Daviess County

Daviess County is located in the western portion of Kentucky along the Ohio River, acting as a major commercial and cultural hub for Daviess County. Daviess County Seat is Owensboro, Kentucky's fourth-largest city, which is the center of government and commerce. Daviess County includes approximately 476 square miles and has a population of approximately 103,000 residents, making it one of the more populous counties in the Commonwealth. Daviess County was established in 1815 and named after Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daviess, a military officer killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Daviess County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Daviess County. The office patrols these regions, manages Daviess County jail, and processes arrests. It also maintains criminal records and provides various community services. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives and a dedicated narcotics division that focuses on drug-related crimes.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Daviess County is provided by both Daviess County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Owensboro Police Department serves the city of Owensboro, focusing on urban law enforcement, traffic control, and community policing. The Whitesville Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Whitesville. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Daviess County. They also collaborate with state and federal agencies for larger investigations and public safety initiatives.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Daviess County Sheriff's Office, located at 100 E 4th Street in Owensboro, Kentucky 42303, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Daviess County. The agency operates Daviess County Detention Center, which houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate lookup services are available through the detention center at or online through the Sheriff's Office website, where current inmate rosters, booking information, and bond amounts are posted.

• Arrest records in Daviess County are considered public records under Kentucky's Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884), which requires agencies to respond to written requests within three business days.
• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting written requests to the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate municipal police department.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the detention center's online inmate roster system, which is updated regularly as individuals are processed.
• For historical arrest records or case-specific information, requesters may need to contact the records division directly and may be charged copying fees as permitted under KRS 61.874.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Daviess County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk maintains these records, which are accessible to the public under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Residents can request background checks through the Kentucky State Police, which provides full criminal history reports. The Kentucky State Police also offers resources for more detailed background checks. These records are vital for employment, housing, and legal proceedings, providing a transparent view of an individual's criminal history.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Daviess County are maintained by Daviess 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. The records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and any available court dates. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, the public has the right to access these records, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.

Jail & Inmate Records

Daviess County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing inmates in Daviess County. It handles the booking process for people arrested in Daviess County, where they are processed and held until bail is posted or they appear in court. The facility offers an inmate lookup service on its website, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines.

• In Kentucky, the bond process allows for cash or surety bonds, and information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the detention center's online resources.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Daviess County are taken and retained by Daviess 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 website or by request. While the Sheriff's Office may provide access to mugshots, third-party websites often aggregate these images for broader public access. Kentucky does not have specific laws governing the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of the charges.

Daviess County's judicial system operates under Kentucky's unified court structure. The Daviess Circuit Court, located at 100 E 2nd Street, Owensboro, KY 42303, has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $5,000, divorces, adoptions, and appeals from District Court. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Daviess District Court, at the same address (phone: 270-685-8401), handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases under $5,000, small claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases.

• Court records may be searched through CourtNet, Kentucky's statewide case management system accessible at kycourts.gov, though full online access requires registration and may involve fees.
• Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the appropriate clerk's office for statutory fees, typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus certification fees.
• Online case lookup is available without charge for basic information, but detailed documents may require in-person requests or fees.

Property and land records in Daviess County are maintained by Daviess County Clerk's office, which is the Recorder of Deeds, located at 212 St. Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 Daviess County Clerk records and maintains all real estate transactions including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens (mechanic's, judgment, tax), easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, and subdivision records. These records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and property location and date back to Daviess County's formation in 1815.

• Daviess County Clerk's office offers online access to land records through a subscription-based system at daviesscountyclerk.org, allowing users to search and view recorded documents remotely for a fee.
• In-person searches are available during regular office hours at no charge, though certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
• An online GIS mapping and property search system is available through Daviess County PVA website, providing free access to parcel maps, property cards, assessment values, sales history, and aerial photography.
• This system allows citizens to search by owner name, address, or parcel number without fees for viewing, though certified tax records require formal requests.

Vital records for Daviess County, Kentucky are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Daviess County can be obtained from Daviess County Clerk's office at 212 St. Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 Daviess County Clerk maintains birth records from July 1911 forward and death records from January 1911 forward. Certified copies of birth certificates cost $10 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $6 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy.

• Processing time is typically immediate for walk-in requests if records are readily available.
• The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, located at 275 East Main Street in Frankfort, KY 40621, is the state repository for all vital records and can fulfill requests for any Kentucky vital record.
• Their website vitalrecords.ky.gov offers online ordering through VitalChek with expedited processing for additional fees.
• Kentucky marriage licenses cost $35.50 and require both parties to appear in person with valid identification and social security numbers.
• Divorce decrees are maintained by the Daviess Circuit Court Clerk at 100 E 2nd Street, Owensboro, and certified copies can be obtained for statutory fees.

Business and licensing records in Daviess County are maintained at multiple governmental levels. Daviess County Clerk's office at 212 St. Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303, phone, handles local business registrations including Doing Business As (DBA) certificates, also known as assumed name certificates or fictitious name registrations, which cost $20 and must be renewed every five years. Daviess County Clerk also issues various local licenses as required by county ordinances.

• The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search at web.sos.ky.gov/bussearchnf allowing the public to search for registered businesses, view formation dates, registered agents, and entity status.

Elections in Daviess County, Kentucky are administered by Daviess County Clerk, who is the local election authority, with offices at 212 St. Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. The election division can be contacted through the office’s website, and election information is available at daviesscountyclerk.org. Voter registration in Daviess County can be completed online through the Kentucky State Board of Elections at govoteky.com, in person at the County Clerk's office, or by mail using a paper registration form. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Kentucky does not offer same-day voter registration.

• Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the State Board of Elections website by entering their name and date of birth.
• In the November 2024 general election, Daviess County reported approximately 59% voter turnout among registered voters, consistent with typical presidential election cycles in Daviess County.
• Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the County Clerk's office and can be requested online through the State Board of Elections website.
• Early in-person voting is not available in Kentucky except through the absentee excuse process.
• Citizens can request election related public records by submitting written requests to the County Clerk under the Open Records Act.

Daviess County's economy is diverse and strong, anchored by healthcare, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and increasingly, tourism. Major employers include Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, one of Kentucky's largest healthcare systems employing over 4,000 people, and Swedish Match (now part of Philip Morris International), which manufactures smokeless tobacco products and employs approximately 600 workers. The manufacturing sector remains vital with companies like Domtar Paper Mill, Lincoln Industries, and numerous automotive suppliers.

• The median household income in Daviess County is approximately $56,000, slightly above the Kentucky state average.

Court Records: Yes: Online (CourtNet) | Property: Yes: Free GIS/Paid Records Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State Level) | Elections: Yes: Online Voter Lookup | Overall Score: 8/10, Daviess County provides strong digital access to most public records with online portals for property, courts, and jail information.

Explore public records for 9 cities and communities in Daviess County, Kentucky.