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Laurel County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Laurel County?

Public records in Laurel County are defined under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870 as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, electronic records, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public agency in the course of its official activities. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of record categories maintained by various county offices.

The following record types are currently available through Laurel County's public agencies:

  • Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Laurel County Circuit Court Clerk, accessible through the Kentucky Court of Justice system
  • Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are filed with the Laurel County Clerk
  • Vital records — birth and death certificates are maintained by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services; marriage licenses and divorce decrees are recorded through the County Clerk's office
  • Business records — fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits are on file with the County Clerk and relevant municipal offices
  • Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the Laurel County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA)
  • Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results are administered by the County Clerk
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Laurel County Fiscal Court, boards, and commissions are available through the County Clerk and individual agencies
  • Budget and financial documents — county fiscal records are maintained by the Laurel County Judge/Executive's office
  • Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Laurel County Sheriff's Office and London Police Department
  • Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the City of London and Laurel County planning authorities

The Laurel County Clerk's records portal provides online access to a substantial portion of archived county documents, including property and land records, through the eCCLIX system.

Is Laurel County an Open Records County?

Laurel County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which governs public access to government documents throughout the Commonwealth. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.872, all public agencies are required to permit inspection of public records during regular office hours and to provide copies upon request. The statute establishes that the right of inspection belongs to any person and that agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a requested record falls within a recognized exemption.

Key provisions of the Open Records Act currently in effect include:

  • Public agencies must respond to a written request within five business days of receipt
  • Agencies must provide a detailed written explanation if access to any record is denied
  • Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request in most circumstances
  • The Act applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies funded in whole or in part by public funds

Kentucky's Open Meetings Act, codified at § 61.810, further reinforces government transparency by requiring that all meetings of public agencies be open to the public, with limited exceptions. The Laurel County Fiscal Court and all subordinate boards operate in compliance with both statutes. The City of London, Kentucky similarly adheres to these open government requirements at the municipal level.

How to Find Public Records in Laurel County in 2026

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

Step 1 — Identify the Custodial Office Determine which agency maintains the record. Property and land records, marriage licenses, and voter registration are held by the County Clerk. Court filings are held by the Circuit Court Clerk. Vital statistics such as birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Step 2 — Submit a Written Request Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, requests must be submitted in writing. Requestors may deliver requests in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate agency. The request should identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow the agency to locate it.

Step 3 — Access Records Online The Laurel County Clerk currently offers online access to property and land records through the eCCLIX platform. Registered users may view or print archived documents directly from an internet-connected device. Court records may be searched through the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal.

Step 4 — Visit in Person Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant office during posted public counter hours. No appointment is required for general inspection of open records.

Step 5 — Request Certified Copies Certified copies of documents such as deeds, marriage licenses, and court orders may be requested at the counter or by mail, with applicable fees remitted at the time of the request.

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

Current fees for public records in Laurel County are governed by Kentucky statute and vary by record type and custodial office. Under § 61.874 of the Kentucky Open Records Act, agencies may charge a fee for copies that does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction, excluding staff time.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

  • Standard paper copies — $0.10 per page for black-and-white copies (standard statutory rate)
  • Certified copies of deeds and land records — fees set by the County Clerk, typically ranging from $5.00 to $10.00 per document
  • Marriage license copies — standard certification fees apply as posted by the County Clerk
  • Court record copies — fees are established by the Kentucky Court of Justice and vary by document type; current schedules are available through the Laurel County Circuit Court Clerk
  • Vital records (birth/death certificates) — fees are set by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services at the state level

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waiver provisions may apply for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency head.

Does Laurel County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under the Kentucky Open Records Act, which guarantees the right to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free access options are currently available:

  • In-person inspection — any person may inspect open records at the County Clerk's office or Circuit Court Clerk's office at no cost
  • Online property and land records — the Laurel County Clerk's records portal provides free online access to certain archived property documents for registered users
  • Court case information — basic case information and docket entries are searchable at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice online system
  • City of London municipal records — meeting agendas, minutes, and budget documents are posted publicly on the City of London, Kentucky official website

Who Can Request Public Records in Laurel County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request public records from Laurel County agencies under the Kentucky Open Records Act. The statute does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation.

Specific eligibility provisions currently in effect include:

  • Residency — requestors are not required to be Kentucky residents or Laurel County residents
  • Identification — agencies may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access to open records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requestor
  • Purpose — requestors are generally not required to state the reason for their request; however, agencies may ask for clarification to assist in locating the specific record
  • Non-residents — non-residents hold the same rights of access as residents under current Kentucky law
  • Requesting your own records — individuals seeking records that contain their own personal information, such as court filings or property records, follow the same process as any other requestor; additional verification may be required for records protected by privacy statutes
  • Restrictions for specific record types — certain records, such as adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents, are restricted regardless of the requestor's identity

What Records Are Confidential in Laurel County?

Not all government records in Laurel County are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.878 enumerates the categories of records that public agencies may withhold from inspection. Agencies bear the burden of establishing that a withheld record falls within a recognized statutory exemption.

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 in the court system are confidential under Kentucky law
  • Ongoing law enforcement investigation records — records compiled in the course of an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld
  • Medical records — protected under both state exemptions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
  • 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 records are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies in confidence and exempt from disclosure
  • Security plans and critical infrastructure details — records that could compromise public safety or security are withheld

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Kentucky courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests served by withholding.

Laurel County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Laurel County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of official county records, including property documents, vital records, and election materials. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all court-related records for the county.

Laurel County Clerk 101 S. Main Street, Suite 1, London, KY 40741 (606) 864-5158 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Laurel County Clerk

Laurel County Circuit Court Clerk 101 S. Main Street, London, KY 40741 (606) 864-2214 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Laurel County Circuit Court Clerk

City of London, Kentucky — City Hall 501 S. Main Street, London, KY 40741 (606) 878-7330 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. City of London, Kentucky

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