Franklin County Public Records /Franklin County Divorce Records

Franklin County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Franklin County in 2026

FranklinKYRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Franklin County, Kentucky. Members of the public may find dissolution of marriage filings, final decrees, case numbers, party names, and related court documents through official channels. Record availability may vary depending on the age of the case, whether documents have been sealed, and the custodial office involved.

Divorce records in Franklin County may be searched through official resources including the Franklin Circuit Court clerk's office, the Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. The following sections outline each available method in detail.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online case search system that allows members of the public to search for circuit court cases, including dissolution of marriage proceedings, by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document downloads.

2. State Court System Portal

The Franklin County Court of Justice page provides jurisdiction-specific information and directs users to the statewide CourtNet portal, which consolidates case data across Kentucky's circuit and district courts. This portal enables searches across multiple jurisdictions from a single interface.

3. State Vital Records

Kentucky registers divorce certificates through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. The Marriage and Divorce Certificates page maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services describes how to obtain certified divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Kentucky counties. These certificates contain limited information compared to full court case files and carry applicable fees.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Franklin Circuit Court Family Division

Franklin Circuit Court Clerk
222 Saint Clair Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-8386
Franklin — Kentucky Court of Justice

Members of the public may visit the clerk's office during regular business hours to:

Search case files by party name or case number
View filed documents at public access terminals
Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
Obtain staff assistance for locating archived records

Franklin County Clerk — Records Office

Franklin County Clerk
321 West Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 875-8702
Records — Franklin County Clerk

The Franklin County Clerk maintains certain county-level records and processes open records requests pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act. Applicants requesting copies of public records for a commercial purpose are subject to additional requirements under KRS § 61.874.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Franklin Circuit Court Clerk, 222 Saint Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Include the following:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request (required for commercial requests)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed within 3–5 business days for standard requests; archived or older records may require additional time.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Franklin Circuit Court Clerk: (502) 564-8386

Staff may confirm the following by phone:

Whether a case exists in the system
Case number and filing date
Current case status

Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by phone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Kentucky may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through appropriate motions, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Kentucky Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for individuals who require legal representation in connection with divorce record access.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Franklin County
Names of minor children involved
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Divorce proceedings in Kentucky are filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a dissolution record must confirm the county of residence at the time of the proceeding. A record will not be found in Franklin County if neither party resided there at the time of filing, regardless of where the marriage took place.

Under Kentucky law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the Commonwealth for 180 days prior to filing, pursuant to KRS § 403.140.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately
Allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for records to be indexed
Contacting the clerk's office directly is the most reliable method for recently finalized cases

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper form
Archived records may require a special retrieval request
Additional processing time should be anticipated for records stored off-site

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county — the divorce may have been filed in a different county
Name variations — search under maiden name, married name, and alternate spellings
Case still pending — a pending case has not yet produced a final decree
Very old records — pre-digital records may require manual retrieval
Sealed or confidential case — access may be restricted by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk at (502) 564-8386
Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
Search the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics for a divorce certificate
Submit an open records request to the Franklin County Fiscal Court if county agency records are involved

What Are Franklin County Divorce Records?

Franklin County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Franklin Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the circuit court clerk and are subject to the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file for a dissolution proceeding may include:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders issued during the proceeding
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution

Final Decree

The final decree of dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It constitutes legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal maintenance terms, if ordered
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support obligations, if applicable
Any court-ordered name restoration

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents filed in the case record may include:

The original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements and tax returns
Property appraisals and business valuations
Parenting plan modifications
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records

Legal Purposes:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes with government agencies
Supporting immigration proceedings
Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
Verifying eligibility for Social Security or pension benefits

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping
Verification of divorce terms for compliance purposes

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Franklin Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of dissolution of marriage case files. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, operating under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, maintains statewide divorce certificate records and processes requests through the VS-300 Certificate of Divorce or Annulment web form application.

Legal Framework:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Kentucky are governed by KRS § 403.010 et seq., which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for legal dissolution. Public access to court records is governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS Chapter 61.

Are Franklin County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Franklin Circuit Court are public court records under Kentucky law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. Certain categories of information within those records are subject to restriction or redaction to protect sensitive personal data.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements and tax returns may be subject to limited access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain filings
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
Psychological evaluations involving children are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
Mental health and medical records submitted as exhibits are restricted
Substance abuse treatment information is protected
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Parties to the case, their attorneys, and certain government agencies may petition the court for access to sealed materials.

Who Can Access Records:

Requester	Level of Access
General public	Public documents; redacted sensitive information
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file
Attorneys of record	Full access; may petition for sealed materials
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted records
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records

Restrictions on Use:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order. Commercial use of public records is subject to additional requirements under KRS § 61.874.

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Franklin Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the individuals involved.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Franklin County?

The Franklin Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Kentucky court fee schedules. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Fee
Photocopy of case document (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree or order	$5.00 per document
Certification fee (court seal)	Included in certified copy fee
Electronic copy (where available)	Varies; contact clerk's office
Search fee	No separate search fee for in-person requests

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics — Divorce Certificate Fees:

Certified divorce certificate: $6.00 for the first copy
Each additional copy ordered at the same time: $6.00

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order payable to the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk
Credit and debit cards may be accepted; confirm with the clerk's office prior to submission

Fee Waivers:

Indigent parties may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees in connection with their own case. Fee waiver requests are evaluated by the presiding judge and are not automatically granted.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries and case status information at public access terminals in the courthouse
Confirming the existence of a case by name or case number at the clerk's counter
Accessing basic case information through the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal

What's Included in Divorce Records in Franklin County

A complete dissolution of marriage case file maintained by the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk contains documents generated at every stage of the proceeding. The scope of the file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.

