Simpson County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Simpson County in 2026
SimpsonRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Simpson County, Kentucky. Members of the public may find ownership history, deed transfers, tax assessments, mortgage filings, liens, and related encumbrances through this resource. Record categories available through official channels include deeds, property tax records, plat maps, mortgage documents, and lien filings. Access to these records is subject to availability and the completeness of underlying official databases.
Records in Simpson County may be searched through the following official resources:
- Simpson County Clerk — for recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Simpson County Property Valuation — for property assessments, ownership data, and valuation history
- City of Franklin Property Tax Office — for municipal tax records and payment history
Simpson County Clerk
103 W. Cedar St.
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-8161
Simpson County Clerk
Simpson County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA)
103 W. Cedar St., Suite 1
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-4261
Property Valuation - Simpson County Kentucky
City of Franklin Finance & Accounting / Tax Office
100 E. Cedar St.
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-4497
How to Pay Your Property Taxes - City of Franklin, KY
Online Search Methods
1. Property Appraiser / PVA Website
The Simpson County PVA office maintains the primary database for property assessment and ownership information. Members of the public may access this resource at no charge and without registration.
Search options include:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel ID number
- Map or GIS location
Information available through the PVA database:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Legal description and parcel number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
Steps to search:
- Navigate to the Simpson County PVA office website
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned
- Select the relevant property to view the full property card, valuation history, and map
2. County Clerk Official Records Search
The Simpson County Clerk maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. The Records division of the Simpson County Clerk provides access to deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other recorded documents.
Searchable by:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number or instrument number
Documents available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Lis pendens filings
- Powers of attorney affecting property
Steps to search:
- Visit the Simpson County Clerk's records portal
- Select the search type (grantor, grantee, document type, or date range)
- Enter the applicable search criteria
- Review the results and select the relevant document
- Note the book and page or instrument number for reference
- Request a certified copy if an official copy is required
3. Tax Collector / City Tax Office
The City of Franklin Tax Office maintains municipal property tax records. Members of the public may search by property address, owner name, parcel number, or tax account number through the City of Franklin property tax portal.
Information available:
- Current tax bill and payment status
- Outstanding balances and delinquency information
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates and breakdown by taxing authority
- Payment history
4. GIS / Mapping System
Simpson County provides geographic information system (GIS) access for visual property searches. Users may navigate an interactive map, click on a parcel to view property information, and access linked records including property boundaries, zoning layers, and flood zone designations.
In-Person Searches
Members of the public who require official certified copies or access to records not available online may visit the following offices in person:
Simpson County Clerk
103 W. Cedar St.
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-8161
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Simpson County Clerk
Services available in person include viewing official recorded documents, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, and accessing record books with staff assistance.
Simpson County PVA Office
103 W. Cedar St., Suite 1
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-4261
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Property Valuation - Simpson County Kentucky
Services available include public access computers, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption application assistance.
By Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for property records by mail to the Simpson County Clerk or PVA office. Requests should specify the property address, parcel number, or legal description, along with the document type and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees should be included with the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Through Professionals
Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed appraisers provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments. These professionals have direct access to official records systems and can identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Costs vary by provider and scope of work.
Search Tips
- When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats, and consider spelling variations or name changes
- When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
- Historical records predating digitization may require an in-person visit to the courthouse
- Staff at the Simpson County Clerk's office can assist with historical research and retrieval of older records
What Is Simpson County Property Records
Property records in Simpson County are official documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices as part of the public record. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and support property tax assessment. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 382.110, instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded with the county clerk to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.
Types of property records maintained in Simpson County include:
Ownership Records
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Transfer records and ownership history (chain of title)
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Encumbrance Records
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements, restrictions, and covenants
- Homeowner association (HOA) documents
- Lis pendens filings (notice of pending lawsuit)
Tax and Assessment Records
- Property tax assessments prepared by the PVA
- Tax bills and payment history
- Exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
- Special assessments and delinquency records
Legal Descriptions
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and metes-and-bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
Building and Permit Records
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations and zoning information
- Land use designations
Who Maintains Property Records in Simpson County:
| Office | Records Maintained |
|---|---|
| Simpson County Clerk | Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, recorded instruments |
| Simpson County PVA | Property valuations, assessments, ownership data, exemptions |
| City of Franklin Tax Office | Municipal tax bills, payment history, delinquency records |
| Building/Planning Department | Permits, inspections, zoning, code enforcement |
The Simpson County Clerk is responsible for recording and indexing all instruments affecting title to real property pursuant to KRS § 382.080, which requires that deeds and other conveyances be acknowledged and recorded to be valid against subsequent purchasers for value without notice.
