Marriage and Divorce Certificates

​​​​The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) has on file marriage and divorce records from June 1958 to present day. To inquire about marriage or divorce records prior to June 1958, please call the county clerk in the county where the marriage license was issued or the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce decree was granted.

Marriage and Divorce Certificates Purchases

For marriage and divorce certificate purchase options, please visit the OVS Certificate Purchase Options page.

Information Needed for Certificate Request

  • Full name of first party
  • Full name of second party
  • The month, day and year of the marriage or divorce
  • The Kentucky county where the marriage license or divorce decree was issued

Additional Information Needed

  • Requester's name and address where the certificate is to be mailed
  • Phone number 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

Getting Married in Kentucky: What Do You Need to Know?

Marriage licenses are issued in the county clerk's office in each Kentucky county. If you have any questions, please contact the county clerk's office in your area. Both bride and groom must appear together to get a license. Licenses are valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and the license fee is non-refundable. The license must be used within the state of Kentucky.   

Age requirements 

You must be 18 to be married in Kentucky without parental consent.  Applicants 16 and 17 years old must have parental consent and the license must be issued in the county of residence of the underage applicant. If both applicants are under age, the license must be issued in the bride's county of residence. No one younger than 16 may be issued a license unless the bride is pregnant and a district court judge  issues a court order directing the clerk to issue the license.

Procedures 

The bride and groom complete an application, providing information needed from both including: 

  • Name and address
  • Date of birth and age
  • Place of birth (if in Kentucky, give county; if another state, give state)
  • Father's name
  • Mother's first and maiden name
  • Current status (single, divorced, annulled, widowed)
  • Number of previous marriages
  • Occupation
  • Race
  • Whether bride and groom are related (first and second cousins are not permitted to marry in Kentucky)
  • Date of marriage

Documentation