Kenton County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Kenton County?
Public records in Kenton County are defined according to the Kentucky Open Records Act, specifically under Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) § 61.870 to § 61.884. These statutes establish that public records include all materials prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by public agencies, regardless of physical form or characteristics.
Kenton County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Clerk's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (some maintained locally, others at state level)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment histories
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results (excluding confidential voter information)
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audit information
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
The Kenton County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, particularly those related to property, business filings, and marriage licenses. Court records are maintained by the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are primarily managed by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
Is Kenton County an Open Records County?
Kenton County fully complies with the Kentucky Open Records Act as codified in KRS § 61.870 to § 61.884. This comprehensive state law governs public access to government records throughout Kentucky, including Kenton County.
Under KRS § 61.872(1), the statute explicitly states: "All public records shall be open for inspection by any person, except as otherwise provided by KRS 61.870 to 61.884." This provision establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records in Kenton County and throughout Kentucky.
Kenton County government agencies have implemented specific procedures to facilitate public records access in accordance with state law. The county adheres to the statutory response timeframes, which generally require agencies to respond to open records requests within five business days under normal circumstances, as specified in KRS § 61.880(1).
Additionally, Kenton County complies with Kentucky's Open Meetings Act (KRS § 61.800 to § 61.850), which ensures transparency in government decision-making by requiring public meetings to be open to public attendance and observation.
Each Kenton County agency that serves as a records custodian has designated an official records custodian responsible for processing public records requests in compliance with state law. The City of Covington, Kenton County's largest municipality, maintains detailed information about its open records procedures through the City Clerk's office.
How to Find Public Records in Kenton County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Kenton County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The appropriate process varies depending on the type of record sought:
For Court Records:
- Identify which court holds the records (Circuit, District, or Family Court)
- Contact the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk at either the Covington or Independence location
- Submit a records request form specifying the case number, party names, and documents needed
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
- For certain case types, utilize the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal for electronic access
For Property Records:
- Visit the Kenton County Clerk's Office in person
- Provide specific information about the property (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Request to view deed records, mortgage documents, or property transfers
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
- Alternatively, use the county's online property records portal if available
For Vital Records:
- For birth and death certificates, contact the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
- For marriage licenses, visit the Kenton County Clerk's Office
- For divorce records, contact the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk
- Complete the appropriate application form with required identification
- Pay the statutory fee for the requested certificate
For County Government Records:
- Identify the specific department that maintains the desired records
- Submit a written open records request to the appropriate records custodian
- Clearly describe the records sought with reasonable particularity
- Indicate whether inspection or copies are requested
- Allow up to five business days for a response as required by KRS § 61.880(1)
For records maintained by municipalities within Kenton County, such as Covington, contact the specific city clerk's office directly. Each municipality may have slightly different procedures while still adhering to state law requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Kenton County?
Kenton County agencies charge standardized fees for public records in accordance with KRS § 61.874, which governs copying fees throughout Kentucky. The current fee structure includes:
- Standard Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for non-certified copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Certified Copies: Additional certification fees apply, typically $5.00 per document
- Specialized Formats: Actual cost of reproduction for maps, plans, or oversized documents
- Electronic Records: May be provided at lower cost when records exist electronically
- Postage: Actual cost when records are mailed
Specific record types have statutorily established fees:
- Birth Certificates: $10.00 per certificate through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
- Death Certificates: $6.00 for first copy, $6.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
- Marriage Licenses: $50.00 application fee, $11.50 for certified copies
- Court Records: Vary by document type; certified copies typically $5.00 per document through the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk
Payment methods accepted by most Kenton County offices include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
Under KRS § 61.874(3), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for staff time required when fulfilling requests that require extensive research or preparation. However, inspection of records on-site is generally provided at no charge, with fees applying only to copies or certification.
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for indigent individuals or when records are requested for a public purpose rather than commercial use.
Does Kenton County Have Free Public Records?
