In 1942, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation that required cities to file certain documents with the Secretary of State's office, but compliance was irregular. In 1980, the General Assembly passed KRS 81.045, requiring cities to submit filings identifying the city's name, incorporation date, classification status and boundaries. Also in 1980, the General Assembly enacted KRS 81A.470, which requires cities to file with the Secretary of State's office copies of ordinances that identify annexations, severances and transfers.
City filings since 1980 are available in a searchable online
database. The Division of Geographic Information creates and maintains maps based on filings accepted by this office, and those maps are linked to each city's page. Filing information from 1942 to 1980 is included as a matter of historical interest. You can also review a number of
prebuilt lists and queries regarding Kentucky cities.
For additional information, please review the
Cities FAQs (Secretary of State) and the
Cities FAQs (Division of Geographic Information/COT), or contact the Kentucky Land Office at
(502) 564-3490 or via email.
KRS 81A.470 Filings
For guidance in recording city boundary changes pursuant to KRS 81A.470 and before submitting an annexation filing, use this office's checklist to help make sure it is acceptable.
City Reclassification
Pursuant to the Municipal Reclassification Reform Act, House Bill 331 (Regular Session 2014), codified at KRS 81.005, cities must file written notice of reclassification with the Office of Secretary of State before January 1, 2015. Any city that fails to comply with the filing requirement will be barred from receiving state moneys until the notice of reclassification is submitted.
Please complete the form and return it before January 1, 2015, to:
Office of the Secretary of State
Capitol Annex, Land Office
702 Capital Ave., Ste. T-21-B
Frankfort, KY 40601
Travis.Horn@ky.gov
Fax: (502) 564-5687