We are glad you came to this page. We want to help you find Daviess County divorce records. Our goal is to give you clear steps for your search. We will show you where to look. We will list contact details and rules.
If you want to begin your search now, you can visit https://kentuckyofficialrecords.com/daviess-county-divorce-records/. This resource may help you start looking for the records you need right away. Exploring options like https://kentuckypublicrecords.com/ can also offer pathways to accessing public information within the state. These tools can be a good first step in your quest for Daviess County divorce documentation before diving into specific state and county offices.
Your search starts by knowing where to look. The main place is the county Circuit Court Clerk. The state also keeps some records. You might find some case data online. The Kentucky Court of Justice has a case search tool. Look here: https://kycourts.gov/pages/index.aspx. It shows basic case facts. It may not show the full divorce decree. Think about what type of record you need first.
There are two main types of divorce records. A Divorce Decree is the full court order. It is signed by a judge. It ends the marriage. It lists all terms. This includes child care, support, and how things are split. You get this from the Circuit Court Clerk. A Divorce Certificate is simpler. It just shows that a divorce took place. It lists names and the date. It confirms the divorce. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics keeps these. They only have them for divorces after June 1958. Know which one you need for your task.
The Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk holds divorce decrees. These are the official court files. They keep recent records here. If the divorce was finalized less than 15 years ago, start here. This office is part of the Kentucky Court of Justice system. They manage all court case documents filed in the county. This includes family law cases like divorce or dissolution of marriage. The clerk's team can help you find case files. They can make copies for you. You need to know the names of the people in the case. The year the divorce was filed helps a lot too. Without good details, the search can take more time. Be ready to give as much info as you can.
Clerk Contact Details
The Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk is key. Find the office at the Daviess County Judicial Center. The physical location is important for in-person visits.
Address: Daviess County Judicial Center, 100 East 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42303.
Phone (Circuit Civil/Family Court): 270-687-7220
Website: https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Daviess.aspx
Operating Hours
Plan your visit during work hours.
Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed 1
Sunday: Closed
Note: The office is closed on state holidays.
How to Get Copies
You can ask for copies in person. Go to the clerk's office. Fill out any needed request forms. Provide the case names and year if known. Staff will find the record. They will tell you the cost for copies. You may also be able to ask by mail. Call the office first to check their mail request rules. Ask what info they need in the letter. Also ask where to send it and how to pay.
Costs and Ways to Pay
There are fees for copies. The cost depends on the page count. Ask the clerk for the current fee list. You might pay with cash, check, or money order in person. The Kentucky Court of Justice site mentions an ePay option for some court costs. Ask the Daviess County Clerk if ePay works for record copies. The general court info site is https://kycourts.gov/pages/index.aspx. Call the clerk's office directly for exact copy fees and payment types.
What if the divorce was long ago? Records between 15 and 35 years old are not at the county clerk. They move to the State Records Center. This center is run by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). You must ask them for these older files. This process is different from the county clerk. It often involves a specific form. The state archives hold vast amounts of old government papers. This includes court cases from all over Kentucky. They store them in a safe place. Access requires following their steps. They need precise data to find the right box and file among millions.
Request Process
To get these older records, use a special form. Find the form on the Kentucky Court of Justice website or ask KDLA. You send the filled form to an email address.
Email: [invalid URL removed]
KDLA Address: 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
KDLA Phone: 502-564-8300
What You Need
You must have the case number. You also need the locator number. The State Records Center needs these numbers to find the file. You get these numbers from the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk. Call or visit the clerk first. Ask them to look up the old case. Get the case and locator numbers. Then you can fill out the state form. Without these numbers, the state cannot find the record.
The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics handles divorce certificates. These are not the full court decrees. They are basic proof of divorce. OVS is part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. They keep vital records for the state. This includes birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. The divorce certificate is a certified document. It shows the names of the parties. It shows the date and county of the divorce. It is often used for legal name changes or proof of status. It has less detail than the full decree. It does not list the terms of the split. Remember, OVS only has records from a specific date forward.
Eligibility (Post June 1958)
OVS only has divorce certificates from June 1958 to now. If the divorce was before June 1958, OVS cannot help. You must go to the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk for older records. OVS records are certified copies. They do not issue non-certified or plain copies.
Ways to Request (Mail, Phone, Walk-in)
You can get certificates in three ways:
Mail: Send a completed form. Include a check or money order. Make it payable to Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail takes up to 30 working days.
Phone: Call toll-free at 800-241-8322. Use a credit card (Visa, MC, Discover, Amex).
In Person: Visit the OVS office in Frankfort. Do this on weekdays during business hours.
OVS Contact and Location
Address: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: 502-564-4212
Walk-in Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST.
Fees for Certificates
There is a fee for each certified copy. Contact OVS directly or check their site for current costs. Fees must be paid when you order. Use check/money order for mail. Use credit card for phone orders. Pay in person with accepted methods at the counter.
The full divorce decree has many details. It is the complete court record of the case end. It usually includes:
Full names of both spouses.
The date the marriage ended.
The county where the divorce was granted.
Terms of property division.
Child custody plans.
Child support amounts.
Spousal support (alimony) details, if any.
Orders on debt payment.
Judge's signature and date.
A divorce certificate is much shorter. It gives basic facts. It usually includes:
Names of both people.
Date of the divorce.
County where the divorce took place.
File number.
Date issued by OVS.
It does not include details on kids, money, or stuff.
Most court records in Kentucky are public. The Kentucky Open Records Act ensures this. This means people can view and copy most divorce records. You usually need to ask the office that holds the record. That is the Circuit Court Clerk or the state OVS or KDLA. Public access helps keep courts open. It lets people see court actions. There are some limits, though.
Some divorce records are not public. A judge can order a record sealed. This closes it off from public view. Sealing often happens for strong reasons. Kentucky law (KRS 61.878, see https://codes.findlaw.com/ky/title-viii-offices-and-officers/ky-rev-st-sect-61-878/) lists reasons. A big one is privacy. If details are very personal, a judge might seal them. This could involve health facts or abuse details. Records can also be sealed to protect kids. Trade secrets mentioned in a case might also be reason. A party must ask the judge to seal the record. They must show good cause. The judge decides if sealing is right.
For most public divorce records, anyone can ask. You do not need to be one of the parties. You just need to follow the rules of the office. Provide the needed info like names and dates. Pay the copy fees. For sealed records, access is very limited. Usually, only the parties or their lawyers can see them. You might need a court order to view sealed files. For divorce certificates from OVS, anyone can request them if they provide the details and pay the fee. There are no limits based on who you are.