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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000713095-10-000040.txt : 20100629
<SEC-HEADER>0000713095-10-000040.hdr.sgml : 20100629
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100629155709
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000713095-10-000040
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100628
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100629
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100629

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Nash William C.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001491858

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14412
		FILM NUMBER:		10923280

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 309
		CITY:			FRANKFORT
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40602-0309

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FARMERS CAPITAL BANK CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000713095
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				611017851
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 309
		STREET 2:		202 W MAIN ST
		CITY:			FRANKFORT
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5022271668

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 309
		STREET 2:		202 WEST MAIN STREET
		CITY:			FRANKFORT
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-06-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000713095</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FARMERS CAPITAL BANK CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FFKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001491858</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nash William C.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 309</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FRANKFORT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40602-0309</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock .125 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-06-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.05</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Of the 3,000 shares owned, 2,000 shares are held in a profit sharing plan for the benefit of Dr. Nash, 250 shares are held in an IRA for the benefit of Dr. Nash, and 950 shares are held in an IRA for the benefit of Dr. Nash's wife.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark A. Hampton, Attorney in Fact by POA dated 2/26/2010</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-06-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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