Getting Public Records
KRS 61.880 — an agency answers a records request in writing within five days, weekends and holidays excepted
Public records are open for inspection by any resident of Kentucky, except as the open records act provides. An agency may require a written, signed application describing the records, and must accept it by hand, mail, fax or email to its records custodian. No particular form may be required, and the standard form must be accepted.
- Within five days, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, the agency decides whether to comply and notifies the requester in writing.
- A denial names the specific exception and briefly explains how it applies to the record withheld.
- Copies may require a written request and payment of the agency's fee in advance.
Delay past the five day period, excessive fees, excessive extensions or misdirection can be taken to the Attorney General in writing, the same as a denial.
Sources for this section (3)
- KRS 61.872 — Right of Kentucky residents to inspect public records -- Written application -- Limitation
- KRS 61.874 — Abstracts, memoranda, copies -- Agency may prescribe fee -- Use of nonexempt public records for commercial purposes -- Online access
- KRS 61.880 — Denial of inspection -- Role of Attorney General
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Kentucky attorney.