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How to Find Public Records in Pulaski County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Pulaski County, Kentucky, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. PulaskiCountyRecords.org aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by government agencies. The types of records that may be found through official sources include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records such as death certificates and marriage licenses
- Arrest logs and law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Building permits and zoning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online access to court case information through its CourtNet system. Members of the public may search civil and criminal case records using the court's public portal. Property records are accessible through the Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator's online database. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most county portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Pulaski County Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of land records, marriage licenses, and other county-maintained documents. The office is located at 100 N. Main Street, Somerset, Kentucky 42501. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Pulaski County Clerk's Office at 100 N. Main Street, Somerset, KY 42501. Requests must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, agencies are required to respond to open records requests within five business days.
Phone/Email: The Pulaski County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (606) 679-2042. Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official contact portal.
What Are Public Records in Pulaski County?
Public records in Pulaski County are defined under Kentucky law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, disks, diskettes, recordings, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, a "public record" encompasses any documentation created or received by a public agency in the course of its official functions.
The following record types are maintained by Pulaski County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | County Clerk |
| Vital records (death certificates) | Cabinet for Health and Family Services |
| Marriage licenses | County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / Planning Office |
| Property tax assessments | Property Valuation Administrator |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Judge/Executive's Office |
| Building permits | Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Pulaski County Sheriff's Office |
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services maintains vital records including death certificates for events occurring within the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction oversees building permits and construction records for Pulaski County, among other jurisdictions.
Is Pulaski County an Open Records County?
Pulaski County fully complies with the Kentucky Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government documents held by public agencies. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, it is the express legislative policy of the Commonwealth that "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest." The Act applies to all county agencies, offices, and instrumentalities operating within Pulaski County.
As stated by the Kentucky Attorney General's Office, "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 county offices respond to records requests and establishes the public's right to inspect documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides guidance and oversight for open records compliance statewide. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may appeal to the Attorney General's Office within sixty days of the denial. County agencies are required to post their open records policies and designate an official records custodian.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pulaski County?
The Kentucky Open Records Act establishes the fee structure that Pulaski County agencies must follow when responding to public records requests. Current standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.10 per page |
| Certification of records | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproduction and may not impose search fees or staff time charges for standard requests. Certification fees for vital records such as death certificates are set separately; the Kentucky vital records office charges a fee per certified copy, and this fee is treated as a search fee with no refund issued if the record is not located.
Accepted payment methods at the Pulaski County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments; requesters are advised to confirm accepted payment methods when submitting a request.
Fee waiver provisions are not expressly mandated under the Kentucky Open Records Act for standard requesters, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or requests serving a clear public interest.
Does Pulaski County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Agencies are prohibited from charging a fee solely for the act of inspecting records on-site. The following resources provide free access to Pulaski County records:
- Kentucky Court of Justice public terminals: Members of the public may inspect court records at no charge using public access terminals located at the Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
- Property Valuation Administrator's online portal: Property assessment records are searchable at no cost through the county's online database.
- County Clerk's public counter: Land records, deed indexes, and marriage license records may be inspected in person at no charge during regular business hours.
- Kentucky Offender Search: The Kentucky Department of Corrections offender search tool provides free public access to information on individuals currently or previously incarcerated within the state corrections system, including those held at the Pulaski County Detention Center.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the reproduction fees described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Pulaski County?
Any person may submit a public records request to a Pulaski County agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, requesters are not required to be Kentucky residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request when seeking non-exempt records.
Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:
- Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of access to public records, except where the record itself contains information restricted to the subject of the record.
- Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a purpose for most records requests. However, agencies may inquire about purpose when the stated purpose is relevant to determining whether an exemption applies.
- Requesting personal records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be required to provide proof of identity to prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Kentucky retain full rights to request and receive public records under state law.
- Minors and legal representatives: Parents, guardians, and legal representatives may request records on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.
Certain record categories, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity or purpose.
What Records Are Confidential in Pulaski County?
Not all government records maintained by Pulaski County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Open Records Act. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings are confidential under Kentucky law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in the course of an active investigation are exempt from disclosure.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws are not subject to public release.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services relating to child abuse or neglect investigations are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to public employees' official duties.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Documents describing security vulnerabilities or emergency response plans are withheld in the interest of public safety.
As stated in the Kentucky Open Records Act, agencies bear the burden of proving that a withheld record falls within a recognized exemption. Requesters who receive a denial have the right to appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office.
Pulaski County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Pulaski County Clerk's Office
100 N. Main Street
Somerset, KY 42501
(606) 679-2042
Pulaski County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk
100 N. Main Street, Suite 203
Somerset, KY 42501
(606) 678-5012
Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The Circuit Court Clerk's office is the designated starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases filed in Pulaski County, including civil, criminal, probate, and family court matters.
Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator
100 N. Main Street
Somerset, KY 42501
(606) 679-1812
Pulaski County PVA
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services – Vital Records Branch
275 E. Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-4212
Kentucky Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-0365
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM