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How to Find Public Records in Perry County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Perry County, Kentucky, may access publicly available information through PerryCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data related to court filings, property documents, vital records, and other official records maintained by county and state agencies. The information presented on such platforms is drawn from publicly available sources and may not reflect the most current filings or complete record sets. Individuals researching Perry County public records may encounter the following categories of documents:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Perry County Circuit Court Clerk maintains digital access to certain court filings. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides case information through its CourtNet system, accessible to registered users. Property records may be searched through the Perry County Property Valuation Administrator's online portal. Some records require account registration or in-person verification before full digital access is granted.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Perry County Clerk's Office at 481 Main Street, Hazard, Kentucky 41701, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought, including names, dates, and case or document numbers where available.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Perry County Clerk, P.O. Box 150, Hazard, KY 41702. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under KRS § 61.880, agencies are required to respond to open records requests within five business days.
Phone/Email: The Perry County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (606) 436-4614. Email contact information is available through the county's official web portal.
What Are Public Records in Perry County?
Public records in Perry County are defined under Kentucky law 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. This definition is established under KRS § 61.870, Kentucky's Open Records Act. The following record types are maintained by various county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and mortgages | County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk / State Vital Statistics |
| Tax assessment records | Property Valuation Administrator |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / City of Hazard |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Judge/Executive's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Perry County Sheriff / Hazard Police |
| Land use and zoning records | Perry County Planning Commission |
The Perry County Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for managing records of Circuit and District courts, including lawsuits, judgments, and case filings. Property and vital records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office. The City of Hazard processes open records requests for municipal documents, including permits, ordinances, and city commission minutes.
Is Perry County an Open Records County?
Perry County operates in full compliance with Kentucky's Open Records Act. Under KRS § 61.872, all public agencies in the Commonwealth, including county offices, are required to make public records available for inspection by any person. The Kentucky Office of the Attorney General has stated that "the Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's recognition that government is the servant of the people and not their master," affirming the broad public right of access to government documents.
The Act applies to all offices within Perry County, including the County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Sheriff's Office, Property Valuation Administrator, and the City of Hazard. Each agency is responsible for designating an official custodian of records and responding to requests within the statutory timeframe. The Kentucky Court of Justice notes that "the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in each county is the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases in that county," underscoring the role of the clerk's office as the primary access point for judicial records. Perry County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Perry County?
The current fee structure for public records in Perry County is governed by state statute and individual agency schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certification of records | $5.00 per document |
| Electronic copies (where available) | No charge or minimal media cost |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under standard open records requests |
Under KRS § 61.874, a public agency may charge a fee for copies that does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction, excluding staff costs for standard requests. Agencies may not charge for the inspection of records. Certification fees vary by office; the County Clerk's Office charges standard fees for certified copies of deeds, marriage licenses, and other recorded instruments. Accepted payment methods at the Perry County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency.
Does Perry County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at all Perry County government offices during regular business hours. Any person may inspect records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Perry County Clerk's Office allows free in-person inspection of property records, deed books, and recorded instruments at the public counter.
- The Perry County Circuit Court Clerk provides free inspection of court case files at the courthouse.
- The Kentucky Court of Justice offers free online access to certain case information through its public case search portal.
- The Perry County Property Valuation Administrator's office provides free access to property assessment data through its online database.
- The City of Hazard accepts open records requests at no charge for inspection of municipal documents.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to inspect any non-exempt public record at no cost, but reproduction of those records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Perry County?
Any person may request public records from Perry County agencies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not require requestors to be residents of the Commonwealth, nor does it require individuals to provide identification or explain the reason for their request in standard circumstances. The Act establishes that the right of access belongs to "any person," a term interpreted broadly by the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General.
Requestors seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, follow the same process as any other requester, though additional identification may be required for certified copies of vital records under state vital statistics regulations. Certain record types, including sealed court records and juvenile records, are subject to restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity. Non-residents retain the same rights as Kentucky residents under the Open Records Act. Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit requests on equal terms.
What Records Are Confidential in Perry County?
Not all records maintained by Perry County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law establishes specific exemptions under KRS § 61.878, which identifies categories of records that public agencies may withhold from inspection. The following record types are exempt from disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and child welfare case files
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records
- Personnel records, except where disclosure is required by law
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details
- Attorney-client privileged communications within government agencies
The Kentucky Attorney General has noted that exemptions under the Open Records Act are to be interpreted narrowly, with the burden on the agency to justify withholding any record. Agencies denying a request must provide written notification citing the specific statutory exemption within five business days. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General for an administrative review.
Perry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Perry County Clerk's Office
481 Main Street, Suite 1
Hazard, KY 41701
(606) 436-4614
Perry County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Perry County Circuit Court Clerk
P.O. Box 1350
Hazard, KY 41702
(606) 439-4717
Perry County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Perry County Property Valuation Administrator
481 Main Street
Hazard, KY 41701
(606) 436-4914
Perry County PVA
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
City of Hazard – Open Records Office
100 Municipal Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
(606) 439-2152
City of Hazard Open Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM