The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) offers in-person services to the public. All requests and orders are processed in the order they are received. Unexpected delays may occur, which could prevent same-day service. OVS also provides other reliable ways to order certified birth, death, marriage, divorce, and stillbirth records.Office Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), excluding official state holidays.
Same-day service is not guaranteed after 3:45 p.m. EST.
Office Location
The Office of Vital Statistics is located at:
275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY
Access is available via the Martin Luther King Blvd entrance of the Human Resources Building. Visitors should follow signs for visitor parking and use the clearly marked visitor entrance at the front of the building.
Ordering Options
In addition to in-person service, OVS offers the following ordering methods:
- VitalChek – Our only authorized online vendor (includes next-day service and in-person pickup options).
- Mail-in Orders – Send requests to the address below.
- OVS Drop Box – Located at the visitor entrance of the CHR Building (applications available on-site).
- KY-EDRS – For registered funeral homes only.
Mailing Address for Orders
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street, 1 E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Will-Call Service (Online Order Pickup)
Customers who place online orders through VitalChek may pick up their records in person.
To retrieve an order, the person must be the applicant named on the request or provide proof of order. A valid photo ID is required for pickup.
Contact Information
For assistance, call our toll-free number: (800) 241-8322
Consumer Alert: Ordering Kentucky Vital Records
Several third-party vendors charge excessive fees to assist with obtaining Kentucky vital records. These services are not affiliated with the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics and may impose unnecessary costs.
For the most affordable and fastest processing, order certified copies only through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics by mail or via VitalChek Network Inc. at www.vitalchek.com, our only authorized online and telephone ordering partner. Payments must be made by credit/debit card or automated clearing house (ACH).
Buyer beware: Other websites or services are not approved by our office and may result in delays or additional fees.
The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) collects, preserves and protects certificates for all
births,
deaths, marriages, divorces and
stillbirths and issues certified copies.
The Office of Vital Statistics records and provides for each person born in Kentucky a means of establishing legal identity, age, parentage and nationality. It also makes available a legal document of the date, place and cause of every death occurring in the state and provides a central repository for records of certain other vital events.
The Office of Vital Statistics augments and supports the planning, management and evaluation of public health programs and other agencies through the collection and analysis of vital statistics data.
The Office of Vital Statistics includes the Registration and Amendment Section, Certification Section and the Administrative and Quality Assurance Section.
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through Friday, excluding official state holidays. Same day service is not guaranteed after 3:45 pm
Eastern Standard Time (EST).
The Office of Vital Statistics is located at 275 East Main Street in Frankfort, KY and is accessible from the Martin Luther King Blvd entrance of the Human Resources Building. Follow signs for visitor parking and use the clearly marked visitor entrance located at the front of the Human Resources building.
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 June 1958. To inquire about marriage certificates prior to June 1958, please call the county clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued. To inquire about divorce certificates prior to June 1958, please call the county circuit clerk who granted the divorce decree.
Amending Records
Records on file with OVS may be amended only in accordance with Kentucky statutes and administrative regulations. If a record is incorrect and an amendment or correction is necessary, please contact OVS at (502) 564-4212 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Contact Information
Please read the Business Procedures for Accepting Walk-In/Mail/Phone Orders for further information.
The Office of Vital Statistics is located on the first floor in the main lobby of the Cabinet for Human Resources Building.
Parking: Designated visitor and handicapped parking is located past the front of the main building on first floor-level lot. All visitors must enter through the door marked Visitor Entrance.
Directions and map to the Office of Vital Statistics
Purchase Options
For certificate purchase options, please visit the OVS Certificate Purchase Options page.
Other Information
Kentucky Electronic Death Registration System (KY-EDRS) for Funeral Home Directors and Medical Certifiers
Business Procedures for Accepting Walk-In/Mail/Phone Orders
Registrar Guidelines