About Bullitt County
Bullitt County is located in north-central Kentucky, strategically positioned between Louisville to the north and Elizabethtown to the south along Interstate 65. Bullitt County Seat is Shepherdsville, which is the governmental and commercial hub. Established in 1796 from portions of Jefferson and Nelson counties, Bullitt County was named after Alexander Scott Bullitt, the first Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
Bullitt County includes approximately 299 square miles and has experienced significant population growth in recent decades, with current estimates exceeding 82,000 residents, making it one of the faster-growing counties in the Louisville metropolitan area. Major landmarks include Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, one of the largest privately-owned natural areas in the eastern United States, and Jim Beam's American Stillhouse in Clermont. Bullitt County is also home to Fort Knox Military Reservation along its northern border.
Bullitt County Courthouse is located at 149 North Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, housing the County Clerk's office. Bullitt County Fiscal Court oversees county operations. The Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) office, responsible for property assessments, is located at 395 Paroquet Springs Drive, Suite 100, Shepherdsville.
Bullitt County's proximity to Louisville has transformed it from a primarily rural area into a suburban residential community while maintaining its agricultural heritage and bourbon distilling traditions.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Bullitt County. This office is tasked with patrolling these regions, executing warrants, and providing security for Bullitt County courthouse. The Sheriff's Office also is key to maintaining criminal records and processing arrests. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives and a focus on drug enforcement. The office does not operate Bullitt County jail but works closely with the detention center to manage inmate transfers and court appearances.
Police Departments
Bullitt County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Bullitt County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, and Hillview. Each city department is responsible for policing within its municipal boundaries, handling local ordinances, and responding to emergencies. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and investigations, often working together with the Sheriff's Office for resources and support. The collaboration ensures full law enforcement coverage throughout Bullitt County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office, led by the elected Sheriff, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Bullitt County. The Sheriff's Office is, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, and can be reached for The agency maintains a website at bullittsheriff.com where citizens can access information about services and programs. Bullitt County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences.
- To request arrest records, citizens may submit a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific police department that made the arrest.
- Booking photos and mugshots are typically available through the detention center and may be viewable online through third-party inmate search services.
- Kentucky law requires law enforcement agencies to respond to open records requests within five business days, though records may be withheld in certain circumstances involving ongoing investigations or juvenile cases.
Inmate information can be searched through the Vinelink system at vinelink.com or by contacting the detention center directly for Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Shepherdsville Police Department, serving Bullitt County Seat, the Mount Washington Police Department, and the Lebanon Junction Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Arrest records in Bullitt County are considered public records under Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all arrests, warrants, and criminal incidents within its jurisdiction.
Bullitt County does not have tribal police jurisdiction, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in Bullitt County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Bullitt County cover a range of offenses, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. Bullitt County Circuit Court and District Court maintain these records, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments handle arrest and incident reports. Residents can conduct background checks through the Kentucky Court of Justice's online portal, which provides access to statewide court records.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Bullitt County are maintained by Bullitt County Sheriff's Office and the local police departments. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrested individuals. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office or the respective police department. The Kentucky Open Records Act governs the accessibility of these records, for public access and public access to information. Arrest records typically contain the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.
Jail & Inmate Records
Bullitt County Detention Center, located in Shepherdsville, is the primary facility for housing inmates in Bullitt County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules at the detention center require scheduling in advance, with specific hours allocated for family and attorney visits.
- The bond and bail process in Kentucky allows for cash or surety bonds, and information on posting bail can be obtained directly from the detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Bullitt County are taken and retained by Bullitt County Detention Center during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the detention center's online inmate lookup tool. The Sheriff's Office may provide access to mugshots upon request. Kentucky does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can petition for removal if charges are dropped or if they are found not guilty.
Courts & Case Records
Bullitt County's judicial system operates through the Kentucky Court of Justice structure. The Bullitt Circuit Court, located at 149 North Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $5,000, divorces, adoptions, and land disputes. The court can be reached for the local community District Court, sharing the same courthouse location, addresses misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, civil cases under $5,000, juvenile matters, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. District Court phone is.
- Court case information can be searched through the Kentucky Court of Justice online case lookup system at kycourts.gov/courtrecordsearch, which provides free access to case numbers, parties, charges, and hearing dates.
- Certified copies of court documents require a fee of $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
Bullitt County Clerk also maintains court records and can be contacted for Under Kentucky Revised Statutes 61.870-61.884 and court rules, most court records are presumed open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or court order. Probate matters, including wills and estate administration, are handled by the District Court. Access to certain juvenile and mental health records is restricted under Kentucky law.
The courthouse also houses the local community Family Court, which handles domestic relations matters. Visitors to the courthouse must pass through security screening. Court hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding court holidays.
Property & Public Records
Bullitt County Clerk's Office, located at 149 North Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, is the recorder of deeds and maintains all land and property records for Bullitt County. The office can be reached at and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Available records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, UCC financing statements, military discharges (DD-214), plat maps, and easements.
- Bullitt County Clerk provides an online property records search through their website at bullittcountyclerk.com, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, book and page number, or property address.
- While basic searching is free, certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
- Bullitt County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) department provides an interactive online mapping tool at bullittcountyky.org that displays parcel boundaries, zoning, floodplains, and other geographic data layers.
