About Graves County
Graves County is located in the far western region of Kentucky, within the Jackson Purchase area, bordered by Calloway, Marshall, McCracken, Ballard, Carlisle, and Hickman counties. Graves County Seat is Mayfield, which also is the largest city and primary commercial center. Established in 1823, Graves County was named after Major Benjamin Franklin Graves, a Kentucky legislator and War of 1812 veteran. Graves County includes approximately 557 square miles and has a population of roughly 37,000 residents according to recent estimates.
The scene is predominantly flfor gently rolling agricultural land, with the Mississippi River floodplain forming the western border. Graves County is known for its rich farming heritage, particularly in corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock production. Graves County gained national attention following the devastating tornado outbreak of December 2021, which caused significant destruction in Mayfield and surrounding communities, demonstrating the resilience of its residents during recovery efforts.
Major landmarks include the historic Mayfield downtown square, Woolridge Monuments in Mayfield Cemetery, and numerous historic properties. Graves County Courthouse, located at 100 East South Street in Mayfield, houses many county offices. Graves County Clerk's office maintains vital records, business licenses, and various county documents.
The Property Valuation Administrator (Property Valuation Administrator) office handles property assessments and is located in Graves County government complex. Graves County Clerk's office address is 100 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Graves County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across Graves County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office handles a range of duties including patrolling, serving legal documents, and managing Graves County jail. Notable programs within the Sheriff's Office include community policing initiatives and crime prevention efforts meant to reducing local crime rates.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Graves County is provided by Graves County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, including the Mayfield Police Department. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, sharing resources and information to effectively address public safety concerns.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Graves County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Graves County, with headquarters located at 330 West Housman Street, Mayfield, KY 42066. Graves County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving misdemeanor sentences.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the jail's intake records and may be requested under the Open Records Act.
Inmate lookup and jail roster information can be obtained by contacting the detention facility directly at or through the Sheriff's Office main line. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Mayfield Police Department, serving Graves County Seat, with offices at 114 North 7th Street, Mayfield, KY 42066 Other municipalities in Graves County include Fancy Farm, Cuba, Wingo, and Water Valley, some of which contract with the Sheriff's Office for police services.
Arrest records in Graves County are considered public records under the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884), which establishes that public agencies must respond to records requests within three business days. Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or respective police department, though certain investigative records may be exempt during active investigations. The Kentucky State Police Post 1 in Mayfield also serves Graves County and can be contacted for state-level law enforcement matters and highway patrol incidents.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Graves County cover felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses, as well as sex offender registry information. To conduct a background check, individuals can contact the Kentucky State Police, which provides statewide criminal history reports. The Kentucky State Police also offers services for more full background checks, including fingerprint-based searches for Graves County residents.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Graves County are maintained by Graves County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records include details such as the individual's personal information, charges, and arresting agency. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the respective law enforcement agency, often requiring a formal request under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Arrest records provide crucial information for legal proceedings and background checks, detailing the circumstances surrounding an individual's arrest.
Jail & Inmate Records
Graves County Jail, officially known as Graves County Detention Center, is the primary facility for incarcerating individuals arrested within Graves County. The booking process involves recording the individual's personal information, charges, and taking a mugshot. Inmate lookup services are available through the detention center's website, allowing the public to search for current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, typically requiring visitors to schedule visits in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond and bail process in Kentucky allows for the release of inmates under certain conditions, and information on posting bail can be obtained directly from the detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Graves County are taken and retained by Graves County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photographs are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's website or by submitting a formal request. Kentucky does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that once a mugshot is taken, it remains part of the public record unless expunged through legal proceedings. Individuals seeking to view mugshots can do so by contacting the Sheriff's Office or checking online databases.
Courts & Case Records
Graves County is served by the Graves Circuit Court and Mayfield area District Court, both located in Graves County Judicial Center at 201 West Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066. Graves County Circuit Court, part of Kentucky's 42nd Judicial Circuit, has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $5,000, domestic relations including divorce and child custody, probate matters, and appeals from District Court. The Circuit Court Clerk's office can be reached at and maintains case records, judgments, and court documents.
- The Mayfield area District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases under $5,000, small claims up to $2,500, preliminary hearings for felonies, and issues various protective orders.
- The Kentucky Court of Justice provides online case lookup through the CourtNet system at courtnet.kycourts.net, which allows the public to search civil, criminal, and traffic cases by party name or case number.
- There is no fee for basic online searches, though certified copies require payment and must be obtained from the Circuit or District Court Clerk.
- Copy fees are typically $0.50 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 plus copy fees for certified documents.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Graves County are maintained by Graves County Clerk's office, which is the Register of Deeds, located at 100 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066 Graves County Clerk's office records and maintains deeds, mortgages, deed of trust documents, liens, financing statements (UCC filings), easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, and other instruments affecting real property.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the County Clerk's office for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus $5.00 for certification.
These records are indexed by grantor and grantee names and are public records available for inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Kentucky law (KRS 382.135) requires all real estate conveyances to be recorded with the County Clerk to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. Graves County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) office, located at 246 East Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066, phone, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, property descriptions, and valuations.
The PVA website at gravescountypva.com offers an online property search tool where users can look up parcels by owner name, address, or parcel identification number at no charge. Graves County Sheriff's office handles property tax collection. Graves County participates in the Kentucky Division of Geographic Information's mapping initiatives, and GIS parcel viewing may be available through county resources or regional planning authorities.
