Franklin County, KY Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Franklin County Circuit Court and District Court in Frankfort are the county's trial courts, handling felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, small claims, probate, and juvenile matters for Judicial Circuit 48. The Circuit Court Clerk, Kem Marshall, keeps the records of the Circuit, Family, District, and Business courts.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Franklin County Circuit Court and District Court (Judicial Circuit 48) |
| Main Address | 222 Saint Clair St., Frankfort, KY 40601 |
| Main Phone | 502-564-7013 |
| Website | kycourts.gov county information page |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Frankfort) |
| Handles | Felonies and civil cases above the District Court limit in Circuit Court; misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, probate, and juvenile matters in District Court; appeals from District Court in Circuit Court; family matters in many counties |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Kentucky), parking tickets (issuing agency), and driver's licenses (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet since July 1, 2022) |
| Online Case Search | No county online case search is listed; call the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 |
| Criminal Records Requests | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013; statewide request page: Request Court Records |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | ePay is listed for Franklin County court payments; call the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 for the payment link |
How to Search Franklin County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Franklin County records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Frankfort.
Online
Go to kycourts.gov for statewide Kentucky court information.
Confirm with the clerk whether a county online search is available.
Verify online details with the court before relying on them.
Best for: Statewide court information
In Person
Go to 222 Saint Clair St., Frankfort, KY 40601.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the Circuit Court Clerk which division holds your records.
Best for: Records not available online
By Phone
Call 502-564-7013 to reach the Circuit Court Clerk.
Ask the clerk what to bring or send for your request.
Go to the Request Court Records page on kycourts.gov for statewide request details.
Best for: Confirming what the clerk needs
Search by Name on KentuckyCourts.org
Go to KentuckyCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Franklin County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Franklin County courts handled an estimated 7,886 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 7,715. The estimate scales Kentucky statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~7,886
Total filings in CY 2024
~7,715
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~2,629
Filings per judicial position (3 estimated positions)
~-1.4%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~7,886 | ~8,001 | ~-1.4% |
| Total Dispositions | ~7,715 | ~7,886 | ~-2.2% |
| Criminal Filings | ~4,572 | ~4,686 | ~-2.4% |
| Civil Filings | ~1,486 | ~1,486 | ~+0.0% |
| Family Law Filings | ~743 | ~743 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~343 | ~343 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~103 | ~103 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~206 | ~206 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~3 | ~3 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kentucky statewide figures scaled by Franklin County's 1.14% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Franklin County?
Estimated total filings in Franklin County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~7,886 | ~7,715 | ~-1.4% |
| CY 2023 | ~8,001 | ~7,886 | ~+2.9% |
| CY 2022 | ~7,772 | ~7,658 | ~+4.6% |
| CY 2021 | ~7,429 | ~7,200 | ~+1.6% |
| CY 2020 | ~7,315 | ~6,972 | ~+1.6% |
Estimated filings changed +7.8% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 7,315 to 7,886. The largest annual change was +4.6% in CY 2022. The latest change of -1.4% reflects statewide Kentucky trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kentucky statewide figures scaled by Franklin County's 1.14% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Franklin County?
The Circuit and District Courts in Franklin County hear the case types listed below. Case counts by type are not published on this page.
| Case Type | Court | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal: felonies | Circuit Court | Circuit Court tries felonies, and District Court holds preliminary felony hearings. |
| Criminal: misdemeanors | District Court | District Court hears misdemeanor cases. |
| Traffic infractions | District Court | Traffic citations are heard in District Court. |
| Civil: larger claims | Circuit Court | Civil cases above the District Court limit go to Circuit Court. |
| Civil: smaller claims | District Court | Small claims are heard in District Court. |
| Family law | Circuit Court | Family matters are heard in Circuit Court in many counties; Family Court divisions exist in some judicial circuits. |
| Probate | District Court | Probate matters are heard in District Court. |
| Juvenile delinquency | District Court | Juvenile matters are heard in District Court, and juvenile records are restricted. |
| Juvenile dependency | District Court | Juvenile matters are heard in District Court, and juvenile records are restricted. |
Growth and decline by case type are not shown because county filing counts are not available here.
How Does Franklin County Compare With Kentucky Overall?
Franklin County is estimated to account for about 1.14% of the 690,000 cases filed in Kentucky courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | Franklin County | Kentucky | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~7,886 | 690,000 | ~1.14% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.4% | -1.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~2,629 | 2,875 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~2,572 | 2,812 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~58.0% | 58.0% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~18.8% | 18.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~9.4% | 9.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Kentucky figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kentucky statewide figures scaled by Franklin County's 1.14% share of the state population.
