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How to Find Public Records in Marion County in 2026
MarionKYRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Marion County, Kentucky. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other government-held information may locate those materials through official county offices, state court systems, and authorized online portals. The categories of records that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Marriage and divorce records
- Voter registration and election records
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Online Access: Members of the public may search property records through the Marion County Clerk's online deed room, which is available at no charge. The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online portal through which court case information may be searched statewide. Registration is not required to perform basic case searches through the court system's public access tools.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Marion County Clerk's Office or the Marion County Circuit Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of records. The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all records of the Marion Circuit and District Courts. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought, the approximate date of the document, and any relevant case or document number.
Written/Mail Requests: Written open records requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, a public agency must respond to a written request within five business days of receipt, either by providing the records or by issuing a written denial with the specific statutory basis for the denial.
Phone/Email:
- Marion County Clerk's Office: (270) 692-2651
- Marion County Circuit Clerk's Office: (270) 692-3621
What Are Public Records in Marion County?
Public records in Marion 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 currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Marion County Circuit Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Marion County Clerk |
| Marriage and divorce records | Marion County Clerk |
| Voter registration and election records | Marion County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Marion County Property Valuation Administrator |
| Business licenses and permits | Marion County Clerk |
| County commission minutes and budgets | Marion County Fiscal Court |
| Law enforcement records | Marion County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Marion County Planning and Zoning |
Probate and estate records are filed with the District Court and maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office. 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 Marion County an Open Records County?
Marion County operates in full compliance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at Kentucky Revised Statutes §§ 61.870–61.884. Under this statute, all public agencies in the Commonwealth, including county offices, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes that the fundamental policy of the Commonwealth is that "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest." Marion County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public records access within the county. The Kentucky Attorney General's office provides guidance and oversight for open records compliance across all counties, and members of the public who are denied access to records may appeal to the Attorney General pursuant to KRS § 61.880(2).
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Marion County?
The current fee structure for public records in Marion County is governed by state law and individual office 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 documents | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | No charge in many cases |
| Deed recording copies | Set by statute per page |
| Court record copies | Set by the Circuit Clerk's fee schedule |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for the inspection of public records; members of the public may review records at no cost.
- Copy fees: Under KRS § 61.874, a public agency may charge a reasonable fee for copies, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction. For standard paper copies, the fee is $0.10 per page.
- Certification fees: Fees for certified copies of documents such as deeds or court orders vary by document type and are set by the recording office.
- Electronic format fees: When records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge for the actual cost of the medium used.
- Search fees: Kentucky law does not permit agencies to charge a separate search fee for locating records.
Accepted payment methods at the Marion County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and debit or credit card. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
Does Marion County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Kentucky's Open Records Act. No fee is charged for reviewing records in person at the maintaining office. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Marion County Clerk's online deed room provides free online access to recorded land records, including deeds and mortgages.
- The Kentucky Court of Justice public case search allows members of the public to search court case information at no charge.
- In-person inspection of records at the Marion County Clerk's Office and the Circuit Clerk's Office is available at no cost during regular business hours.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may inspect public records without charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the applicable per-page fee. Certain records, such as voter registration information provided for authorized purposes, may be available at no charge under specific statutory provisions.
Who Can Request Public Records in Marion County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Marion County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, requestors are not required to be Kentucky residents, and agencies are not permitted to require requestors to state the reason for their request as a condition of access. The following points clarify eligibility:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Kentucky retain full rights to request public records.
- Identification: Agencies may ask for identification in limited circumstances, but identification is not a prerequisite for most public records requests.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for the majority of public records.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be required to provide identification to verify identity, particularly for records containing sensitive personal information.
Members of the public seeking court records may initiate requests through the Marion County Circuit Court Clerk's office or through the statewide Kentucky Court of Justice records request system.
What Records Are Confidential in Marion County?
Not all government-held records are subject to public disclosure. Under KRS § 61.878, the following categories of records are exempt from mandatory disclosure in Kentucky, including in Marion County:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Kentucky law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Records compiled in the course of an active law enforcement 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 protected from disclosure.
- Medical records: Records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws are exempt.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Public employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to final disciplinary actions.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public agency is protected.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records the disclosure of which would endanger public safety or security infrastructure are exempt.
As stated in the Kentucky Open Records Act, agencies must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption when denying a request. The balancing of public interest against privacy interests is a recognized principle in Kentucky open records law, and the Attorney General's office issues binding opinions on disputed exemption claims.
Marion County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The primary offices responsible for maintaining public records in Marion County are the County Clerk's Office and the Circuit Clerk's Office. Both offices are located in Lebanon, Kentucky, the county seat.
Marion County Clerk's Office
223 N. Spalding Ave., Suite 102
Lebanon, KY 40033
(270) 692-2651
Marion County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Marion County Clerk's Office is responsible for recording legal documents, maintaining land records, administering elections, and processing open records requests for county-level documents. The office's free online deed room allows remote access to recorded property instruments.
Marion County Circuit Clerk's Office
120 W. Main St.
Lebanon, KY 40033
(270) 692-3621
Marion County Circuit Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all records of the Marion Circuit and District Courts, including civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings. As the Kentucky Court of Justice notes, this office is "the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases in that county." Court records may also be accessed through the statewide Kentucky Court of Justice records system.
Marion County Property Valuation Administrator
223 N. Spalding Ave., Suite 201
Lebanon, KY 40033
(270) 692-3401
Marion County PVA – Kentucky Department of Revenue
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The Property Valuation Administrator maintains property assessment records, tax maps, and related land information for Marion County.