Campbell County Court Records
What Is Campbell County Court Records
Court records in Campbell County, Kentucky, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function: dockets provide a chronological index of all filings and proceedings in a case, while pleadings and motions reflect the arguments submitted by parties, and judgments and orders represent the court's official rulings.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, vital records (such as birth and death certificates), and tax records are typically held by the Campbell County Clerk's Office rather than the court system. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
In Campbell County, the following courts generate and maintain official records:
- Circuit Court – handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $5,000, and family law matters
- District Court – handles misdemeanors, violations, small claims, probate of small estates, and civil cases up to $5,000
- Family Court – a division of Circuit Court addressing divorce, child custody, domestic violence, and adoption
- Probate Court – administered through Circuit Court for estate matters
- Small Claims Court – a division of District Court for claims up to $2,500
- Traffic Court – handled within District Court jurisdiction
Records span civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870–61.884, public agencies, including courts, are required to make records available to the public in accordance with the Kentucky Open Records Act. The Campbell County court system operates under the Kentucky Court of Justice, which oversees all trial courts statewide.
Are Court Records Public In Campbell County
Most court records in Campbell County are presumptively open to the public under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 et seq., establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies, including judicial offices. Additionally, Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure and the Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure affirm the principle of open court proceedings and accessible records.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
- Probate filings and estate inventories
Members of the public should note that federal court records—maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky—are governed by federal rules and accessed through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system, which is separate from the Kentucky state court system.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under state law. These include juvenile court records, adoption records, mental health commitment records, and records sealed by court order. The Kentucky Supreme Court has adopted administrative procedures governing access to court records, and the Open Records policy for Campbell County further clarifies which records the Fiscal Court maintains and which fall under separate custodians.
How To Find Court Records in Campbell County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Campbell County may access them through several official channels. The primary custodian of trial court records is the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk, located in Newport, Kentucky.
Steps to obtain court records in person:
- Identify the court division (Circuit, District, Family) and the approximate filing date or case number
- Visit the Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- Submit a written or verbal request identifying the case by name, case number, or party name
- Pay applicable copying fees, currently set at $0.25 per page for standard copies
- Review records on-site or request certified copies for an additional fee
Steps to obtain records by mail:
- Prepare a written request identifying the case and the specific documents needed
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for estimated fees
- Mail the request to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Steps to obtain records online:
Members of the public may use the Kentucky Court of Justice's online portal to request court records or search available case information without visiting the courthouse in person.
How To Look Up Court Records in Campbell County Online?
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online access to court case information through its statewide electronic systems. The following portals are currently available:
Kentucky eCourts CourtNet 2.0 is the primary public-facing portal for searching case information across all Kentucky trial courts, including Campbell County Circuit and District Courts. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal provides docket entries, case status, and hearing dates.
Steps to search online:
- Navigate to the Kentucky Court of Justice website
- Select the CourtNet public access portal
- Enter the county (Campbell), case number, or party name
- Review the case summary, docket entries, and available documents
- Note that some documents may require an in-person visit or formal request to obtain full copies
The Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office also provides access to county-level records through its own online interface. The Records section of the Campbell County Clerk's Office offers online access to land records, deeds, mortgages, and other instruments recorded with the county, in partnership with Software Management, LLC, through the CCLIX system used by participating Kentucky county clerks.
For court case records specifically, the Kentucky Court of Justice's Campbell County court information page directs members of the public to the Circuit Court Clerk as the starting point for all case record requests.
How To Search Campbell County Court Records for Free?
Kentucky law guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under KRS § 61.874, public agencies must allow inspection of non-exempt public records during regular office hours without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees may only be charged for copies of records.
The following options are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection at the Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office – members of the public may review case files, dockets, and orders without charge during business hours
- Kentucky eCourts CourtNet 2.0 – basic case information, docket entries, and hearing schedules are searchable at no cost through the Kentucky Court of Justice's public portal
- CCLIX online records portal – land and property records maintained by the Campbell County Clerk's Office are accessible online, with some search functions available without a subscription fee
Certified copies and printed documents are subject to standard per-page fees established by the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts.
What's Included in a Campbell County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following components:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions, responses, and supporting memoranda
- Discovery-related filings (where entered into the record)
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment or decree
- Notice of appeal, if applicable
Criminal Case Records:
- Arrest warrant or citation
- Indictment, information, or complaint
- Arraignment records and plea entries
- Pretrial motions and rulings
- Trial transcripts (where prepared)
- Verdict and sentencing orders
- Probation or supervision records (where publicly accessible)
Family Court Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage or custody
- Temporary and permanent orders
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Domestic violence orders (EPOs and DVOs)
- Adoption decrees (generally sealed)
Probate Records:
- Will and petition for probate
- Inventory of estate assets
- Creditor claims and settlements
- Final settlement and order of distribution
Traffic Records:
- Citation or uniform citation
- Plea and disposition
- Court orders regarding license suspension
How Long Does Campbell County Keep Court Records?
