The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) has on file death records from 1911 to present day for deaths that occurred in Kentucky.
Death Certificate Purchases
Note: The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics cannot by law, provide any information from records, perform a genealogical search or verify whether a certificate is on file without a completed application form and the required fee attached. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics will, upon receiving the application and fee, perform a search for the record. If the record is on file, a certified copy will be mailed to you. The fee is a search fee and no refunds are issued in instances where a certificate is not found within Kentucky's records. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics does not issue photocopies, faxed copies,
non-certified copies or electronic copies of records.
Information Needed for Certificate Purchase
Additional Information Needed:
Requestor's name and full mailing address where the certificate is to be mailed
Phone number (including area code) where you can be reached during the day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
The number of copies being ordered
Enclose a check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer to cover the cost of each certificate ordered and mail to:
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
How to Request an Autopsy Report
Kentucky autopsy reports may be obtained by submitting a written request to the coroner in the Kentucky county where the death occurred. For assistance identifying the appropriate coroner, please contact the local county government office or the funeral home that cared for the decedent. You may also visit the Kentucky Coroner's Association website at
https://kentuckycoronersassociation.com/ for additional information.