Pulaski County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Pulaski County in 2026
PulaskiCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to property records in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Members of the public may access records that include deeds, mortgage documents, tax assessments, lien filings, plat maps, and ownership histories. The information available through official channels may include current and historical ownership data, assessed values, recorded encumbrances, and property characteristics. Access is subject to the completeness of each agency's database and applicable state law.
Property records in Pulaski County may be searched through several official channels, including the Pulaski County Clerk's office, the Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA), the Pulaski County Sheriff's office (for tax collection), and the KyGovMaps Open Data Portal maintained by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each agency maintains distinct record sets, and a thorough search may require consulting more than one source.
Multiple Access Methods:
- Online searches — The most convenient method; available through the PVA website, the county clerk's online index, and the state GIS portal
- In-person visits — Required for certified copies, older records not yet digitized, and official document inspection
- By mail — Written requests submitted to the appropriate office with applicable fees and identifying information
- Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive searches for transactional purposes
1. Property Appraiser Website
The Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) serves as the primary resource for property assessment and ownership information. The PVA database is accessible to the public at no charge and does not require registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By map/GIS location
- By legal description or subdivision name
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms)
- Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history and deed references
- GIS map location and aerial imagery
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Pulaski County PVA website
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the specific parcel to view the full property card
- Review ownership data, assessment history, sales records, and map information
- Print or save the property card as needed
Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator
100 N. Main Street, Suite 201
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-1812
Pulaski County PVA
2. County Clerk Official Records Search
The Pulaski County Clerk maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. Basic name and document searches are available to the public. The Kentucky County Clerks Directory provides a statewide reference for locating county clerk offices and their services.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller or transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number or instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage satisfactions and releases
- Judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Subdivision plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
- Lis pendens filings
- HOA declarations and covenants
How to Search:
- Visit the Pulaski County Clerk's office in person or access the online index if available
- Select the search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range)
- Enter the search criteria
- Review the results and note the book and page or instrument number
- Request document images or copies as needed
- Pay applicable per-page fees for printed copies
Pulaski County Clerk
100 N. Main Street
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-2042
Pulaski County Clerk
3. Tax Collector / Sheriff's Office
In Kentucky, property tax collection is administered by the county sheriff during the initial collection period. Under the Kentucky property tax collection process, tax bills are issued by the sheriff and, after the collection period closes, delinquent accounts are transferred to the county clerk's office. Members of the public may search tax payment status through the sheriff's office or the county clerk for delinquent accounts.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill amount
- Payment history and outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied and millage rates
- Delinquency status and penalty information
- Installment plan status
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office (Tax Collection)
100 N. Main Street
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 678-5145
Pulaski County Sheriff
4. GIS / Mapping System
The Commonwealth of Kentucky maintains the KyGovMaps Open Data Portal, which provides interactive mapping tools and parcel data for counties across the state. Members of the public may use this system to visually locate properties, view parcel boundaries, and access linked assessment data.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the desired location within Pulaski County
- Click on a parcel to view associated property information
- Access linked records including ownership and assessment data
- View aerial photography, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and environmental features
- Measure distances and export map views as needed
By Mail Requests:
Members of the public may submit written requests for property records by mail to the Pulaski County Clerk or the PVA. Requests should include the property address or parcel number, the type of document or information sought, and a return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the request. Certified copies require an additional certification fee.
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and issue title insurance commitments identifying all recorded interests in a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership or encumbrance issues. Licensed abstractors prepare abstracts of title tracing the full chain of ownership. Costs for professional services vary by scope and provider.
