Taylor County Court Records
How To Find Court Records in Taylor County in 2026
TaylorRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to court records in Taylor County, Kentucky. Members of the public seeking court records may locate case information through official clerk offices, courthouse terminals, and statewide judicial search tools. The types of records that may be available include:
- Criminal case records (misdemeanors and felonies)
- Civil court filings and judgments
- Family court orders and decrees
- Probate filings and estate records
- Traffic violation records
- Small claims court decisions
- District and Circuit Court dockets
Court records in Taylor County may be accessed through five primary methods. Each method carries its own conditions, limitations, and potential fees.
1. Clerk of Court or Court Records Office The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Taylor County serves as the official custodian of court records for cases filed in that county. As noted by the Kentucky Court of Justice, "The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in each county is the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases in that county." Requesters should provide the full name of a party, a case number, or the approximate filing date to assist staff in locating records.
Taylor County Circuit Court Clerk
224 W Main St
Campbellsville, KY 42718
Phone: (270) 465-6677
Taylor – Kentucky Court of Justice
2. Courthouse Public Access Terminals Public access terminals are available at the Taylor County courthouse for in-person review of case information. These terminals allow members of the public to search docket entries and case status without charge. Terminal access does not extend to sealed, expunged, or restricted records.
3. Online Court Search The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online case search portal that allows members of the public to search for case information statewide. Basic case information, including party names, case numbers, hearing dates, and dispositions, may be available through this system for cases that are not restricted from public view.
4. State-Level Judicial Search Tools Kentucky's statewide judicial portal provides access to court records across all counties. Searches may be conducted by party name, case number, or attorney of record. The portal reflects information maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and is updated as cases progress through the court system.
5. Written or Mail Requests Members of the public may submit written requests to the Taylor County Circuit Court Clerk for copies of specific records. Requests should include the case number or party name, the type of record sought, and a return mailing address. Fees for copies apply and must be submitted with the request.
Are Court Records Public in Taylor County
Court records in Taylor County are public under current Kentucky law. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870–61.884, known as the Kentucky Open Records Act, establishes the right of the public to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies, including court clerks. Under this framework, the following categories of records are accessible to the public:
- Docket entries and case numbers
- Party names (plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents)
- Hearing dates and continuances
- Filed motions, complaints, and petitions
- Court orders and final judgments
- Sentencing entries and disposition records
Certain records are exempt from public access under current law and court rules. The following categories are restricted or confidential:
- Juvenile court records (protected under KRS § 610.340)
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Sealed case files ordered restricted by a judge
- Expunged criminal records
- Protected personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth in certain filings
A distinction exists between courthouse inspection and online access. While a record may be available for in-person review at the clerk's office, the same record may not appear in the online case search portal if it has been restricted from electronic publication. Members of the public who cannot locate a record online may still request in-person access at the clerk's office.
What Are Court Records in Taylor County?
Court records are the official documents and data generated by the judicial system in connection with a case filed before a court of law. In practical terms, a court record encompasses every document submitted to or issued by the court from the moment a case is initiated through its final disposition and any subsequent appeal.
The distinction between a docket entry and a full case file is significant. A docket entry is a chronological log notation that records an event in a case, such as the filing of a motion or the scheduling of a hearing. A full case file contains the actual documents associated with those entries, including pleadings, exhibits, orders, and transcripts.
Civil court records arise from disputes between private parties or between a party and a government entity, covering matters such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, and landlord-tenant actions. Criminal court records document proceedings initiated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky against an individual charged with a violation of state law.
Filed pleadings represent documents submitted by parties to advance their legal positions, while final judgments are the court's official rulings that resolve the case. Public filings are accessible to any member of the public, whereas sealed or restricted filings require a court order to access and are withheld from general inspection.
Trial court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed. Appellate records, arising from appeals of trial court decisions, are maintained by the Kentucky Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court of Kentucky. The Kentucky Court of Justice oversees the unified court system that encompasses all levels of the judiciary.
Court records are created at the moment of filing and are updated continuously as the case progresses. Each filing, hearing, ruling, and order generates a new entry in the official record. Upon final disposition, the record is closed but remains accessible subject to applicable retention schedules and access rules.
What's Included in a Taylor County Court Record?
A court record in Taylor County may contain the following information, depending on the case type and applicable public-access rules:
- Case identification: Case number, court name and division, and filing date
- Party information: Names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents, and attorneys of record
- Case classification: Case type (civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic) and current status
- Docket entries: A chronological log of all filings, hearings, and court actions
- Hearing information: Scheduled and past hearing dates, continuances, and minute entries
- Filed documents: Motions, complaints, petitions, answers, responses, notices, and supporting exhibits where not restricted
- Court orders and judgments: Interlocutory orders, final judgments, decrees, sentencing entries, custody rulings, probate orders, and appellate decisions
- Outcome information: Dismissals, verdicts, pleas, convictions, acquittals, and case dispositions
- Administrative and financial data: Filing fees, assessed court costs, fines, restitution amounts, and bond information where publicly shown
The following categories of information are excluded or restricted from public court records under current law and court policy:
- Sealed filings and orders entered under seal
- Expunged criminal records
- Juvenile case files
- Adoption records
- Protected personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
- Certain mental health and commitment records
- Confidential exhibits or attachments restricted by court order
Types of Courts in Taylor County
Taylor County is served by a two-tier trial court structure under the unified Kentucky Court of Justice system. The two trial courts operating in Taylor County are the Circuit Court and the District Court.
