Vital Records and Genealogy Information
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-4212
Contact Info Purchase Options FAQs
Kentucky's Vital Statistics Law, enacted by the General Assembly in 1910, provides for and legalizes the registration of births and deaths.
The Office of Vital Statistics does not have records of births or deaths prior to 1911, except delayed records of births for those born before 1911 which have been established by affidavits and documentary evidence.
Central registration of marriages and divorces began in Kentucky in June 1958. The Office of Vital Statistics does not have records of marriages or divorces prior to 1958. Copies of marriage certificates prior to June 1958 may be obtained from the county clerk in the county where the license was issued. Records of divorce proceedings are available from the clerk of the circuit court that granted the decree.
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, P.O. Box 537, 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, KY 40602, (5O2) 564-8300, has birth and death records for the cities of Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Newport, which enacted records collection ordinances before 1911. KDLA also has birth and death records (statewide coverage) prior to 1911 and 1911-1955 death records (statewide coverage).
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Contact Information |
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Office hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday-Friday, excluding official state holidays. If applications for certified copies of certificates are brought in person to the Office of Vital Statistics for processing, the application must be received between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST for the order to be processed the same day received. Vital statistics is located on the first floor in the main lobby of the former Cabinet for Human Resources Building.
Phone number: To contact Vital Statistics for information or to amend certificates, call (502) 564-4212. To order with a credit card contact VitalChek by calling toll-free (877) 817-7362 or order by fax at (877) 435-5584.
Mailing address:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Parking: Designated visitor and handicapped parking is located at the front of the lower (basement)-level main parking lot and on the first floor-level lot. Because of building security, all visitors must enter at the first floor lobby under the canopy.
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Purchase Options |
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You can purchase a certificate on the Internet, by phone, by mail or by visiting the office. See details below...
Cost of certificates: Birth: $10 per certificate;
Death, Marriage and Divorce: $6 per certificate
In Person: You can stop in the office at 275 East Main Street in Frankfort and obtain a certified copy of a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate by completing an application form between the hours of 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday. There is approximately a one-hour wait to receive the certificate.
Directions to Vital Statistics Office
Map of Vital Statistics Office Location
By Mail: Mail a check or money order (no cash) payable to the "Kentucky State Treasurer" along with the necessary information to the following address: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Please include return address on envelope and application form.
Processing Time: Please allow up to approximately 30 working days for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail.
Birth Records: Expect longer delays during peak request periods from May through September. You should request certified copies of your birth certificate early enough to avoid delays if you are planning retirement, sporting events for the children, travel/passports, children entering school for the first time, etc.
Death Records: There may be delays in issuing new certified death certificates if the original certificate is not promptly filed in Frankfort by the funeral homes.
Phone, Fax, On-Line, or Credit Card: To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by phone, fax, on-line or purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek.
There is an additional $10.50 fee for all credit card purchases. Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted.
UPS: If faster delivery is required, you may wish to have the certified copy sent by UPS. Please state this when placing the order for the copy. There is an additional fee for this service.
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