Search Tips:
- When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats, and consider name spelling variations or business entity names
- When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- For historical records not available online, contact the Pulaski County Clerk's office directly; staff can assist with retrieval from microfilm or bound record books
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear in online indexes due to recording processing time
What Is Pulaski County Property Records
Property records in Pulaski County are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by county government agencies pursuant to Kentucky law. These records constitute the legal foundation for establishing ownership, documenting transfers, recording encumbrances, and assessing property for taxation. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 382.110, instruments conveying or affecting title to real property must be recorded with the county clerk to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish and document legal ownership of real property
- Provide an unbroken chain of title from original grant to present owner
- Record encumbrances including mortgages, liens, easements, and restrictions
- Document property transfers and sale prices
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Protect property rights and enable enforcement of recorded interests
- Facilitate real estate transactions and title insurance
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Life estate deeds and trustee's deeds
- Transfer records and ownership history
- Trust documents affecting real property
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- HOA declarations and lis pendens filings
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual property tax assessments prepared by the PVA
- Tax bills issued by the county sheriff
- Payment history and delinquency records maintained by the county clerk
- Exemption records (homestead, disability, veteran, agricultural)
- Delinquent property tax records transferred to the county clerk after the sheriff's collection period
Legal Descriptions and Plats:
- Subdivision plats recorded with the county clerk
- Survey plats and re-plats
- Metes and bounds descriptions in deed instruments
- Lot and block information from recorded plats
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits issued by the Pulaski County Planning and Zoning office
- Certificates of occupancy
- Zoning classifications and land use designations
- Code enforcement records
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Pulaski County Clerk records and indexes all instruments affecting title to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. The Pulaski County PVA maintains assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications. The Pulaski County Sheriff administers the initial property tax collection cycle. The Pulaski County Planning and Zoning office maintains permit, zoning, and land use records.
Are Property Records Public Information in Pulaski County?
Property records in Pulaski County are public information. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, KRS § 61.870 et seq., public agency records are open to inspection by any person, and no special purpose or justification is required to access them. The recording system itself is premised on the principle of constructive notice — recorded instruments are deemed known to all members of the public from the date of recording.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency: Public access to ownership and encumbrance information prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation
- Commercial necessity: Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisal all depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal protection: The recording system establishes priority among competing interests and protects bona fide purchasers and lenders
- Public interest: Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical ownership (names, acquisition dates, deed references)
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens, encumbrances, and their release dates
- Tax assessments, payment history, and delinquency status
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Plat maps and surveys
- GIS mapping data
Privacy Considerations:
Under current Kentucky law, Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from recorded documents before public release. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain personal financial information and are subject to separate access policies administered by the PVA.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may inspect property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists. No registration or credentials are required for basic public access.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Pulaski County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the Pulaski County Clerk's office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges under Kentucky law.
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Inspection of records (in-person) | No charge |
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded instrument | $5.00 for first page + $3.00 per additional page |
| Recording a new instrument (deed, mortgage, etc.) | $33.00 for first three pages + $3.00 per additional page |
| Plat recording | Fees vary by size and number of lots |
| Online document viewing | Free (basic search); fees may apply for image downloads |
Under KRS § 64.012, county clerks are authorized to collect fees for recording instruments and providing copies of official records. Fee schedules are set by statute and may be confirmed directly with the Pulaski County Clerk's office.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- In-person inspection of any recorded instrument
- Online property assessment data through the PVA website
- Parcel and mapping data through the KyGovMaps Open Data Portal
- Basic tax status information through the sheriff's office
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Check or money order (in-person and by mail)
- Credit or debit card (availability varies; confirm with the office)
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly applicable to property record requests under current Kentucky law. Indigent individuals or nonprofit organizations seeking fee waivers should inquire directly with the county clerk regarding any discretionary accommodations.
What's Included in a Pulaski County Property Record?
A complete Pulaski County property record draws from multiple agency databases and recorded instruments. The following categories represent the full scope of information that may be available through official sources.
