Vital Records and Genealogy Information

Notice of Upcoming Office Closure:

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. 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 circuit county clerk that granted the divorce decree.

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, P.O. Box 537, 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, KY 40602, (502) 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 1911-1957 death records (statewide coverage).

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Office hours:  8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday, excluding official state holidays. 

Orders received after 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time will be processed the next business day.

For further information, please read the Business Procedures for Accepting Walk-In/Mail/Phone Orders.

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, call toll-free (800) 241-8322. Or order by fax at (866) 283-7477. Please go to VitalChek.com to obtain fax applications under Order Methods.

Mailing address: 
Office of Vital Statistics
275 E. Main St., 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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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 US per certificate;
Death, Marriage and Divorce:  $6 US per certificate

In Person: Stop in our office at 275 E. Main St. in Frankfort to complete an application for a certified copy of a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate between the hours of 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday. For further information, please read the Business Procedures for Accepting Walk-In/Mail/Phone Orders.

Directions to Vital Statistics Office 

Map of Vital Statistics Office Location

Credit Card Orders - Online, Phone, Fax: To purchase a certified copy of a Kentucky vital record and pay with a credit card, whether online, by phone or fax, you may go through VitalChek's Online Ordering System.

All credit card transactions are processed through VitalChek Network, Inc., an independent company that the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics has partnered with to provide you with this service. VitalChek can be reached through its website, www.vitalchek.com, or by phone at (800) 241-8322. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.

UPS: For faster delivery, request delivery by UPS when placing orders for vital records, an additional fee is charged for this service.  

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 E. Main St., 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Please include return address on envelope and application form. Funds must be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. For further information, please read the Business Procedures for Accepting Walk-In/Mail/Phone Orders.

Processing Time: In most cases, orders are filled within five to seven business days. However, some orders may take longer; therefore, please allow up to 30 working days for processing of all type of certificates ordered through the mail. 

Birth Records: Expect longer delays during peak request periods from May through September. We recommend requesting certified copies of birth certificates early to avoid delays for those planning retirement and for certificates needed for sports programs, travel/passports, school enrollment and other reasons. 

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.