Background checks in Kentucky

Where to Begin your Search
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) website provides the public with access to the state's sex offender registry. If you want to conduct a criminal record's search then, you'll want to point your browser to the Kentucky Court of Justice website, which features an extensive offering of records for background check information.

The system contains over four million records, all which hold court information for misdemeanors (dating back at least five years) and felonies (which go all the way back to the late 70s). Records do not contain information concerning traffic violations or arrests.

How to Access a Criminal Records Search Online
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) supplies criminal records searchers with histories, assessing a fee of $15 per record or report. Information is accessed through the CourtNet database, which compiles court data from all over the state. Simply visit the Kentucky Court of Justice website where you can access the link to access the information on obtaining a criminal history.

Obtain Records Online or in Person
Once you click on the aforementioned link, you can request a criminal records report online by going through the AOC's portal of AOCFastCheck. Simply request the information you need and you'll receive an email notifying you when the results will be available. You can also visit the Administrative Office of the Courts in person at their address. Go up to their drive-up window at 100 Millcreek Park in Frankfort during the business week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What you'll Need if you Obtain Records in Person
If you have ten or more records that you are requesting, processing time takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Payment can be made with most debit cards or Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. You can also pay by cash or check or money order. Check and money order payments must be made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. If you pay by cash, be sure to have the exact amount for processing the request.

Requests Made by Mail
Requests may also be made through the mail, with a check or money order, again made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Mail your application to:

Administrative Office of the Courts
Records Unit
100 Millcreek Park
Frankfort, KY 40601

Types of Background Checks
Two kinds of criminal background checks are issued in the state -- a standard criminal check (which is only permitted with the consent of the subject searched) and a vulnerable sector check (a check comprised of subjects who are juveniles).

Criminal Records Searches are Name-based
Searches for criminal records are name-based and are typically conducted for reasons of employment, criminal history information, screening for housing, licensing, and volunteer care for a juvenile. The records are only released to authorized entities, including law enforcement agencies and employers. Individuals may also request their own criminal records too.

Performing Inmate Searches
If you are seeking information on an inmate, then you'll want to go through the Kentucky Department of Corrections or KDOC, which is responsible for managing 13 adult correctional facilities in the state, including prisons for men as well as women.

Using the Kentucky Department of Corrections' KOOL (Kentucky Offender Online Lookup) system, you can retrieve offender data using the inmate's ID or a combination of his identifying information and name.

What Inmate Records Contain
Records in the KDOC database provide information, such as personal identifiers (height and weight, hair and eye color, gender, race, and age) as well as the subject's date of birth, correctional facility, conviction details, present status, tentative release data, and sentence information.