Campbell County, Kentucky Court Records
The courts in Campbell, like other counties in Kentucky, produce several documents in the course of performing their duties. These documents encompass administrative and case records.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedures (AP) Part XVII, Section 2, a case record is a paper, document, disc, recording, or any other document received, created, or managed by a court, court clerk, or a court agency regarding a particular case or cases.
Several agencies also maintain public records in Campbell County that occasionally appear in court files, including vital, arrest, and property records.
Are Campbell County Court Records Public?
Yes. Although courts in Kentucky are categorized as public agencies under the Kentucky Public Records Law (KRS 61.870(1)(e)), access to court records is not covered by the law. Instead, the determination of whether a court record is open to public view is made by the court. Different judicial policies and rules govern access to court records, including the Administrative Procedure for administrative court records and Rule of Appellate Procedure 28(A) for appellate court records. Under these regulations, case records are deemed open to the public.
While the presumption of openness of case records in Kentucky (Campbell) exists, some case records, such as drug court proceedings, adoption records, records relating to juveniles, and some probate records, are not available for public inspection.
What Information is Available in Campbell County Court Records?
A case record search generally provides the inquirer with details related to cases heard in any of the local courts in Campbell County. This information may include the full names of the plaintiff, respondent, attorneys, and judge; the filing date of the case; the case number; events (dates and filings); the handling court; the judgment; and case documents, including exhibits, evidence, memoranda, orders, and motions.
Campbell County Court Records Search
Members of the public can request a court record through one of the following means:
Online
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides statewide basic docket information on case records for its counties through a central case search tool. Members of the public can find summary information about a particular court case through the portal; however, they must contact the clerk of the court to obtain the actual case record. The database also provides links to other searches one may be interested in regarding the subject of the record.
Walk-In
Campbell County court records are only available at courthouses for the first 15 years of the record's existence. After that, they are moved to the State Records Center, where they are maintained for 15 to 35 years. Once the retention period elapses, the records are transferred to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Consequently, where one checks for a Campbell County court record depends on the record's age.
As a result, inquirers will need to first determine a record's age and then contact the appropriate custodial agency before planning a visit. If they are unsure which facility holds the record, they can contact the court clerk for guidance.
Mail and Phone Requests
An inquirer may forward a mail request to the court where a case was handled. One only needs to complete a written request and ensure it includes all necessary parameters, including a name or a case number. Providing adequate identifying details helps court staff locate the record easily. The requester will also need to pay the fee for copies and processing.
Fees for Court Records in Campbell County
Campbell County courts provide some degree of free access to the court records they maintain; however, any request for a copy may require payment of a fee. The same is applicable to record requests directed to other agencies that maintain older records. Inquirers may contact the agency providing the record directly for a fee quote.
According to Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (CR) 3.03, copy fees include 25 cents per page for a plain copy of a document, $5 per document certification, $15 for audio recording, and $25 for video recording. Depending on the channel the inquirer chooses to request a record, fees may be paid by cash (for on-site requests), money order, check, or credit or debit card (which may incur additional processing fees).
Campbell County Courthouse Locations
Campbell County has three courts that handle trials within the county:
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Campbell County Circuit Court | |
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Jurisdiction (General) |
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Address |
Campbell County Courthouse 330 York Street Newport, KY 41071 |
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Contact |
Phone: (859) 292-6314 |
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Campbell County Family Court (Division of the Circuit Court that handles Family and Juvenile cases) | |
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Jurisdiction (Limited) |
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Address |
Campbell County Courthouse 330 York Street Newport, KY 41071 |
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Contact |
Phone: (859) 292-6314 |
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Campbell County District Court | |
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Jurisdiction (Limited) |
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Address |
Campbell County Courthouse 330 York Street Newport, KY 41071 |
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Contact |
Phone: (859) 292-6314 |
Criminal Records Access in Campbell County
Official state-level criminal history checks in Campbell County are provided by the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The agency provides the public with varying processes for retrieving records. Generally, requesters can perform a name-based or fingerprint search (state and FBI). Each of these searches follows different rules and incurs a nominal fee.
In parallel, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Records Unit maintains and provides access to criminal case records covering all counties in the state, including Campbell County. Members of the public can search the judiciary's online dockets to find a particular record, or visit the clerk of court's office to inquire about the case, obtain a copy, or both.
Campbell County Probate Records
Campbell County probate records are court records created during the legal process of handling an individual's estate after their death. These records may reveal how the estate and the deceased's property were managed and distributed. Other cases heard by the probate court in Campbell County include will disputes, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Probate records that are 15 years old or newer can be obtained from the District Court (for uncontested probate) and the Circuit Court (for contested probate), or, for records older than 15 years, the State Records Center, which serves as a temporary storage facility for records. Records older than 35 years are available only through the Department for Libraries and Archives, the permanent repository for state records.
Open probate records are available through the channels provided by the court for newer records and through the State Records Center and the Archives for older records, including online, in-person, and mail requests.
Campbell County Family Court Records
Records of paternity, adoption, divorce, spousal support, child custody, and visitation proceedings are classified as family court records. Simply put, these records detail cases governed by the Kentucky Family Law (KRS Chapter 403).
The Campbell County Circuit Court, Family Division, has jurisdiction over family law and domestic matters. Like other court records, family law records are accessible as follows:
- Those 15 years and below are retrievable at the clerk's office.
- Those more than 15 years old and under 35 years old are available at the State Records Center.
- Those 35 years and above are maintained by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
The agencies provide inspection privileges and copying services. However, certain limitations apply to records deemed confidential by law.
Federal Court Records in Campbell County
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky handles Campbell County federal cases, such as:
- Bankruptcy
- Diversity civil actions
- Questions raised under federal law
These cases are categorized as federal cases, and the recorded proceedings are maintained as the federal court records. Federal records are considered open to public inspection and can be requested in person by a member of the public using public computers provided at the clerk's office or by direct request to the clerk's office. Additionally, inquirers can use PACER, under the E-Government Act of 2002, to locate a specific federal case.
Opting for any of the available search channels requires the inquirer to know, at least, a case party's name or a case number.
