Find Kentucky Vital Records Online
Are Kentucky Vital Records Available to the Public?
Yes, Kentucky vital records are available for public inspection under the Kentucky Open Records Law. However, certified copies of these records are restricted to individuals who meet specific statutory eligibility criteria and provide necessary supporting documentation.
What Information is Included in Kentucky Vital Records?
Kentucky vital records include official accounts of significant life events such as:
- Births
- Deaths
- Marriages
- Divorces
These records are maintained for identification, genealogical research, and policy implementation purposes.
How to Access Kentucky Vital Records Online?
To access Kentucky vital records online, requesters must provide specific information to facilitate the search. Typically, this includes:
- Full names of individuals named on the record (including maiden names if applicable)
- Place and approximate date of the event
- Mother's maiden name and father's full name (for birth records)
- License number and date of issuance (for marriage records)
- Case file number (for divorce records)
Publicly accessible records may also be available through third-party aggregate sites, which are not limited by geographical constraints. These sites require similar information and are convenient for comprehensive searches, although they are not government-sponsored.
What Do I Need to Access Kentucky Vital Records?
To obtain Kentucky vital records, requesters must submit a written and signed request to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). The request should include:
- Full name of the person named on the record
- Date and place of the event
- Mother's maiden name and father's full name (for birth records)
- Requester's name, contact details, and relationship to the person named on the record
- Number of copies required
Additionally, for certified copies, requesters must provide:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Court order (if applicable)
Certified vs. Informational Copies: Key Differences
Certified copies are authenticated documents issued by a record custodian, granting the bearer legal authority for official use. These are only available to eligible requesters. Informational copies, on the other hand, are typically used for personal, genealogical, or research purposes and are not valid for official use. They often contain a watermark indicating their limited use.
Are Kentucky Birth Records Available to the Public?
Yes, a public list of births is available for inspection. This list includes the person's name, mother's maiden name, and the date and county of birth. However, certified birth records are restricted to the individual, their immediate family members, or legal representatives.
How to Access Kentucky Birth Records?
To access Kentucky birth records, requesters must provide specific details such as:
- Full name of the person named on the birth record
- Date and place of birth
- Mother's maiden name and father's full name
- Requester's contact information and relationship to the person named on the record
Requests can be made by completing a birth certificate copy request form or preparing a written request. These should be submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics along with a check or money order for the service fee and a copy of a valid photo ID.
Are Birth Certificates Public in Kentucky?
Birth certificates are not public records in Kentucky. Only the registrant, their immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives can obtain copies. However, an annual alphabetical list of registered births is available for public inspection.
Are Kentucky Death Records Available to the Public?
Yes, abstracts of Kentucky death records are open to the public. Anyone can access these records without additional documentation. Certified death records, however, are restricted to the deceased's immediate family members and legal representatives.
How to Access Death Records in Kentucky?
To access Kentucky death records, requesters must provide:
- Full name of the deceased
- Date and place of death
- Requester's contact information and relationship to the deceased
- Number of copies required
Requests can be submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics or the Kentucky State Archives for records before 1999. Eligible persons must also provide a government-issued photo ID and pay the required fee.
Are Kentucky Marriage Records Available to the Public?
Yes, informational documents showing the list of spouses, date, and location of marriage are available to the public. A public index of marriages before 1999 is also accessible through the Kentucky State Archives. Certified copies are restricted to individuals named on the record.
How to Access Marriage Records in Kentucky?
To access marriage records, requesters must provide:
- Full names of the spouses
- Date and place of marriage
- Requester's contact information and relationship to the spouses
- Number of copies required
Requests can be submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics or the state archives. For certified copies, additional documents such as a government-issued photo ID and a completed application form are required.
How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate in Kentucky
To obtain a marriage certificate, requesters must complete a marriage/divorce application form with:
- Full names of the spouses
- Date and place of marriage
- Requester's contact information
The application should be accompanied by a check or money order for the fee and submitted in person or by mail to the Office of Vital Statistics. Requests should be enclosed in a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Are Kentucky Divorce Records Available to the Public?
Yes, a public list of divorcees, including names, dates, and locations, is available through local health departments and the state archives. Certified copies are restricted to individuals named on the record.
How to Get Divorce Records in Kentucky?
To obtain divorce records, requesters must provide:
- Full names of the parties involved
- Date and place of divorce
- Requester's contact information and relationship to the parties
- Number of copies required
Requests can be submitted to the County Clerk or the Office of Vital Statistics. A check or money order for the fee and a government-issued photo ID are also required.
How to Obtain a Certified Divorce Certificate in Kentucky
To obtain a certified divorce certificate, requesters must complete a divorce certificate request application form with:
- Full names of the parties involved
- Date and place of divorce
- Requester's contact information
The application should be accompanied by a check or money order for the fee and submitted in person or by mail to the Office of Vital Statistics. Requests should be enclosed in a self-addressed stamped envelope.