Pilgrim Public Records Directory

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

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement in Martin County is handled through two primary agencies. These agencies coordinate their efforts on major crimes and emergencies to ensure protection throughout the county, including the Pilgrim area.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Martin County Detention Center is the primary jail facility for the county, handling the booking process For people arrested anywhere within county jurisdiction. Residents can access inmate lookup services through Martin County's official website to find information on current detainees. Visitation requires advance scheduling and follows facility-specific rules. Bond and bail procedures adhere to Kentucky state guidelines, providing a pathway for inmates to secure release pending trial.

Arrest Records

The Martin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Martin County. Residents and attorneys seeking these records can request them by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Each record typically includes the individual's name, charges, and booking details. Public access to these documents is governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act, which ensures transparency in government recordkeeping.

Court Records

Located in Inez, the Martin County Courthouse is the judicial center for residents of Pilgrim and surrounding areas. The courthouse houses both the Martin County Circuit Court, which handles civil and criminal cases, and the Martin County District Court, which oversees misdemeanor offenses and small claims matters. The Martin County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court records including case files, dockets, and judgments, all available to the public during regular business hours.

Criminal Records

Martin County's criminal records include felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Residents can conduct background checks through the Kentucky State Police, which provides criminal history reports For people in the state.

Public Records Access

The Pilgrim City Clerk's Office maintains vital public records including birth, marriage, and death certificates, along with property deeds and tax assessments. These documents can be accessed during regular business hours. Additional historical and legal documents related to the community and surrounding area are housed at the Martin County Courthouse in nearby Inez. Researchers and members of the public can visit either location to access these resources.

Vital Records

The Pilgrim City Clerk's Office is responsible for maintaining vital records for the city, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates. These records can be obtained by submitting a request and providing the necessary identification and documentation. The office also processes applications for marriage licenses and coordinates with the Martin County Health department to record vital events.
Individuals seeking access to vital records can visit the [Pilgrim City Clerk's Office](https://www.pilgrimky.gov/clerk) or the [Martin County Health Department](https://www.martincountyhealth.org/) for more information.

Business & Licensing Records

Pilgrim supports a diverse range of businesses, from small locally-owned shops to larger commercial enterprises. The Pilgrim Chamber of Commerce maintains a directory of local businesses and provides resources and support for the business community. Those looking to start or operate a business can manage the necessary licensing and permitting process through the Pilgrim City Clerk's Office. More information is available at the [Pilgrim Chamber of Commerce](https://www.pilgrimchamber.org/) and the [Pilgrim City Clerk's Office](https://www.pilgrimky.gov/clerk).

Economy & Demographics

Pilgrim's economy is primarily driven by a mix of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.Pilgrim also is a gateway to the Appalachian Mountains, attracting visitors who come to enjoy the region's natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Pilgrim Chamber of Commerce and the Martin County Economic Development Authority work to promote economic growth and support local businesses.
Individuals interested in learning more about Pilgrim's economy can visit the [Pilgrim Chamber of Commerce](https://www.pilgrimchamber.org/) and the [Martin County Economic Development Authority](https://www.martincountyeda.org/).

