About Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Kentucky is located in the south-central region of the Commonwealth, established in 1799 from Green County. Cumberland County Seat is Burkesville, a historic river town situated along the Cumberland River that is the governmental and commercial center. Cumberland County includes approximately 306 square miles of rolling hills, rivers, and rural farmland. As of recent census estimates, Cumberland County has a population of approximately 6,800 residents, making it one of Kentucky's smaller counties by population.
- Cumberland County Clerk can be reached at the courthouse for public records requests.
The Burkesville area River and Dale Hollow Lake provide major recreational attractions, drawing tourists for fishing, boating, and outdoor activities. Cumberland County is known for its Appalachian heritage, traditional crafts, and rural character. Major landmarks include the Old Courthouse Square in Burkesville, Cumberland County River waterfront, and portions of Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.
Cumberland County Courthouse, located at 100 Court Square in Burkesville, houses the County Clerk's office, which maintains vital records, marriage licenses, and county business filings. The Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) office assesses property values for taxation purposes and maintains property assessment records. Cumberland County has a rich history tied to river commerce, agriculture, and timber industries.
Cumberland County remains predominantly rural with agriculture, tourism related to Dale Hollow Lake, and small businesses forming the economic foundation.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Cumberland County. The office handles a variety of duties including patrolling rural areas, serving legal documents, and maintaining Cumberland County jail. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives meant to improving public safety and supporting the community relations.
Police Departments
In addition to Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Cumberland County is supported by the Burkesville Police Department. The Burkesville Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Burkesville, focusing on local ordinances and city-specific issues. Both agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Cumberland County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Cumberland County, Kentucky, with headquarters located at 100 Court Square in Burkesville, KY 42717. The Sheriff is an elected constitutional officer responsible for law enforcement, court security, serving civil process, and operating Cumberland County Jail. Cumberland County Detention Center houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences.
- The Burkesville Police Department provides municipal law enforcement services within the city limits of Burkesville and can be contacted for incidents occurring within city jurisdiction.
- Arrest records in Cumberland County are public records under Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884), which establishes that public agencies must respond to records requests within three business days.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Kentucky and may be obtained through direct requests to the jail or law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of records.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Cumberland County's criminal records include felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Residents can request a background check through the state bureau, which includes records from Cumberland County. The sex offender registry is publicly accessible and provides information on registered offenders residing in Cumberland County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Cumberland County are maintained by Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, these records are generally accessible to the public unless they are part of an ongoing investigation. Arrest records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details.
Jail & Inmate Records
Cumberland County Detention Center is the primary jail facility in Cumberland County. It handles the booking and detention of individuals arrested within Cumberland County. Inmates can be searched through the jail's online inmate lookup system. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance. The bond and bail process in Kentucky allows for posting bail through cash, property, or a bail bond service. Recently arrested individuals can be located by contacting the detention center directly.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Cumberland County are taken and retained by Cumberland County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or through third-party websites that aggregate public records. Kentucky does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can request removal from private websites under certain conditions. Mugshots are typically available online shortly after booking.
Courts & Case Records
Cumberland County is served by the Cumberland Circuit Court, which has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $5,000, domestic relations including divorce, and equity matters. The Circuit Court is part of Kentucky's 43rd Judicial Circuit and holds sessions at Cumberland County Courthouse, 100 Court Square, Burkesville, KY 42717.
- Court records in Kentucky are governed by KRS 26A.140, which provides for public access to most court records with certain exceptions for sealed records, juvenile matters, and cases involving protected information.
- Kentucky Court of Justice provides CourtNet, an online case information system accessible at https://kcoj.kycourts.net, though not all historical records are digitized.
- Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $5 to $10 per document, with additional per-page charges.
The Circuit Court Clerk maintains court records and can be contacted through the office’s website. Cumberland County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, preliminary hearings in felony cases, civil cases under $5,000, small claims, and juvenile matters. District Court sessions are also held at Cumberland County Courthouse. Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains an index of court cases, judgments, and legal filings.
To search court records, individuals may visit the Clerk's office in person during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Clerk accepts cash, checks, and money orders for court services. Probate matters and estate administration are handled through the District Court in Cumberland County.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Cumberland County, Kentucky are maintained by Cumberland County Clerk, located at Cumberland County Courthouse, 100 Court Square, Burkesville, KY 42717 Cumberland County Clerk is the recorder of deeds and maintains official records of real estate transactions including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, rights-of-way, and plat maps. These records are indexed by grantor/grantee and are public records available for inspection and copying.
- Recording fees are established by Kentucky statute and typically include a base fee plus per-page charges.
- Currently, Cumberland County does not offer a full online searchable database of recorded land records, so most searches require in-person visits or written requests to the Clerk's office.
- The Kentucky Department of Revenue provides an online property tax database at https://revenue.ky.gov that includes some Cumberland County property information.
- Certified copies of deeds and other recorded documents can be requested from the County Clerk for a statutory fee, typically $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
Vital Records
Vital records for Cumberland County, Kentucky, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by both Cumberland County Clerk and the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Cumberland County Clerk, located at 100 Court Square, Burkesville, KY 42717, phone, maintains birth records occurring in Cumberland County. Birth certificates in Kentucky are confidential records restricted to the individual named (if of legal age), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, and other authorized persons under KRS 213.046.
- Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or legal authorization.
- The fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate is typically $10 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy requested at the same time.
- The processing time for vital records requests at Cumberland County level is typically 1-2 weeks.
- VitalChek offers online ordering of Kentucky vital records with expedited processing for an additional fee.
