US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 21095

Harlan County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Harlan County, Kentucky. Serving a population of 25.324 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Harlan • Land Area: 465,83 sq mi • State: Kentucky (KY)
Call: (502) 415-5245 Get Courthouse Directions Kentucky Association of Counties Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Harlan County Courthouse / Recording Office, Harlan, KY 40801

Seat of government for Harlan County in Harlan, KY.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(502) 415-5245

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 21095 • Coordinates: 36.8592° N, -83.2215° W
Visit Kentucky Association of Counties Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Harlan County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Harlan County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by KRS 64.012 & KRS 142.050
First Page Base Fee
$46.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$3.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.00 per $1,000 (Deed Transfer Tax)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Kentucky:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Harlan County

License Fee $50.00
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 30 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Harlan County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by County Clerk. Valid 30 days statewide.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $10.00
Death Cert $6.00
Marriage Cert $6.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics and the local Harlan County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Harlan County

Filing Fee: $50.00
1. Filing Authority

In Harlan County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Kentucky Secretary of State & County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Kentucky.

3. State Rules & Notice

Assumed name certificate must be filed with Secretary of State and a copy recorded with County Clerk.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Harlan County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Harlan County Kentucky Secretary of State & County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Kentucky.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Kentucky Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Kentucky county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Kentucky Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Kentucky

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Kentucky recording offices:

Leslie County Seat: Hyden
~18.3 mi →
Perry County Seat: Hazard
~26.4 mi →
Letcher County Seat: Whitesburg
~26.8 mi →
Bell County Seat: Pineville
~27 mi →
Clay County Seat: Manchester
~34.5 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Harlan County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Harlan County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Harlan County office is located at Harlan County Courthouse / Recording Office, Harlan, KY 40801. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (502) 415-5245.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Harlan County?
Under Kentucky statute (KRS 64.012 & KRS 142.050), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Harlan County costs $46.00 for the first page, plus $3.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.00 per $1,000 (Deed Transfer Tax).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Harlan County, KY?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Harlan County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $50.00. Kentucky requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Harlan County?
In Harlan County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Kentucky Secretary of State & County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $50.00. Assumed name certificate must be filed with Secretary of State and a copy recorded with County Clerk.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Harlan County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $10.00 and death certificates starting at $6.00) can be requested through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics or directly at the Harlan County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.