Kentucky WarrantSearch.org
Warrant Search

Kentucky Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in Kentucky

Warrants are public record in Kentucky pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS § 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access and inspect public records maintained by governmental agencies throughout the Commonwealth. The Act operates under the principle that transparency in government proceedings is essential to the proper functioning of a democratic society.

The Kentucky Open Records Act specifically designates court records, including warrants, as public documents accessible to any person, with certain statutory exceptions. These exceptions primarily pertain to records sealed by court order, those related to ongoing investigations, or documents containing sensitive personal information as defined in KRS § 61.878.

The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the centralized repository for warrant information, which is accessible through various channels. Public access to warrant information serves multiple purposes:

  • Promotes accountability within the judicial system
  • Enables individuals to verify their legal status
  • Assists attorneys in providing appropriate legal counsel
  • Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
  • Facilitates research by academic and policy institutions

Members of the public should note that while warrant information is generally accessible, certain procedural requirements must be followed when requesting such records. Requests may need to be submitted in writing to the appropriate custodial agency, and reasonable fees for reproduction may apply as permitted under KRS § 61.874.

What Is Contained in Warrant Records in Kentucky

Warrant records in Kentucky contain specific information as mandated by Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure (RCr 2.06) and relevant statutes. These official documents typically include:

  • Full legal name and identifying information of the subject
  • Date of birth and last known address when available
  • Nature of the alleged offense and corresponding statute number
  • Case number and originating jurisdiction
  • Date of issuance and name of the issuing judicial officer
  • Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
  • Service status (served, unserved, or recalled)
  • Return information documenting execution of the warrant
  • Court appearance dates and requirements

The level of detail contained in warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant issued. Arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants each contain specific elements relevant to their purpose as outlined in Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 431.

Pursuant to KRS § 431.005, arrest warrants must specify the offense charged with sufficient particularity to provide notice to the subject. Search warrants, governed by KRS § 431.007, must describe with reasonable specificity the place to be searched and items to be seized.

How to Check For Warrants in Kentucky For Free

Kentucky residents may verify warrant status through several no-cost methods established by state and local authorities. The Commonwealth provides multiple channels for accessing this information:

County Sheriff's Offices maintain public terminals where individuals may conduct warrant searches during regular business hours. No appointment is typically necessary for this service. For example:

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
531 Court Place, Suite 600
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-5400
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Many Circuit Court Clerk offices throughout Kentucky provide public access terminals for searching court records, including active warrants. The Kentucky Court of Justice website provides a directory of all Circuit Court Clerk offices by county.

The Kentucky State Police maintains limited public access to warrant information through their headquarters:

Kentucky State Police Headquarters
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 782-1800
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification when visiting these facilities. While basic searches are available at no cost, certified copies of documents may incur standard fees as established by KRS § 64.012.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Kentucky in 2025

As of 2025, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has implemented enhanced systems for warrant verification. Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant may utilize the following official resources:

The Administrative Office of the Courts has expanded its electronic case management system to include warrant status information. This system may be accessed through:

Administrative Office of the Courts
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-2350
Kentucky Court of Justice Background Check System

The Kentucky State Police Records Branch processes warrant verification requests submitted in writing. Requests must include:

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Return address
  • Notarized signature

Kentucky State Police Records Branch
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 227-8700
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Legal representation through a licensed Kentucky attorney provides another avenue for warrant verification. Attorneys have access to court databases that may not be directly available to the public. The Kentucky Bar Association maintains a directory of licensed attorneys.

Pursuant to House Bill 21 (2021), individuals have the right to be notified of certain types of warrants prior to execution, particularly in cases involving entry to premises. This legislation amended KRS § 431.007 to enhance transparency in warrant execution procedures.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Kentucky

The verification of outstanding warrants in Kentucky follows established protocols designed to balance public access with procedural integrity. Individuals seeking this information have several official channels available:

The Kentucky Offender Search database, maintained by the Department of Corrections, provides limited information on individuals with active warrants who have previous corrections system involvement.

County-level resources remain the most comprehensive source for warrant verification:

Fayette County Sheriff's Office
150 N. Limestone Street, Suite 265
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 252-1771
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Warren County Sheriff's Office
429 East 10th Avenue
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-1633
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Individuals may also submit a records request to the Kentucky State Police under the provisions of the Kentucky Open Records Act. Such requests must be submitted in writing to:

Kentucky State Police Records Custodian
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 782-1800

Senate Bill 4 (2021) established new parameters regarding warrant execution, particularly concerning no-knock warrants. This legislation amended KRS § 431.045 to require additional documentation and justification for certain types of warrants, which may affect the information available in public warrant records.

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants operate under a separate jurisdiction from state warrants and require different search procedures. Kentucky residents seeking federal warrant information should utilize the following resources:

The United States District Courts for Kentucky maintain public access terminals at their clerk's offices:

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
101 Barr Street
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 233-2503
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
601 West Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 625-3500
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides online access to federal court records, including warrant information that has not been sealed. Registration is required, and fees may apply for document retrieval.

Federal Bureau of Investigation field offices can provide limited information regarding federal warrants:

FBI Louisville Field Office
12401 Sycamore Station Place
Louisville, KY 40299
(502) 263-6000
Monday-Friday, 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4(c), federal warrants must be executed by authorized federal law enforcement officers. Information regarding such warrants may be restricted if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation as determined under 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7).

Search Warrant Records in Kentucky

Counties
BooneBoydBullittCallowayFayetteGraysonGreenupHardinHendersonHenryJeffersonJessamineKentonMadisonMcCrackenMorganNelsonNicholasPerryPowellPulaskiTriggWarren
logo