Knox County Public Records /Knox County Divorce Records

Knox County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Knox County in 2026

KnoxCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Knox County, Kentucky. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, and final decree information. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, custody arrangements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, public access terminals at the courthouse, and authorized third-party research tools. The following sections detail each available search method.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Knox County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of divorce case files in Knox County. Members of the public may search basic case information at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal. Obtaining copies of filed documents requires payment of applicable per-page fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Kentucky Court of Justice operates a statewide case information system that allows searches across all county jurisdictions. This consolidated database provides docket entries, case status, party names, and hearing dates for dissolution of marriage proceedings filed throughout the Commonwealth.

3. State Vital Records

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics maintains divorce certificates for proceedings finalized on or after June 1958. The Office issues certified copies of divorce certificates and serves as a central repository for vital event records statewide. Requests submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics carry applicable fees and may be submitted by mail or in person.

In-Person Searches

Knox County Circuit Court Clerk — Family Division

Knox County Justice Center
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3568
Knox County Circuit Court Clerk

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office to search case files, view filed documents, request certified copies, and use public access terminals. Staff members are available to assist with locating case numbers and navigating the file index.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics

Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Office of Vital Statistics — Cabinet for Health and Family Services

By Mail

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records to the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk at the address listed above. Each written request should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Approximate date the divorce was finalized
Case number, if known
Requester's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether the file requires retrieval from archive storage.

By Phone

The Knox County Circuit Court Clerk may be reached at (606) 546-3568. Staff members can confirm whether a case exists in the system, provide the case number, verify case status, and confirm the filing date. Detailed document information and copies of filed records are not available by telephone.

Through Attorneys

Licensed attorneys may access divorce case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed or restricted documents upon a showing of good cause. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Kentucky Bar Association for attorney referral services.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses, including maiden names where applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior residential addresses in Knox County
Names of minor children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.140, a petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed in the county where at least one spouse has resided for the preceding 180 days. Divorce records are maintained exclusively by the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the petition was filed. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties or consult the statewide court portal.

Time Considerations

Recent dissolution proceedings may not appear in the online system immediately following the final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for newly finalized cases to be indexed and made available. Older cases, particularly those predating electronic filing, may be stored in physical archives and require additional retrieval time. Divorce certificates filed with the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics are available for proceedings finalized on or after June 1958; records predating that period are held exclusively by the county circuit clerk that granted the decree.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a divorce record may not appear in a search include the wrong county of filing, name variations between married and maiden names, spelling differences, a case that remains pending and has not yet been finalized, or a record that has been sealed by court order. Members of the public encountering difficulty may contact the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 546-3568, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or submit a request to the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics for a divorce certificate search.

What Are Knox County Divorce Records?

Knox County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Knox County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk as permanent public records, subject to applicable confidentiality provisions under Kentucky law.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete record of a dissolution proceeding, including:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and custody evaluations, where applicable
Settlement agreements and mediation agreements
Motions, orders, and notices filed throughout the proceeding
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution

The Final Decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property and debts, any spousal support obligations, child custody and timesharing arrangements, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Circuit Court Clerk.

Supporting Documents filed in the case record may include the original marriage certificate, financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, and any post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Divorce records serve legal purposes including proof of marital status for remarriage, name change documentation, property transfer proceedings, estate planning, immigration applications, and Social Security benefit determinations. Members of the public also access divorce records for genealogical research and personal record verification.

Legal Framework

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Kentucky are governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.010 et seq., which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for obtaining a divorce in the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Family Court system, operating under a "One Family, One Judge, One Court" model, handles dissolution proceedings and maintains jurisdiction over related family law matters within a single court division.

Are Knox County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Knox County Circuit Court are public court records under Kentucky law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, court orders, and the final judgment of dissolution without demonstrating a specific need or interest. Certain categories of information within the case file are subject to restriction or redaction pursuant to court rules and state statute.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties and attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and the final judgment of dissolution
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to court rules. Detailed tax returns and financial statements may be subject to limited access upon court order.

Children's Information: The names, residential addresses, schools, and medical information of minor children may be restricted. Custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of children are frequently sealed or subject to restricted access.

Sensitive Personal Information: Allegations and evidence related to domestic violence, sexual abuse, mental health treatment, and substance abuse may be sealed or redacted. Residential addresses of domestic violence victims are protected under Kentucky law.

Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause, including cases involving abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms. Mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

General Public: May access public portions of the case file, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of non-restricted documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required.
Parties to the Case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted public access.
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition for access to sealed documents upon a showing of good cause.
Researchers and Media: May access public portions of the record; sealed records require a court order.

Prohibited Uses: Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Knox County?

The Knox County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies of divorce records consistent with Kentucky court fee schedules. Current fees are as follows:

Service	Fee
Certified copy of final decree	$0.50 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Plain (non-certified) copy	$0.50 per page
Case file search (in-person)	No charge
Online case information	No charge

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics charges a separate fee for divorce certificates:

Service	Fee
Certified divorce certificate	$6.00 per copy
Additional copies (same request)	$6.00 each

Fees are governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes § 142.010, which establishes court costs and fees applicable to civil proceedings in the Commonwealth. Accepted payment methods at the Circuit Court Clerk's office include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk. The Office of Vital Statistics accepts check, money order, and credit card for mail and in-person requests.

