Free Kentucky Warrant Search (Look Up Wanted Individuals)

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Free Kentucky Warrant Search

Find out if you or someone else has a warrant out for their arrest in Kentucky, free of charge.

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Perform a free Kentucky warrant search to determine if you or someone you know has an active order for their arrest. There are several ways to retrieve warrant information for free, and each method is explained in this resource.

Courts and law enforcement agencies are responsible for issuing and serving warrants, but procedures for requesting and obtaining this information vary between record custodians.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you will discover where to look to find warrants in Kentucky and be empowered to track down details on any wanted individuals.

Can Anyone Access & View Warrants Issued in KY?

Under the Kentucky Open Records Act (KORA), anyone in the state can perform a warrant search.¹

There are several different types of warrants detailed in the section below. With respect to warrants generated by law enforcement agencies, as long as the information in the document would not harm the agency, the warrant will be eligible for public access. This is one of the exemptions to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.878(1)(h).

An exemption would apply if releasing warrant information would hinder a pending criminal investigation. Generally, a search warrant would fall into this exemption. Even then, the law enforcement agency can redact any information in a warrant that would cause it to affect the investigation adversely.

On the other hand, the nature of Kentucky arrest warrants does not lend to impacting an investigation, as they are issued after an investigation has produced probable cause.

Find out what you need to search for a warrant in Kentucky below.

Necessary Information & Insights To Access Warrants in Kentucky

If you want to check for warrants in Kentucky, you should know certain information pertaining to its subject. At a very minimum, you should know the individual’s first and last name. Knowing their date of birth and the county or city in which they reside will help the agency issuing the warrant to narrow their search.

It’s also important to understand that different state and local agencies issue warrants. This includes courts and law enforcement agencies. The particular agency you should check with largely depends on the reason for the warrant and where it was generated.

You should search from broad state-level agencies to narrow county or city resources. This will ensure the quickest results in most cases.

Federal courts are generally the best option when searching for federal warrants. Kentucky circuit and district courts, sheriff’s offices, and county jails should be the first choices when searching state and county warrants.

There are several different types of warrants and methods for learning about them. For example, a bench warrant in Kentucky is different from a probation or parole warrant. Check out the details below to learn more.

How To Run a Free Kentucky Warrant Search on Yourself or Someone Else Online

Researchers may begin their warrant search through state agencies, as they offer a more encompassing method. The Kentucky Court of Justice is the state’s unified court system and case management database. This means that anyone can look up criminal case information for free as long as they create an account.

All criminal cases filed in Kentucky courts must originate with a warrant. The Kentucky Court of Justice search function allows interested persons to research criminal cases by name. Researchers must input a person’s first and last name for the search to yield results.

Additionally, under the Case Category subheading, researchers must select Criminal in the drop-down menu.

Results will inform interested parties of all active and inactive criminal cases filed in Kentucky courts, for which the name of the individual searched is the defendant. The search encompasses all Kentucky Circuit Courts, which have jurisdiction over cases stemming from felony warrants. The search also includes all Kentucky District Courts, which have jurisdiction over cases stemming from misdemeanor warrants.

For active cases, the results inform interested parties of the date type, and time of the next court proceeding. Interested parties may click on the Clerk Contact button to find out which county and court has jurisdiction over the case.

While the search function does not let researchers know what the warrant is that generated the criminal case, they may use the contact information for the clerk of court in the relevant jurisdiction.

By using the information in the search, anyone can inquire about the warrant that generated the criminal case.

Additionally, interested persons may request criminal background check information through the Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Justice.³ Criminal backgrounds will inform researchers of the warrants that led to criminal cases found in the background check. Individuals can request criminal background check information in person, by mail, or online.

In-Person: Interested persons may complete a criminal background check request form and take it to the Administrative Office of the Courts Records Unit drive-thru between 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Friday. The fee for requesting records on yourself or others is $25.

By Mail: Requesters may complete a criminal background check request form and mail it, along with a $25 check or money order to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Online: Individuals can create a FastCheck account and order criminal records to be received online, or make a one-time request and receive a criminal records report by mail.⁵

Administrative Office of the Courts
Records Unit
1001 Vandalay Dr.
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Phone: 502-573-2350

Bluegrass Crime Stoppers works with law enforcement agencies in the Central Kentucky Area to assist in the resolution and prevention of criminal investigations.⁶ Their Wanted Suspects list displays individuals with outstanding warrants for various reasons. It provides information about these individuals, including:

• Name
• Picture
• Reason for Warrant
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Age
• Physical Characteristics

Bluegrass Crime Stoppers may be contacted concerning warrants at 859.253.2020 or 1.877.970.2020.

Find Warrants in Kentucky at the County Level

A Kentucky warrant search at the county level will yield more narrow, but potentially more accurate results. However, it should be noted that individuals with outstanding warrants will likely be arrested if they present themselves to a law enforcement agency or court.

