Breckinridge County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Breckinridge County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, and other official materials may access publicly available information through BreckinridgeRecords.us as well as through the official offices and portals described below. Breckinridge County maintains a range of records that are subject to public disclosure under Kentucky law, including but not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Tax and property assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Kentucky Court of Justice county portal provides access to court case information for Breckinridge County. The CourtNet and eCourt Public Access systems allow users to search civil and criminal case indexes without registration for basic lookups.
Property records and deed indexes are searchable through the Breckinridge County Clerk's office and the Kentucky Property Valuation Administrator system.
Vital records searches are available through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics for marriage and divorce certificates.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Breckinridge County Clerk's Office at 208 S. Main Cross Street, Hardinsburg, KY 40143. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, provide relevant names or dates, and complete any required request forms at the counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Breckinridge County Clerk, P.O. Box 538, Hardinsburg, KY 40143. Each request must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email:

Breckinridge County Clerk: (270) 756-2246
Breckinridge County Circuit Court Clerk: (270) 756-2269

What Are Public Records in Breckinridge County?

Public records in Breckinridge County are defined under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870 as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics, which are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Court Clerk
Probate and family court records	District Court / Circuit Court Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk
Vital records (marriage licenses)	County Clerk
Birth and death certificates	Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk / City offices
Property tax and assessment records	Property Valuation Administrator
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Judge/Executive Office
Budget and financial documents	County Judge/Executive Office
Arrest logs and incident reports	Breckinridge County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Planning and Zoning Office

The Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of court case records. 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."

Is Breckinridge County an Open Records County?

Breckinridge County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870 through § 61.884, all public agencies in the Commonwealth — including county offices — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes that the fundamental policy of the Commonwealth is that "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest."

The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all disclosure obligations. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides guidance and issues opinions on open records disputes, and any person whose request is denied may appeal to the Attorney General within 30 days of the denial. Breckinridge County offices are also subject to Kentucky's Open Meetings Act, which requires that deliberations and actions of public agencies occur in open session except where specific exemptions apply. Residents of Irvington and other municipalities within the county may submit public records inspection requests through their respective city offices; the City of Irvington's resident services page includes a direct link to submit a Request to Inspect Public Records.

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

The fee structure for public records in Breckinridge County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial office. Standard fees currently in effect are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (standard size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies (deeds, vital records)	$5.00–$10.00 per document
Electronic copies (where available)	Actual cost of duplication
Inspection of records	No charge
Search fees	Not permitted under state law

Under Kentucky's Open Records Act, agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproduction and may not charge for staff time spent locating records. Certification fees for documents such as deeds and marriage licenses are set by statute and collected by the County Clerk. Accepted payment methods at the Breckinridge County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by state statute for standard requests, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.

Does Breckinridge County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at the offices of the custodial agency during regular business hours. Members of the public may examine records in person at no cost; charges apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

Kentucky Court of Justice online portal: Case index information for Breckinridge County circuit and district court proceedings is accessible at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice county information page.
County Clerk's public access terminal: An on-site terminal at the Breckinridge County Clerk's Office allows free inspection of deed indexes and recorded document images.
Property Valuation Administrator: Property assessment data is available for free inspection through the PVA's public records system.
Kentucky Vital Statistics: While certified copies of vital records carry a fee, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics provides informational guidance on record availability at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: the right to inspect is unconditional for non-exempt records, while the right to receive copies is subject to applicable reproduction fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Breckinridge County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Breckinridge County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or reason for the request. Requestors are not required to:

Be a Kentucky resident
Provide government-issued identification (for most records)
State the purpose of the request

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are restricted to authorized individuals — including the subject of the record, immediate family members, and legal representatives — as specified by state vital statistics law. Persons seeking records about themselves may access their own files through the relevant custodial office. Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the Open Records Act. Requestors seeking court records related to criminal proceedings may also consult the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy for guidance on accessing case materials involving indigent defense.

What Records Are Confidential in Breckinridge County?

Not all government records 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 public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Kentucky law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in the course of an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.878 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public agency records. Agencies applying an exemption must cite the specific statutory provision and explain how it applies to the records withheld. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to separate and release the non-exempt portions.

Breckinridge County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Breckinridge County Clerk
208 S. Main Cross Street
Hardinsburg, KY 40143
(270) 756-2246
Breckinridge County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Breckinridge County Circuit Court Clerk
208 S. Main Cross Street, Suite 1
Hardinsburg, KY 40143
(270) 756-2269
Breckinridge County Circuit Court Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Breckinridge County Property Valuation Administrator
208 S. Main Cross Street
Hardinsburg, KY 40143
(270) 756-2057
Kentucky Property Valuation Administrator

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Breckinridge County Sheriff's Office
208 S. Main Cross Street
Hardinsburg, KY 40143
(270) 756-2256
Breckinridge County Sheriff