Warren County Divorce Records

We are glad you came here for help. Our goal is to give you the best guide for your Warren County Divorce Records search. We aim to make this task less hard for you. We hope this page helps you find what you need fast.

If you want to start your Warren County Divorce Records search now, visit https://kentuckyofficialrecords.com/warren-county-divorce-records/. This resource can help you begin the process right away. Many find this a good first step. It can point you to ways to check records. You might also find value in exploring general Kentucky public record access through sites like https://kentuckypublicrecords.com/ for a wider view of available information across the state. These resources help you find the path to the official documents you seek.

Warren County Circuit Court Clerk: The Main Source

The main place to find full divorce records is the local court. This court handled the case. For divorces finalized in Warren County, this is the key office. They hold the official court documents.

Clerk's Responsibility for Divorce Decrees

The Warren County Circuit Court Clerk keeps the official divorce decree. This is the final court order ending a marriage. It holds key details. This includes terms for property, kids, and support. This office files and stores these vital court case files. You must go here for the complete record. They are the keepers of these legal papers. This is not the same as a simple certificate from the state. The decree has much more detail.

Office Location and Contact Details

Find the Clerk's office in Bowling Green. Know their hours before you go. They run on Central Time.

• Physical & Mailing Address: Warren County Justice Center Office of Circuit Court Clerk 1001 Center Street, Suite 303 Bowling Green, KY 42101

• Phone Number: (270) 746-7400 (Verify this number for Circuit Court Clerk specifically)

• Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Central Time). Closed on state holidays.

Making In-Person Requests

You can visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Go during their business hours. Ask staff at the counter for help. You will need to give names of the people. The year of the divorce helps a lot too. They may have a form for you to fill out. There might be a small fee for copies. Ask about costs when you are there. Plan for some wait time. They need time to find the file. Bring your ID with you. This can sometimes be needed. This is often the fastest way. You get the papers the same day if found.

Submitting Mail Requests

You can ask for records by mail. Write a clear letter to the Clerk. Put the full names of both people. Add the date or year of the divorce. Include your name and address. Add your phone number too. Ask about the cost first. You can call their office number. You may need to send a check or money order. Make it payable as they tell you. Send a self addressed stamped envelope too. This helps them mail the copies back to you. Mail requests take more time. Allow for mail time both ways. Also allow time for them to find the record. Be sure your request is clear. This avoids delays.

State Resources for Divorce Verification

While the county holds the full decree, state offices offer some info. They mainly provide divorce certificates. These offer basic proof of divorce.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS)

The state health department keeps vital records. This includes divorce certificates for events after June 1958. A certificate is not the full decree. It shows names, date, and county of divorce. It proves the divorce happened. It has less detail than the court decree. You might need it for name changes or other needs. The state office is in Frankfort. They have specific ways to request these forms. This office works on Eastern Time. Keep this time zone difference in mind when calling or planning a visit. They serve the whole state's needs. Visit their official page here: Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.

What They Provide (Divorce Certificates)

OVS issues certified copies of divorce certificates. This is for divorces granted in Kentucky since June 1958. It is an official state document. It confirms the basic facts of the divorce. This is useful for many legal or personal tasks. If you need the full terms, get the decree from Warren County. The certificate is just a summary record. Think about what level of detail you need. Choose the right document source for your goal.

Contact Information and Hours

• Office Location: 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621

• Phone: (502) 564-4212 or Toll-Free (800) 241-8322

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Eastern Time). Walk-in service ends earlier, around 3:30 PM or 3:45 PM. Check their site for exact times. Closed on state holidays.

How to Request Certificates

You have a few ways to order from OVS:

• By Mail: Download the Marriage/Divorce certificate application from the OVS website. Fill it out fully. Include names, date, and county (Warren). Send it with a check or money order. Make it payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail it to the OVS address in Frankfort. Fees apply for each copy.

• Online via Partner: Kentucky OVS uses VitalChek as its only official online partner. Go to www.vitalchek.com. Follow their steps to order. You will need a credit or debit card. Extra processing fees apply for online orders. This is often faster than mail. You can sometimes choose will-call pickup in Frankfort.

Note for Records Before June 1958

OVS does not have divorce records from before June 1958. For older divorces, you must contact the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk. They are the only source for these historical court decrees.

Kentucky Court of Justice Website

The state court system has a website. It is found at www.kycourts.gov. They may offer online search tools. Look for case search options like "eCourts". These tools might let you look up case details. This could include divorce case information. Coverage can vary by county and case type. It is worth checking this state resource. It may show case numbers or status. It might not give full document access online. But it can confirm a case exists.

