About Garrard County
Garrard County, Kentucky, is located in the heart of the Bluegrass Region of central Kentucky, covering approximately 231 square miles. Established in 1796 and named after Governor James Garrard, Garrard County Seat is Lancaster, one of Kentucky's oldest towns founded in 1797. As of the 2020 Census, Garrard County has a population of approximately 17,800 residents. Garrard County is characterized by rolling hills, rich agricultural land, and historic sites including the Wilderness Road, the pioneer route blazed by Daniel Boone that brought thousands of settlers into Kentucky.
Major landmarks include Herrington Lake, one of the deepest lakes in Kentucky created by Dix Dam on the Dix River, and Paint Lick Covered Bridge, a historic structure preserved from the 1850s. Garrard County's economy traditionally centered on tobacco farming and livestock, though it has diversified in recent decades. Garrard County Clerk's office is located at 15 Public Square in Lancaster and maintains vital records, marriage licenses, and business filings.
The Property Valuation Administrator's office, responsible for property assessments, is located at 300 West Maple Avenue, Suite 10, in Lancaster. What makes Garrard County unique is its blend of preserved pioneer heritage, outdoor recreation opportunities at Herrington Lake, and small-town character while maintaining proximity to larger cities like Lexington, just 35 miles north.
Garrard County remains predominantly rural with strong agricultural traditions, historic architecture, and a close-knit community atmosphere that has persisted for over two centuries.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Garrard County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Garrard County, particularly in the unincorporated areas. The office handles a variety of duties, including patrolling rural areas, executing court orders, and serving warrants. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives meant to reducing crime and enhancing public safety. The office is committed to transparency and works closely with local agencies to ensure the safety of Garrard County residents.
Police Departments
In addition to Garrard County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Garrard County is supported by the Lancaster Police Department. The Lancaster Police Department is responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing laws within the city limits of Lancaster. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure full coverage and response throughout Garrard County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Garrard County Sheriff's Office, located at 196 Burdette Street, Lancaster, KY 40444, is the primary law enforcement agency for Garrard County. Garrard County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates and provides an online inmate roster that can be accessed through the Vinelink system at vinelink.com or by calling the jail directly for Current inmates can be searched by name, and the roster typically includes booking date, charges, bond amount, and expected release date.
- To request arrest records, citizens can submit written requests to the Sheriff's Office or the specific police department that made the arrest.
- Booking photographs and mugshots are typically included in arrest records and can be requested through the same process.
- The Kentucky State Police Post 12 in Frankfort also provides coverage and investigative support to Garrard County when needed.
Municipal law enforcement includes the Lancaster Police Department, serving Garrard County Seat, located at 308 West Maple Avenue, Lancaster, and reachable for Arrest records in Garrard County are public records available under Kentucky Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884, which requires agencies to respond to requests within three business days. Garrard County Detention Center maintains booking photos as part of inmate records, viewable through the online inmate lookup system. Some arrest and booking information may also be found through third-party websites that aggregate Kentucky arrest data, though official records should be obtained directly from the Sheriff's Office.
There are no tribal police or special jurisdiction agencies operating within Garrard County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Garrard County cover a range of documents, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses. Residents can conduct background checks through the Kentucky Court of Justice's online portal, which provides access to public court records. The Kentucky State Police offers additional resources for background checks, including access to the sex offender registry. These records are crucial for legal proceedings, employment screenings, and personal inquiries.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Garrard County are maintained by Garrard County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and any court proceedings. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records provide full information about the arrest, including the date, time, and location of the incident. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, individuals have the right to access public records, including arrest records, unless they are exempt under specific legal provisions.
Jail & Inmate Records
Garrard County Detention Center is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested in Garrard County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting personal information. Inmate lookup services are available through the detention center, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with designated visiting hours and security protocols.
- The bond and bail process in Kentucky allows for the release of inmates under certain conditions, and information on how to post bail can be obtained from the detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Garrard County are taken and retained by Garrard County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. Individuals seeking mugshots can request them directly from the office or through online databases that compile public records. Kentucky does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can petition for removal in certain circumstances, such as expungement of the related criminal record.