Elections & Voter Records

Voters in Pilgrim receive election services through the Martin County Clerk's office, located at 190 Court Street, Inez, KY 41224, phone (606) 298-2810, website https://martincountyclerk.com. This office handles voter registration, maintains voter rolls, administers early voting, processes absentee ballot applications, and certifies election results for all federal, state, county, and local elections affecting residents. Kentucky residents can register to vote online through the Kentucky State Board of Elections at https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb.
The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Kentucky residents, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not currently convicted of a felony (or have had voting rights restored). Registration requires a Social Security number, Kentucky driver's license or ID number, and residential address. First-time voters who register by mail may need to provide identification when voting. As an unincorporated community, Pilgrim does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote in Martin County and state elections. The county holds elections for County Judge/Executive, County Clerk, Sheriff, Jailer, County Attorney, Coroner, and Magistrates representing county districts. These county offices typically appear on the ballot during gubernatorial election years. The Martin County Board of Education also holds elections for school board members. Local voters can find their assigned polling place by using the Kentucky Voter Information Portal at https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/vic or by contacting the Martin County Clerk's office. Polling places are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries. Voters should bring photo identification to the polls; acceptable forms include Kentucky driver's license, Social Security card, or credit card with name and photo. Kentucky election records that are public include voter registration lists (available for purchase by qualified requesters under KRS 116.085), campaign finance reports filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance at https://kref.ky.gov, candidate filings available through the Martin County Clerk and Secretary of State, and precinct-level election results published after each election by the Martin County Clerk and State Board of Elections at https://elect.ky.gov. In the November 2024 presidential election, Martin County recorded approximately 4,200 total votes cast, with turnout around 55% of registered voters, reflecting typical turnout patterns for rural eastern Kentucky counties in presidential elections. The November 3, 2026 election will be critically important for Pilgrim and Martin County voters. While 2026 is not a gubernatorial election year in Kentucky (the Governor is elected in odd-numbered years), voters will decide several significant races. Kentucky does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026, as Senator Mitch McConnell's term runs through 2026 and Senator Rand Paul's through 2028. However, all six of Kentucky's U.S. House seats will be on the ballot, including the 5th Congressional District which represents Martin County. State legislative races will include the Kentucky House of Representatives District 94, which includes the county, with the full 100-member House up for election. County races in 2026 may include various magistrate seats depending on the election cycle rotation. Voters should verify specific local races through the Martin County Clerk closer to the election date. Kentucky offers absentee voting for qualified voters including those who will be absent from the county on election day, students attending school outside the county, voters with medical conditions or disabilities, those recently relocated within 28 days of the election, those whose work hours prevent them from voting during polling hours, and voters over age 65. Absentee ballot applications must be requested from the Martin County Clerk and returned by the Tuesday before the election for mail ballots, or as late as the Monday before election day for in-person pickup. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 6:00 PM on election day. The Kentucky State Board of Elections provides absentee information at https://elect.ky.gov. Early in-person voting is available at the Martin County Clerk's office beginning the Thursday before election day through the Monday before election day, during business hours and extended Saturday hours, allowing voters to cast ballots conveniently without waiting for election day.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: Yes: Online Statewide Portal | Property: Limited: Partial Online | Arrest Logs: Limited: Online | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering | Business: Yes: Free State Database | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall: 6.5/10, Martin County provides access to records through Kentucky's statewide systems including CourtNet for court records and Secretary of State databases for business entities, but local county records including property deeds and arrest logs require in-person visits or phone contact, limiting full transparency for Pilgrim residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Pilgrim, Martin County, Kentucky?
Public schools in Pilgrim, Martin County, Kentucky are administered by the local school district. School performance data, enrollment information, and district boundaries are available through the Kentucky Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.
Crime data for Pilgrim, Martin County, Kentucky is maintained by local law enforcement agencies and reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
The Pilgrim Public Library provides access to public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. The Martin County library system may offer additional resources. Contact the library for available databases and research assistance.
The Pilgrim Public Library serves residents of Pilgrim and the surrounding Martin County area in Kentucky. Contact the library or visit the Martin County library system website for current address, hours, and services.
Fingerprinting services for Pilgrim, Kentucky residents are available through the local police department and authorized providers in Martin County. Services cover background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening.
Vital records for Pilgrim, Martin County, Kentucky including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. The Martin County Clerk's office may also issue certified copies. Valid identification and proof of eligibility are required.
To register to vote in Pilgrim, Kentucky, residents can register online through the Kentucky State Board of Elections's website, by mail, or in person at the Martin County elections office. Kentucky requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Kentucky State Board of Elections's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Pilgrim, contact the Martin County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Pilgrim, Kentucky are maintained by the Martin Property Valuation Administrator's Office and the Martin County County Clerk. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Martin County, including parcels in Pilgrim. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Martin County County Clerk 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 Martin County offices at the county courthouse. The Martin County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Pilgrim, 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 Martin County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Martin 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 Pilgrim, Kentucky operates at municipal, county, and state levels. The Pilgrim town or city clerk's office handles local business permits, zoning approvals, and any municipal license requirements for businesses operating within Pilgrim limits. Martin 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 Pilgrim, contact the Pilgrim clerk's office and the Martin County economic development office.