Paris Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Paris, Kentucky government websites.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement across Bourbon County involves coordinated efforts among several agencies. The Bourbon County Sheriff's Office handles rural and unincorporated areas, while municipal departments—including the Paris Police Department and the Millersburg Police Department—focus on their respective urban jurisdictions. These agencies work together on major investigations and share resources to strengthen public safety throughout the region. Each department responds to emergencies, conducts investigations, and maintains community policing programs tailored to local needs.

Jail & Inmate Records

When arrests occur in Bourbon County, individuals are typically taken to the Bourbon County Detention Center, the primary holding facility for the area. The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and documenting charges against each detainee. Residents can search for inmate information through the facility's online lookup tool. Visitation follows specific rules and schedules set by the detention center.

Arrest Records

Records of arrests in Bourbon County are kept by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These documents detail the circumstances of each arrest, the charges filed, and personal information about the arrestee. Anyone needing to request arrest records—whether residents or attorneys—can contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. The Kentucky Open Records Act governs how these documents are accessed, ensuring transparency while maintaining proper procedures.

Court Records

The judicial system for Bourbon County operates from the Bourbon County Courthouse, located at 301 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361. Both the District Court and Circuit Court hold proceedings in this building. Court records—including case files, dockets, and transcripts—are maintained by the Bourbon County Circuit Clerk's Office. The public can access these documents in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing court record disclosure.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Bourbon County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the Kentucky Open Records Act. Residents can conduct background checks through the Kentucky State Police, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports.
The Kentucky Bureau of Investigation also offers additional resources for background checks, ensuring that Bourbon County residents have access to detailed criminal records for employment, licensing, and personal purposes.

Public Records Access

Paris maintains its public records through a comprehensive online repository available at https://www.paris.ky.gov/. Residents can access municipal meeting minutes, city ordinances, budget documents, and other key records related to local governance. For those seeking specific documents or needing assistance, the Paris Administration office—accessible through https://www.paris.ky.gov/SupportPersonnel.aspx—serves as the primary contact point for handling public records requests.

Vital Records

Vital records for Paris and Bourbon County are managed by the Bourbon County Clerk's Office, located at 301 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361. This office maintains birth, death, marriage, and other important records for the local area. Residents can access these records and request certified copies through the clerk's office website or by visiting in person.

Business & Licensing Records

Entrepreneurs and established businesses in the area turn to the Paris and Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce, which operates at http://www.pariskytourism.com/. The chamber provides guidance on business licensing, zoning regulations, and other compliance matters while actively promoting economic development throughout the community. For those looking to start or expand a business, the organization offers resources and support designed to strengthen the local economy.

Economy & Demographics

Paris and Bourbon County have a diverse and thriving local economy, with a mix of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and retail. The Paris and Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce, at http://www.pariskytourism.com/, serves as a hub for economic development initiatives, providing support and resources for businesses and entrepreneurs in the area.

