Court records of Kenton County, Kentucky, are available through several channels. KentonCourt.us allows for quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official resources of the Kentucky Court of Justice for Kenton County, directly at the Circuit Court Clerk's office, or via public terminals in the courthouse.
Kenton Court System & Jurisdictions
Kenton County operates two main levels of state courts — Circuit Court and District Court. Federal cases related to this region are handled by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky with an office in Covington.
Circuit Court
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Criminal cases involving felonies
- Civil claims over $5,000
- Real estate and property rights cases
- Appeals from District Court
Kenton County also operates a Family Court as a division of the Circuit Court. Family Court has primary jurisdiction over cases involving divorces, child custody, adoptions, domestic violence, and protective orders.
District Court
District Court operates as a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles:
- Misdemeanors and violations
- Traffic offenses and fines
- Small Claims cases — up to $2,500
- Violations of city and county ordinances
- Juvenile cases
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
Probate — the process of estate administration — also falls under the jurisdiction of the District Court in Kentucky. If you are unsure which court is handling your case, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Kenton Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be obtained in several ways.
- Call the Circuit Court Clerk's office — the clerk will confirm the date and time of a specific hearing.
- Visit the Kenton County page on the Kentucky Court of Justice website — here you will find contact information and links to the county office's official websites.
- Check CourtNet — the internal system of the Kentucky Court of Justice, available on public terminals in the courthouse. Terminals allow you to view the case calendar and proceeding status.
Weather closures are determined for each county separately. Current information about the operating schedule is published by the Kentucky Court of Justice on the main page.
The Kenton County Office of Circuit Court Clerk has two official websites — links to them are posted on the county page.
How to Get a Copy of a Kenton Court Document
The Circuit Court Clerk's office is the starting point for obtaining copies of court documents in any case heard in the county. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal review.
- Certified copy — bears the clerk's seal and has legal force. Required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures.
How to Order a Copy
- In-person: visit the clerk's office at the address below. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By mail: send a written request with the case details, type of copy (uncertified or certified), and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online request: the Request Court Records page on the Kentucky Court of Justice website explains the procedure and provides the contact email records@ky.gov and phone number 502-564-3617 for state-level inquiries.
Some records have restricted access — including juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family proceedings. Before visiting, check with the clerk to see if the document you need is available for public viewing.
Kenton Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are charged for searching, copying, and certifying court documents. Specific amounts are set according to KRS (Kentucky Revised Statutes) and administrative orders of the Kentucky Supreme Court. Below is an approximate fee schedule typically applied in county courts of the state:
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Court records search | Depends on the type of request; check with the clerk |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 (may vary depending on the document) |
| Certification of additional copy | $2.00 – $5.00 |
Exact amounts may change. Before sending a mail request, call the clerk's office to confirm the current fee amount. Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check. The possibility of credit card payment depends on the specific office — inquire in advance.
For records related to divorces after June 1958, a certificate can also be ordered through the Office of Vital Statistics of Kentucky. Divorce records prior to this date are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk of the county where the decision was made.