logo
FayetteRecords.us
Search Public Records

Fayette County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Fayette County?

Public records in Fayette County, Kentucky, 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. Fayette County, which operates as a consolidated urban-county government under the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG), maintains a broad range of public records accessible to members of the public.

The following record types are currently available through various Fayette County offices:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public may access Fayette County court case information through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments are recorded with the Fayette County Clerk. Property assessment records are maintained by the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA).
  • Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Marriage licenses are filed with the Fayette County Clerk, and divorce decrees are held by the Circuit Court Clerk.
  • Business records — Business licenses, permits, and assumed name (DBA) filings are processed through the LFUCG Division of Revenue and the County Clerk's office.
  • Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the Fayette County Sheriff's Office (for collection) and the PVA (for assessments).
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Fayette County Clerk, which serves as the county's election authority.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas for the Urban County Council and its boards and commissions are published by the LFUCG Office of the Clerk of the Urban County Council.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are available through the LFUCG Division of Finance.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Lexington Police Department and the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are held by the LFUCG Division of Planning.

Is Fayette County an Open Records County?

Fayette County fully complies with Kentucky's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under Kentucky Open Records Act § 61.872, all public agencies are required to permit inspection of public records during regular office hours and to provide copies upon request. The Act affirms that free and open examination of public records is in the public interest, and any exemptions to disclosure must be narrowly construed.

Key provisions of the Kentucky Open Records Act currently in effect include the requirement that agencies respond to inspection requests within five business days and that any denial must be accompanied by a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption relied upon. Fayette County agencies, including the LFUCG, are bound by these requirements and must designate an official records custodian responsible for processing requests. Kentucky's Open Meetings Act, codified at KRS § 61.800 et seq., further requires that meetings of public agencies be open to the public, with agendas and minutes made available as public records. The LFUCG maintains a public records policy consistent with state law, and members of the public may direct requests to the appropriate agency custodian.

How to Find Public Records in Fayette County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Fayette County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

  • In person — Visit the relevant agency during public counter hours. The Fayette County Clerk's office, located at 162 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507, accepts walk-in requests for property, vital, and election records. The Fayette Circuit Court Clerk, located at 120 North Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40507, handles court record requests.
  • By mail — Submit a written request to the appropriate agency, including a description of the records sought, the requester's name and contact information, and any applicable fees or a fee waiver request. Mail requests to the specific office custodian.
  • Online — The Kentucky Court of Justice provides an online portal for requesting court records statewide. The LFUCG website offers access to meeting minutes, budgets, and zoning documents. The Kentucky Open Records portal allows electronic submission of requests to state and local agencies.
  • By phone — Requesters may call the relevant office to confirm record availability, hours, and applicable fees before submitting a formal request.

When submitting a request, members of the public should identify the records as specifically as possible, including relevant dates, names, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers, to facilitate timely processing.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fayette County?

Current fees for public records in Fayette County are governed by KRS § 61.874, which sets the maximum charge for paper copies at ten cents ($0.10) per page for standard letter or legal size documents. Agencies may charge the actual cost of reproduction for non-standard formats, including electronic media, maps, or oversized documents.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

  • Paper copies — $0.10 per page (standard size)
  • Certified copies — Fees vary by record type; certified copies of deeds or court documents typically range from $5.00 to $10.00 per document
  • Vital records — Birth and death certificates issued by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services are subject to a separate fee schedule, currently $10.00 per certified copy
  • Electronic records — Agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication, not to exceed the standard per-page rate where applicable
  • Postage and handling — Agencies may recover actual mailing costs for requests fulfilled by mail

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency custodian.

Does Fayette County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Kentucky law, which requires agencies to permit on-site review of records at no charge during regular business hours. Requesters are not required to pay any fee simply to inspect records; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Several government sources currently provide free online access to Fayette County public records:

  • The Kentucky Court of Justice offers a free online case search tool for civil and criminal court records statewide, including Fayette County cases.
  • The LFUCG website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, adopted budgets, and zoning maps.
  • The Fayette County PVA website offers free online property assessment and ownership searches.
  • The Kentucky Transparency Portal provides free access to state employee salary data and other financial records for public agencies.
  • The Kentucky Secretary of State's website offers free business entity searches for registered corporations and LLCs operating in Fayette County.

Who Can Request Public Records in Fayette County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is currently entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by Fayette County agencies. Under KRS § 61.872, the right of inspection extends to "any person," and agencies may not require requesters to identify themselves, state a reason for the request, or demonstrate any particular interest in the records sought, except in limited circumstances involving certain restricted record types.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

  • Residency — Non-residents of Kentucky and Fayette County retain full rights to request public records under state law.
  • Identification — Agencies generally do not require requesters to provide identification for standard public records requests. Identification may be required when requesting records that contain personal information about the requester, such as vital records.
  • Purpose — Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records. However, certain records, such as law enforcement investigative files or personnel records, may require additional justification or legal authority.
  • Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
  • Requesting records about others — Access to records containing personal identifying information about third parties may be subject to additional restrictions to protect privacy interests.

What Records Are Confidential in Fayette County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Fayette County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. KRS § 61.878 enumerates the specific exemptions to the Open Records Act and provides that agencies must invoke exemptions in writing, identifying the precise statutory basis for withholding any record or portion thereof.

Records currently exempt from disclosure in Fayette County include:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings are confidential under KRS Chapter 610
  • Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in the course of an active criminal investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
  • Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services relating to child abuse or neglect investigations are confidential
  • Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with exceptions for records relating to final disciplinary actions or terminations of public employees
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to agencies is protected from disclosure
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records containing information that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure are withheld

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles established under KRS § 61.878.

Fayette County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Fayette County Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Fayette County, including deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and election records. The office is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Fayette County Clerk 162 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 253-3344 Fayette County Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Fayette Circuit Court Clerk 120 North Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 246-2171 Fayette Circuit Court Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 425-2255 Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator 101 East Vine Street, Suite 600, Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 246-2722 Fayette County PVA Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lexington Police Department — Records Section 150 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 258-3600 Lexington Police Department Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lookup Public Records in Fayette County