Vital Records
Vital records for Bullitt County, Kentucky, are maintained at both Bullitt County and state levels. Bullitt County Clerk's Office, located at 149 North Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, phone, issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. To obtain a marriage license, both parties must appear in person with valid identification and pay a fee of $35.50. There is no waiting period or blood test required in Kentucky. The Clerk's office does not issue birth or death certificates.
- Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Bullitt County must be requested through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621, or by calling.
- Birth certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Death certificates are also $10.00 each.
- Processing time for mail requests is typically 4-6 weeks, while walk-in service at the Frankfort office may provide same-day service.
- Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at vitalchek.com, though additional processing fees apply.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Bullitt County involves multiple levels of government. Bullitt County Clerk's Office, located at 149 North Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, phone, handles the registration of assumed names (Doing Business As or DBA) and fictitious business names for entities operating in Bullitt County. The DBA filing fee is approximately $25.00 and must be renewed every five years.
- The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search at web.sos.ky.gov/ftsearch where users can look up active and inactive businesses, registered agents, and filing histories.
- Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce, located in Shepherdsville, provides resources for business owners and maintains a business directory at bullittchamber.org.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, businesses must register with the Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings Division. Bullitt County Planning and Zoning Commission, located at 395 Paroquet Springs Drive, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, phone, issues building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits. Certain businesses may require specific county licenses depending on the nature of operations.
Bullitt County Judge/Executive's office oversees general county business operations and economic development. Professional and occupational licenses are issued by various Kentucky state agencies depending on the profession. Sales tax permits are obtained through the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
Businesses should also verify city-level licensing requirements with municipal clerks in Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, or Lebanon Junction if operating within city limits.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Bullitt County, Kentucky, are administered by Bullitt County Clerk, who is the chief election official. The Clerk's Office is located at 149 North Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, and can be reached for Election information is available at bullittcountyclerk.com. Voter registration in Kentucky can be completed online at govoteky.com, in person at the County Clerk's office, at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet when obtaining or renewing a driver's license, or by mail using a voter registration application.
- In the November 2024 general election, Bullitt County experienced voter turnout of approximately 62 percent of registered voters, consistent with Kentucky's historically moderate to high participation rates.
- Voters can request absentee ballots through the County Clerk beginning 45 days before an election.
- The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is typically seven days before the election.
- Under Kentucky's Open Records Act, citizens may request copies of election-related documents including pollbooks, vote totals, and absentee ballot records, though personal voter information is protected.
The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Kentucky law requires voters to provide their name, residential address, date of birth, and social security number or Kentucky driver's license number. To find your polling place in Bullitt County, voters can use the precinct finder tool on the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at elect.ky.gov or contact the County Clerk's office directly.
Public election records in Bullitt County include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes under KRS 117.015), campaign finance reports filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, candidate filings and declarations, and certified election results by precinct. The next major election is November 3, 2026, which will include U.S. House of Representatives races for Kentucky's Congressional districts, along with various state and local offices.
Kentucky does not have U.S. Senate seats up in 2026. Absentee voting in Kentucky is available for specific reasons enumerated in state law, including advanced age, disability, military service, incarceration (for those legally permitted to vote), or being a student temporarily out of county.
Early in-person voting is available at the County Clerk's office and designated satellite locations during the period specified by Kentucky law. Bullitt County uses electronic voting machines with paper audit trails, and election results are posted on the County Clerk's website following certification.
Economy & Demographics
Bullitt County's economy has transformed significantly over the past several decades from a predominantly agricultural base to a diversified economy driven by its strategic location along Interstate 65 between Louisville and Elizabethtown. Major employers include Amazon, which operates a massive fulfillment center in Shepherdsville employing over 2,000 workers, and Jim Beam (Beam Suntory), whose historic distillery in Clermont is both a major employer and tourist attraction.
- Bullitt County benefits economically from proximity to Fort Knox, which provides employment and economic spillover effects.
- Median household income in Bullitt County is approximately $65,000, slightly below the Kentucky state average but reflecting Bullitt County's mixed suburban and rural character.
- Manufacturing remains significant, including automotive parts suppliers and food processing facilities.
Logistics and warehousing have become dominant economic sectors, with numerous distribution centers capitalizing on Bullitt County's transportation infrastructure. Retail and service industries have expanded to serve the growing population, particularly along the Bardstown Road corridor. Agriculture, while diminished from historical levels, continues with cattle farming, hay production, and tobacco.
Tourism centers around bourbon heritage, with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail attracting visitors to Jim Beam and other nearby distilleries. Recent economic development initiatives have focused on expanding the industrial park capacity and improving infrastructure. Bullitt County has experienced unemployment rates generally tracking state and national averages, with resilience during economic downturns due to sectoral diversity.
Construction and residential development remain strong as population growth continues, driven primarily by Louisville commuters seeking affordable housing.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via Kentucky Court of Justice | Property: Yes: Free Online Search via Clerk & PVA | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Search via Vinelink | Vital Records: Limited: State Office or In-Person Required | Business: Yes: Online via KY Secretary of State | Elections: Yes: Online Voter Tools & Results | Overall Score: 8.5/10 — Bullitt County provides digital access to most public records with modern online portals for property, court, and election data.
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Cities & Towns in Bullitt County
Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Bullitt County, Kentucky.