Bourbon County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Bourbon County in 2026
BourbonRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find records spanning court proceedings, property transactions, vital statistics, and government financial activity. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.
Record categories that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget documents and financial reports
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records in Bourbon County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
The Bourbon County Clerk's online records portal provides access to digitally archived documents through the eCCLIX system, which allows users to view and print documents filed across more than 85 Kentucky county clerk offices. No registration is required to perform basic searches, though printing or downloading documents may involve fees. Court records are accessible through the Kentucky Court of Justice, which maintains a statewide case search tool for civil and criminal proceedings.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Bourbon County Clerk's Office at 301 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide the name of the subject, approximate date range, and record type sought. Staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Bourbon County Clerk's Office at 301 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under KRS § 61.880, the agency must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
The Bourbon County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (859) 987-2142. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact form available on the official county clerk website.
What Are Public Records in Bourbon County?
Public records in Bourbon County are defined under Kentucky's Open Records Act as any documentation, regardless of physical form, that is prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public agency in the course of its official functions. The following record types are maintained by specific offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Bourbon County Circuit Court Clerk; accessible through the Bourbon County court information page
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens): Maintained by the Bourbon County Clerk's Office
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Death certificates are issued through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services; birth and marriage records are maintained at the state level and locally
- Business records: Maintained by the Bourbon County Clerk's Office
- Tax and assessment records: Maintained by the Bourbon County Property Valuation Administrator
- Voting and election records: Maintained by the Bourbon County Clerk's Office
- Meeting minutes and financial documents: Available through the Bourbon County Fiscal Court; audit reports are published by the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts
- Law enforcement records: Maintained by the Paris Police Department and Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Is Bourbon County an Open Records County?
Bourbon County operates in full compliance with Kentucky's Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 through KRS § 61.884. Under this statute, all public agencies in the Commonwealth, including those in Bourbon County, are required to make non-exempt public records available for inspection and copying upon request.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office has stated: "The Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's recognition that government is the servant of the people and not the master of them." This principle governs how Bourbon County agencies respond to records requests.
The Act establishes that any person may submit a written request to inspect or receive copies of public records. Agencies are required to respond within five business days and must provide a written explanation if any records are withheld. County-specific policies do not supersede state law, and any denial may be appealed to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office pursuant to KRS § 61.880(2).
Kentucky's Open Meetings Act, codified at KRS § 61.800 through KRS § 61.850, further ensures that deliberations of public bodies in Bourbon County are conducted in open session, with limited exceptions for executive sessions.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bourbon County?
The current fee structure for public records in Bourbon County is governed by state statute and individual agency schedules. Standard fees applicable at the Bourbon County Clerk's Office are as follows:
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (paper, per page) | $0.10 per page (first 10 pages); $0.04 per page thereafter |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $5.00 per document |
| Death certificate (state-issued) | $6.00 per certified copy |
| Electronic format copies | Varies by document type |
| Search fee (vital records) | $6.00 (non-refundable) |
As noted by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services regarding death certificate requests: "The fee is a search fee and no refunds are issued in instances where a certificate is not found within Kentucky's records."
Accepted payment methods at the Bourbon County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance may vary. Fee waivers are not broadly available under current law, though indigent requestors in certain court proceedings may petition for fee reduction through the court system. Fees for inspection of records — as distinct from copying — are not permitted under the Open Records Act.
Does Bourbon 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 may inspect non-exempt records at the maintaining agency's office at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Bourbon County records:
- The eCCLIX online records system through the Bourbon County Clerk's website allows free viewing of many archived documents
- The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a free online case search tool for court records statewide
- The Bourbon County Property Valuation Administrator's office provides free in-person inspection of property assessment records
- Fiscal court meeting minutes and agendas are available for free inspection at the county clerk's office and, where posted, on the county's official website
- Audit reports for Bourbon County are published at no cost through the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no charge, obtaining paper or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Bourbon County?
Any person may request public records in Bourbon County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, requestors are not required to be Kentucky residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request when seeking non-exempt records.
Specific conditions apply in limited circumstances:
- Requests for certain vital records (birth certificates, death certificates) may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legal interest, as governed by KRS § 213.131
- Sealed court records and juvenile records are restricted to authorized parties only
- Requestors seeking their own records may be asked to provide identification to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the Open Records Act. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit requests. Requests submitted on behalf of an organization or business are treated the same as individual requests.
What Records Are Confidential in Bourbon County?
Certain records maintained by Bourbon County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. KRS § 61.878 enumerates the categories of records that public agencies may withhold, including:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and child welfare case files
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy statutes
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Personnel records, with limited exceptions for public employees' job titles and compensation
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving public agencies
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office has affirmed that "the exceptions to the Open Records Act are to be strictly construed," meaning agencies may not withhold records beyond what the statute expressly permits. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Attorney General's Office within 30 days of receiving the agency's written response.
Bourbon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Bourbon County Clerk's Office
301 Main Street
Paris, KY 40361
(859) 987-2142
Bourbon County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Bourbon County Circuit Court Clerk
301 Main Street, Suite 106
Paris, KY 40361
(859) 987-2624
Bourbon County Court Information
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services – Vital Statistics Branch
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-4212
Death Certificate Requests
Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts
209 Saint Clair Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-5841
Local Government Audit Reports