Are Property Records Public Information in Simpson County?
Property records in Simpson County are public information. Under Kentucky's Open Records Act, KRS § 61.870 et seq., public agency records are open to inspection by any person, and no special purpose or justification is required to access them. The recording system for real property instruments has operated as a public system since Kentucky's earliest statutes, reflecting the centuries-old common law principle that recorded instruments provide constructive notice to all members of the public.
As stated by the Simpson County Clerk's office, the office is responsible for "recording & administration of official documents" as part of its core public functions. This mandate reflects the foundational role of the recording system in protecting property rights and enabling transparent real estate transactions.
Why property records are public:
- Transparency: The public has a recognized interest in knowing who owns real property, how it is assessed for taxation, and what encumbrances affect title
- Commercial necessity: Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on access to recorded property information
- Legal protection: The recording system establishes priority of interests, protects against fraudulent transfers, and enables enforcement of property rights
- Public interest: Property records support community planning, historical research, genealogical research, and journalistic investigation
What property information is freely accessible:
- Current and historical ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Deeds and other recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy considerations:
Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under applicable state and federal law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under Kentucky law. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; members of the public should contact the PVA office directly regarding the disclosure policies applicable to exemption applications.
Who may access property records:
Any member of the public — regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose — may access Simpson County property records. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, lenders, attorneys, appraisers, investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists. Commercial aggregation of public property records is legally permissible, though anti-harassment laws and fair housing laws continue to apply to the use of such information.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Simpson County?
The cost to obtain property records in Simpson County depends on the type of record requested and the office from which it is obtained. Viewing records in person or online through the PVA database is available at no charge. Fees apply to copies and certified copies of recorded instruments.
Standard fee schedule for the Simpson County Clerk:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a recorded document | $0.50 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| Non-certified copy of a recorded document | $0.50 per page |
| Recording a deed or mortgage (first page) | $33.00 |
| Recording (each additional page) | $3.00 |
| Search fee (staff-assisted) | Varies |
Recording fees in Kentucky are governed by KRS § 64.012, which establishes the schedule of fees that county clerks may charge for recording instruments and providing copies of public records.
What is available at no cost:
- Online viewing of property assessment data through the PVA website
- In-person inspection of recorded documents at the Clerk's office
- Online search of the recorded document index
Accepted payment methods at the Simpson County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public submitting mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Simpson County Clerk. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly applicable to property record requests; however, governmental agencies and certain nonprofit entities may be entitled to reduced or waived fees under applicable Kentucky statutes.
The City of Franklin Tax Office does not charge a fee for viewing current tax information online. Copies of tax bills or payment records may be subject to standard copying fees consistent with the office's current fee schedule.
What's Included in a Simpson County Property Record?
A complete Simpson County property record encompasses information from multiple official sources, including the County Clerk's recorded instruments, the PVA's assessment database, and the tax collector's payment records.
