiscal Court
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted) — maintained by the Knox County Sheriff's Office and Barbourville Police Department
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Knox County Planning and Zoning Office
Is Knox County an Open Records County?
Knox County operates in full compliance with Kentucky's Open Records Act. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, the General Assembly has declared it the public policy of the Commonwealth that free and open examination of public records is in the public interest. All county agencies, including the Fiscal Court, the Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk, are subject to this mandate.
As stated by the Kentucky Attorney General's office, "The Open Records Act reflects the public policy of the Commonwealth that free and open examination of public records is in the public interest and the exceptions provided for by KRS 61.878 or otherwise provided by law shall be strictly construed." County agencies may not impose additional restrictions beyond those expressly authorized by statute. The Commonwealth's and County Attorneys directory maintained by the Kentucky Attorney General lists the Knox County Attorney, who is located at Knox Co. Courthouse, Suite 107, P.O. Box 1809, Barbourville, KY 40906, and who handles open records compliance matters at the local level. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Open Records within 30 days of the denial.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Knox County?
The fee structure for public records in Knox County is governed by state statute and individual agency schedules. Under Kentucky law, agencies may charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies of deeds/documents | $5.00 per document (plus $3.00 per page) |
| Marriage license certified copy | $5.00 |
| Court record copies | Varies by document type |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of duplication |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for the inspection of public records; the right to inspect is free of charge
- Copy fees: $0.10 per page for standard paper copies, per KRS § 61.874
- Certification fees: Vary by document type and maintaining office
- Search fees: Not permitted under Kentucky's Open Records Act unless specifically authorized
- Fee waivers: Agencies may waive fees when the production of records serves the public interest and the requester is a nonprofit organization or member of the news media
Accepted payment methods at the Knox County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Court-related fees are payable to the Knox Circuit Court Clerk.
Does Knox County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Kentucky's Open Records Act. Members of the public are not required to pay any fee to view records in person at the maintaining agency's office. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- Knox County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect land records, deed indexes, and election records at no charge during regular business hours
- Kentucky Court of Justice online portal: Basic case information for circuit and district court proceedings is available at no cost through the Kentucky Court of Justice website
- Knox Circuit Court Clerk's public access terminals: On-site terminals at the courthouse allow free inspection of court case records
- Kentucky Department of Revenue: Delinquent property tax information is accessible through the state's delinquent property tax portal at no charge
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no cost, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Knox County?
Any person may submit an open records request to a Knox County public agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not require requestors to be Kentucky residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. The Kentucky Court of Justice notes that "any person shall have the right to inspect public records," consistent with the broad access policy established by the General Assembly.
Specific considerations include:
- Identification: Not required for most requests; however, certain sensitive record types may require proof of identity or legal standing
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for standard open records requests
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Knox County and of Kentucky retain full rights to request public records
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as sealed court records in limited circumstances
- Restrictions by record type: Access to juvenile records, adoption records, and certain law enforcement investigative files is restricted regardless of the requestor's identity
Inmates currently incarcerated in a state or county correctional facility are subject to additional restrictions under KRS § 61.872(2), which limits the frequency and scope of requests that may be submitted by incarcerated individuals.
What Records Are Confidential in Knox County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. KRS § 61.878 enumerates the primary exemptions applicable to all public agencies in the Commonwealth, including those in Knox County. The following records are not subject to mandatory public disclosure:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
- Juvenile records: Court and agency records involving minors are confidential under KRS Chapter 610
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Preliminary investigative materials compiled in connection with a law enforcement action are exempt while the investigation is active
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Personnel records: Public employee personnel files are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public agency under a confidentiality agreement
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records that would endanger public safety if disclosed are withheld
Agencies applying an exemption are required to notify the requestor in writing, identify the specific exemption relied upon, and advise the requestor of the right to appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General.
Knox County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Knox County Clerk's Office
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3568
Knox County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Knox Circuit Court Clerk's Office
401 Court Square
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3296
Knox County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Knox County Sheriff's Office
401 Court Square
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3194
Knox County Sheriff
Knox County Property Valuation Administrator
401 Court Square, Suite 206
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-4113
Knox County PVA
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Knox County Attorney's Office
Knox County Courthouse, Suite 107
P.O. Box 1809
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3568
Knox County Attorney – Kentucky Attorney General Directory