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction that hears felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts in controversy exceeding $5,000, family court matters (including divorce, custody, and adoption), and appeals from District Court decisions. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains the official record for all Circuit Court cases.
District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. As described by the Kentucky Court of Justice District Court page, District Court handles "county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, and small claims." District Court also has jurisdiction over juvenile matters and certain civil cases involving amounts up to $5,000. The Circuit Court Clerk also serves as the official record keeper for District Court cases at the county level.
Appeals from Circuit Court decisions are heard by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and further discretionary review may be sought before the Supreme Court of Kentucky. Records from appellate proceedings are maintained by the respective appellate court clerks in Frankfort.
Taylor County Justice Center
224 W Main St
Campbellsville, KY 42718
Phone: (270) 465-6677
Taylor County, Kentucky
How to Search Taylor County Court Records for Free?
Members of the public may inspect court records at no charge through in-person review at the Taylor County Circuit Court Clerk's office or through courthouse public access terminals. The following table summarizes which methods are free and which carry fees:
| Access Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-person inspection at clerk's office | Free |
| Courthouse public access terminal | Free |
| Online case search (Kentucky Court of Justice portal) | Free |
| Standard paper copies | $0.25–$0.50 per page (verify with clerk) |
| Certified copies | Fee set by clerk's office (verify current rate) |
| Research by clerk staff | May incur staff time fees |
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a free online case search tool accessible through its official portal. Members of the public may search by party name or case number without charge. Downloading or printing documents from the portal may carry fees depending on the document type.
Under KRS § 64.012, the Circuit Court Clerk is authorized to collect fees for copies and certified copies of court records. Members of the public seeking to confirm the current fee schedule should contact the Taylor County Circuit Court Clerk directly.
How Long Does Taylor County Keep Court Records?
The retention period for court records in Taylor County is governed by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives records retention schedules applicable to the Circuit Court Clerk. Retention periods vary by case type and record category:
- Felony criminal case files: Retained permanently or for a minimum of 25 years after final disposition in many jurisdictions; permanent retention applies to capital cases
- Misdemeanor and traffic case files: Retained for a minimum of 5 to 10 years depending on the offense classification
- Civil case files: Retention periods range from 5 years to permanent depending on the nature of the judgment
- Probate records: Wills and estate records are retained permanently
- Juvenile records: Subject to separate retention rules and confidentiality requirements under KRS § 610.340
- Docket books and minute records: Retained permanently as official court records
Paper files may be converted to microfilm or digital imaging after a defined period, after which the original paper documents may be destroyed in accordance with the applicable retention schedule. Archival retention differs from destruction in that archived records remain accessible through the clerk's office or state archives, while destroyed records are no longer available.
Sealing, redaction, and expungement are distinct from destruction. A sealed record continues to exist but is withheld from public access. A redacted record has specific information removed before release. An expunged record is treated as though it does not exist for most purposes, though the physical record may be retained in a restricted file. Older records predating electronic filing may exist in paper files, microfilm, or county archives held at the courthouse or transferred to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
How To Find a Court Docket in Taylor County
A court docket is a chronological index of all proceedings and filings in a specific case. It differs from a full case file in that it records events and actions rather than containing the actual documents filed. A docket entry notes that a motion was filed; the case file contains the motion itself.
Dockets for Taylor County cases may be accessed through the following methods:
- Kentucky Court of Justice online portal: The statewide case search system maintained by the Kentucky Court of Justice allows members of the public to retrieve docket information by entering a party name or case number. The portal displays docket entries, hearing dates, and case status for cases that are not restricted from public view.
- Courthouse public access terminals: Terminals located at the Taylor County Justice Center provide docket access for in-person visitors during regular business hours.
- In-person clerk request: Members of the public may request a printed docket sheet from the Taylor County Circuit Court Clerk by providing the case number or party name.
To locate a docket through the online portal, a requester should navigate to the Kentucky Court of Justice case search page, select the appropriate court type (Circuit or District), enter the county as Taylor, and input the party name or case number. Results will display the docket entries associated with the case.
A court docket at present contains the following information:
- Case number and filing date
- Party names and attorney information
- Chronological list of all filings and court actions
- Scheduled and past hearing dates
- Continuances and status updates
- Minute entries from hearings
A docket does not include the full text of filed documents, sealed entries, confidential attachments, or exhibits that have been restricted by court order. Hearing calendars and daily court schedules may be separately available through the clerk's office and reflect upcoming proceedings rather than the full case history.