Franklin County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Kentucky statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Franklin County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 7.5% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 100% of Kentucky's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
9,959
Violent crimes, Kentucky statewide, 2025
59,098
Property crimes, Kentucky statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
216.2
Violent crime rate per 100K, Kentucky statewide, 2025 (population 4,606,864)
-7.5%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Kentucky statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (69,057 vs 74,690)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide (murder) | 192 | 4.2 | 291 | -34.0% |
| Rape | 1,650 | 35.8 | 1,765 | -6.5% |
| Robbery | 1,369 | 29.7 | 1,657 | -17.4% |
| Aggravated assault | 6,748 | 146.5 | 6,697 | +0.8% |
| Violent crimes total | 9,959 | 216.2 | 10,410 | -4.3% |
| Burglary | 7,813 | 169.6 | 9,188 | -15.0% |
| Larceny-theft | 42,056 | 912.9 | 43,970 | -4.4% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 8,893 | 193.0 | 10,698 | -16.9% |
| Property crimes total | 59,098 | 1282.8 | 64,280 | -8.1% |
Rates use the Kentucky 2025 population of 4,606,864. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Franklin County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Franklin County Courthouse Locations
Franklin County has 1 Circuit Court Clerk location, in Frankfort. Check your notice or paperwork for the courthouse and courtroom assigned to your case.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Courthouse (Frankfort) | 222 Saint Clair St., Frankfort, KY 40601 | 502-564-7013 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Franklin County?
Most Franklin County cases start in District Court or Circuit Court, depending on the case type. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Kentucky.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic citations are heard in District Court; call the clerk at 502-564-7013 with questions. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | District Court hears misdemeanor cases. |
| Felony | Circuit Court | Circuit Court handles felonies, and District Court holds preliminary felony hearings. |
| DUI | District Court or Circuit Court | The charge level decides the court, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Circuit Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Larger claims go to Circuit Court and smaller claims go to District Court. |
| Small claims | District Court | Small claims are heard in District Court. |
| Eviction | District Court | Landlord-tenant cases are heard in District Court. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court (Family Court where the circuit has one) | Family matters are handled by the clerk; call 502-564-7013 to confirm the division. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court (Family Court where the circuit has one) | Custody and support are family matters; call 502-564-7013 to confirm the division. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | Probate matters are heard in District Court. |
| Juvenile case | District Court | Juvenile matters are heard in District Court, and juvenile records are restricted. |
| Appeal | Circuit Court, then Kentucky Court of Appeals | Circuit Court hears appeals from District Court; the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Kentucky handle later appeals. |
Are Franklin County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Franklin County court records are public under the Kentucky Supreme Court rules on access to court records, but some records are restricted by law or court order.
Public records
Most Circuit, Family, District, and Business court records are open to the public. The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884) covers public agency records, and court access rules govern court records.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Other confidential records are also withheld.
Online access
No county-specific online case search is listed for Franklin County. Statewide court information is at kycourts.gov, and online results may not show every document.
In-person access
Visit the Circuit Court Clerk at 222 Saint Clair St., Frankfort, KY 40601, or call 502-564-7013 to confirm which office holds your records.
Fees
This page does not list copy fees, so ask the Circuit Court Clerk for the current fee before you request copies.
How to Search Franklin County Court Records Online
Use the statewide and clerk sources below to search Franklin County court records, and ask the Circuit Court Clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Go to kycourts.gov for statewide court information and to confirm which court holds the case.
- Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 to ask whether your case type can be searched online.
- Review the case details the clerk provides, including case status and scheduled dates.
- Request documents that are not online through the Request Court Records page or by calling 502-564-7013.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 | Case information the clerk can provide | Documents may require a request |
| Traffic | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 | Case information the clerk can provide | Payment is separate from record search |
| Civil | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 | Case information the clerk can provide | Restricted filings are not available |
| Small claims | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 | Case information the clerk can provide | Documents may require a request |
| Family law | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 | Case information the clerk can provide | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013; confirm which office keeps probate files | Case information the clerk can provide | Probate files may be kept separately |
| Juvenile | Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 | Limited information only | Juvenile records are restricted |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Franklin County
Franklin County fines and citations are paid through the Circuit Court Clerk, either in person or through ePay, as listed on the Kentucky Court of Justice county information page.