Jefferson County: The Louisville Metro Department of Corrections is the county jail. They post an online wanted list for anyone to see individuals with outstanding arrest warrants. They can be contacted for more information at 502.574.8477.

Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
400 South 6th St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office issues arrest warrants and executes all Circuit and District court-ordered warrants.⁸ The Warrant’s Office may be contacted at 502.574.0961.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Division – Warrants
600 West Jefferson Street, Rm 1002
Louisville, Kentucky 40202

The Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk maintains felony criminal records that include the warrants that activated the case. They also maintain misdemeanor criminal records heard by the District Court and the warrants that activated those cases. Contact the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk at 502.595.3009 for more information. The office is open 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday.

Office of the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk
600 W. Jefferson St., Ste 2008
Louisville, Kentucky 40202

Fayette County: The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office posts a weekly most wanted list on the county newspaper site. Contact the office for more information concerning outstanding warrants at 859.252.1771.

Fayette County Sheriff
150 North Limestone, Ste 265
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

Fax: 859.259.0973
Email: fayettesheriff@fayettesheriff.com

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Community Corrections serves as the county jail. They provide the public with a free detainee search that displays the warrants that led to the arrest. Researchers may search by an individual’s name or by checking who has been booked in the last 48 hours.

Once an individual is located, searchers can see what type of warrant was issued under the Offense column. They can also view what charge was on the warrant under the “Disposition” column. Contact Community Corrections for more information at 859.425.2700.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Community Corrections
600 Old Frankfort Circle
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

The Fayette Circuit Court Criminal Division maintains felony cases that include the warrants that led to them. Contact the Court at 859.246.2224 for more information. The courthouse is open 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday – Friday.

Fayette Circuit Court
Criminal Division
120 North Limestone, Suite C-103
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

The Fayette District Court Criminal Division maintains misdemeanor cases. Contact the court at 859.246.2228 to get information on misdemeanor charges. This court is open 24 hours every day, excluding December 24-25.

Fayette District Court
150 North Limestone, 1st Floor
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

Kenton County: The Kenton County Sheriff’s Office allows members of the public to look up warrants in person.¹⁰ They instruct individuals to come to the Office with a valid ID. The office is open 7:30am – 4:00pm Monday – Friday.

Kenton County Sheriff
1840 Simon Kenton Way, Ste 1200
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Phone: 859.392.1800

The Kenton County Detention Center houses all detainees with arrest warrants. The JailTracker inmate search allows anyone to look up who is currently detained in the jail.¹¹ You can search by name or scroll the page that displays all detainees listed from the most recent arrest to the last.

Under the Charges heading, you can see the reason for the warrant that led to the arrest. You can also see which law enforcement agency made the arrest. You can contact the agency to learn more about the specifics surrounding the warrant.

For more information from the jail, call 859.363.2400.

Kenton County Detention Center
3000 Decker Crane Lane
Covington, KY 41017

The Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all criminal case records, including both felony and misdemeanor cases. Each of these cases originates from a warrant. Contact the clerk of court at 859.292.6523 for more information about the warrants that led to these cases.

Kenton Court Clerk
230 Madison Ave, Third Floor
Covington, KY 41011

Warren County: The Warren County Sheriff’s Office maintains records of all Circuit and District Warrants that lead to arrests. This is because the sheriff’s office conducts inmate transportation services for the county jail where the detainees from those arrests are placed. Interested persons can obtain warrant information by filling out a request to inspect public records form and emailing it to records@wcsoky.net.

Contact the sheriff’s office at 270.842.1633 for more information.

Warren County Sheriff’s Office
429 East 10th Avenue 102
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

The Warren County Regional Jail houses all detainees with arrest warrants. The county jail offers members of the public a free JailTracker inmate search. Interested persons can search by name or view all current inmates in a list from the most recent arrest to the last. Under the Charges heading, you will be able to view the charge or warrant that led to the arrest. For more information, contact the county jail.

Warren County Regional Jail
920 Kentucky St.
Bowling Green, Kentucky 41201

Phone: 270.843.4606
Email: warcojail@ky.gov

The Warren County Circuit Court Clerk maintains Circuit Court criminal case records and District Court criminal case records. Interested persons may complete a request to inspect public records form to gain access to warrant information. The form must be submitted to the Circuit Court Clerk in person, by mail, or by fax.

Warren County Circuit Court Clerk
1001 Center Street, Ste 102
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

Phone: 270.746.7400
Fax: 270.746.7501

Boone County: The Boone County Circuit & District Court Clerk maintains felony and misdemeanor case records. Reach out to the court to learn how to get access to the warrant information in those cases.

Boone County District & Circuit Court Clerk
6025 Rogers Lane Rm 141
Burlington, Kentucky 41005

Track Down Details of Warrants via Municipal Agencies in KY

A Kentucky warrants search may also be conducted through city agencies and courts; some examples can be found below.

