Montgomery County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Montgomery County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Montgomery County, Kentucky may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. The directory at MontgomeryKYRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. Montgomery County maintains official records through several government offices, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial agency, and applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land transfers
- Court filings (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Marriage licenses and other vital records
- Voter registration and election records
- Fiscal court minutes and budget documents
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Tax assessment and property records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
The Montgomery County Clerk's office provides access to digitally archived documents through the eCCLIX platform. Through this system, members of the public may view or print documents filed with over 85 Kentucky county clerks. Property records, deeds, and recorded instruments are among the document types currently available online. No registration is required to perform basic searches, though printing may require a fee. The Kentucky Court of Justice also maintains an online portal through which court records may be requested or reviewed.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Montgomery County Clerk's Office at 1 Court St, Suite 2, Mount Sterling, KY 40353. Staff are available to assist with record searches during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide the name of the subject, approximate date range, and record type sought.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Montgomery County Clerk at 1 Court St, Suite 2, Mount Sterling, KY 40353. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, the custodial agency is required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
The Montgomery County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (859) 498-8700 or by fax at (859) 498-8729. Contact information for additional offices is available through the Montgomery County government portal.
What Are Public Records in Montgomery County?
Public records in Montgomery County are defined under Kentucky law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics, which are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. This definition is established under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, which governs the Commonwealth's Open Records Act.
The following record types are currently maintained by Montgomery County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Montgomery County Clerk |
| Marriage licenses | Montgomery County Clerk |
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate) | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Voter registration records | County Clerk |
| Fiscal court minutes and budgets | Montgomery County Fiscal Court |
| Tax assessment records | Property Valuation Administrator |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / City offices |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Montgomery County Sheriff |
The Montgomery County Clerk serves as the primary custodian for property, vital, and election records. Court records are maintained separately by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, accessible through the Kentucky Court of Justice county information page.
Is Montgomery County an Open Records County?
Montgomery County operates in full compliance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, which mandates public access to government documents held by public agencies. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.871, "the General Assembly finds an essential interest in the informed involvement of the public in the affairs of government." This statutory declaration establishes the foundational right of access that governs all public record requests submitted to county offices.
The Kentucky Open Records Act applies to all public agencies within the Commonwealth, including county clerks, fiscal courts, law enforcement agencies, and court administrative offices. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides guidance on compliance and adjudicates disputes arising from denied requests. As stated in the Attorney General's open records guidelines, "the Open Records Act reflects the public's right to know what its government is doing."
Montgomery County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all access requests. The county's fiscal court documents, including meeting minutes and budget records, are available through the Montgomery County government portal.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Montgomery County?
The fee structure for public records in Montgomery County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and format. Under Kentucky law, agencies may charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.10 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of duplication |
| Document search (staff time) | No charge for the first reasonable search |
- Inspection of records at the office is provided at no charge.
- Certification fees for documents such as deeds or marriage licenses may differ from standard copy fees.
- Payment is accepted in person by cash, check, or money order; online transactions through eCCLIX may require a credit or debit card.
- Fee waivers are not expressly mandated under the Kentucky Open Records Act for standard requests, though agencies retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in certain circumstances.
The online records portal maintained by the Montgomery County Clerk provides current fee schedules for digitally accessed documents.
Does Montgomery County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the Montgomery County Clerk and the Circuit Court Clerk during regular business hours. Kentucky law does not permit agencies to charge for the act of inspection itself; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- eCCLIX Online Portal: The online records system operated by the Montgomery County Clerk allows users to search and view archived documents at no cost. Printing or downloading may incur a fee.
- Kentucky Court of Justice Portal: The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online access to court case information, including docket entries and case status, at no charge.
- In-Office Public Access Terminals: Members of the public may use terminals located within the County Clerk's office to search records without charge.
- Fiscal Court Documents: Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are available through the Montgomery County government portal at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Montgomery County?
Any person may submit a public records request to a Montgomery County agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Kentucky Open Records Act does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or the reason for the request. Members of the public are not required to provide identification or explain their purpose when requesting non-restricted records.
Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to present identification for standard open records requests. However, certain record types — such as personal vital records — may require proof of identity or legal relationship to the subject.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Kentucky retain the same rights of access as residents under state law.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be required to provide identifying information to ensure accurate retrieval and to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
- Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, including sealed court files and juvenile records, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
The Kentucky Open Records Act does not require requestors to state a purpose, and agencies may not deny access solely because a purpose is not provided.
What Records Are Confidential in Montgomery County?
Not all government documents held by Montgomery County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law establishes specific exemptions under KRS § 61.878, which enumerates categories of records that public agencies may withhold from disclosure. The following record types are currently exempt from public access:
- Sealed court records: Documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in court proceedings are confidential under state law.
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records compiled in the course of an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld from disclosed records.
- Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- Personnel records: Employee records held by public agencies are exempt, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies in confidence and protected from disclosure.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Documents relating to the security of public facilities are withheld in the interest of public safety.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office adjudicates disputes over denied requests and issues binding opinions on the applicability of exemptions.
Montgomery County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Montgomery County Clerk
1 Court St, Suite 2
Mount Sterling, KY 40353
(859) 498-8700
Montgomery County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk
Montgomery County Courthouse
1 Court St, PO Box 327
Mount Sterling, KY 40353
Office of Circuit Court Clerk – Montgomery County
Montgomery County Fiscal Court
1 Court St
Mount Sterling, KY 40353
Montgomery County Government
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Hours may vary for individual departments; members of the public are advised to confirm availability prior to visiting.