Death certificates are maintained similarly, with access restricted to immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with legal or property interests. For records that cannot be located at Cumberland County level, or for more distant historical records, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort maintains statewide birth records from 1911 forward and death records from 1911 forward. The state office can be reached at or through their website at https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/vital-statistics.
Marriage licenses are issued by Cumberland County Clerk, and marriage records are maintained in that office. Kentucky eliminated its waiting period for marriage licenses in 2020. Divorce decrees are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk, not the County Clerk.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Cumberland County, Kentucky involves both county-level and state-level processes. Cumberland County Clerk, located at 100 Court Square, Burkesville, KY 42717, phone, maintains filings for doing-business-as (DBA) names, also called assumed names or fictitious business names. Local businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must register with the County Clerk. The fee for DBA registration is typically $20, and filings are public records searchable at the Clerk's office.
- 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.
- The Secretary of State maintains an online business entity search at https://web.sos.ky.gov/bussearchsystem allowing free searches of registered businesses, officers, registered agents, and business status.
Professional licenses including those for contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, and medical professionals are issued by respective Kentucky state licensing boards, not at Cumberland County level. Sales tax permits are issued by the Kentucky Department of Revenue, which can be contacted for Building permits and zoning matters in Cumberland County are handled by Cumberland County Judge/Executive's office and Cumberland County's planning and zoning commission if one is established. The City of Burkesville maintains separate business licensing requirements for businesses operating within city limits and can be contacted for Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, though small, provides resources for local businesses and economic development information.
Kentucky's Occupational License requirements vary by city, and businesses should verify local licensing needs with municipal authorities.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Cumberland County, Kentucky are administered by Cumberland County Clerk, who serves as Cumberland County's election authority. Cumberland County Clerk's office is located at 100 Court Square, Burkesville, KY 42717 Cumberland County Clerk maintains voter registration records, processes voter registration applications, manages polling locations, recruits and trains poll workers, and certifies election results for Cumberland County.
- Kentucky law requires voters to register at least 29 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election (KRS 116.045).
- In the November 2024 general election, Cumberland County, like most rural Kentucky counties, saw voter turnout of approximately 60-65% of registered voters, reflecting strong engagement in presidential election years.
- Absentee ballot applications can be obtained from Cumberland County Clerk and must be requested by the Tuesday before the election.
- Transparency of elections in Cumberland County is governed by Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884), which makes most election records public and available for inspection upon request to the County Clerk.
Voter registration in Cumberland County can be completed in person at the County Clerk's office, by mail using a Kentucky voter registration application, or online through the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at https://elect.ky.gov. Voters must be U.S. Citizens, Kentucky residents, residents of Cumberland County, and at least 18 years old by the next general election.
To find your polling place in Cumberland County, voters can contact the County Clerk's office, check their voter registration card, or use the polling place locator on the Kentucky State Board of Elections website. Cumberland County typically operates 4-6 precincts depending on voter distribution. Election records that are public in Kentucky include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted), precinct-level election results, candidate filings, and campaign finance reports for local candidates.
The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance maintains campaign finance disclosure reports at https://kref.ky.gov. Turnout in off-year and primary elections is typically lower, ranging from 15-25%. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives elections for Kentucky's 5th Congressional District, potential U.S. Senate races if applicable to the cycle, and Kentucky state legislative races. Absentee voting in Kentucky is available to voters who meet specific criteria including age 65 or older, illness or disability, out-of-county residents (including military and students), incarceration, election workers, and voters whose religious beliefs prevent polling place voting on election day.
Kentucky implemented excuse-required absentee voting with limited early in-person voting options.
Economy & Demographics
Cumberland County, Kentucky's economy is characterized by a rural, small-scale economic base centered on agriculture, tourism, forestry, and small businesses. Cumberland County has historically relied on family farms producing tobacco, cattle, hay, and row crops, though tobacco production has declined significantly since the tobacco buyout program of the early 2000s. Cattle farming remains an important agricultural sector.
According to recent American Community Survey estimates, Cumberland County's median household income is approximately $32,000 to $35,000, significantly below the Kentucky state median and reflecting Cumberland County's rural character and limited industrial base. The unemployment rate in Cumberland County has historically been higher than state and national averages, fluctuating between 6% and 10% in recent years, with seasonal variations related to tourism and agriculture. Tourism related to Dale Hollow Lake represents a significant economic sector, with fishing, boating, camping, and vacation rentals providing seasonal employment and revenue.
Dale Hollow Lake is renowned for its clear water and record-breaking smallmouth bass fishing. Major employers in Cumberland County include Cumberland County Board of Education (Cumberland County's largest employer), Cumberland County Hospital (a critical access hospital), local government, small manufacturing operations, and retail businesses in Burkesville. Cumberland County lacks major corporate facilities or large industrial employers.
Forestry and timber harvesting provide some employment, taking advantage of Cumberland County's wooded hillsides. Small businesses including restaurants, convenience stores, marinas, and service providers form the backbone of the local economy. Economic development efforts focus on improving infrastructure, attracting small businesses, and capitalizing on the natural amenities provided by the Cumberland River and Dale Hollow Lake.
Broadband internet access remains limited in rural areas, presenting challenges for economic development and remote work opportunities.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online Portal/In-Person | Property: Limited: Online, In-Person Available | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Request | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online (DBA County Level) | Elections: Yes: State Portal Available | Overall Score: 5/10, Cumberland County provides traditional in-person access to most public records but limited online search capabilities, reflecting its small rural county resources.
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Cities & Towns in Cumberland County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in Cumberland County, Kentucky.