Carter County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Carter County in 2026
CarterCountyRecords.us provides access to data and publicly available information related to divorce records in Carter County, Kentucky. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Record availability and completeness may vary depending on the age of the case and whether any portions have been sealed by court order. Relevant record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, custody arrangements, and post-judgment modifications.
Records may be searched through the Carter County Circuit Court Clerk's office, the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal, state vital records, public access terminals at the courthouse, and authorized third-party research tools. The following sections outline each available method in detail.
Multiple Search Methods:
Online Searches:
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Carter County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary custodian of divorce case files. Members of the public may search basic case information at no charge through the Kentucky Court of Justice county information portal. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable per-page fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Kentucky Court of Justice operates a statewide case information system. Members of the public may search dissolution of marriage cases across all Kentucky counties through this consolidated database, which indexes cases by party name and case number.
3. State Vital Records
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics, maintains marriage and divorce certificates at the state level. Kentucky registers divorce certificates separately from full court case files. The state vital records office issues certified divorce certificates, which serve as official proof of dissolution but contain less detail than the complete court file. Fees apply to certified certificate requests.
Additionally, the Kentucky.gov Divorce Web Form Application VS300 allows authorized users to generate and print a Certificate of Divorce or Annulment (VS-300), which must include all required fields to be valid.
In-Person Searches:
Clerk of Court — Carter Circuit Court:
Carter County Circuit Court Clerk
300 West Main Street
Grayson, KY 41143
Phone: (606) 474-5188
Kentucky Court of Justice — Carter County
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived or older case files
Carter County Clerk:
Carter County Clerk — Mike Johnston
300 West Main Street
Grayson, KY 41143
Phone: (606) 474-5188
Carter County Clerk — Online Records
The Carter County Clerk's office provides access to publicly archived records through the eCCLIX system, which allows users to view or print documents filed across participating Kentucky county clerk offices.
By Mail:
Written Request:
- Mail to: Carter County Circuit Court Clerk, 300 West Main Street, Grayson, KY 41143
- 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, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed in the order received; allow one to two weeks for standard requests.
By Phone:
Limited Information:
Carter County Circuit Court Clerk: (606) 474-5188
Staff may confirm the following by phone:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number
- Current case status
- Filing date
Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or any confidential case information by phone.
Through Attorneys:
An attorney licensed in Kentucky may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request copies of sealed or restricted documents upon a proper showing of need, and assist with complex searches involving multiple counties or older archived records. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Kentucky Bar Association for attorney referral services.
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 known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Carter County
- Names of minor children, if applicable
- 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 who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under current Kentucky law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Kentucky for 180 days immediately preceding the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage, as set forth in KRS § 403.140. The petition is filed in the Circuit Court of the county where the petitioning spouse resides.
Time Considerations:
- Recent divorces: Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks after the final hearing for the record to be indexed and available.
- Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper form and may require a special retrieval request. Additional processing time should be anticipated for archived records.
What If You Cannot Find a Record:
Common reasons a record may not be located include:
- Searching in the wrong county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case is still pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Steps to resolve a failed search include contacting the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly at (606) 474-5188, attempting alternate name spellings, searching under both spouses' names, and checking the Kentucky state vital records office for a divorce certificate.
What Are Carter County Divorce Records?
Carter County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Carter County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and are subject to Kentucky's public records framework under KRS § 61.870 et seq., the Kentucky Open Records Act.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree:
The final judgment 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 maintenance orders, if any
- Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Circuit Court Clerk's office upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents:
- Original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
- Financial disclosure documents
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes:
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documenting name changes
- Supporting property transfer and title proceedings
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record-keeping
- Verification of divorce terms and obligations
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Carter County Circuit Court Clerk is the primary custodian of all divorce case files originating in Carter County. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics, maintains statewide divorce certificate records and issues certified marriage and divorce certificates upon request.
Are Carter County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Carter County Circuit Court are public court records under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Open Records Act establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court filings. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are subject to restriction or redaction.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled court hearing dates
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from public-facing documents
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed financial statements may be subject to limited access
- Tax returns submitted as exhibits may be sealed or restricted
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools minor children attend
- Medical and psychological information concerning children
- Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications, which are confidential under Kentucky law
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requester | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents and docket entries |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Licensed attorneys | Case files; sealed documents upon proper showing |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; sealed records require court order |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to restricted information |
Restrictions on Use:
Access to divorce records may not be used for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or violation of any protective order issued in connection with the case. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting protected under the First Amendment, and personal verification of divorce terms.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Carter County?
The Carter County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies of divorce records consistent with Kentucky court fee schedules. Current fees are as follows:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee) |
| Certification fee | $5.00 |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for in-person requests |
- Inspection: Members of the public may inspect public divorce records at the courthouse at no charge.