Ownership Information
Current ownership data includes:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate)
- Acquisition date and deed book/page or instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
Chain of title information includes:
- Previous owners' names and transfer dates
- Historical deed references
- Complete ownership timeline from original conveyance to present
Property Identification
- Site address and mailing address (if different)
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, metes and bounds)
- Parcel ID / tax account number
- Alternate or previous parcel numbers
Physical Characteristics
Land information:
- Lot size (square feet or acres), dimensions, and frontage
- Corner lot designation and topography
- Land use designation and zoning classification
Building information:
- Total living area (square feet) and year built
- Number of stories, building type, and construction type
- Exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation type
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
- Additional features: garage, pool, porch/patio, fireplace, HVAC, water source, sewer system, and accessory structures
- Condition and quality ratings
Valuation Information
- Land value and building value (assessed)
- Total assessed value and market/just value
- Assessment year and historical values for prior years
- Agricultural classification data (if applicable)
Tax Information
- Total current tax amount, taxable value after exemptions, and millage rate
- Breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, city, special districts)
- Due dates, payment status, and discount information
- Tax payment history and delinquency history (if any)
- Exemptions applied: homestead, senior, disability, veteran, widow/widower, agricultural, conservation, or historic preservation
Sales History
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers for recent transfers
- Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, gift, inheritance, foreclosure, tax deed, divorce transfer, trust transfer)
- Grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) names
- Qualified/unqualified sale designation and documentary stamp amounts
Encumbrances and Liens
- Recorded mortgages: amounts, lender names, recording dates, and book/page references
- Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
- Easements (utility, access, conservation), restrictions and covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens filings
Legal and Regulatory Information
- Current zoning classification and permitted uses
- Land use code and future land use designation
- Special district assignments (school, fire, water, community development)
- Deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, and HOA information
- FEMA flood zone designation, wetlands, and conservation area designations
Maps and Images
- Property exterior photograph and aerial photograph
- GIS map with property boundaries and plat map
- Property sketch or floor plan (where available)
- Historical aerial photographs (where available)
Building Permit Information (if integrated)
- Building permits issued, permit dates, and descriptions
- Contractor information and permit values
- Certificate of occupancy and inspection records
What is not typically included in public property records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted)
- Private agreements not recorded with the Clerk
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Simpson County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Simpson County are maintained permanently. The recording system for real property instruments is designed to preserve an unbroken chain of title from the original conveyance of land to the present owner, and no recorded instrument affecting title is subject to destruction. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of maintaining chain of title and the historical importance of land records to the community.
Under Kentucky's records retention statutes and the requirements of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, county clerks are required to preserve recorded instruments indefinitely. The permanent nature of these records ensures that any member of the public may trace ownership, encumbrances, and transfers affecting a given parcel back to the earliest recorded transaction.
Records kept permanently include:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all other conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Court documents affecting title
- Any instrument recorded with the County Clerk affecting real property
Format and Storage of Historical Records
| Era | Format |
|---|---|
| Pre-1900s | Handwritten ledger books |
| Early–mid 1900s | Typed entries in bound record books |
| Mid-1900s | Microfilm |
| Recent decades | Digital scans and electronic document management systems |
The Simpson County Clerk's office maintains original record books in protected storage, with microfilm archives and digital backups for preservation. Climate-controlled storage and off-site backup systems are employed to protect against loss.
Online Availability by Time Period
| Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online in most cases; immediate access |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | May be online; microfilm available at courthouse |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access at courthouse; staff retrieval required |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Members of the public seeking historical records that are not available online may contact the Simpson County Clerk's office directly to arrange retrieval. Staff can assist with identifying the appropriate record books, microfilm reels, or digital archives for a given time period.
Property Appraiser / PVA Assessment Records
The PVA office maintains current and historical assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls on a permanent basis. Exemption applications are retained for a period consistent with the Kentucky records retention schedule, which varies by document type. Recent years of assessment history are available through the online PVA database; historical assessments are accessible at the PVA office.
Tax Records
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years by the tax collector. Tax deed records are maintained permanently by the County Clerk. Delinquency records are accessible through the Simpson County Clerk's delinquent tax records portal, which provides information on properties with outstanding tax obligations.
Digitization and Preservation Efforts
Many Kentucky county clerks, including Simpson County, are engaged in ongoing digitization projects to scan historical record books and microfilm and make them accessible online. These projects are supported in part by state and federal grant funding. The process of digitizing historical records is ongoing, and the scope of online availability continues to expand over time.
Contact for historical records:
Simpson County Clerk — Records Division
103 W. Cedar St.
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-8161
Simpson County Clerk
Simpson County PVA Office
103 W. Cedar St., Suite 1
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-4261
Property Valuation - Simpson County Kentucky
How To Find Liens on Property in Simpson County?
Liens on property in Simpson County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Simpson County Clerk. Members of the public may search for liens affecting a specific property by searching the official records index maintained by the Clerk's office, either online or in person.
