Bullitt County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Bullitt County?

Public records in Bullitt County are defined as materials prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by public agencies in the performance of their official functions, as established under the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884). These records document the activities and operations of government entities serving Bullitt County residents.

Bullitt County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk. These include judgments, case filings, and court proceedings.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Bullitt County Clerk's Office. These documents establish ownership and encumbrances on real property.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. While the county clerk issues marriage licenses, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics maintains official vital records.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations (doing business as) are available through the County Clerk's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment histories are maintained by the Bullitt County Property Valuation Administrator and Sheriff's Office.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Bullitt County Clerk's Office.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Bullitt County Fiscal Court, planning commission, and other public boards.
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial statements, and audit reports are available through the Bullitt County Fiscal Court.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records are maintained by the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office and Bullitt County Detention Center.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans are available through the Bullitt County Planning and Zoning Department.

Each record type is maintained by its respective county department, with the Bullitt County Clerk's Office serving as the primary custodian for many frequently requested documents.

Is Bullitt County an Open Records County?

Bullitt County fully complies with the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under KRS § 61.872(1), "All public records shall be open for inspection by any person, except as otherwise provided by KRS 61.870 to 61.884."

The Kentucky Open Records Act applies uniformly across all counties in the Commonwealth, including Bullitt County. This legislation establishes that public agencies must respond to open records requests within five business days under normal circumstances, as specified in KRS § 61.880(1).

Bullitt County government offices maintain specific procedures for handling records requests in accordance with state law. The county has designated records custodians within each department who are responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

Additionally, Bullitt County adheres to Kentucky's Open Meetings Law (KRS 61.800-61.850), often referred to as the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public agencies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for discussions of specific matters such as pending litigation or personnel issues.

The Kentucky Attorney General serves as the primary authority for interpreting and enforcing the Open Records Act, and citizens may appeal denied records requests to that office. Bullitt County agencies are bound by the Attorney General's decisions regarding records access unless those decisions are overturned by a court.

How to Find Public Records in Bullitt County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Bullitt County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:

Identify the Appropriate Agency: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Bullitt County Clerk handles property records, marriage licenses, and business filings, while the Circuit Court Clerk maintains court records.
Submit a Written Request: While verbal requests are permitted for some records, a written request is recommended and may be required. Requests should:
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Include contact information
- State preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, inspection only)
Court Records Access: For court records, visit the Bullitt County Judicial Center or access the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal for publicly available case information.
Property Records Research: Property records may be researched in person at the County Clerk's Office or through their online portal if available.
Vital Records Requests: For birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, contact the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services or visit their office in Frankfort. Marriage licenses are issued by the Bullitt County Clerk.
Criminal Records Search: Criminal history information and offender status can be accessed through the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup system maintained by the Department of Corrections.
Wait for Response: Agencies must respond to requests within five business days under normal circumstances, as required by KRS § 61.880(1).
Review Response Options: The agency will either:
- Provide the requested records
- Deny the request with specific statutory exemptions cited
- Request additional time if records are in active use or storage
Appeal if Necessary: If a request is denied, requestors may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office within 60 days by submitting a written appeal.
Pay Applicable Fees: Be prepared to pay reasonable fees for copies or specialized services as permitted under KRS § 61.874.

For frequently requested records, many Bullitt County offices maintain public access terminals where individuals may conduct research without assistance.

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

Bullitt County agencies charge standardized fees for public records in accordance with KRS § 61.874, which permits reasonable fees for copies but not for inspection of records. Current fee structures include:

Standard Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for non-certified copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Certified Copies:
- Court documents: $5.00 per document
- Vital records (birth, death certificates): $15.00 per copy through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Marriage licenses: $50.00 for issuance
Property Records:
- Deed recordings: $33.00 for the first three pages, $3.00 for each additional page
- Mortgage recordings: Fee based on document length and type
Electronic Records:
- CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc
- Email delivery (when available): May be provided at no cost or reduced cost
Research Fees:
- Staff research time: May be charged at $20.00 per hour after the first hour for complex requests requiring extensive research

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Check or money order
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees at some offices)

Under KRS § 61.874(3), agencies may not charge for staff time spent retrieving records unless the request is particularly time-consuming. Additionally, if a request is made for a commercial purpose, the agency may charge for staff time required to produce the records.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available for requests that serve the public interest, such as those from news media or nonprofit organizations. Indigent individuals may also qualify for fee waivers for certain records, particularly in court proceedings.