Courts & Case Records
Garrard County is served by the Garrard Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $5,000, divorces, adoptions, and appeals from District Court. The Lancaster area Circuit Court is located at 15 Public Square, Suite 203, Lancaster, KY 40444, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Garrard County District Court, located in the same courthouse at 15 Public Square, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases under $5,000, small claims, juvenile matters, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Garrard County Court phone number is.
- There is no fee to search cases online, though certified copies of documents require fees set by statute: typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus $6 for certification.
- Garrard County Clerk's office at the courthouse also maintains court records and can provide copies upon request.
Both courts are part of Kentucky's 34th Judicial Circuit and 34th Judicial District respectively. Court records in Kentucky are governed by KRS 26A.140 and Supreme Court Rules, which establish that most court records are public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute. The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains CourtNet, Kentucky's online case management system, accessible at courtnet.kycourts.net/kcoj, where users can search civil and criminal case records by party name, case number, or citation number.
For probate matters, Garrard County District Court handles estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Marriage licenses and dissolution decrees are filed with the County Clerk. Traffic citations and their dispositions can be searched through the CourtNet system.
Walk-in assistance for court record searches is available at the courthouse during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding court holidays.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Garrard County are maintained by Garrard County Clerk, who is the Recorder of Deeds. Garrard County Clerk's office is located at 15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444, and can be contacted through the office’s website. The office website is garrarclerk.com. Available records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust, liens (mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, and subdivision records.
- For certified copies of recorded documents, the fee is $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus $5 for certification, per KRS 64.012.
- Recording fees for new documents are $33 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.
Garrard County Clerk maintains an online property records search system through Fidlar Technologies, accessible via Garrard County clerk's website, allowing free searches of recorded documents by grantor/grantee name, book and page, instrument number, or parcel number. Images of recorded documents can typically be viewed and printed online. Property tax records are maintained separately by Garrard County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) at 300 West Maple Avenue, Suite 10, Lancaster, KY 40444
The PVA office maintains property assessment records, ownership information, property characteristics, and tax assessment values. Garrard County Sheriff is the tax collector. Garrard County provides an online GIS mapping system and property search through qpublic.net/ky/garrard, where users can search by owner name, address, or parcel number to view property details, tax information, assessment history, sales data, and interactive maps.
This service is free to the public. Property tax bills and payment status can be checked through the Sheriff's office or the online system.
Vital Records
Vital records for Garrard County are available through both Garrard County Clerk's office and the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Birth certificates for births occurring in Garrard County from 1911 to present can be requested from Garrard County Clerk at 15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444 The fee is $13 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Processing time is typically same-day for walk-in requests if the record is on file.
- Death certificates are also available from the County Clerk for deaths occurring in Garrard County, with the same fee structure as birth certificates.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Garrard County Clerk and cost $35.50; both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers.
- Marriage records (certificates of marriage filed after the ceremony) are maintained by the County Clerk and certified copies cost $10.
- Divorce records (dissolution decrees) are filed with the County Clerk when finalized by the court, and certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus $5 for certification.
- Online ordering of Kentucky vital records is available through vitalchek.com for an additional convenience fee, with delivery by mail in 7-10 business days or expedited shipping available.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Garrard County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Garrard County Clerk at 15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444, phone, handles local business certificate filings, commonly known as DBA (Doing Business As) or assumed name certificates. These filings cost $25 and must be renewed every five years under KRS 365.015. Garrard County Clerk's records are public and can be searched in person during business hours.
- For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and registered trade names at the state level, the Kentucky Secretary of State maintains all records.
- The Secretary of State's online business entity search is available at web.sos.ky.gov/bussrchapi and provides free access to search by business name, filing number, or registered agent.
- This database includes corporation status, formation date, registered agent information, and annual report status.
- Sales tax permits and employer withholding accounts are registered through the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
- Permit records including commercial and residential building permits are public records available upon request.