- Online: Pay with ePay, which the county information page lists for Franklin County court payments. No payment link is listed here, so call the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 for the link.
- In person: Pay at the Circuit Court Clerk's office, 222 Saint Clair St., Frankfort, KY 40601, with cash, check, or money order.
Traffic citations, criminal fines, and parking tickets are handled separately. Parking tickets are paid to the agency that issued them, not to the court.
Franklin County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Franklin County court records?
Call or visit the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013, or check kycourts.gov for statewide court information.
Are Franklin County court records public?
Most are public under Kentucky Supreme Court access rules, but juvenile, sealed, and other confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 with the defendant's full name, since no county online case search is listed here.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or citation first, or call the Circuit Court Clerk at 502-564-7013 to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay through ePay or at the Circuit Court Clerk's office with cash, check, or money order; call 502-564-7013 for the ePay link.
How many cases are filed in Franklin County each year?
Court filing counts by county are not published on this page, so no annual total is shown.
What is the most common case type?
Case counts by type are not published on this page, so the most common type cannot be stated here.
Is crime in Kentucky rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 4.3% to 9,959 in 2025 from 10,410 in 2024, and property crimes fell 8.1% to 59,098 from 64,280, as reported to the FBI. These are Kentucky statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Kentucky Supreme CourtMore Info
| Address: | 700 Capital Ave # 209, Frankfort, KY, 40601 |
| Phone Number: | 502-564-5444 |
| Website: | https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Supreme-Court/Pages/default.aspx |
Kentucky Court of AppealsMore Info
| Address: | 360 Democrat Drive, Frankfort, KY, 40601 |
| Phone Number: | 502-573-7920 |
| Website: | https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Court-of-Appeals/Pages/default.aspx |
Franklin County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 222 St. Clair Street, Frankfort, KY, 40601 |
| Phone Number: | 502-564-7013 |
| Fax: | 502-564-8188 |
| Website: | https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Franklin.aspx |
Useful Links
- Kentucky Court of Justice - Official website offering court information, legal resources, and access to public records across Kentucky counties.
- Franklin County District Court - Local district court offering case information, district court services, and resources pertinent to county residents.
- Kentucky Court Clerks - Provides contact information and services offered by court clerks across Kentucky, including Franklin County.
- Procedures for Public Records Retention and Destruction - Guidelines outlining proper procedures for retention and destruction of public records within Kentucky's judiciary.
- Kentucky Family Court - Comprehensive resources concerning family law cases handled by Family Courts, including available services and jurisdictions.
- Kentucky Court of Justice Legal Self-Help - Self-help resources providing legal assistance with forms, guidance, and instructions for navigating family court.
- AOC Court Statistics - Access reports and statistical data produced by the Administrative Office of the Courts for Kentucky's judicial system.
- Franklin County Fiscal Court - Civic resources and public service information including court schedules, local government contacts, and council meeting updates.
- Kentucky Court of Appeals - Information on the appellate process, recent opinions, and case status for Kentucky's Court of Appeals.
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office Records Division - Public access to criminal records and case information maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
- Casetext: Legal Research and Analysis - A comprehensive resource offering case law references and legal document searches, including Kentucky state rulings.
- LawHelp.org - Nationwide legal resources and assistance tools tailored to help users find free legal aid across communities.
- Kentucky Legal Services - Provides free civil legal assistance and resources for Kentucky residents needing legal aid and advisory services.
- FindLaw Legal Information and Resources - Useful legal articles, guides, and case law databases for individuals seeking legal information.
- U.S. Department of Justice - Federal legal guidance and resources offering insights and procedural information pertinent to state-level judiciary.
- Nolo: Legal Information and DIY Resources - Delivers self-help legal books and solutions providing assistance with living trusts, wills, and other legal procedures.
- LexisNexis Legal Research - Legal research services and renowned court case analysis, helping legal professionals and laypersons access vast legal information.
- Public Records Online Searches – Kentucky - Tools and directives for accessing public records in Kentucky, covering both statewide and localized searches.
- Oyez – Courts - Multimedia archives dedicated to making important court cases accessible for public knowledge and educational purposes.
- National Center for State Courts - Nationwide judiciary resources and innovative solutions aimed at supporting the work of state courts.
Table of Contents
- Franklin County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Franklin County Court Records
- Franklin County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Franklin County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Franklin County?
- How Does Franklin County Compare With Kentucky Overall?
- Franklin County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Franklin County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Franklin County?
- Are Franklin County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Franklin County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Franklin County
- Franklin County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links