Elections & Voter Records

Election administration for Paris falls under the Bourbon County Clerk's office, located at 301 Main Street, Paris, KY 40361. The office can be reached at 859-987-2110 or online at bourboncountyclerk.com. Kentucky residents register to vote through the Kentucky State Board of Elections at elect.ky.gov, with registration closing 29 days before any election. To register, applicants need a Kentucky driver's license or Social Security number, and must be at least 18 years old by the next general election, a U.S. citizen, and a Kentucky resident.
The city operates under a commission form of government, with municipal elections for City Commission seats scheduled for non-presidential even-numbered years, typically in November. The next Paris municipal election arrives in November 2026, when voters will decide city commission seats. Beyond local races, residents also participate in county, state, and federal elections. To locate their assigned polling place, voters can use the lookup tool at elect.ky.gov/voterinfo or contact the Bourbon County Clerk. During the November 2024 presidential election, Bourbon County saw roughly 60% turnout, with approximately 11,000 ballots cast from about 18,000 registered voters. On November 3, 2026, voters will decide several significant races: while Kentucky has no U.S. Senate seat up that year, residents will elect a state Representative for District 73 and state Senator for District 22, along with county-level positions including County Judge/Executive, Sheriff, County Clerk, Jailer, and other constitutional offices. Voter registration records are public in Kentucky and available through the Bourbon County Clerk, though individual voting histories remain confidential. Campaign finance records for candidates are filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance and can be searched at kref.ky.gov. Precinct-level results are published by the Bourbon County Clerk and the State Board of Elections after each contest. Kentucky offers no-excuse absentee voting, allowing residents to request mail-in ballots through the State Board of Elections website or by submitting an application to the Bourbon County Clerk. Early in-person voting takes place at the Bourbon County Clerk's office in the weeks before Election Day, with specific dates and hours announced before each election.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: Yes: Online Statewide Portal | Property: Yes: Free Online Assessor+Recorder | Arrest Logs: Yes: Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering | Business: Yes: Free State Database | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall: 8.5/10 — Bourbon County provides excellent online access to most public records through state and county portals, with CourtNet for courts, free PVA and GIS mapping for property, online inmate rosters, VitalChek for vital records, Secretary of State business search, and comprehensive election information, though some historical records require in-person visits to the Courthouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky?
Education in Paris is served by local school districts. Students attend schools within Bourbon County. The Kentucky Department of Education oversees K-12 public education for the state, including curriculum standards, teacher certification, and school accountability.

For specific information about schools serving Paris, contact the local school district office or visit the Kentucky Department of Education website to find district boundaries, school ratings, and enrollment information for your address.
The Paris Public Library in Bourbon County, Kentucky provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Kentucky government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Kentucky Open Records Act, which governs access to government documents in Kentucky. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Paris Kentucky Archives and Genealogy at https://kdla.ky.gov/pages/default.aspx. Contact the Paris Public Library reference desk for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
The Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky Library is located at 701 High Street, Paris, KY 40361.
Fingerprinting services for Paris, Kentucky residents are provided at the Paris Police Department, which serves Bourbon County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Paris Police Department for visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Kentucky State Police for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Kentucky State Police at https://justice.ky.gov/agencies/KSP/Pages/Criminal-Records.aspx.
To obtain vital records for Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, you will need to contact the Bourbon County Clerk's Office.

The vital records available from the Bourbon County Clerk's Office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. To obtain any of these records, you will need to provide proof of identity and a valid form of payment.
To register to vote in Paris, Kentucky, residents should contact the Bourbon County Clerk's office, which administers elections for Paris and surrounding communities. Eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, residents of Kentucky, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Kentucky offers voter registration online at elect.ky.gov, by mail, or in person at the Bourbon County Clerk's office. Residents can check their registration status, find their polling location, and view sample ballots through the Kentucky Secretary of State website. For questions about voter registration or elections in Paris, contact the Bourbon County election office directly.
Property records for Paris, Kentucky are maintained by the Bourbon County Assessor's Office and the Bourbon County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Bourbon County, including parcels in Paris. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Bourbon County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Kentucky counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. For in-person requests, visit the Bourbon County offices at the county courthouse. The Bourbon County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Paris, Kentucky residents are available through both county and state offices. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Vital Statistics, located in Frankfort, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Kentucky. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Bourbon County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Bourbon County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.
Business licensing for Paris, Kentucky operates at municipal, county, and state levels. The Paris town or city clerk's office handles local business permits, zoning approvals, and any municipal license requirements for businesses operating within Paris limits. Bourbon County may require additional registrations for businesses in unincorporated areas or county-level sales tax licensing. At the state level, all Kentucky businesses must register with the Kentucky Secretary of State and obtain applicable state tax identification numbers from the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Professional licenses for regulated occupations are issued by the relevant Kentucky licensing boards. For a complete list of requirements for starting a business in Paris, contact the Paris clerk's office and the Bourbon County economic development office.
Unfortunately, there is no available crime data for Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky. The closest available data is for the entire county, which can be found on the Kentucky State Police website.