Basic Case Information

Case Caption:

Assigned case number
Court name and division (Franklin Circuit Court, Family Division)
Petitioner and respondent names
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record for each party

Filing Information:

Date the petition was filed
Filing fees paid
Case type designation (dissolution of marriage)
Basis for jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage:

Identifying information for both parties
Date and location of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for dissolution (irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, as required under Kentucky law)
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding marital property and debts
Requests for spousal maintenance, child custody, and child support

Response/Answer:

Respondent's admissions or denials
Counterpetition, if filed
Respondent's independent requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Both parties' income from all sources
Monthly living expenses
Complete asset inventory including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts
Complete liability inventory including mortgages, loans, and credit card balances

Discovery Documents

Discovery materials filed with the court may include interrogatory questions and sworn answers, requests for production of documents, financial records such as tax returns and bank statements, and expert reports on asset valuation. Not all discovery materials are filed with the court; materials exchanged between parties but not submitted as exhibits may not appear in the case file.

Property-Related Documents

The case file includes a marital asset inventory identifying and valuing all property subject to division, a corresponding debt inventory, and any appraisals or expert valuations obtained for real property, business interests, or personal property of significant value. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) are filed separately when retirement accounts are divided as part of the dissolution.

Children-Related Documents

When minor children are involved, the case file contains:

A parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, timesharing schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
A child support calculation worksheet reflecting both parties' incomes, the number of overnights, and costs for health insurance and childcare
Any custody evaluation reports ordered by the court, which may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed, which are subject to restricted access

Settlement Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA): The MSA is a comprehensive written agreement resolving all issues in the dissolution, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions. When signed by both parties and approved by the court, the MSA is incorporated into the final judgment.

Mediation Agreement: If the parties participated in mediation, any resulting agreement may be incorporated into the MSA. Mediation communications themselves are confidential and do not appear in the public case file.

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary Orders: Temporary orders issued during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, temporary support, exclusive use of the marital residence, and restraining orders preventing dissipation of assets.

Final Judgment of Dissolution: The final judgment constitutes the court's definitive resolution of all issues. It includes findings of fact, conclusions of law, the date of dissolution, property and debt division, spousal support orders, child custody and support provisions, and any court-ordered name restoration. The judgment bears the judge's signature and the court's official seal.

Post-Judgment Documents

After the final judgment is entered, additional documents may be filed in the same case number, including:

Petitions to modify custody or support based on changed circumstances
Contempt motions alleging non-compliance with court orders
Income deduction orders for child support enforcement
Satisfaction of judgment filings

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
Residential addresses of domestic violence victims
Children's school and medical information
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Sealed custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports
Trade secret information submitted in business valuations
Mediation communications

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Franklin County

Proof of divorce in Franklin County is obtained through either a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution or a certified divorce certificate issued by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.

Certified Copy of Final Decree — Franklin Circuit Court Clerk:

Members of the public may obtain a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution by:

Visiting the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk's office in person at 222 Saint Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Submitting a written mail request to the same address with the case number, party names, approximate date of dissolution, and payment of the applicable fee
Requesting the document through the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal where electronic access is available

Franklin Circuit Court Clerk
222 Saint Clair Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-8386
Franklin — Kentucky Court of Justice

Certified Divorce Certificate — Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics:

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics issues certified divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Kentucky. These certificates serve as official proof of divorce for purposes such as remarriage, name changes with government agencies, and benefit eligibility determinations. Requests may be submitted online using the VS-300 Certificate of Divorce or Annulment web form, by mail, or in person.

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

The certificate issued by the Office of Vital Statistics contains limited information compared to the full court case file. Individuals who require documentation of specific terms — such as property division, custody arrangements, or support obligations — must obtain a certified copy of the final decree from the circuit court clerk.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Franklin County?

Divorce proceedings in Franklin County are presumptively public, but Kentucky law and court rules permit the sealing of specific records or entire case files under defined circumstances.

Records that may be made confidential include:

Documents containing Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other identifying data, which are redacted as a matter of standard practice under court rules
Custody evaluations, psychological assessments, and guardian ad litem reports, which may be sealed by court order to protect the best interests of minor children
Records involving domestic violence allegations, where disclosure could endanger a party or child
Mental health, medical, and substance abuse records submitted as exhibits
Mediation communications, which are confidential by statute and do not become part of the public record

Grounds for sealing an entire case file:

A party must file a motion demonstrating specific, substantial harm that would result from public disclosure
The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in open court proceedings against the privacy interests at stake
Sealing orders are not granted solely on the basis of embarrassment or general privacy preferences

Applicable law: Kentucky's Open Records Act, codified at KRS Chapter 61, governs public access to government records. Court-specific confidentiality rules are established by the Kentucky Supreme Court through the Rules of Civil Procedure. Domestic violence protections are addressed under KRS § 403.720 et seq.

How Long Does Franklin County Keep Divorce Records?

Franklin Circuit Court maintains dissolution of marriage records in accordance with Kentucky court record retention schedules established by the Kentucky Court of Justice.

Retention periods for divorce records in Franklin County:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record; these documents are never destroyed
Complete case files (contested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case; many are retained permanently
Complete case files (uncontested dissolutions): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period as the underlying case
Temporary orders and interlocutory documents: Retained as part of the case file; not subject to separate destruction schedules
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the Kentucky Court of Justice case management system indefinitely

Archived records: Cases older than a certain threshold may be transferred to off-site storage or converted to microfilm or digital format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time. Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.

Kentucky court record retention requirements are established pursuant to administrative orders of the Kentucky Supreme Court and applicable provisions of KRS Chapter 171, which governs public records management statewide.