Warren County, Kentucky Court Records
Warren County court records refer to documents, papers, recordings, or any other materials created, received, or maintained by courts within Warren County in relation to civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The Warren County Circuit Court is the custodian of the county’s court records. The court, through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, is responsible for generating, compiling, and preserving information and documents of cases heard in the Circuit Court, the District Court, and the Family Court in compliance with the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884) and relevant rules and procedures established by the Kentucky Supreme Court.
The role of county court records includes preserving an official record of all court cases and decisions, ensuring transparency, and aiding case information searches.
Warren County court records constitute one category of Warren County public records, which also include vital records, arrest records, and others. While all these other public records are distinct, they may contain related information or complement court records. For example, arrest records may complement criminal court records. Furthermore, a divorce certificate issued as a vital record is a direct extension of a legal court record.
Are Warren County Court Records Public?
Yes, Warren County court records are public. This is in line with the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884) and the Open Records Policy of the Kentucky Court of Justice, which authorize the Office of Circuit Court Clerk to make case records accessible to the public. As a result, most court records are open to the public, including those of civil, criminal, probate, and family law cases.
However, Kentucky law exempts certain case records from public access to protect privacy and sensitive information. These include adoption records, juvenile court records (KRS 610.340), sealed records, domestic violence and abuse case records, mental health commitment records, and victim or confidential personal information.
What Information is Available in Warren County Court Records?
The content of court records will vary by case type. However, common information/documents in Warren County court records include:
- Case party information (i.e., plaintiffs’ and defendants’ names)
- Case information (e.g., case number, filing date, courthouse, attorney)
- Case docket/register of actions
- Pleadings
- Motions
- Orders
- Criminal citations
- Orders
- Evidence
- Reports
- Video recordings
- Transcripts
Warren County Court Records Search
Interested individuals can use either of the following to access Warren County court case records.
- Online Access - The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online case search portal, CourtNet 2.0, that provides free access to public court records throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Any interested party may use this portal to search cases handled by the Warren County Circuit and District Court. Searches can be by party, case number, or citation.
- In-Person Access - The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for managing all of the county’s court records. As such, individuals should visit the Office of Circuit Court Clerk to request copies or access to court case records. The office is located at the Warren County Justice Center at 1001 Center St., Suite 102, Bowling Green, KY 42101. If a record is not available in the clerk’s office but is being stored at a record facility, the clerk will identify the facility and provide the case and file locator numbers to access and obtain copies of the record.
- Mail and Phone Requests - One can also call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 746-7400 to request copies or access to Warren County court case records. Or submit requests for copies of case records to the clerk’s office. Mail requestors must attach a self-addressed stamped envelope as well as the requested copy fees in check or money order.
Fees for Court Records in Warren County
The "Order Amending Rules of Civil Procedure (CR) 2018 outlines the following fees for circuit and district court records:
- $0.25 per page
- $25.00 per copy of a digital or video recording (disk, tape, or other media)
- $15.00 per copy of an audio recording
- $5.00 for certification per document
These fees apply to copy requests made to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Warren County. The payment options are cash, check, and money order.
While the above fees apply to divorce records from the circuit court, a different fee applies to divorce certificates and other vital records, such as marriage, birth, and death certificates issued by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). Marriage, divorce, and death certificates cost $6.00 per certificate (non-refundable search fee), and a birth certificate costs $10.00 per copy.
Warren County Courthouse Locations
The table below lists the location, contact information, and cases handled by each court in Warrant County.
County | Court Name | Address | Phone/Fax Number | Jurisdiction & Case Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Warren County | Warren County Circuit Court | Warren County Justice Center | (270) 746-7400/ (270) 746-7501 | Court of general jurisdiction. Hears civil cases more than $5,000, capital offenses, felonies, divorces, adoptions, termination of parental rights, real property title disputes, contested probate, and hears appeals from the district court and administrative agencies. |
Warren County | Warren County District Court | Warren County Justice Center | (270) 746-7400/ (270) 746-7501 | Court of limited jurisdiction. Handles misdemeanors, juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, voluntary or involuntary mental health commitments, and domestic violence and abuse cases. |
Warren County | Warren County Family Court | Warren County Justice Center | (270) 746-7400/(270) 746-7501 | A division of the Circuit Court. Has primary jurisdiction in cases involving dissolution of marriage, spousal support, child support and visitation, paternity, adoption, domestic violence, dependency, neglect & abuse, and termination of parental rights. |
Criminal Records Access in Warren County
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) handles criminal record checks/requests in Kentucky. A criminal record from the AOC contains case information on file for the District Court and Circuit Court in all 120 Kentucky counties. It is a statewide criminal record based on court activity. It includes charges, case numbers, and dispositions. A completed criminal records request form should be submitted to the AOC for these records. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) also handles criminal history checks (rap sheet) for the general public and qualified organizations.
Nevertheless, local criminal court case records in Warren County are available via CourtNet 2.0, the public case portal provided by the Kentucky Court of Justice. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk also handles in-person requests for copies or access to local criminal case records.
Warren County Probate Records
Warren County probate records are official court documents of actions, filings, and proceedings related to a decedent’s estate. The various types of information or filings found in probate records include wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, decrees, administrations, inventories, and distributions. These records also include guardianships and conservatorships. Probate records in Warren County are managed by the Circuit Court Clerk for the Circuit Court and the District Court.
Warren County probate records are accessible to interested persons through the Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal (i.e., CourtNet 2.0). Otherwise, individuals interested in copies or physical access to probate records should make in-person visits to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Physical or certified copies will require a fee. While most probate records are available for public inspection and copying, certain information/documents may be restricted or sealed to protect privacy or sensitive information.
County | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Warren County | Warren County Circuit Court | 1001 Center St. Suite 102 | (270) 746-7400 | M-F 8 am-4 pm |
Warren County | Warren County District Court | 1001 Center St. Suite 102 | (270) 746-7400 | M-F 8 am-4 pm |
Warren County Family Court Records
Family court records are official case records of family law/domestic relations matters. Common family law cases include divorce, spousal support, adoption, child support and custody, paternity, and domestic violence. Family court records are not fully open to the public. Access depends on the case. For example, divorce records are generally open to the public. However, adoption, domestic violence, paternity, and neglect and abuse records are confidential. Only parties to confidential cases can access the records.
Individuals can search public family court records (such as divorce) through the Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal (i.e., CourtNet 2.0). They may also make in-person requests for copies or access to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Copies are printed at $0.25 per page. Certification, if needed, is $5.00 per document.
Federal Court Records in Warren County
Warren County is under the jurisdiction of the Bowling Green Division of the U.S. District Court for theWestern District of Kentucky. As such, to view and/or obtain federal case files maintained in Warren County, visit the Bowling Green Division Clerk’s Office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. Alternatively, usePublic Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) to view the federal court records. PACER requires registration and charges a fee (see fee schedule).