Vital Records
Vital records for Graves County, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by both Graves County Clerk's office at 100 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066, phone, and the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. Birth certificates for events occurring in Graves County from July 1911 forward are available, as Kentucky began statewide registration in 1911, though some earlier records exist.
- Death certificates are available for deaths occurring in Graves County and require similar identification and relationship documentation, with the same fee structure.
- Processing time at the local level is typically same-day or next-day if records are readily available.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Graves County Clerk's office; applicants must appear in person with valid identification and pay the license fee.
- For vital records requests by mail or when local records are unavailable, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621, phone, can fulfill requests, typically within 2-3 weeks.
- Online ordering is available through the official state vendor VitalChek at vitalchek.com, though additional processing fees apply.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Graves County are handled through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and registration required. Graves County Clerk's office at 100 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066, phone, processes local business registrations including Doing Business As (DBA) certificates, also known as assumed name or fictitious name filings, which are required when operating a business under a name other than the owner's legal name. These filings are public records and can be searched at the County Clerk's office during regular business hours.
- The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online business entity database at web.sos.ky.gov/businesses, where users can search by business name, principal name, or registration number at no charge.
Formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, must be registered with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office in Frankfort. Professional licenses (attorneys, healthcare providers, contractors, etc.) are issued by respective Kentucky state licensing boards, not at Graves County level. Sales tax permits and employer withholding accounts are managed by the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits in unincorporated Graves County are handled by Graves County Planning and Zoning office, while the City of Mayfield operates its own building inspection and code enforcement department for properties within city limits, located at 114 North 7th Street, Mayfield, KY 42066. The Mayfield-Graves County Chamber of Commerce, located at 300 West Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066, phone, website mayfield-graves.com, provides business development resources, networking opportunities, and economic information for Graves County.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Graves County are administered by Graves County Clerk, who is the County Clerk and chief election official for Graves County. Graves County Clerk's office is located at 100 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Election related information, including polling locations and sample ballots, may be available through Graves County website.
- In the November 2024 general election, Graves County, like much of western Kentucky, saw strong turnout typical of presidential election years, generally in the range of 60-65% of registered voters.
- Mail-in absentee ballots must be requested in advance, and completed ballots must be received by the close of polls on election day to be counted.
- Kentucky election transparency is governed by the Open Records Act and specific election statutes, allowing public access to most election related records while protecting voter privacy regarding ballot choices.
Voter registration in Graves County can be completed in person at the County Clerk's office, by mail using the Kentucky State Board of Elections voter registration form, or online through the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at elect.ky.gov. The voter registration deadline in Kentucky is 29 days before any election. Kentucky law requires voters to present a valid form of identification at the polls, including Kentucky driver's license, Social Security card, or credit card with signature.
Voters can find their specific polling place by contacting the County Clerk's office or using the voter information portal at elect.ky.gov, which allows lookup by name and date of birth. Public election records in Graves County include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted under KRS 117.015), campaign finance reports filed by candidates for county offices, candidate filing documents, and certified election results by precinct. These records are available for inspection at the County Clerk's office during regular business hours, and election results are typically posted on Graves County's website and reported to the Kentucky State Board of Elections.
The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, along with various Kentucky state legislative seats and local offices that may be on the ballot depending on term expirations. Absentee voting in Kentucky is available for voters who meet specific criteria under KRS 117.085, including age 65 or older, illness or disability, military service, students attending school outside Graves County, and those who will be absent from Graves County on election day.
Absentee ballot applications can be obtained from the County Clerk's office, and Kentucky now offers limited excuse-based early voting at the County Clerk's office beginning several days before election day.
Economy & Demographics
Graves County's economy is anchored by a diverse mix of manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and retail sectors. Historically an agricultural powerhouse in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase region, Graves County continues to see significant economic activity from farming operations producing corn, soybeans, wheat, dark-fired tobacco, and livestock. The median household income in Graves County is approximately $48,000, somewhat below the national average but consistent with rural Kentucky counties.
Major employers include Trane Technologies, a global manufacturer of HVAC systems operating a significant facility in Mayfield that employs hundreds of workers; Unilever, which operates a personal care products manufacturing plant; and several automotive component suppliers. The healthcare sector is represented by Jackson Purchase Medical Center (now part of Paducah-based Baptist Health system), which is a major employer and healthcare provider for Graves County. Retail and commercial activity is concentrated in Mayfield, with shopping centers, restaurants, and service businesses along the US Highway 45 corridor.
The unemployment rate in Graves County has historically tracked close to or slightly above the Kentucky state average, fluctuating between 4% and 6% in recent years under normal conditions. Following the December 2021 tornado disaster, significant economic development and rebuilding efforts have been underway, including reconstruction of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory that was destroyed, as well as downtown Mayfield revitalization. Graves County has benefited from its location near Interstate 24 and US Highway 45, providing transportation access to Nashville, Memphis, St.
Louis, and other regional markets. Agricultural production remains economically significant, with Graves County ranking among Kentucky's top producers in several crop categories, supported by rich alluvial soils in western portions of Graves County.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (CourtNet) | Property: Yes: Free Search (PVA online) | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: Online (State Level) | Elections: Yes: Accessible at Clerk | Overall Score: 7/10, Graves County provides good access to property and court records online, but arrest logs and vital records require direct contact or in-person visits.
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Cities & Towns in Graves County
Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Graves County, Kentucky.