Types of liens that may appear in Simpson County property records:
- Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Kentucky Department of Revenue)
- Judgment liens arising from court judgments
- Mechanic's liens filed by contractors or materialmen
- HOA liens for unpaid association assessments
- Code enforcement liens
- Child support liens
- Municipal special assessment liens
Steps to search for liens on a Simpson County property:
- Visit the Simpson County Clerk's records portal and search by the property owner's name (as grantor or grantee) or by parcel number
- Review all recorded instruments associated with the property, filtering by document type for lien-related filings
- Note the recording date, amount, and lienholder for any lien identified
- Check whether a corresponding release or satisfaction of lien has been recorded subsequent to the original lien filing
- For federal tax liens, search the Kentucky Secretary of State's UCC and lien database in addition to the County Clerk's records, as federal tax liens may be filed at the state level
- For judgment liens, search the Simpson Circuit Court records through the Kentucky Court of Justice case management system
In-person lien searches may be conducted at the Simpson County Clerk's office, where staff can assist with grantor/grantee index searches and retrieval of specific recorded instruments.
The DOCALERT service offered through the Simpson County Clerk's office provides property fraud monitoring by notifying registered property owners of any unexpected activity involving mortgages or deeds recorded in their name. This service is a proactive tool for detecting unauthorized lien filings or fraudulent transfers.
Simpson County Clerk
103 W. Cedar St.
Franklin, KY 42134
Phone: (270) 586-8161
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Simpson County Clerk
For delinquent property tax lien information specifically, members of the public may access the Simpson County Clerk's delinquent tax records, which identifies properties with outstanding tax obligations and associated lien status.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Simpson County?
The property owner rule in Simpson County refers to the body of Kentucky law and local regulations governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Under Kentucky law, any natural person, legal entity (including corporations, limited liability companies, and trusts), or governmental body may hold title to real property in Simpson County.
Establishment of ownership: Legal ownership of real property in Simpson County is established by a recorded deed. Pursuant to KRS § 382.110, no conveyance of real property is valid against a subsequent purchaser for valuable consideration without notice unless the deed is acknowledged and recorded with the Simpson County Clerk. This recording requirement is the foundation of the constructive notice system: once a deed is recorded, all subsequent parties are deemed to have notice of its contents regardless of actual knowledge.
Forms of ownership recognized in Kentucky:
- Sole ownership: A single individual holds title in their own name
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest
- Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the entirety: A form of joint ownership available only to legally married spouses, providing survivorship rights and protection from individual creditors
- Trust ownership: A trustee holds legal title on behalf of beneficiaries pursuant to a trust agreement
- Entity ownership: Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other legal entities may hold title to real property
Transfer of ownership: Property in Simpson County is transferred by a deed that must be signed by the grantor, acknowledged before a notary public, and recorded with the Simpson County Clerk. Kentucky does not impose a state deed transfer tax, though documentary stamps may apply in certain circumstances. The PVA office is notified of all recorded transfers and updates ownership records accordingly.
Property tax obligations: Under Kentucky law, the owner of record as of January 1 of each tax year is responsible for the property taxes assessed for that year. The Simpson County PVA prepares the assessment roll, and tax bills are prepared and administered by the Simpson County Clerk. Property owners who believe their assessment is incorrect may appeal to the PVA office and, if necessary, to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals.
Homestead exemption: Kentucky law provides a homestead exemption for owner-occupied residential property. Qualifying property owners who are 65 years of age or older, or who are totally disabled, may apply for the homestead exemption through the Simpson County PVA office. The exemption reduces the assessed value of the property for tax purposes by the amount established annually by the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
Foreign ownership: Kentucky law does not currently impose restrictions on the ownership of real property by foreign nationals or foreign entities beyond those established by federal law. All owners, regardless of citizenship or residency, are subject to the same recording requirements, tax obligations, and regulatory framework applicable to property in Simpson County.
Adverse possession: Kentucky recognizes the doctrine of adverse possession, under which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's property for a period of fifteen years may acquire legal title through a court action. Claims of adverse possession are adjudicated by the Simpson Circuit Court and, if successful, are memorialized by a recorded court order.
Lookup Property Records in Simpson County
- Simpson County Clerk: official documents, deeds, and property records
- Property Valuation - Simpson County Kentucky: assessments and ownership data
- Recorded documents and DOCALERT property fraud monitoring
- Delinquent tax records and lien information
- How to Pay Your Property Taxes - City of Franklin, KY