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA)

KDLA keeps older government records. This can include very old court records. If a divorce happened many years ago, KDLA might have the file. They are a key place for historical research. Their main role is long term storage of state and local records. This includes court cases sent from counties over time. Their research room has set hours. Always check before you visit. Find more info at the KDLA website.

Role in Historical Records

KDLA archives records deemed historical. This often means records older than several decades. If the Warren County Circuit Clerk no longer has a very old file on site, they might have sent it to KDLA. KDLA preserves these records for public access. They have specific rules for searching. Their staff can help guide researchers. They hold vast amounts of Kentucky history. Court records form a part of this collection.

Location and Contact Info

• Street Address: 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 537, Frankfort, KY 40602

• Phone: (502) 564-8300

Research Room Hours (Eastern Time)

• Archives Research Room: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET. Closed on Fridays.

• State Library (Different Section): Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET.

Searching KDLA Collections

You can search KDLA holdings. Check their website kdla.ky.gov for online catalogs. You can also visit the research room in Frankfort. Staff can assist you there. You will need the names and approximate dates. Knowing the county (Warren) is vital. They may have indexes or finding aids. Some records might be on microfilm. Others are original paper files. Fees may apply for copies.

What You Need for Your Search

To find divorce records, you need key facts. Giving good info helps the clerk find the file. The more details you have, the better.

Key Information Required

Be ready to provide this information:

• Full Names: The complete legal names of both spouses at the time of divorce. Include maiden names if known.

• Date Range: The approximate date or year the divorce was finalized. A specific year is best. A range of years can also work.

• Location: The county where the divorce was granted. In this case, Warren County.

Types of Divorce Documentation

There are different kinds of divorce papers. Know which one you need.

Divorce Decree

This is the official judgment from the court. It legally ends the marriage. It lists all the terms. Child custody, support, property division are detailed here. It is usually several pages long. The Warren County Circuit Court Clerk holds this.

Divorce Certificate

This is a simple vital record. It is issued by the KY Office of Vital Statistics (for divorces since June 1958). It confirms the names, date, and place of divorce. It does not list the divorce terms. It is often one page.

Full Case File

This includes all papers filed in the divorce case. It has the first petition. It includes motions, orders, and the final decree. It gives the complete history of the case. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains this full file. You can often view the whole file. Copy fees usually apply per page.

Rules for Accessing Records and Associated Costs

Kentucky law makes most court records public. But there are rules and costs.

Public Access Under Law (KRS Chapter 61)

Kentucky's Open Records Act is found in KRS Chapter 61. This law states public records are open. Anyone can inspect them. This includes divorce court files. Some data might be kept private. Things like Social Security numbers may be blacked out. This protects personal privacy. The core details of the divorce are usually public. You have a right to see these files. Agencies must provide access upon request.

Potential Fees for Copies

Government offices can charge fees. This is for the cost of making copies. They cannot charge for staff time to find records (for non-commercial requests). Fees are often per page. There might be an extra fee for certified copies. Ask the Warren County Circuit Clerk about their current fee schedule. Also ask the Office of Vital Statistics about their fees. Costs are usually low but can add up for large files. Be prepared to pay when you request copies.

Brief Look at Kentucky Divorce Laws

Divorce in Kentucky is governed by state law. These laws define how marriage ends. They cover property, kids, and support.

Relevant Statute: KRS Chapter 403 (Dissolution of Marriage)

The main laws are in Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 403. This chapter covers Dissolution of Marriage. It outlines the legal process. It details grounds for divorce. It explains how courts decide on issues. Understanding this chapter gives context. It shows the legal basis for the records you seek. The purpose is to handle divorce fairly. It aims to settle disputes and protect families.

Quick Reference: Key Contact Points

Here are the main contacts again for ease of use:

Warren County Circuit Court Clerk

• Role: Holds official Divorce Decrees and full case files.

• Address: 1001 Center Street, Suite 303, Bowling Green, KY 42101

• Phone: (270) 746-7400 (Verify number)

• Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics

• Role: Issues Divorce Certificates (since June 1958).

• Address: 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621

• Phone: (502) 564-4212 / (800) 241-8322

• Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM ET (walk-in ends earlier)

• Website: OVS Page

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA)

• Role: Holds older, historical court records.

• Address: 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, KY 40601

• Phone: (502) 564-8300

• Research Hours: Mon-Thu, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM ET (Closed Fri)

• Website: KDLA Home