- Electronic copies: Fees for electronic format copies, where available, are consistent with per-page copy fees.
- Vital records divorce certificate: The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics charges a separate fee for certified divorce certificates obtained through the state vital records office. Members of the public should confirm the current fee schedule directly with that office.
- Accepted payment methods: The Circuit Court Clerk's office accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Carter County Circuit Court Clerk. Members of the public should confirm whether credit or debit card payments are accepted prior to submitting a request.
- Fee waivers: Fee waivers may be available to indigent requesters upon a proper showing. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should inquire directly with the Clerk's office.
Kentucky court fees are governed by the Kentucky Court of Justice fee schedule and applicable statutes. Members of the public may obtain the most current fee schedule by contacting the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Carter County
A complete Carter County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Circuit Court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents found in a dissolution of marriage case file.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record for each party
- Date of filing and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for dissolution (Kentucky is a no-fault state, requiring only a showing of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under KRS § 403.140), information concerning minor children, property claims, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or counterpetition sets forth the respondent's position and any independent requests for relief.
Financial Affidavits: Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents:
- Tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements
- Investment and retirement account statements
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
- Property inventories and appraisals
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
- Debt inventory
- Real property appraisals and business valuations
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday and vacation provisions, and decision-making responsibilities
- Child support calculation worksheet reflecting income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare costs
- Child custody evaluations, if ordered by the court
- Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed
Settlement Documents:
- Marital settlement agreement resolving all contested issues, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage, which constitutes the court's permanent order ending the marriage and resolving all issues
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if retirement accounts were divided
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement actions
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Minor children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Trade secrets contained in business valuations
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Carter County?
Proof of divorce in Carter County may be obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution from the Circuit Court Clerk, or a certified divorce certificate from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
Certified Copy of Final Decree — Circuit Court Clerk:
Members of the public may obtain a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage by submitting a request to the Carter County Circuit Court Clerk in person, by mail, or by phone. The requester should provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known. The Clerk's office will locate the case, prepare a certified copy bearing the court seal, and collect applicable fees.
Carter County Circuit Court Clerk
300 West Main Street
Grayson, KY 41143
Phone: (606) 474-5188
Kentucky Court of Justice — Carter County
Certified Divorce Certificate — State Vital Records:
Members of the public who require a certified divorce certificate issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky may submit a request to the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. The state-issued certificate confirms the fact of dissolution and the date but does not contain the full contents of the court file. Requests may be submitted by mail or in person to the Office of Vital Statistics. The Kentucky marriage and divorce certificates page provides current instructions and fee information.
Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Vital Statistics
Members of the public may also use the Kentucky.gov Divorce Web Form Application VS300 to generate a Certificate of Divorce or Annulment (VS-300) when all required fields are available.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Carter County?
Divorce proceedings in Carter County are presumptively public under Kentucky law; however, specific portions of a case file may be made confidential under certain circumstances.
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
- Domestic violence cases: When a divorce case involves allegations of domestic violence or the issuance of a protective order, the court may restrict access to the victim's address and other identifying information to protect the safety of the protected party.
- Children's information: Information identifying the residential address, school, or medical condition of a minor child is subject to restriction and is not disclosed to the general public.
- Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible documents as a matter of standard court practice.
- Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential under Kentucky law and are not part of the public case file.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: Records of mental health treatment or substance abuse evaluation submitted in connection with a custody proceeding may be sealed by court order.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or confidential portions of a divorce file must file a motion with the Carter County Circuit Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.
How Long Does Carter County Keep Divorce Records?
Carter County Circuit Court divorce records are retained in accordance with Kentucky court records retention schedules established by the Kentucky Court of Justice.
- Permanent retention: Final judgments of dissolution of marriage, final decrees, and the complete case file for contested dissolution proceedings are retained permanently. These records do not expire and remain accessible through the Circuit Court Clerk's office indefinitely.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the Kentucky Court of Justice case management system and are accessible through the court's online portal without a defined expiration date.
- Paper records: Older paper case files may be transferred to off-site storage or microfilm archives. Members of the public requesting older records should anticipate additional retrieval time and should contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office in advance to confirm availability.
- Post-judgment documents: Modification orders, contempt proceedings, and enforcement actions filed after the entry of the final decree are retained as part of the original case file and are subject to the same permanent retention schedule.
- State vital records: The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics retains divorce certificate records in accordance with state vital records retention requirements. Members of the public may request certified copies of divorce certificates regardless of the age of the record.
Kentucky court records retention policies are established by the Kentucky Court of Justice Administrative Office of the Courts and are consistent with the Commonwealth's obligations under applicable state law.