Daviess County Public Records

We are glad you came here to find help with your Daviess County Public Records Search. Our aim is to give you the facts you need. We will do our best to guide you to the right place for the records you seek in Daviess County, Kentucky. This page offers key details for your search.

If you want to start a Daviess County Public Records Search right now, you can visit Kentucky Official Records at https://kentuckyofficialrecords.com/daviess-county-public-records/. This resource provides a way to check for various public record types available in Daviess County. It can be a quick way to access information online if you prefer not to visit offices in person or wait for mail requests. They try to make finding records easy.

Kentucky Open Records Act Rules

The main law for public records is the Kentucky Open Records Act. It is found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) from KRS 61.870 to KRS 61.884. This law says that open review of public records serves the public good. Public records include many types of files. Think of books, maps, tapes, discs, and other items made or kept by a public agency. A public agency means government bodies like county offices, city boards, and state groups.

Only "residents of the Commonwealth" can ask for records under this act (KRS 61.872(3)). You must send a written request to the agency that holds the records. Each agency must have rules for how to ask for records. These rules should be posted at their office and on their website. You can find helpful information about state records at https://kentuckypublicrecords.com/. Not all records are open. Some records are kept private. These can include records about young people, sex crimes, or ongoing police work.

Daviess County Clerk Records

The Daviess County Clerk's office holds many important local records. This is a key place for your public records search. They keep files about land, some vital events, and more. Knowing their location and what they have is key.

Clerk Contact and Location

• Address: 212 Saint Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303

• Mail To: P.O. Box 609, Owensboro, KY 42302-0609

• Main Phone: (270) 685-8434

• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Types of Records at the Clerk's Office

This office files many types of documents. You can find land records like deeds. These show who owns land. They also have mortgages, which show loans on land. Liens, which are claims on property, are here too. Marriage licenses issued after June 1958 are kept by the clerk. For older marriage records, ask this same office. They handle voter registration lists as well. If you need car title or registration info, they handle that too. Some records about wills and estates, known as probate records, might be here or with the courts.

How to Get Clerk Records

You can go to the Clerk's office on Saint Ann Street. Visiting in person lets you ask staff for help. You can also mail a written request for records. Be sure to state clearly what you need. Check the Daviess County website or call the clerk. They might have an online search tool for some records. This could be useful for land records lookups.

Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA)

The PVA office deals with property values for tax needs. They keep records about property details and ownership. This data is public.

PVA Contact and Location

• Address: 212 Saint Ann Street, Room 102, Owensboro, KY 42303

• Phone: (270) 685-8474

• Fax: (270) 685-8493

• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

• Website: https://daviesskypva.org/

PVA Record Information

The PVA maintains the county's property assessment roll. This lists properties and their assessed value. They create and update tax maps. These maps show property lines. They often use a Geographic Information System (GIS). You can find data on who owns what property. They track deed transfers. The PVA also handles applications for tax breaks. This includes the homestead exemption for home owners. It also includes disability exemptions. This office is a prime source for property tax data. You can learn the size, value, and owner of land here.

Getting PVA Records

Go to the PVA office in the county building. Staff can help you find property information. You can also call them with questions. Check their official website. It may have online map tools or property search functions. The site also has contact forms and staff names. Using their site is a good first step. It may save you a trip or call. It lists staff roles too. This helps you find the right person to ask.

Daviess County Court Records

Court records cover civil suits, criminal cases, and more. These are held by the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk. The records are public unless sealed by law.

Court Location and Contacts

• Location: Holbrook Judicial Center, 100 East 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42302

• Mail To: P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302

• Circuit Clerk: Jennifer Hardesty Besecker

• Clerk Main Phone: (270) 687-7225

• Circuit Civil: (270) 687-7220

• Circuit Criminal: (270) 687-7329

• District Civil/Small Claims: (270) 687-7205

• District Criminal/Traffic: (270) 687-7200

• District Juvenile: (270) 687-7211 (Access restricted)

• District Probate: (270) 687-7207

• Clerk Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Types of Court Cases

The Circuit Court Clerk manages records for many case types. Circuit Court handles major civil cases and felony criminal cases. District Court handles smaller civil claims (small claims court). It also handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and probate matters like wills. Divorce records filed after June 1958 are here. Older divorce records are also held by the Circuit Clerk. Juvenile court records exist but are usually not public. This protects the privacy of young people.

Accessing Court Documents

You can visit the Holbrook Judicial Center to view records. The clerk's office is the place to start. You can ask staff for help finding case files. Mailing a written request is another option. Send it to the Circuit Court Clerk's P.O. Box. Be specific about the case or names involved. Many Kentucky court records can be searched online. Use the Kentucky Court of Justice website. You might need to register for guest access. Search by name, case type, or county. For very old court records (over 36 years old), contact the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). They store historical state and county records.

Daviess County Arrest and Inmate Records

Arrest and jail records show who has been detained. The Sheriff's Office makes arrests. The Detention Center holds inmates. These records are mostly public.

Sheriff and Jail Information

• Sheriff's Office: 212 St. Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 | Phone: (270) 685-8444

• Detention Center: 3337 Highway 144, Owensboro, KY 42303 | Phone: (270) 685-8466

• Jail Records Email: [email address removed]

Finding Arrest and Inmate Data

The Daviess County Sheriff's Office handles arrests. They create initial arrest reports. The Daviess County Detention Center keeps records of people currently in jail. You can often find an inmate list online. Look for a link on the Daviess County government website or search for "Daviess County JailTracker". You can also call the jail directly. For official requests, you might need to use an Open Records Request form. Email the jail's open records address. Or mail a request form if one is provided online.

Some criminal history checks are done at the state level. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) offers background checks for a fee ($20 mentioned). You can request this online or by mail. Their office is at 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. For records on state prison inmates, check the Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDOC). They have an online Offender Lookup tool (KOOL). You can also send record requests to their office in Frankfort. Remember, some records, like those for juveniles or sealed cases, are not public.

Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce

Vital records document major life events. In Kentucky, these are mainly held by a state office.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS)

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

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

• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Eastern Time

State Held Records

The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) in Frankfort keeps official vital records. They have birth and death records from 1911 onwards. They have marriage and divorce records from June 1958 onwards. These are certified copies used for legal proof.

Getting Vital Records

You can order records from OVS by mail. Download an application form from their website. You can order online through their only approved partner, VitalChek. Fees apply for certified copies. You can also visit the OVS office in Frankfort. They offer in-person service, but same-day service is not guaranteed late in the day. There is also a drop box at their building. For records before the state started keeping them: Contact the Daviess County Clerk for marriage licenses before June 1958. Contact the Daviess Circuit Court Clerk for divorce decrees before June 1958. Old birth or death records might be hard to find. Check local history sources or the county clerk.