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.
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 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