Grayson County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Grayson County in 2026
GraysonRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Grayson County, Kentucky. Members of the public may use this resource to locate documents such as property records, court filings, vital records, and other materials held by county and state offices. The availability and completeness of specific records may vary depending on the record type, the maintaining agency, 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
- Tax and property assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
The Grayson County Clerk's office maintains an online records portal where members of the public may search property records, deeds, and related documents. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a statewide platform through which court records may be requested or searched. Some records are available without registration; others may require account creation or payment of applicable fees.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Grayson County Clerk's Office, located at 125 E Market St, Leitchfield, KY 42754. Requestors should present a valid form of identification and specify the record type and date range sought. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate record series or public access terminal.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Grayson County Clerk's Office at the address above. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, a public agency must respond to a written open records request within five business days.
Phone/Email:
The Grayson County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (270) 259-3201. Contact information for specific departments is available through the Grayson County Clerk profile on Kentucky.gov.
What Are Public Records in Grayson County?
Public records in Grayson County are defined under Kentucky law 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. This definition is established under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, which governs the Commonwealth's Open Records Act.
The following record types are maintained by Grayson County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk |
| Vital records (marriage, divorce) | County Clerk |
| Birth and death certificates | Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services |
| Business licenses and fictitious names | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Property Valuation Administrator |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk / Fiscal Court |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Grayson County Sheriff / Detention Center |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Office |
The Grayson County Clerk's office serves as the primary repository for property, vital, and election records. Court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at the Grayson County Judicial Center.
Is Grayson County an Open Records County?
Grayson County operates in full compliance with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government documents. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest." This provision establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all public records are accessible unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office has stated that "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 guides the administration of public records requests at the county level.
Grayson County public agencies are required to designate an official custodian of records, respond to requests within five business days, and provide written justification for any denial. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all access procedures uniformly across Kentucky's 120 counties.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Grayson County?
The current fee structure for public records in Grayson County is governed by state statute and the policies of each maintaining office. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Copies (paper, per page) | $0.10 per page (standard rate under state law) |
| Certification of documents | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under Kentucky Open Records Act |
Under Kentucky law, a public agency may charge only the actual cost of reproduction, which at present is capped at ten cents per page for standard paper copies. Certification fees for documents such as deeds or marriage records may differ and are set by the County Clerk pursuant to applicable fee schedules. Accepted payment methods at the Grayson County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order; electronic payment options may be available for online requests.
Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Kentucky's Open Records Act, though agencies retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Does Grayson County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Grayson County. Kentucky law requires that members of the public be permitted to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to free inspection is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which reproduction fees apply.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Grayson County Clerk's online records portal allows members of the public to search property and land records at no cost
- Public access terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office for in-person inspection without charge
- The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online access to certain court case information through its statewide portal
- The Kentucky Offender Online Lookup system, maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections, allows free searches of offender records, including individuals held at the Grayson County Detention Center
Charges apply only when a requestor seeks physical or electronic copies of records. Inspection at a public counter or terminal remains free of charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Grayson County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Grayson County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or the reason for the request. Non-residents of Kentucky retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
Requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate Kentucky residency
- Provide a government-issued identification for most requests
- State the purpose of the request
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates may require proof of relationship or legal interest, as governed by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services regulations. Sealed court records and juvenile records are accessible only to authorized parties as determined by the presiding court. Individuals requesting their own records from law enforcement or corrections agencies may be required to submit a notarized authorization form.
Members of the public seeking court records may submit requests directly through the Grayson County Circuit Court Clerk or through the statewide Kentucky Court of Justice records request system.
What Records Are Confidential in Grayson County?
Certain records maintained by Grayson County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Open Records Act, at KRS § 61.878, enumerates specific categories of records that a public agency may withhold from inspection. The Kentucky Attorney General has noted that "exemptions to the Open Records Act are to be strictly construed," meaning that agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding any record.
Confidential or exempt record categories include:
- Sealed court records — accessible only by court order
- Juvenile records — protected under Kentucky's juvenile justice statutes
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — withheld to protect investigative integrity
- Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and home addresses of protected individuals
- Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court petition
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Personnel records — exempt with limited exceptions for public employees' compensation and job titles
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety
When a public agency denies a records request, it must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office within 20 days of receiving the denial.
Grayson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Grayson County Clerk's Office
125 E Market St
Leitchfield, KY 42754
(270) 259-3201
Grayson County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Grayson County Clerk serves as the official custodian of property records, deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, election records, and business filings. Members of the public may inspect records at the public counter during regular business hours or access available records through the office's online portal.
Grayson County Circuit Court Clerk
500 Carroll Gibson Blvd
Leitchfield, KY 42754
Grayson County Judicial Center
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all civil, criminal, probate, and family court records filed in Grayson County. Court records requests may also be submitted through the Kentucky Court of Justice statewide records request system.