Graves County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Graves County?

Public records in Graves County are defined under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870 as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, electronic records, and other materials prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public agency in the course of its official functions. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of record types maintained by various county offices.

The following categories of public records are currently available through Graves County agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Graves County Circuit Court Clerk. The Graves County court information page provides guidance on requesting copies of case records.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded and maintained by the Graves County Clerk. Members of the public may access online land records through the ECCLIX system.
Vital records — Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Graves County Clerk. Birth and death certificates are administered at the state level through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Business records — Fictitious business names, occupational licenses, and related permits are filed with the County Clerk's office.
Tax records — Delinquent property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the Graves County Clerk, which is responsible for collecting delinquent real estate taxes.
Voting and election records — Voter registration files and election-related documents are maintained by the County Clerk.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas of the Graves County Fiscal Court and related boards are available through the Fiscal Court office.
Budget and financial documents — County budget records and financial reports are maintained by the Graves County Fiscal Court.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, may be requested through the Graves County Sheriff's Office or the Mayfield Police Department.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the applicable county or municipal planning authority.

Is Graves County an Open Records County?

Graves County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which governs public access to government documents throughout the Commonwealth. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.872, all persons have the right to inspect public records of any public agency during regular office hours or to receive copies upon written request. The statute establishes that public agencies must respond to open records requests within five business days of receipt.

The Graves County Clerk's office maintains a formal open records policy consistent with state law. Members of the public may review the county's open records policy and request forms, which include the official Request to Inspect Public Records Form. Kentucky's Open Records Act operates in conjunction with the state's Open Meetings Act, collectively referred to as the "Sunshine Laws," which are designed to ensure transparency and accountability in government operations. Any denial of an open records request must be accompanied by a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption that applies.

How to Find Public Records in Graves County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Graves County public records through several methods currently available. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the record type and custodial office. Determine which agency maintains the record sought — the County Clerk for property, vital, and election records; the Circuit Court Clerk for court records; or the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement records.
Submit a written request. Complete the official Request to Inspect Public Records Form, available through the Graves County Clerk's records page. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate office.
Request court records separately. For civil, criminal, probate, or family court case files, members of the public should contact the Graves County Circuit Court Clerk directly or use the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms portal to access the appropriate court records request form.
Access online records. Property records currently available through the ECCLIX system may be searched and printed online by registered users via the county's online land records portal.
Await agency response. Under current law, the public agency must respond within five business days, either providing access to the records, requesting additional time, or issuing a written denial with statutory justification.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Graves County?

The Graves County Clerk's office charges standard fees for copies of public records in accordance with Kentucky law. Current fees applicable to most record requests include:

Standard copies: $0.10 per page for paper copies of records not exceeding letter or legal size, as established under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.874.
Certified copies: Additional certification fees apply for documents requiring an official seal or attestation; these vary by document type.
Recording fees: Fees for recording deeds, mortgages, and other instruments are set by state statute and are listed on the county's official recording fees schedule.
Marriage licenses: A separate fee applies for the issuance of marriage licenses; the current amount is posted on the Graves County Clerk's website.
Delinquent tax records: Fees associated with delinquent property tax bills are outlined on the county's records page.

Accepted payment methods at the Graves County Clerk's office currently include cash, check, and money order. Agencies are not permitted under state law to charge fees that exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waiver provisions may apply in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency head.

Does Graves County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all persons under Kentucky's Open Records Act, which guarantees the right to examine records in person at no charge during regular office hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Graves County Clerk's office allows members of the public to review original records without charge.
Online land records accessible through the ECCLIX system via the Graves County Clerk permit registered users to view property records at no cost for basic searches.
Court case information may be reviewed at no charge through the Graves County Circuit Court Clerk's public counter during regular business hours.
Fiscal Court meeting minutes and agendas are generally made available on the county's official website without charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Graves County?

Any person — regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose — is entitled to request public records from Graves County agencies under current Kentucky law. The Open Records Act does not require requestors to be Kentucky residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request in most circumstances. Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Non-residents of Graves County and Kentucky retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Requestors are not generally required to present identification unless accessing records that contain restricted personal information.
Purpose: Agencies may not condition access to public records on the requestor's stated purpose, except in limited circumstances involving law enforcement or ongoing investigations.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to expedited access and, in some cases, correction of inaccurate information.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records — including sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records — are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order.

Members of the public who are denied access to records have the right to appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office within two business days of receiving a written denial.

What Records Are Confidential in Graves County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. The following records are currently withheld from general public access:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in court proceedings are confidential under state law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only pursuant to a court order or specific statutory authorization.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions, such as name, position, and compensation of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Documents describing security systems or critical infrastructure vulnerabilities are withheld in the interest of public safety.

These exemptions are codified under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.878, which enumerates the categories of public records that public agencies are not required to disclose. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies are required to separate and release the non-exempt portions.

Graves County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Graves County Clerk serves as the principal recorder of official documents in the county. All deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and related instruments are recorded and maintained at this office for public use.

Graves County Clerk 1102 Paris Road, Suite 2, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-1676 Graves County Clerk

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., local time. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

Graves County Circuit Court Clerk 100 East Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-3626 Graves – Kentucky Court of Justice

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., local time.

Graves County Fiscal Court 1102 Paris Road, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-0830 Graves County Fiscal Court