Professional licenses (attorneys, medical professionals, contractors, cosmetologists, etc.) are issued by respective Kentucky state licensing boards, not at Garrard County level. Building permits, zoning approvals, and certificates of occupancy are handled by Garrard County Planning and Zoning Department, located at 300 West Maple Avenue, Lancaster Health Department permits for food service establishments are issued by the Lake Cumberland District Health Department, which serves Garrard County.
The Lancaster-Garrard County Chamber of Commerce, reachable at lancastergarrardchamber.org, provides business resources and networking though it does not maintain official public records.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Garrard County are administered by Garrard County Clerk, who serves as Garrard County's chief election official. Garrard County Clerk's office is located at 15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Election information is available through the County Clerk's office and the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at elect.ky.gov. Voter registration in Garrard County can be completed online at govoteky.com, the official Kentucky online voter registration portal, or by submitting a paper application to the County Clerk.
- Absentee ballot applications must be requested from the County Clerk, and completed ballots must be received by 6:00 PM on Election Day.
The registration deadline is 30 days before any election, and Kentucky residents who are U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and have not been convicted of a felony (or have had rights restored) are eligible. To find your polling place in Garrard County, voters can use the Kentucky State Board of Elections' voter information portal at elect.ky.gov/Resources/Pages/Polling-Locations.aspx or contact the County Clerk's office.
Garrard County typically operates multiple precincts including Lancaster, Paint Lick, and Bryantsville areas. Election records that are public in Kentucky include voter registration lists (available by written request under KRS 116.085, though Social Security numbers and birthdates are redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, candidate filings and declarations, and precinct-level election results. Garrard County Clerk maintains historical election results and certified vote totals for all elections held in Garrard County.
In the November 2024 general election, Garrard County saw voter turnout of approximately 62%, consistent with typical rural Kentucky county turnout in presidential election years. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House midterm elections, potential U.S.
Senate races if applicable to Kentucky's cycle, and various state and local offices including Kentucky constitutional officer positions and county offices. Absentee voting in Kentucky is available for specific reasons outlined in KRS 117.085, including age 65 or older, disability, illness, out-of-county students, military service, incarceration for misdemeanor, or election workers. Kentucky also offers early in-person voting at the County Clerk's office beginning the Thursday before Election Day through the Saturday before Election Day.
Transparency in Garrard County elections is supported by Kentucky Open Records Act compliance, public testing of voting equipment, bipartisan election officer teams at polling places, and public canvass of results by the County Board of Elections.
Economy & Demographics
Garrard County's economy has historically been rooted in agriculture, particularly tobacco, cattle, and horse farming, taking advantage of the fertile Bluegrass soil. While agriculture remains important, the economy has diversified significantly in recent decades. Major employers include Ephraim McDowell Health, providing healthcare services; Garrard County Schools, the largest public employer; and various manufacturing and distribution facilities.
- The median household income in Garrard County is approximately $50,000, below the Kentucky state average, reflecting Garrard County's rural character.
- The lake is known for its depth (maximum 249 feet) and clear water.
Key economic sectors include agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and tourism related to Herrington Lake recreation. Herrington Lake, created in 1925 by Kentucky Utilities' Dix Dam, draws recreational boaters, anglers, and second-home owners, supporting marinas, restaurants, and related businesses. Manufacturing facilities in Garrard County produce automotive components, food products, and other goods.
Garrard County's location along US Highway 27 and State Highway 52, with relatively easy access to Interstate 75 and Lexington, supports distribution and logistics activities. The unemployment rate in Garrard County typically tracks slightly above the Kentucky state average, fluctuating between 4% and 6% in recent years. Economic development efforts focus on industrial park development, broadband expansion to support remote work and modern business, and tourism promotion.
Garrard County has maintained its rural character while seeking balanced growth. Notable recent developments include expansion of retail services in Lancaster and continued residential development around Herrington Lake. There are no tribal economic entities in Garrard County.
The agricultural sector continues modernizing with diversification into hay, corn, soybeans, and specialty livestock beyond traditional tobacco.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via CourtNet | Property: Yes: Free Online Search (Clerk & PVA) | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) / In-Person (County) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 8/10, Garrard County provides strong digital access to property, court, and jail records with responsive offices for document requests.
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Cities & Towns in Garrard County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in Garrard County, Kentucky.