null

How to Find Public Records in Simpson County in 2026

SimpsonRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Simpson County, Kentucky. Members of the public may use this resource to locate records that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and other documents created or maintained by county and state agencies. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.

Records in Simpson County may be searched through official court resources, the county clerk's office, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online tools provided by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Simpson County Clerk's records portal provides online access to land records, deeds, and other officially recorded documents.
The Kentucky Court of Justice offers an online portal for requesting court records statewide, including case information from Simpson County courts.
The Kentucky Offender Online Lookup maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections allows members of the public to search for offender information, including individuals held at the Simpson County Jail.
No registration is required to search most publicly available online databases, though certified copies may require a formal written request.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public wishing to inspect or obtain copies of records in person should visit the Simpson County Clerk's Office, located at 103 West Cedar Street, Franklin, KY 42134. Staff at the public counter assist with requests for land records, marriage licenses, voter registration documents, and other officially recorded instruments. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification when requesting certified copies.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Simpson County Clerk's Office at 103 West Cedar Street, Franklin, KY 42134. Each written request should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under KRS § 61.880, a public agency must respond to a written open records request within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

Simpson County Clerk's Office: (270) 586-8161
Kentucky Court of Justice general inquiries: (502) 573-2350

What Are Public Records in Simpson County?

Public records in Simpson County are documents, papers, maps, photographs, electronic files, and other materials created or received by a public agency in the course of its official duties and retained as evidence of its activities. Under KRS § 61.870, Kentucky defines public records broadly to encompass all documentation held by state and local government bodies, subject to specific statutory exemptions.

The following categories of records are maintained by various county and state agencies:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings): Maintained by the Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk. 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."
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments): Available through the Simpson County Clerk's land records portal.
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates): Marriage licenses are issued by the Simpson County Clerk. Certified copies of birth and death certificates are maintained by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics; information on obtaining marriage and divorce certificates is available through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations): Maintained by the County Clerk's Office.
Tax records (property tax and assessment records): Maintained by the Simpson County Property Valuation Administrator.
Voting and election records: Administered by the County Clerk, which handles voter registration and election administration.
Meeting minutes and agendas: Published by the Simpson County Fiscal Court and other county boards.
Budget and financial documents: Available through the Simpson County government.
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted): Available through the Simpson County Sheriff's Office and the Franklin Police Department, subject to applicable exemptions.
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the Simpson County Planning and Zoning Office.

Historical records including county court documents, tax records, marriage records, wills, and deeds are also preserved by the Simpson County Historical Society, which maintains archival materials relevant to Simpson County and neighboring counties in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Is Simpson County an Open Records County?

Simpson County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government-held documents. Under KRS § 61.872, any person may inspect public records of any public agency during regular office hours or receive copies upon written request. The statute establishes that access to public records is a fundamental right of Kentucky residents and, in most circumstances, extends to any person regardless of residency.

The Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Open Records and Open Meetings serves as the oversight body for compliance with the Open Records Act. In a 2024 open records decision involving Simpson County, the Attorney General's Office cited the provision that "if the application places an unreasonable burden in producing public records or if the custodian has reason to believe that repeated requests are intended to disrupt other essential functions of the public agency," a denial may be warranted — underscoring that while access is broad, it is not unconditional. The full text of 24-ORD-099 is available through the Kentucky Attorney General's website.

Simpson County agencies are required to designate an official custodian of records and to post open records policies in a publicly accessible location. No county-specific ordinance restricts access beyond the limitations established by state statute.

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

The fee structure for public records in Simpson County follows the schedule established under Kentucky's Open Records Act. Current fees applicable to most requests are as follows:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certified copies of recorded documents	$5.00 per document (first page) + $3.00 per additional page
Electronic copies (where available)	No charge in many cases
Inspection of records	No charge

Fees for certified vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) differ and are set by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
The Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk may assess separate fees for court record copies as established by the Kentucky Court of Justice administrative schedule.
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance may vary; members of the public should confirm current payment options directly with the office.
Under KRS § 61.874, a public agency may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by statute but may be granted at the discretion of the agency in cases involving indigent requestors or matters of significant public interest.

Regulatory filings, such as those submitted to the Kentucky Public Service Commission — including case filings related to energy projects in Simpson County — are available at no charge through the PSC's online portal.

Does Simpson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Kentucky's Open Records Act. Members of the public may examine records at the maintaining agency's office during regular business hours without incurring any fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

The following resources provide free access to Simpson County records:

The Simpson County Clerk's online records portal allows free online searching of land records and recorded instruments.
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides free online access to certain case information through its public portal.
The Kentucky Offender Online Lookup provides free public access to offender status information maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
The Kentucky Public Service Commission's case filing database provides free access to regulatory documents, including filings pertaining to Simpson County.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain personal records, such as a requestor's own court filings, may be obtained at reduced cost in specific circumstances as provided by court rules.

Who Can Request Public Records in Simpson County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Simpson County. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to be Kentucky residents, and agencies may not demand that a requestor explain the reason for seeking a record as a condition of access.

Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect records, though identification may be required when obtaining certified copies or when the request involves records with restricted access.
Purpose: Agencies may not require a requestor to state the purpose of a request for most public records.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Kentucky retain the same access rights as residents under the Open Records Act.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records — such as personal court filings, property records, or vital records — follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional identity verification may be required for certified vital records.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as juvenile court records, adoption files, and sealed court documents, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order.

What Records Are Confidential in Simpson County?

Not all government-held documents in Simpson County 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 access under applicable state and federal law:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile court records and child welfare files
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical records protected under federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records (accessible only by court order or to parties with statutory standing)
Child protective services records
Personnel files of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

KRS § 61.878 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable under Kentucky's Open Records Act. Agencies applying an exemption must identify the specific statutory basis for withholding a record. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office within two years of the denial.

Simpson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Simpson County Clerk's Office 103 West Cedar Street Franklin, KY 42134 (270) 586-8161 Simpson County Clerk

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

The County Clerk's Office is responsible for the recording and administration of official documents, voter registration, election administration, vehicle registration renewals, and the issuance of marriage licenses.

Simpson County Circuit Court Clerk Simpson County Justice Center 103 West Cedar Street Franklin, KY 42134 (270) 586-4271 Simpson County Court Information

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

The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all civil, criminal, probate, and family court records filed in Simpson County. Members of the public may inspect court records at the clerk's public counter or submit written requests for copies.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics 275 East Main Street Frankfort, KY 40621 (502) 564-4212 Marriage and Divorce Certificates

The Office of Vital Statistics maintains statewide birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. As stated by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, "Marriage licenses are issued in the county clerk's office in each Kentucky county," while certified copies of statewide vital records are available through the state office.