Ownership Information:
Current Ownership:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the most recent deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate)
- Ownership percentage where multiple owners hold undivided interests
- Acquisition date and deed book/page or instrument number
- Mailing address on file with the PVA for tax bill delivery
Previous Ownership:
- Chain of title listing prior owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references
- Ownership timeline traceable to original land grant or county formation records
Property Identification:
- Site address (physical location) and mailing address if different
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, or metes and bounds)
- Parcel ID number assigned by the PVA
- Tax account number and any alternate or previous parcel numbers
Physical Characteristics:
Land Information:
- Lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, and street frontage
- Corner lot designation, topography, and land use designation
- Zoning classification
Building Information:
- Total living area in square feet
- Year built and effective year
- Number of stories, building type, and construction type
- Exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation type
- Number of bedrooms, full bathrooms, and half bathrooms
Additional Features:
- Garage type and number of spaces
- Pool, porch, patio, or deck
- Fireplace, central air conditioning, and heating type
- Water source (public or well) and sewer system (public or septic)
- Additional structures (barn, shed, outbuilding)
Valuation Information:
- Land value and building value assessed separately
- Total assessed value and estimated market value
- Assessment year and historical values for prior years
- Agricultural use assessment where applicable
Tax Information:
- Total tax amount due for the current year
- Exemptions applied (homestead, disability, veteran, agricultural) and resulting taxable value
- Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, city, special districts)
- Payment status, due dates, and discount information
- Prior years' tax payment history and any delinquency records
Sales History:
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers for recent transfers
- Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, gift, inheritance, divorce transfer)
- Grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) names for each transaction
- Qualified or unqualified sale designation for assessment purposes
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Currently recorded mortgages, including lender name, recording date, original amount, and book/page reference
- Tax liens (federal, state, and local), judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
- Easements, deed restrictions, covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens filings
Legal and Regulatory Information:
- Current zoning classification and permitted uses
- Land use code and future land use designation
- Special taxing district assignments (school, fire, water, community development)
- Flood zone designation (FEMA)
- Wetlands or conservation area designations
Maps and Images:
- Exterior property photograph
- Aerial photograph and GIS map with parcel boundaries
- Plat map and property sketch
- Historical aerial imagery where available
Building Permit Information (where integrated):
- Building permits issued, permit dates, descriptions, and permit values
- Contractor information and certificate of occupancy
- Inspection records
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
- Private purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Unrecorded agreements or private arrangements
How Long Does Pulaski County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Pulaski County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of an unbroken chain of title and the statutory obligations imposed on county clerks under Kentucky law.
Legal Basis for Retention:
Under Kentucky's recording statutes, including KRS § 382.110, instruments recorded with the county clerk become part of the permanent public record. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives establishes records retention schedules for county government agencies, and recorded property instruments are classified as permanent records not subject to destruction.
Records Kept Permanently:
Deed Records:
All recorded deeds are retained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments. Records in Pulaski County date to the county's formation in 1799, with the earliest instruments recorded in handwritten ledger books.
Mortgage Records:
All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.
Lien Records:
All recorded liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and their releases — are retained permanently as part of the official title record.
Plats and Surveys:
All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently and are available for public inspection.
Format and Storage:
| Time Period | Format |
|---|---|
| Pre-1900s | Handwritten ledger books |
| Early–mid 1900s | Typed entries in bound record books |
| Mid-late 1900s | Microfilm |
| Recent decades | Digital scans and electronic document management |
Access to Historical Records:
Records from approximately the last 20 to 40 years are accessible online through the county clerk's index in most Kentucky counties. Older records are available in person at the courthouse in microfilm or bound book format. Staff at the Pulaski County Clerk's office can retrieve historical records upon request; advance notice may be required for very old materials stored in archive facilities.
Property Appraiser (PVA) Records:
Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently by the PVA. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years. Online property cards typically display assessment history for the most recent ten to twenty years; historical assessments prior to that period are available upon request at the PVA office.
Tax Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years by the sheriff's office. Tax deed records are permanent and maintained by the county clerk. Delinquent tax records transferred from the sheriff to the county clerk under the Kentucky delinquent property tax process are part of the permanent official record.
Chain of Title:
A complete chain of title traces every transfer of ownership from the original land grant to the present owner. Title searches in Kentucky practice review a minimum of 30 to 60 years of recorded history, though a full abstract may extend to the original patent. Gaps in the chain of title create marketability issues that require legal resolution.
Contact for Historical Records:
Pulaski County Clerk
100 N. Main Street
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-2042
Pulaski County Clerk
Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator
100 N. Main Street, Suite 201
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-1812
Pulaski County PVA
How To Find Liens on Property in Pulaski County?