Kenton County provides free public inspection of records in accordance with KRS § 61.872(1), which states that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person." This statutory right allows members of the public to view records without charge during regular office hours, though copying fees may still apply.
Several free public record resources are available to Kenton County residents:
- In-Person Inspection: All public agencies must allow on-site inspection of non-exempt records during regular business hours at no charge
- Online Property Information: Basic property ownership and assessment data is available through the Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator's website
- County Commission Records: Meeting agendas, minutes, and some supporting documents are posted on the county website
- Court Docket Information: Basic case information is accessible through the Kentucky Court of Justice website
- Election Results: Available through the County Clerk's website after certification
- County Budget Documents: Annual budgets and financial reports are typically posted online
The Kenton County Public Library also provides free access to certain historical records, including local newspapers, genealogical resources, and some digitized county records. Library staff can assist patrons in locating these materials at no charge.
For electronic records that already exist in digital format, agencies may provide these at reduced or no cost via email when feasible, though this practice varies by department and record type.
Who Can Request Public Records in Kenton County?
Under KRS § 61.872, any person may request and inspect public records in Kenton County. The Kentucky Open Records Act uses the term "any person" without limitation, meaning:
- Kentucky residents and non-residents alike may request records
- No proof of citizenship is required
- Individuals, organizations, businesses, and media all have equal access rights
- Requestors need not state a reason or purpose for most record types
- Anonymous requests are not permitted; requestors must provide their name
For standard public records, requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate a particular need or interest in the records
- Explain why they want the information
- Be directly involved in any matter related to the records
However, certain record types do have specific eligibility restrictions:
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or those with a demonstrated legal interest, per KRS § 213.131
- Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential with access limited to parties to the case and their legal representatives
- Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and accessible only to the patient or authorized representatives
- Social Services Records: Access typically limited to the subject of the records or legal guardians
For commercial purpose requests, KRS § 61.874(4) requires the requestor to state the commercial purpose and may be subject to additional fees. A commercial purpose is defined as "the direct or indirect use of any public record or records... for sale, resale, solicitation, rent, or lease of a service, or any use by which the user expects a profit either through commission, salary, or fee."
Agencies may require identification to verify eligibility for restricted records but cannot require excessive identification for general public records.
What Records Are Confidential in Kenton County?
While Kentucky law favors transparency, KRS § 61.878 establishes specific exemptions that render certain records confidential in Kenton County. These exemptions include:
- Personal Privacy Information: Records containing information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (KRS § 61.878(1)(a))
- Law Enforcement Records: Information that would disclose the identity of informants, ongoing investigation techniques, or endanger individuals (KRS § 61.878(1)(h))
- Preliminary Documents: Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and memoranda in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated (KRS § 61.878(1)(j))
- Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, except in limited circumstances
- Child Welfare Records: Reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency investigations
- Medical Records: Individual health information protected under HIPAA and state law
- Social Security Numbers: Personal identifiers are generally redacted from public documents
- Attorney-Client Communications: Privileged communications between agencies and their legal counsel
- Trade Secrets: Confidential or proprietary business information submitted to agencies
- Security Information: Records that would disclose security vulnerabilities or emergency response plans
- Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by judicial order, including certain expunged criminal records
- Examination Materials: Test questions, scoring keys, and examination data
- Certain Personnel Records: Performance evaluations and disciplinary actions may be exempt
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder, as required by KRS § 61.878(4).
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office issues binding opinions on open records disputes, which provide guidance on the application of these exemptions. Agencies must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records.
Kenton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Kenton County Clerk's Office - Covington
303 Court Street, Room 103
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 392-1500
Kenton County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays
Kenton County Clerk's Office - Independence
5272 Madison Pike
Independence, KY 41051
(859) 392-1650
Kenton County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays
Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk - Covington
230 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-6323
Kentucky Court of Justice
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays
Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk - Independence
5272 Madison Pike
Independence, KY 41051
(859) 392-1800
Kentucky Court of Justice
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays
Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator
303 Court Street, Room 210
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 392-1750
Kenton County PVA
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Federal and State Holidays