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How to Find Public Records in Marshall County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through official county and state resources, as well as through the directory portal MarshallCountyRecords.us. Marshall County maintains a broad range of government-generated documents that may be accessible to the public, subject to applicable exemptions under Kentucky law. The categories of records that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Property tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access: The Marshall County, KY official website provides access to county department information and select online resources. Property records and land documents may be searched through the County Clerk's land records portal. Court records may be accessed through the Kentucky Court of Justice eCourts system. No registration is required to submit a basic open records request, though some online databases may require account creation.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Marshall County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of records. The office is located at 1101 Main Street, Benton, KY 42025. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide relevant identifying information (such as names, dates, or parcel numbers), and submit a written or verbal request to the clerk on duty.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be mailed to the Marshall County Clerk's Office at 1101 Main Street, Benton, KY 42025. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.880, a public agency must respond to an open records request within five business days.

Phone/Email: The Marshall County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (270) 527-4740. Contact information for additional departments is available through the Marshall County government homepage.

What Are Public Records in Marshall County?

Public records in Marshall County are defined under Kentucky law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, disks, diskettes, recordings, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public agency. Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870, a "public record" encompasses any documentation created or maintained by a government body in the course of its official duties.

The following record types are maintained by Marshall County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Circuit Court Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk
Vital records (marriage, divorce)	County Clerk
Birth and death certificates	Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk / City offices
Property tax and assessment records	Property Valuation Administrator
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Judge/Executive Office
Budget and financial documents	County Judge/Executive Office
Law enforcement records	Marshall County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning and Zoning Office

The Marshall County Clerk's office records and retains various legal records, including all land records for the county. Court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk, which serves as the starting point for requesting copies of court records from cases filed in the county, as noted by the Kentucky Court of Justice.

Is Marshall County an Open Records County?

Marshall County operates in full compliance with Kentucky's open records laws, which mandate public access to government records. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870–61.884, all public agencies in the Commonwealth are required to make non-exempt records available for public inspection. As stated on the county's official open records page, "The Kentucky Open Records Act of 1992 made it possible to obtain most recorded information from government entities."

The Act establishes that any person may submit a written request to inspect or receive copies of public records. The county's open records policy is administered through each respective department, and requests are processed in accordance with state-mandated timelines and fee schedules. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides guidance and oversight for open records compliance across all counties, including Marshall County. The county does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond the exemptions already established in state law.

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

The fee structure for public records in Marshall County follows the schedule established under Kentucky law. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge; fees apply when copies are requested.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certification of records	Varies by document type
Electronic copies	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Not permitted under KRS § 61.874

Inspection fees: No charge for in-person inspection of non-exempt records.
Copy fees: The standard rate for paper copies is $0.10 per page for documents up to legal size, consistent with the fee schedule established under KRS § 61.874.
Certification fees: Fees for certified copies of documents such as deeds or marriage records vary by document type and are set by the County Clerk.
Electronic format fees: Agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication for records provided in electronic format.
Search fees: Public agencies in Kentucky are not permitted to charge a search fee for locating records.

Accepted payment methods at the Marshall County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fee waiver provisions may apply in limited circumstances, such as when records are requested by a public agency or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Does Marshall County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Marshall County. Under Kentucky law, any person has the right to inspect non-exempt public records at no cost during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Marshall County official website provides access to county department information, meeting agendas, and budget documents at no charge.
The County Clerk's land records database allows members of the public to search property and land records online without a fee.
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online access to certain court case information through its public portal.
The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections allows free searches of offender records statewide, including individuals with connections to Marshall County. As noted on the site, any misuse of the information presented to harass an offender is a criminal offense punishable by law.

Who Can Request Public Records in Marshall County?

Any person may request public records in Marshall County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, there is no requirement that a requestor be a Kentucky resident or provide a reason for the request. Members of the public, businesses, attorneys, journalists, and non-residents all hold equal standing to submit open records requests.

Specific considerations include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records.
Residency: Non-residents of Marshall County and Kentucky retain full rights to request public records under state law.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records about themselves may be required to provide identification to verify identity, particularly for records containing personal information.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.

What Records Are Confidential in Marshall County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Kentucky law establishes specific categories of exempt records that public agencies are not required to release. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted in Marshall County:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in court proceedings are protected under state law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are exempt from disclosure.
Medical 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 to protect the privacy of minors and families.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions, such as name, position, and compensation of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

These exemptions are codified under KRS § 61.878, which enumerates the categories of public records that public agencies may decline to produce. The balancing test applied by Kentucky courts weighs the public's interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals or the operational needs of government agencies.

Marshall County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Marshall County Clerk's Office
1101 Main Street
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-4740
Marshall County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Marshall County Circuit Court Clerk
80 Judicial Drive
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-5720
Marshall County Court of Justice

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Marshall County Property Valuation Administrator
1101 Main Street, Suite 3
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-4728
Marshall County, KY Official Website