Meade County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Meade County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Meade County, Kentucky may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. The directory resource MeadeRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to records maintained by Meade County government offices. Individuals may find information pertaining to the following record categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records including marriage licenses
- Voter registration and election records
- Tax and property assessment records
- Business licenses and fictitious name filings
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records may be accessed through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and authorized online tools.
Online Access: The Meade County Clerk's office maintains an online portal for land and legal records. Through the eCCLIX system, registered users may view or print archived public records using an internet-ready device. Registration is required to access certain document categories. Land records including deeds, mortgages, and liens are available through this platform.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the County Clerk's Office at 516 Hillcrest Drive, Brandenburg, KY 40108. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the record type and approximate date range sought.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Meade County Clerk at 516 Hillcrest Drive, Brandenburg, KY 40108. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the intended purpose if the records are to be used for commercial purposes. Under KRS § 61.880, the agency must respond within three business days.
Phone/Email: The County Clerk's office may be reached by phone at (270) 422-2152. Contact information for specific staff members is available through the County Clerk page on the official Meade County government website.
What Are Public Records in Meade County?
Public records in Meade County are defined under Kentucky's Open Records Act as any document, paper, photograph, film, or other material made or received by a public agency in the course of official business. The Meade County Clerk is the primary custodian of county-level records and is responsible for issuing, registering, recording, and maintaining various legal and land documents.
The following record types are maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk |
| Marriage licenses | County Clerk |
| Voter registration | County Clerk |
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Probate and estate records | District/Circuit Court |
| Property tax assessments | Property Valuation Administrator |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Judge/Executive |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Meade County Sheriff |
| Zoning and land use records | Planning and Zoning Office |
Court records for Meade County are maintained by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, located at the Meade County Courthouse, 516 Hillcrest Drive, Suite 4, Brandenburg, KY 40108. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides county-specific court information and access to case records through its online portal.
Is Meade County an Open Records County?
Meade County fully complies with Kentucky's Open Records Act, which governs public access to government documents throughout the Commonwealth. Under KRS § 61.870 through § 61.884, all public agencies in Kentucky — including county offices — are required to make non-exempt public records available for inspection and copying upon request.
The Meade County government's Open Records Request page states that "KRS 61.870(4) defines 'commercial purpose' as 'the direct or indirect use of any part of a public record...'" This provision requires requestors who intend to use records for commercial purposes to disclose that intent at the time of the request.
Kentucky's Open Records Act operates in conjunction with the Kentucky Open Meetings Act, collectively forming the state's sunshine law framework. The Kentucky Attorney General's Office provides guidance on open records compliance and adjudicates disputes between requestors and public agencies. Public agencies that deny a records request must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption relied upon.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Meade County?
The current fee structure for public records in Meade County is governed by state statute and the policies of the individual custodial office. Under KRS § 61.874, public agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies of public records, provided the fee does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Standard fees applicable at the County Clerk's office include:
- Inspection of records: No charge for in-person inspection
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard letter or legal size)
- Certified copies: Fees vary by document type; marriage certificates and deed certifications carry a separate statutory fee
- Electronic copies: Fees may apply depending on the format and volume requested
- Search fees: Not permitted under Kentucky law unless the search requires extraordinary staff time
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Meade County Clerk. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for non-commercial, public interest purposes, subject to agency discretion. Fees for court records obtained through the Circuit Court Clerk may differ from those charged by the County Clerk.
Does Meade County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the County Clerk's office during regular business hours. Kentucky law requires that public agencies permit in-person inspection of non-exempt records at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records on-site carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the reproduction fees described above.
The following free resources are available through official government channels:
- In-person inspection at the Meade County Clerk's Office, 516 Hillcrest Drive, Brandenburg, KY 40108
- Online land record searches through the eCCLIX system available via the Meade County Clerk's land records portal (registration required for printing; browsing may be available at no cost)
- Court case information through the Kentucky Court of Justice online case search tool, accessible via the Meade County court information page
- Voter registration records available for public inspection at the County Clerk's office
Who Can Request Public Records in Meade County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Meade County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Kentucky's Open Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access to non-exempt records. The following conditions apply:
- Residency: Not required
- Identification: Not required for standard inspection; may be requested for certain sensitive record categories
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose unless the records are sought for commercial use, in which case disclosure is required under KRS § 61.874(4)
- Non-residents: Possess the same rights as Kentucky residents under the Open Records Act
- Minors: May submit requests; agencies may apply additional scrutiny depending on the record type
Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court filings, property records, or voter registration information — follow the same process as any other requestor. Requests for records pertaining to third parties are subject to the same statutory framework, with exemptions applying where personal privacy interests are protected by law.
What Records Are Confidential in Meade County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Open Records Act enumerates specific exemptions that public agencies may invoke to withhold records from inspection. The following record types are treated as confidential or restricted:
- 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 Kentucky law
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records that would harm an active investigation are exempt
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted or withheld
- 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 by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Personnel records: Exempt with limited exceptions for public employees' names, titles, and compensation
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety
When an agency denies a records request, it must cite the specific statutory exemption. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office, which issues binding open records decisions.
Meade County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Meade County Clerk's Office
516 Hillcrest Drive
Brandenburg, KY 40108
Phone: (270) 422-2152
Meade County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
As noted on the official county website, "It is the responsibility of the county clerk to issue, register, record, and keep various county records including legal and land records." The current County Clerk is Susan Masterson.
Office of Circuit Court Clerk
516 Hillcrest Drive, Suite 4
Brandenburg, KY 40108
Meade County Circuit Court Clerk – Kentucky Court of Justice
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Circuit Court Clerk maintains civil, criminal, probate, and family court records for Meade County. Members of the public may inspect court records at the courthouse or submit written requests by mail to the address above.
Meade County Property Valuation Administrator
516 Hillcrest Drive
Brandenburg, KY 40108
Phone: (270) 422-2178
The Property Valuation Administrator maintains property assessment records and tax rolls for Meade County. These records are available for public inspection during regular business hours.