Divorce records in Graves County, Kentucky can be accessed through several channels. GravesCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Graves County. You can also obtain records directly from the circuit court that issued the decree, the Graves County Clerk's office, or the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which serves as the state vital records office. The type of record you need — a full court file or a divorce certificate — determines which office to contact.
Graves County Divorce Records Search
In Kentucky, divorce cases are handled by the circuit court system. The Office of the Circuit Court Clerk in Graves County maintains the official court files for all divorce and dissolution cases filed locally. These records typically include:
- Divorce decrees and judgments
- Petitions for dissolution of marriage
- Property settlement agreements
- Custody and child support orders
- Motions, responses, and other case filings
The Kentucky Department for Public Health, Vital Statistics Branch, also maintains divorce certificates — shorter summary documents that confirm a divorce occurred. These certificates are available for divorces granted in Kentucky from June 1958 to the present.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office is currently operating from a temporary location following tornado damage to the original courthouse:
Graves County Circuit Court Clerk (Temporary Location)
Contact the office directly to confirm current hours before visiting, as the temporary location may have adjusted schedules.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Graves County
Understanding which office holds what you need saves time. In Kentucky, divorce is a circuit court matter — not a district court matter. Here is how records are distributed across offices in Graves County:
Graves County Circuit Court Clerk
This office holds the complete divorce case file, including the decree, all motions, settlement agreements, and custody orders. If you need a copy of the actual court record or want to review case documents, start here.
The Kentucky Court of Justice website provides legal forms and information about requesting court records.
Kentucky Vital Statistics Branch
The Vital Statistics Branch within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services issues divorce certificates — not full court records. A divorce certificate is a one-page summary confirming the divorce, listing the names of the parties, the date of the decree, and the county where it was granted. These are often used for:
- Name change verification
- Remarriage applications
- Benefits and insurance claims
- Immigration proceedings
After a divorce is finalized in Graves County, the circuit court clerk reports the divorce to the state using the VS-300 Certificate of Divorce or Annulment form. This is how the state vital records office receives its copy.
Graves County Clerk
The Graves County Clerk's office handles marriage licenses, land records, and other recorded documents. It does not maintain divorce case files — those remain with the circuit court clerk. However, if a divorce-related document such as a property transfer was recorded with the county clerk, that specific document may be searchable through the clerk's online land records system.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Graves County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Vital Statistics Branch — standard mail request) | $6.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Additional copies of same divorce certificate (same order) | $6.00 each | Included with original order |
| Expedited divorce certificate (Vital Statistics Branch) | $6.00 + expedite/shipping fees | Approximately 1–2 weeks |
| Court record copies (Circuit Court Clerk — uncertified) | $0.25 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Certified court record copies (Circuit Court Clerk) | $5.00 per document + $0.25 per page | Same day to several business days |