Louisville: The Louisville Metro Police Department services its residents with law enforcement duties that include making arrests and issuing warrants. As part of the city government, the police department allows the public to submit an online open records request.¹³

Members of the public must select MetroSafe Open Records under the department heading and fill out the form completely. For more information contact the Police Department Records Management Division at 502.574.2050.

Louisville Metro Police Department
2911 Taylor Blvd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40208

Lexington: The Lexington Police Department allows members of the public to request warrant information. Warrants may be requested by completing a Lexington Police open records request form online, or by filling out a request to inspect open records form and delivering the form in person, by mail, or by fax.

The police department is open 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday.

Lexington Police Department
Open Records Unit
150 East Main Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

Phone: 859.258.3600
Fax: 859.425.2270

Bowling Green: The Bowling Green Police Department maintains police records, including warrants, generated by its personnel. They do not offer a clear method for obtaining records; however, the Central Records Division is open 7:30am – 4:30pm. Interested persons should inquire about how to obtain warrant information.

Bowling Green Police Department
1001 College St.
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

Phone: 270.393.3000

Go Beyond Kentucky & Check Federal Warrants

Federal warrants are not as common as state and local; however, researchers can expand their Kentucky warrant search through the federal agencies DEA, FBI, and US. Marshals.

• DEA Fugitives List: This list is composed of individuals alleged to have committed federal drug offenses. Researchers can view their names, aliases, photos, physical characteristics, specific drug offenses alleged to have been committed, and reward amount for information that leads to the capture of fugitives on the list.
• FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives: The 10 most wanted individuals alleged to have committed violent federal offenses can be found on this list. The list provides their name, photo, physical characteristics, detailed description of the offenses committed, and a reward amount for information that leads to their capture.
• U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives: This is a list of the 15 most wanted people who have committed violent offenses and either escaped incarceration or police custody or skipped a court appearance. The list allows members of the public to view their names, photos, physical characteristics, and detailed descriptions of incidents that caused them to be fugitives. There is also an award amount listed for their capture.

These federal agencies provide a warning that all of the individuals on the above lists are described as armed and dangerous. You should not approach these fugitives. If you have information about their whereabouts, contact the appropriate federal agency or local law enforcement agency.

Federal criminal cases in Kentucky are heard by the Eastern District of Kentucky or the Western District of Kentucky.¹⁴ Interested persons may visit these courts to request inspection of criminal cases to inspect case files and learn about charges or warrants.

The Western District is open to the public for inspection of case files 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday; the Eastern District is open 8:30am – 5:00pm.

There are several fees associated if you wish to copy records.

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky
101 Barr St.
Lexington, Kentucky 40507

Phone: 859.233.2503

U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky
241 E. Main St.
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

Phone: 270.393.2500

Additionally, the Public Access to Court Public Records (PACER) can assist researchers looking for federal criminal case information.¹⁵ They can search by a person’s name, by entering the case number, and selecting the Docket Sheet or History/Documents query. For every sheet of the warrant, the office charges a fee of $0.10 per page.

Different Types of Warrants in Kentucky & the Reason for Each

When looking for a warrant issued in Kentucky, it’s important to know that there are several different types.

Arrest Warrant: Legal document signed by a law enforcement officer that describes the offenses charged against someone, and authorizes the person to be detained and brought before a court.

Bench Warrant: A specific type of arrest warrant issued by a judge when an individual misses their court date without reasonable explanation.

Probation & Parole Violation Warrants: An arrest warrant issued by a court when it finds that an individual has violated or not complied with the conditions of their probation or parole sentence.

Traffic Warrants: Citations issued by law enforcement officers when they have a reasonable suspicion that an individual violated a traffic law.

Child Support Warrants: An arrest warrant remedy enforced by Family Courts when an individual fails to pay court-ordered child support.

Capias & Capias Pro Fine Warrants: An antiquated arrest warrant issued by a court when an individual has failed to pay a fine.

Fugitive Warrants: An outstanding arrest warrant that has not been served on an individual because there is evidence that they are avoiding service.

Search Warrants: A sworn legal document with an accompanying affidavit, signed by a law enforcement officer and Judge, detailing the person or place to be searched for a criminal investigation.

Managing Warrants for Yourself or Someone Else

If you discover that someone has a warrant out for their arrest, it’s prudent to inform that individual. However, if you believe that individual is dangerous, particularly if the alleged offense on the warrant is a violent one, you should probably contact law enforcement first.

If you realize that you have an active warrant, determine what type of warrant it is first.

If it is for a traffic offense or misdemeanor crime, you may be able to pay the fine associated with the offense. If that is not possible or the offense is a criminal felony, you should seek legal counsel. They will likely advise you to turn yourself in and assist in procuring a bail bondsman.

Warrants are serious legal documents with ramifications that could last for a considerable amount of time. Learn how to conduct a free Kentucky warrant search using this streamlined resource.