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Greenup County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Greenup County?

Public records in Greenup County are defined under Kentucky's Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870, as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics that are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. The Greenup County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of the majority of county-level public documents.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained and accessible in Greenup County:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public may inspect these records through the Kentucky Court of Justice system.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are filed with the County Clerk and the Property Valuation Administrator.
  • Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Death records from 1911 to the present are maintained by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, accessible through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Marriage licenses are recorded at the County Clerk's Office.
  • Business records — Assumed name (DBA) filings, business licenses, and occupational permits are maintained at the county and city level.
  • Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records are administered by the Greenup County Sheriff's Office (tax collection) and the Property Valuation Administrator.
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration rolls and election results are maintained by the County Clerk in the capacity of election officer.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Greenup County Fiscal Court, boards, and commissions are available through the County Clerk or the respective agency.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit documents are public records subject to inspection.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports are available from the Greenup County Sheriff's Office and local police departments to the extent permitted by law.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and variance applications are maintained by the applicable county or municipal planning authority.

Members of the public seeking to search archived county documents online may access the Greenup County Clerk's records portal, which provides access to digitized filings through the eCCLIX system used by over 85 Kentucky county clerks.

Is Greenup County an Open Records County?

Greenup County fully complies with the Kentucky Open Records Act, which governs public access to government documents throughout the Commonwealth. Under KRS § 61.872, all public agencies are required to permit inspection of public records during regular office hours and to provide copies upon request. This statute establishes that any person may submit a written request to inspect or receive copies of public records maintained by a public agency.

Key provisions of the Act currently in effect include:

  • Public agencies must respond to a written open records request within five business days of receipt.
  • Agencies may not require a requester to state the purpose of the inspection, except in limited circumstances involving records containing information about individuals.
  • Agencies that deny a request must cite the specific statutory exemption justifying the denial and must notify the requester of the right to appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General under KRS § 61.880.

Kentucky's Open Meetings Act (KRS § 61.800 et seq.) further ensures that deliberations and actions of public agencies are conducted in open session, with limited exceptions. Greenup County's Fiscal Court and other public bodies are subject to these sunshine law requirements. No county-specific ordinance currently supersedes or narrows the rights established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Greenup County in 2026

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

In-Person Requests:

  • Visit the Greenup County Clerk's Office during regular business hours and submit a written or verbal request at the public counter.
  • For court records, visit the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk located in the Greenup County Courthouse. The Greenup County Court of Justice page provides current contact details and guidance on requesting case records.

Online Access:

Written Requests:

  • Submit a written open records request by mail or in person to the custodial agency. The request must reasonably describe the records sought and include the requester's name and contact information.
  • Agencies are required to respond within five business days under current Kentucky law.

By Telephone:

  • Members of the public may call the relevant office to confirm record availability, hours of operation, and applicable fees before submitting a formal request.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Greenup County, consistent with the fee schedule established under Kentucky law. Under KRS § 61.874, public agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies that does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction, excluding staff time.

Current standard fees include:

  • Paper copies: Typically $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though fees may vary by office.
  • Certified copies of recorded documents: The Greenup County Clerk charges fees set by state statute; deed copies and other recorded instruments are generally subject to a per-page fee plus a certification fee.
  • Vital records: Death certificates ordered through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics are subject to a fee established by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; the current fee is $6.00 per certified copy.
  • Court records: Fees for copies of court documents are set by the Kentucky Court of Justice and may vary by document type and length.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly available under current Kentucky law, though agencies retain discretion in limited circumstances. Requesters who believe a fee is excessive may challenge it through the Kentucky Attorney General's Office.

Does Greenup County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Greenup County, as required by state law. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during the regular business hours of the custodial agency. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free access options are currently available:

  • In-person inspection at the Greenup County Clerk's Office, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and other public agencies — no fee is charged for viewing records on-site.
  • Online records search through the Greenup County Clerk's online records portal, which allows users to view digitized documents at no cost.
  • Court case information may be searched at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice online case search system.
  • Election and voter registration records maintained by the County Clerk are available for public inspection without charge.

Charges are assessed only when a requester seeks physical or electronic copies of documents rather than in-person inspection.

Who Can Request Public Records in Greenup County?

Any person may request public records in Greenup County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Kentucky Open Records Act does not restrict access to Kentucky residents; non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents of the Commonwealth.

Specific eligibility provisions under current law include:

  • Identification: Requesters are not generally required to provide identification to inspect public records, though agencies may require a name and mailing address for written requests.
  • Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the reason for their request, except in limited circumstances where the agency must balance privacy interests against the public's right to know.
  • Residency: Non-residents of Greenup County and of Kentucky may submit open records requests and receive the same response as local residents.
  • Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records.
  • Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records — including sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records — are restricted regardless of who submits the request. Access to these records requires a court order or other legal authorization.

Organizations, businesses, and legal representatives may also submit open records requests on behalf of their clients or constituents.

What Records Are Confidential in Greenup County?

Not all government records in Greenup County are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law establishes specific categories of exempt records under KRS § 61.878, which enumerates the types of information that public agencies may withhold from inspection.

Records currently exempt from public disclosure include:

  • Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in court proceedings are confidential under Kentucky law.
  • 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 data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
  • Medical records — Health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only by court order.
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Case files maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services involving child abuse or neglect 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 from disclosure.
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records containing information about the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt.

When an agency withholds a record, it must identify the specific exemption under KRS § 61.878 that justifies the denial. Kentucky courts apply a balancing test in certain cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of the individuals involved.

Greenup County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Greenup County Clerk's Office serves as the primary recorder of official documents in the county, including deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and other instruments. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains court records for civil, criminal, probate, and family cases.

Greenup County Clerk's Office 301 Main Street, Room 21 Greenup, KY 41144 (606) 473-5002 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Greenup County Clerk

Greenup County Circuit Court Clerk's Office 301 Main Street Greenup, KY 41144 (606) 473-7394 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Greenup County Court of Justice

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (Cabinet for Health and Family Services) 275 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40621 (502) 564-4212 Death Certificates – Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Kentucky Court of Justice – Administrative Office 1001 Vandalay Drive Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 573-2350 Kentucky Court of Justice

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