Does Bullitt County Have Free Public Records?

Bullitt County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Kentucky law. Under KRS § 61.874(1), public agencies must allow any person to inspect public records during regular office hours at no charge. This inspection right applies to most public records maintained by county offices.

Free records access is available through the following means:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-exempt records at the appropriate county office during regular business hours without charge. This includes reviewing court files, property records, meeting minutes, and other public documents.
Online Resources: Several free online platforms provide access to Bullitt County records:
- The Kentucky Court of Justice website offers free access to court dockets and case information
- The Bullitt County Property Valuation Administrator provides basic property assessment information online
- Kentucky Offender Online Lookup offers free inmate and offender status information
- County meeting agendas and minutes are typically available on the Bullitt County government website
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals at the Bullitt County Clerk's Office and Bullitt County Judicial Center allow visitors to search certain records at no cost.
Public Libraries: The Bullitt County Public Library system provides free internet access for researching online public records.

While inspection is free, fees apply when requesting copies of records or when special services such as certification or extensive research are required. Additionally, certain specialized databases or subscription services used by county offices may not be available for free public access.

Who Can Request Public Records in Bullitt County?

Under the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS § 61.872), any person may request and inspect public records maintained by Bullitt County agencies. The law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, organizations, and business entities, regardless of citizenship or residency status.

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency Requirements: Kentucky law does not restrict records access to state residents. Non-Kentucky residents have the same rights to request public records as Kentucky citizens.
Identification Requirements: While basic identification may be requested to process certain records (particularly those with restricted access), requestors generally do not need to provide identification to make standard public records requests. However, for certain sensitive records such as vital statistics or records that may contain confidential information, proper identification may be required.
Purpose Disclosure: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. However, under KRS § 61.874(4)(b), agencies may inquire whether the request is for a commercial purpose, as different fee structures may apply.
Special Categories:
- Incarcerated individuals have limited rights to request records under KRS § 197.025
- Attorneys may request records on behalf of clients
- Media representatives have the same access rights as other requestors
- Commercial requestors may be subject to additional fees
Requesting Your Own Records vs. Others' Records: Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal court records) may need to provide identification to verify their identity. Requesting another person's records may be subject to privacy restrictions, particularly for records containing personal information.

The Kentucky Open Records Act emphasizes transparency and accessibility, with the presumption that records should be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Bullitt County?

Certain records maintained by Bullitt County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under KRS § 61.878, which establishes specific categories of protected information. These confidential records include:

Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by judicial order, including certain expunged criminal records and sealed juvenile proceedings.
Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, except in specific circumstances as permitted by KRS § 610.320 and KRS § 610.340.
Law Enforcement Records: Information that would disclose the identity of confidential informants, reveal investigative techniques, or compromise ongoing investigations as specified in KRS § 61.878(1)(h).
Personal Information: Records containing personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, and medical information. This includes records that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under KRS § 61.878(1)(a).
Medical Records: Health information protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are confidential under KRS § 199.570, with limited exceptions for medical necessity.
Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations related to child abuse, neglect, or dependency as protected under KRS § 620.050.
Personnel Records: Certain information in public employee personnel files, including medical information, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Preliminary Documents: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated, as specified in KRS § 61.878(1)(j).
Trade Secrets: Confidential or proprietary business information submitted to public agencies.
Security Information: Records related to security measures, emergency response protocols, or infrastructure vulnerabilities that could threaten public safety if disclosed.
Attorney-Client Communications: Records protected by attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by KRS § 61.878(4). The burden of proving that a record is exempt rests with the public agency denying access.

Bullitt County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Bullitt County Clerk's Office
300 South Buckman Street, Suite 101
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-2513
Bullitt County Clerk

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk
Bullitt County Judicial Center
250 Frank E. Simon Avenue
P.O. Box 746
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7104
Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Bullitt County Property Valuation Administrator
300 South Buckman Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7480
Bullitt County PVA

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Bullitt County Sheriff's Office
300 South Buckman Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-2514
Bullitt County Sheriff

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday - Sunday: Closed (Emergency services available 24/7)

Lookup Public Records in Bullitt County

Bullitt County Judicial Center

Kentucky Court of Justice

Marriage and Divorce Certificates

Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Kentucky Offender Search