Kentucky courts follow retention schedules established by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) and the Kentucky Court of Justice. Retention periods vary by record type and court division.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony criminal case files – permanently retained
- Misdemeanor and violation case files – retained for a minimum of 5 years following case closure
- Civil case files – retained for a minimum of 5 years; cases involving real property may be retained permanently
- Family court orders and decrees – permanently retained
- Probate records – permanently retained
- Traffic case records – retained for a minimum of 3 years
- Small claims records – retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Court dockets and indexes – permanently retained as administrative records
These schedules are established pursuant to Kentucky administrative regulations and the records management authority of the KDLA. The Kentucky Court of Justice Administrative Office of the Courts oversees compliance with retention mandates across all county court clerks' offices.
Types of Courts In Campbell County
Campbell County is served by a unified court system under the Kentucky Court of Justice. The court hierarchy proceeds from District Court (limited jurisdiction) through Circuit Court (general jurisdiction) to the Kentucky Court of Appeals and, ultimately, the Kentucky Supreme Court.
Campbell County Circuit Court / District Court
Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office 1098 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY 41071 (859) 292-6314 Campbell County – Kentucky Court of Justice Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- District Court exercises limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, small claims (up to $2,500), civil cases up to $5,000, and preliminary hearings in felony matters.
- Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $5,000, family law, and appeals from District Court.
- Family Court operates as a division of Circuit Court and handles all domestic relations matters, including divorce, custody, adoption, and domestic violence proceedings.
Kentucky Court of Appeals 360 Democrat Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 573-7920 Intermediate appellate court reviewing decisions from Circuit Courts statewide.
Kentucky Supreme Court 700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 300, Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 564-5444 Court of last resort for all Kentucky state court matters.
What Types of Cases Do Campbell County Courts Hear?
Each court division in Campbell County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases.
District Court hears:
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses (Class A and Class B)
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Small claims matters up to $2,500
- Civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000
- Preliminary hearings and arraignments in felony cases
- Juvenile matters (dependency, neglect, abuse, status offenses)
- Probate of small estates
Circuit Court hears:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases exceeding $5,000 with no upper limit
- Appeals from District Court decisions
- Equity matters and injunctive relief
Family Court (Circuit Court Division) hears:
- Dissolution of marriage and legal separation
- Child custody, visitation, and support
- Adoption proceedings
- Domestic violence petitions (Emergency Protective Orders and Domestic Violence Orders)
- Termination of parental rights
Probate (Circuit Court) hears:
- Probate of wills and administration of decedents' estates
- Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
- Trust matters
How To Find a Court Docket In Campbell County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Campbell County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Access the Kentucky Court of Justice's CourtNet 2.0 public portal
- Select Campbell County as the jurisdiction
- Search by party name, attorney name, or case number
- The docket sheet will display all entries, hearing dates, and case status
In-Person Search:
- Visit the Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 1098 Monmouth Street, Newport, KY 41071
- Request access to the public terminal or ask a clerk to retrieve the docket by case number or party name
- Public counter hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
By Telephone:
- Members of the public may call the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (859) 292-6314 to inquire about case status and scheduled hearing dates
The Kentucky Court of Justice's record request page provides additional guidance on locating dockets and obtaining copies of specific filings from the appropriate county clerk's office.
Which Courts in Campbell County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to review by a higher court. Courts not of record do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings, and their decisions are typically subject to a de novo (new) trial on appeal rather than appellate review of the existing record.
Under Kentucky law, all trial courts within the Kentucky Court of Justice—including both Circuit Court and District Court in Campbell County—are currently designated as courts of record. Kentucky Constitution Section 112 and the Kentucky Revised Statutes establish the unified court system in which District Courts, though courts of limited jurisdiction, are courts of record whose proceedings are documented and preserved by the Circuit Court Clerk.
Historically, quarterly courts, police courts, and justice of the peace courts operated in Kentucky as courts not of record. These courts were abolished following the Judicial Article amendment to the Kentucky Constitution in 1975, which took effect in 1978 and created the current unified court system. At present, no court operating in Campbell County is classified as a court not of record. All proceedings before District Court and Circuit Court judges are recorded and maintained as official court records by the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk.