Kentucky ranks 6th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#2of 51
Speed#33of 51
Ease of ordering#7of 51
Birth certificates #10 of 51
Cost
$10 first copy, $10 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 3–5 business days; mail: up to 30 business days; in person: same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1911
Marriage records #4 of 51
Cost
$6 first copy, $6 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 3–5 business days; mail: up to 30 business days; in person: same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from June 1958; full records from the County Clerk
Divorce records #6 of 51
Cost
$6 first copy, $6 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 3–5 business days; mail: up to 30 business days; in person: same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or a local county office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from June 1958; full decrees from the Circuit Court Clerk
Death certificates #9 of 51
Cost
$6 first copy, $6 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 3–5 business days; mail: up to 30 business days; in person: same day
Time until the copy is in hand
About 6 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State vital records office
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1911
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Kentucky birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Kentucky birth certificate?
A certified Kentucky birth certificate costs $10 per copy from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) in Frankfort. Order online or by phone through VitalChek (most orders are processed in 3–5 business days, plus shipping), by mail (allow up to 30 business days, including delivery), or in person in Frankfort, where most requests are done the same day.
Kentucky birth records: ordering details
Who can order
Kentucky is an open-record state: anyone who pays the fee and gives enough information to identify the record can get a certified copy. The application asks for the full name at birth, date and county of birth, the mother’s maiden name and the father’s name (if listed), and your relationship to the person.
Fee
$10 for each certified copy, including extra copies. The fee is a non-refundable search fee, kept even if no record is found. Extras: VitalChek adds $12.50 for online orders or $13.50 for phone orders, plus extra for UPS delivery if you choose it.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek, the state’s only authorized online and phone vendor, or call (800) 241-8322. You can also order online for Will-Call pickup in Frankfort (not same day). By mail:form VS-37 with a check or money order payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer” to Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. A drop box is also at the visitor entrance. In person: 275 East Main Street, Frankfort (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern). Cash, check, money order, debit or credit card.
ID needed
The mail application doesn’t ask for a copy of your ID. Will-Call pickup requires proof of order and a valid government-issued photo ID, and OVS may ask for more documents to confirm identity or eligibility.
Processing time
In person: most requests are done the same business day, usually within about an hour; same-day service isn’t guaranteed after 3:45 p.m. Eastern. VitalChek: most orders are processed in 3–5 business days, not counting shipping. Mail: allow up to 30 business days for processing and delivery (OVS says many are done sooner). Estimate: plan on about 6 weeks for a mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
The state has Kentucky births from January 1911 on. Only OVS issues certified copies; local health departments don’t. For earlier births, the Kentucky Historical Society holds some county records from 1851–1862, and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives has city records for Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Newport from before 1911.
Tip: Need it today? Walk in to the Frankfort office before 3:30 p.m. Eastern. An online Will-Call order is not ready the same day.
A certified Kentucky death certificate costs $6 per copy from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. Order online or by phone through VitalChek, by mail (allow up to 30 business days, including delivery), or in person in Frankfort, where most requests are done the same day.
Kentucky death records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone who pays the fee and gives enough information to identify the record (Kentucky is an open-record state). The application asks for the full name, date and county of death, and your relationship to the person.
Fee
$6 for each certified copy, including extra copies (non-refundable search fee). Extras: VitalChek adds $12.50 online or $13.50 by phone, plus extra for UPS delivery.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek or (800) 241-8322. By mail:form VS-31 with a check or money order payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer” to Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. In person: 275 East Main Street, Frankfort (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern).
ID needed
The mail application doesn’t ask for a copy of your ID. Will-Call pickup requires proof of order and a government-issued photo ID.
Processing time
In person: same business day for most requests. VitalChek: most orders processed in 3–5 business days, plus shipping. Mail: allow up to 30 business days for processing and delivery. New certificates can be delayed if the funeral director or medical certifier hasn’t filed the death record yet. Estimate: plan on about 6 weeks for a mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
The state has Kentucky deaths from January 1911 on. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives issues uncertified photocopies of death certificates from 1911–1957 for family history. Autopsy reports come from the coroner in the county where the death happened.
Tip: At $6 a copy, it’s worth ordering every copy you’ll need for banks, insurers and pensions in one request.
For marriages from June 1958 on, a certified Kentucky marriage certificate costs $6 per copy from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. For earlier marriages, or for a copy of the license itself, contact the county clerk in the county that issued the license.
Kentucky marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone who pays the fee and identifies the record. The application asks for both parties’ names (current and before marriage), the county that issued the license and the date of the marriage.
Fee
State: $6 for each certified copy (non-refundable search fee). VitalChek adds $12.50 online or $13.50 by phone. County clerk: set by each county. OVS also issues a Single Status Letter (a search of Kentucky marriage records) for $6.
How to order
From the state: online or by phone through VitalChek; by mail with form VS-230 and a check or money order payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer” to 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621; or in person in Frankfort. From the county: the county clerk’s office that issued the license.
ID needed
State mail orders: the application doesn’t ask for a copy of your ID. County clerk: ask the office.
Processing time
State: same day in person for most requests; VitalChek orders processed in 3–5 business days plus shipping; mail orders up to 30 business days, including delivery. County clerk: varies by county.
Older and local records
The state has marriages from June 1958 on. For earlier marriages, contact the county clerk in the county where the license was issued.
Tip: Put the county that issued the license on your application. OVS uses it to find the record.
For divorces from June 1958 on, a certified Kentucky divorce certificate costs $6 per copy from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. The full divorce decree, and records of earlier divorces, come from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Kentucky divorce records: ordering details
Certificate vs. decree
Divorce certificate (state): a certified record that the divorce happened, with names, date and county. Divorce decree (court): the court’s full judgment, from the circuit court clerk. Ask which one you need before ordering.
Who can order
State certificate: anyone who pays the fee and identifies the record (both parties’ names, the county where the decree was granted and the date). Decree: set by the circuit court clerk.
Fee
State: $6 for each certified copy (non-refundable search fee); VitalChek adds $12.50 online or $13.50 by phone. Decree: set by the circuit court clerk.
How to order
From the state:VitalChek online or by phone; by mail with form VS-230 to Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621; or in person in Frankfort. Decree: the circuit court clerk’s office in the county where the divorce was granted.
ID needed
State mail orders: the application doesn’t ask for a copy of your ID. Court records: ask the circuit court clerk.
Processing time
State: same day in person for most requests; VitalChek 3–5 business days plus shipping; mail up to 30 business days, including delivery. Circuit court clerk: varies by county.
Older records
The state has divorces from June 1958 on. For earlier divorces, contact the circuit court clerk’s office that granted the decree.
Tip: Not sure whether you need the state certificate or the full decree? Ask the agency or court that wants it before you order.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Kentucky records people search for
Official Kentucky sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official Kentucky sites for other records
Court case lookup
KYeCourts guest access Guest access shows limited case information; full CourtNet access needs an account.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Kentucky public records
Certificate Information
Birth and death records became mandatory in the State of Kentucky in 1910 and officially enacted in 1911. But central records
at the Office of Vital Statistics didn't begin until 1958, so only records from 1958 to present are available. Earlier records
must be acquired from the county clerk or by going through the genealogy department. Certificates are available by internet,
phone, mail or in person.
Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main St., 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
For geneological searches:
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
P.O. Box 537
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40602
(5O2) 564-8300
The state has all marriage and divorce records from 1958 to present. Earlier records must be requested from the local Circuit County Clerk
that granted the marriage license or divorce decree.
All adoption records and considered closed and all searches must accompanied with a court order. To find out information that does not
identify any persons involved with the adoption then a written request is sufficient.
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Adoption Branch
275 E. Main Street, 3 C-E
Frankfort, KY 40621
1-800-928-4303
Property Records
Public property records such as tax appraisal, ownership, and property history is handled by the County Property Valuation Administrator.
Most counties have an online map application that can easily find and display parcel information.
