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How to Find Public Records in Spencer County in 2026

Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government documents, property filings, court proceedings, and official county actions may access a range of records through Spencer County's official agencies and online portals. SpencerRecords.org serves as an additional directory resource for individuals researching public records in Spencer County, Kentucky, though the authoritative source for all official documents remains the county's government offices. Records that may be available through official channels include property deeds, court filings, marriage licenses, tax assessments, meeting minutes, and other documents created or maintained by public agencies. The availability and completeness of specific records depends on the record type, the maintaining office, and applicable state law.

Records in Spencer County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Spencer County Clerk's office provides online access to certain land and legal records through its official portal.
The Spencer County government website publishes fiscal court agendas, meeting minutes, financial reports, ordinances, and public notices.
Open records requests directed to the Fiscal Court may be submitted through the official open records request page.
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides access to court case information through its statewide eCourts system; no county-level registration is required to submit a public records request.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Spencer County Clerk's Office or the Spencer County Fiscal Court offices in Taylorsville, Kentucky. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide any known identifying information (such as a case number, parcel number, or date range), and submit a written or verbal request to the appropriate custodian.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests directed to the Spencer County Fiscal Court must be submitted to the Official Records Custodian. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, a public agency must respond to a written open records request within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

Spencer County Clerk: (502) 477-3215
Spencer County Fiscal Court: (502) 477-3215

What Are Public Records in Spencer County?

Public records in Spencer County are documents, data, and other materials created or received by a public agency in the course of its official functions and subject to public inspection under Kentucky law. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, "public record" means 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.

The following categories of records are maintained by Spencer County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)	Spencer County Clerk
Vital records (marriage licenses)	Spencer County Clerk
Tax and assessment records	Spencer County Property Valuation Administrator
Meeting minutes, agendas, financial reports	Spencer County Fiscal Court
Business licenses and permits	Spencer County Clerk / Fiscal Court
Voting and election records	Spencer County Clerk
Law enforcement records (where permitted)	Spencer County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Spencer County Planning and Zoning

The Legal Records Department of the Spencer County Clerk is responsible for legal documents filed as public record, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property.

Is Spencer County an Open Records County?

Spencer County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government records. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, "free and open examination of public records is in the public interest." This statutory declaration establishes the foundational principle that government transparency is the rule, and withholding records is the exception.

The Spencer County Fiscal Court's official policy states: "The public is notified that all requests for inspection of public records of the Spencer County Fiscal Court must be submitted to the Official Records Custodian." This policy is consistent with the requirements of the Kentucky Open Records Act and ensures that all requests are processed through a designated point of contact.

The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides guidance and oversight for open records compliance statewide. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General pursuant to KRS § 61.880(2). Spencer County's Fiscal Court publishes its open records procedures on the Spencer County government website, including the process for submitting requests and the identity of the Official Records Custodian.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Spencer County is governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act and applicable administrative regulations. Standard fees that may apply include:

Inspection of records: No charge for in-person inspection of non-exempt public records.
Paper copies: The standard fee is $0.10 per page for copies made on standard letter or legal-size paper, as established under Kentucky administrative regulations.
Certification fees: Certified copies of documents recorded by the County Clerk (such as deeds or marriage licenses) are subject to statutory recording and certification fees set by the Kentucky General Assembly.
Electronic format: Fees for records provided in electronic format are subject to the actual cost of reproduction, which may differ from paper copy fees.
Search fees: Kentucky law does not permit agencies to charge a separate search fee for locating records in response to an open records request.

Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order payable to the respective county office. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Kentucky's Open Records Act, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances. Fees for court records obtained through the Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk are set by the Kentucky Court of Justice and may differ from those charged by the County Clerk.

Does Spencer County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of non-exempt public records is available to any person under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Members of the public are not required to pay a fee to view records in person at the maintaining office; charges apply only when copies are requested.

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

The Spencer County government website provides free online access to fiscal court agendas, meeting minutes, financial reports, ordinances, and public notices without registration.
The Spencer County Clerk's online portal offers free viewing of certain land and legal records indexed in the clerk's database.
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides free online access to court docket information through its public case search tools for cases maintained by the Spencer County Circuit Court.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection at a public office is free, obtaining paper or certified copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Spencer County?

Any person may request public records in Spencer County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Kentucky Open Records Act does not restrict access to Kentucky residents; non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.

Requestors are not required to:

Demonstrate residency in Spencer County or Kentucky
Provide a reason or purpose for the request
Provide identification for most standard open records requests

However, certain record types carry additional access requirements. Requests for records containing personal identifying information, sealed court documents, or records subject to statutory exemptions may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying interest or legal entitlement. Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal court filings or vital records) may be required to provide identification to verify identity before copies are released. Requests for records maintained by the Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk should be directed to that 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."

What Records Are Confidential in Spencer County?

Certain records maintained by Spencer County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. KRS § 61.878 enumerates the categories of records that a public agency may withhold from inspection, including:

Sealed court records: Records ordered sealed by a court of competent jurisdiction are not subject to public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Kentucky law.
Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records compiled in the process of detecting or investigating statutory or regulatory violations are exempt while the investigation is active.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure.
Medical and health records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Kentucky privacy statutes are exempt.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective agencies are confidential.
Personnel records: Public employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records of final disciplinary action.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public agency is protected.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records the disclosure of which would endanger public safety or security are exempt.

The exemptions set forth in KRS § 61.878 are not absolute; agencies must apply a balancing test when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, redacting only the exempt portions and releasing the remainder.

Spencer County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Spencer County Clerk
2 West Main Street, Suite 5
Taylorsville, KY 40071
(502) 477-3215
Spencer County Clerk

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

Spencer County Fiscal Court (Open Records Custodian)
2 West Main Street
Taylorsville, KY 40071
(502) 477-3215
Spencer County, KY

Open records requests to the Fiscal Court must be submitted in writing to the Official Records Custodian at the address above or through the open records request portal.

Spencer County Circuit Court Clerk
2 West Main Street
Taylorsville, KY 40071
(502) 477-3179
Spencer County Circuit Court