​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).​

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