Liens on property in Pulaski County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Pulaski County Clerk. Members of the public may search for liens through the clerk's official records index using the property owner's name as the grantor or through a parcel-specific title search.
Types of Liens Recorded with the County Clerk:
- Judgment liens — Filed by creditors following a court judgment; attach to all real property owned by the debtor in the county
- Mechanic's liens — Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work or materials
- State and federal tax liens — Filed by the Kentucky Department of Revenue or the IRS for unpaid tax obligations
- HOA liens — Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments or dues
- Code enforcement liens — Filed by local government for unresolved code violations
- Lis pendens — Notice of pending litigation affecting title to the property
Steps to Search for Liens:
- Visit the Pulaski County Clerk's office in person or access the online records index
- Search by the property owner's name as grantor in the official records index
- Filter results by document type to identify lien instruments specifically
- Review each result for recording date, lien amount, lienholder name, and book/page reference
- Request copies of any lien instruments identified; standard per-page copy fees apply
- Search the federal tax lien index separately, as IRS liens are indexed under the debtor's name and may require a separate search of the clerk's federal lien records
Additional Search Resources:
- Kentucky Department of Revenue — State tax liens may be verified through the Kentucky Department of Revenue for delinquent property tax obligations
- U.S. District Court — Federal judgment liens are filed with the federal court and may also be recorded with the county clerk
- Pulaski Circuit Court — State court judgment liens are docketed in the circuit court and recorded with the county clerk to attach to real property
Pulaski County Clerk
100 N. Main Street
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-2042
Pulaski County Clerk
Members of the public conducting a lien search for transactional purposes — such as a real estate purchase or refinance — are advised to engage a licensed title company or real estate attorney to perform a comprehensive title search, as not all encumbrances may be apparent from a name-based index search alone.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Pulaski County?
The property owner rule in Pulaski County refers to the body of Kentucky law and local practice governing the rights, responsibilities, and legal standing of real property owners within the county. Under Kentucky common law and statute, the owner of record — the individual or entity whose name appears on the most recently recorded deed — holds the legal title to the property and bears the associated rights and obligations.
Ownership of Record:
Legal ownership of real property in Pulaski County is established by a recorded deed. Under KRS § 382.270, a deed that is not recorded is void as against a subsequent purchaser for valuable consideration whose deed is first recorded. This "race-notice" recording rule means that priority of title is determined by the order of recording, provided the subsequent purchaser had no actual notice of the prior unrecorded conveyance.
Rights of Property Owners:
Property owners in Pulaski County hold the following rights under Kentucky law and constitutional protections:
- The right to use, enjoy, and exclude others from their property within the limits of applicable zoning, deed restrictions, and nuisance law
- The right to transfer, sell, mortgage, or devise the property by will
- The right to challenge property tax assessments before the Pulaski County Board of Assessment Appeals
- The right to apply for applicable exemptions, including the homestead exemption available to owner-occupants who are 65 years of age or older or who are totally disabled, under Kentucky law
- The right to receive notice of any government action affecting the property, including tax sales and condemnation proceedings
Responsibilities of Property Owners:
- Payment of annual property taxes assessed by the PVA and collected by the county sheriff
- Compliance with applicable zoning ordinances, building codes, and land use regulations administered by Pulaski County Planning and Zoning
- Maintenance of the property in compliance with local code enforcement standards
- Disclosure of known material defects in connection with any sale of residential property under Kentucky's seller disclosure requirements
Property Tax Assessment and Appeal:
The Pulaski County PVA assesses all real property annually at its fair cash value as of January 1 of each assessment year. Property owners who disagree with their assessed value may appeal first to the PVA, then to the Pulaski County Board of Assessment Appeals, and subsequently to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals. The appeal process and deadlines are governed by Kentucky administrative regulations.
Pulaski County Planning and Zoning
111 S. Lake Cumberland Trail
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-4464
Pulaski County Planning and Zoning
Pulaski County Property Valuation Administrator
100 N. Main Street, Suite 201
Somerset, KY 42501
Phone: (606) 679-1812
Pulaski County PVA