Johnson County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Johnson County in 2026

JohnsonKYRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Johnson County, Kentucky. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, and law enforcement information, subject to applicable state and federal disclosure laws. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the record, and whether exemptions apply under Kentucky law.

Records that may be accessible through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax and assessment records
Business licenses and permits
Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Voting and election records

Online Access: The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online portal through which members of the public may search court case information statewide. The Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk's page provides county-specific guidance on requesting copies of court records. Property and land records may be accessible through the Johnson County Clerk's office portal. Some records require registration or payment before digital copies are released.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Johnson County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of property, vital, and administrative records. The office is located at 230 Court Street, Suite 201, Paintsville, KY 41240. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought and be prepared to pay applicable copy fees at the time of the request.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Johnson County Clerk's Office at 230 Court Street, Suite 201, Paintsville, KY 41240. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, the agency must respond within three business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email: The Johnson County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (606) 789-2557. Members of the public are encouraged to call in advance to confirm record availability and any applicable fees before submitting a formal request.

What Are Public Records in Johnson County?

Public records in Johnson 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 Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, which governs the Commonwealth's Open Records Act.

The following record types are maintained by designated offices within Johnson County:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records	Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens	Johnson County Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Johnson County Clerk / Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Business licenses and permits	Johnson County Clerk
Tax and property assessment records	Johnson County Property Valuation Administrator
Voting and election records	Johnson County Clerk
Meeting minutes and budget documents	Johnson County Fiscal Court
Arrest logs and incident reports	Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Johnson County Planning and Zoning Office

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." Members of the public seeking court-related documents should contact the Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk directly.

Is Johnson County an Open Records County?

Johnson County operates in full compliance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, which mandates that public agencies make non-exempt records available for inspection and copying upon request. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, it is the declared policy of the Commonwealth that "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest." All county offices, including the Clerk, Sheriff, and Fiscal Court, are subject to this statute.

The Kentucky Attorney General's Office plays a central oversight role in enforcing open records compliance. The Commonwealth's and County Attorneys page maintained by the Kentucky Attorney General provides guidance on open records decisions, opinions, and the process for filing complaints when access is denied. If a public agency fails to respond within the statutory three-business-day window or improperly denies a request, the requestor may appeal to the Attorney General's Office for a binding opinion.

Kentucky's Open Records Act applies uniformly to all counties, and no county may adopt local ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits. Johnson County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all requests.

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

The standard fee structure for public records in Johnson County follows the schedule established under Kentucky law and the policies of each maintaining office. Members of the public should be aware of the following current fees:

Inspection of records: No charge for in-person inspection of non-exempt records
Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies (per KRS § 61.874)
Certification of documents: Fees vary by document type; the Johnson County Clerk charges a standard certification fee per instrument
Electronic copies: Fees for electronic format copies are set at the actual cost of reproduction, which may be lower than paper copy fees
Search fees: Kentucky law does not permit agencies to charge a search fee for locating records
Vital record certified copies: The Johnson County Clerk charges $6.00 for the first certified copy of a marriage record and $4.00 for each additional copy

Accepted payment methods at the Johnson County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public should confirm current fee schedules directly with the maintaining office, as fees for specific document types may differ. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Kentucky law, though indigent requestors may petition the court for waiver of court-related copy fees in certain civil proceedings.

Does Johnson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under the Kentucky Open Records Act, which requires public agencies to permit in-person review of non-exempt records at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records on-site carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain Johnson County records:

Kentucky Court of Justice online portal: The Kentucky Court of Justice provides free online access to basic case information for circuit and district court cases statewide, including those filed in Johnson County
Kentucky Offender Online Lookup: The Kentucky Offender Search tool, maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections, provides free public access to information on individuals currently or previously incarcerated, including those held at the Johnson County Jail
Johnson County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect property records, deed books, and other instruments at no charge during regular business hours
Johnson County Sheriff's Office: The Johnson County Sheriff's Office website provides publicly available information to citizens of Johnson County at no cost

Certified copies of vital records and court documents are not available free of charge under standard circumstances.

Who Can Request Public Records in Johnson County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Johnson County, 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 explain why they are seeking a particular record. This broad access right reflects the Commonwealth's policy that open examination of public records serves the public interest.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to present identification to inspect public records, though some offices may request it for administrative purposes
Purpose: Agencies may not condition access on the requestor's stated purpose, except in limited circumstances involving records that are subject to restricted access by statute
Non-residents: Non-residents of Johnson County and Kentucky retain the same access rights as residents under state law
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or court filings, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information
Minors and sealed records: Certain records involving minors or sealed proceedings are restricted regardless of who is requesting them

Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public all hold equal standing under the Open Records Act when submitting requests to Johnson County agencies.

What Records Are Confidential in Johnson County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law and are not available for inspection or copying. The Kentucky Open Records Act enumerates specific exemptions that public agencies in Johnson County are required to apply when responding to requests.

Confidential or exempt records include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Kentucky law
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in the course of an active criminal investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from otherwise public documents
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
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records of final disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public agency in confidence
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure are withheld

As stated in the Kentucky Attorney General's guidance on open records, agencies bear the burden of proving that a requested record falls within a recognized exemption. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office for a formal opinion.

Johnson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Johnson County Clerk
230 Court Street, Suite 201
Paintsville, KY 41240
(606) 789-2557
Johnson County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk
230 Court Street
Paintsville, KY 41240
(606) 789-5144
Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk

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

Johnson County Sheriff's Office
300 Main Street
Paintsville, KY 41240
(606) 789-3411
Johnson County Sheriff's Office

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

Johnson County Property Valuation Administrator
230 Court Street, Suite 103
Paintsville, KY 41240
(606) 789-2550

Members of the public seeking court records are directed to the Circuit Court Clerk's office, which serves as the official custodian of all civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings in Johnson County. Property and land records are maintained by the County Clerk. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides statewide guidance on locating the appropriate clerk's office for any county in the Commonwealth.