Members of the public who are parties to the case and who demonstrate financial hardship may petition the court for a fee waiver pursuant to applicable Kentucky court rules. Basic online case information, including docket entries and case status, is available at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice portal.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Knox County

A complete Knox County divorce case file contains all documents filed from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment actions. The following categories reflect the standard contents of a dissolution of marriage file maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk.

Basic Case Information: The case caption identifies the case number, court name and division, names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record. Filing information includes the date the petition was filed, fees paid, and the jurisdictional basis for the proceeding.

Initial Pleadings: The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for dissolution, information regarding minor children, property claims, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or counterpetition states the respondent's position and any independent requests for relief. Financial affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all outstanding liabilities.

Discovery Documents: The case file may contain interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records where a party holds a business interest.

Property-Related Documents: A marital asset inventory identifies and values all real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property. A corresponding debt inventory lists mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, personal loans, and other obligations. Appraisal reports and expert valuations for real property, businesses, and personal property of significant value are included where ordered by the court or submitted by the parties.

Children-Related Documents: Where minor children are involved, the case file contains a parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, a detailed timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and vacation provisions, and a child support calculation worksheet reflecting both parties' incomes, the number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. Custody evaluations, home studies, and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered, are part of the file but may be subject to restricted access.

Support Documents: Alimony or spousal support provisions, where applicable, specify the type, amount, duration, payment schedule, and conditions for modification or termination. Calculation worksheets reflect the income of both parties, the standard of living during the marriage, and the statutory factors considered by the court.

Settlement Documents: A Marital Settlement Agreement, where the parties resolve issues by agreement, comprehensively addresses property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child-related provisions, tax treatment, and attorney fee allocation. Mediation agreements, where applicable, may be incorporated into the settlement agreement; mediation communications themselves are confidential and are not part of the public record.

Court Orders and Final Judgment: Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the proceeding address interim custody, support, use of property, and any restraining orders. The Final Judgment of Dissolution constitutes the court's permanent order terminating the marriage, setting forth findings of fact, conclusions of law, the date of dissolution, all property and debt awards, support obligations, custody and timesharing provisions, child support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order is entered as a separate instrument directing the plan administrator.

Post-Judgment Documents: Petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modification requests, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions are filed in the original case and become part of the permanent record.

Confidential or Redacted Information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents. Children's residential addresses and school information, domestic violence details, mental health evaluations, substance abuse records, and trade secrets related to business valuations are subject to restriction or sealing.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Knox County?

Proof of divorce in Knox County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution or a certified divorce certificate issued by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Each document serves as legally recognized evidence that a marriage was dissolved.

Certified Copy of Final Decree — Knox County Circuit Court Clerk

Members of the public may obtain a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution by appearing in person at the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk's office, submitting a written request by mail, or requesting the document through an authorized attorney. The requester should provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known. The current fee is $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.

Knox County Justice Center
401 Court Square, Suite 102
Barbourville, KY 40906
Phone: (606) 546-3568
Knox County Circuit Court Clerk

Certified Divorce Certificate — Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics

For divorces finalized on or after June 1958, members of the public may request a certified divorce certificate from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. The certificate confirms the fact of dissolution and identifies the parties and the county of filing. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail with the applicable fee of $6.00 per copy.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Marriage and Divorce Certificates — CHFS

For divorces granted prior to June 1958, the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk is the sole source of certified documentation, as the Office of Vital Statistics does not hold records predating that period.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Knox County?

Certain portions of a Knox County divorce record may be made confidential by court order, though complete sealing of a dissolution of marriage case is the exception rather than the rule under Kentucky law.

Partial Redaction: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and children's identifying information are routinely redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.
Sealed Records: A party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a demonstrated showing of good cause, such as the presence of domestic violence allegations, sensitive medical or mental health information, or trade secrets embedded in business valuations.
Domestic Violence Protections: Residential addresses and contact information for domestic violence victims are protected from public disclosure under Kentucky law, and related evidence may be sealed to prevent harm to the protected party.
Children's Records: Custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of minor children are subject to restricted access and are not available to the general public without a court order.
Mediation Communications: All communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed in the public record.
Confidential Settlements: Settlement terms that the parties designate as confidential may be incorporated by reference into the final judgment without being set forth in full in the public record, subject to court approval.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Knox County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.

How Long Does Knox County Keep Divorce Records?

Knox County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Kentucky court records retention schedules, which are established by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Final Judgments of Dissolution: Permanent retention. Final decrees and judgments are maintained indefinitely as part of the permanent court record and are not subject to destruction.
Complete Case Files: Circuit court civil case files, including dissolution of marriage proceedings, are retained for a minimum of 25 years from the date of final judgment under current Kentucky records retention schedules.
Post-Judgment Modification Records: Documents filed after the final judgment, including modification orders and enforcement actions, are retained as part of the original case file for the same period applicable to the underlying case.
Archived Records: Cases older than the active retention period may be transferred to physical or digital archive storage. Retrieval of archived files may require additional processing time and should be requested directly from the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk.
Vital Statistics Records: Divorce certificates held by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics for proceedings finalized on or after June 1958 are maintained as permanent vital records of the Commonwealth.
Pre-1958 Records: Divorce records predating June 1958 are held exclusively by the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk and are subject to the same permanent retention applicable to final judgments.

Members of the public seeking records from older proceedings should contact the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.