Kentucky Birth Records Search

We thank you for visiting this page. We will do our best to help you with your Kentucky Birth Records Search. This guide gives key facts and steps. Use it to find the birth records you need.

If you wish to start your Kentucky Birth Records Search now, you can visit https://kentuckyofficialrecords.com/birth-records/. This site can help you begin the process fast. Another resource for public record searches is https://kentuckypublicrecords.com/. These sites provide ways to search. Use them if you want to move fast. This article gives details from state sources for your search.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) Overview

The main place for birth records is the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). It is part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. OVS keeps birth records from 1911 to now. They collect, keep safe, and give out certified copies. A birth certificate is a legal paper. It shows who you are. It proves your age. It shows who your parents are. It helps prove your nationality. OVS does not have records for births before 1911. Some delayed records for births before 1911 exist. These used forms and proof sent in later.

You can reach the OVS for your Kentucky Birth Records Search needs.

• Address: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. The office entrance is off Martin Luther King Blvd. Look for signs for visitor parking.

• Phone: (502) 564-4212. Call this number for questions about records or fixing mistakes.

• Hours: The office is open Monday to Friday. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time. They close on state holidays. If you visit, try to arrive before 3:30 PM or 3:45 PM for same-day service. Same-day service is not guaranteed late in the day.

Eligibility for Requesting a Kentucky Birth Certificate

Who can get a copy of a Kentucky birth certificate? Kentucky law protects these records. Access is limited. You can always get your own birth certificate. Close family members can usually get one too. This often means parents, spouse, children, grandparents, or siblings. A legal guardian may also ask. You must show who you are when you ask.

You need to provide valid photo ID. This proves you are who you say you are. OVS accepts these types of ID:

• State Issued Photo Driver's License

• State Issued Photo Identification Card

• U.S. Passport

• Foreign Passport

• U.S. Military ID Card

If you ask for someone else’s record, you might need proof of relationship. This shows you have a right to get the record. Examples could be a marriage certificate to prove spouse. Or your own birth certificate to prove parent or child link. The official OVS website 1 does not list the exact proof needed for each case. Be ready to show documents if asked. 

Information Required for a Kentucky Birth Records Search

To find the right record, OVS needs key facts. Make sure you have this info for the person whose record you need:

• Full name at birth (First, Middle, Last)

• Date of birth (Month, Day, Year)

• County of birth in Kentucky

• Mother's full maiden name (Her name before marriage)

• Father's full name (If listed on the record)

You also need to provide your own details when you apply:

• Your full name

• Your complete mailing address (where the certificate should be sent)

• Your phone number (where OVS can reach you during business hours)

• Your relationship to the person named on the certificate (e.g., self, parent, spouse)

• How many copies you need

Having all this info ready helps OVS process your request fast. Missing facts can cause delays. Check your application form closely. Make sure all spellings and dates are right. This helps ensure you get the correct record.

How to Order Kentucky Birth Certificates (1911-Present)

Kentucky offers many ways to order a birth certificate from OVS. Choose the one that works best for you. Records are for births from 1911 on.

• Online: The fastest way for many is online. OVS uses a partner company called VitalChek. Go to their site: www.vitalchek.com. This is the only approved online site. You will need a credit or debit card to pay. VitalChek may charge extra fees for their service. You can choose regular mail delivery. Or you might pick faster shipping for a higher cost. They also offer a Will-Call service. You order online then pick up the record at the OVS office in Frankfort. Bring your ID and proof of your order for pickup.

• By Mail: You can order by mail. First, get the application form. Download and print it here: Birth Certificate Application PDF. Fill out the form fully. Include a check or money order for the fee. Make it payable to "Kentucky State Treasurer". Do not send cash. Mail the form and payment to: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Mail orders take longer to process.

• In Person: Visit the OVS office in Frankfort. The address is 275 East Main Street. You can fill out an application there. Bring your photo ID. Bring payment (check or money order). If you arrive between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM (or 3:45 PM) ET, Monday-Friday, you might get the certificate the same day. Same-day service is not guaranteed.

• By Phone: You can order by phone through VitalChek. Call toll free at (800) 241-8322. Follow the prompts. You need a major credit or debit card. There are extra fees for phone orders.

• OVS Drop Box: There is a drop box outside the OVS building. The address is 275 E. Main St., Frankfort, KY 40621. You can find blank applications at the box. Fill one out. Put it in an envelope with your check or money order. Drop it in the box. This works like a mail order but saves postage.

Local Health Departments across Kentucky can help too. They often have application forms. They can answer some questions. But they cannot issue the official birth certificate copies. You must order from the state OVS.

Costs and Timelines for Kentucky Birth Certificates

Getting a certified copy of a Kentucky birth certificate costs money. The fee set by the state is $10 per copy. This fee pays for the search for the record. It is non-refundable, even if no record is found. If you order more than one copy at the same time, each copy costs $10.

Payment methods depend on how you order:

• Mail or Drop Box: Use a check or money order. Make it payable to "Kentucky State Treasurer".

• In Person: Check or money order payable to "Kentucky State Treasurer".

• Online or Phone (VitalChek): Credit card or debit card. VitalChek may add its own service fees.

How long does it take? Processing times vary:

• In Person: Often same day if you apply before the mid-afternoon cut-off (around 3:30 PM ET). Not guaranteed.

• Mail or Drop Box: Usually filled within 5 to 7 business days. However, allow up to 30 working days, just in case. Peak seasons can cause longer delays. This happens often when school starts or for sports sign-ups.

• Online or Phone (VitalChek): Processing times vary. VitalChek often processes orders faster than mail. They offer options like next-day service through UPS for extra fees. Check their site for current times.

Plan ahead if you need a birth certificate by a certain date. Order early to avoid stress from delays. This is key for events like getting a passport, driver's license, or school entry.

Accessing Kentucky Birth Records Before 1911

What if the birth happened before 1911? The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) does not hold those records. Kentucky did not require statewide birth registration until 1911. For older records, you need to contact the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). KDLA is the state archive. They have some older vital records.

KDLA holds some birth records dating from 1852 to 1910. Not all counties are complete for all years. Coverage varies a lot. KDLA has lists of the pre-1911 birth records they hold. You can check these lists online:

• List of Birth Records by County (1852-1910)

• List of Birth Records by City (1852-1910)

To request a pre-1911 birth record from KDLA:

• Online: Use the KDLA online records request system. Visit their Requesting Records page: https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Pages/Records-Requests.aspx. Follow the links to the online order form. There might be a research fee.

• Mail: Download a paper request form from the KDLA site if you prefer not to order online or pay by card. Fill it out. Mail it with a check or money order for any required fees. Make payment to the "Kentucky State Treasurer". Mail to: Archives Research Room, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, P.O. Box 537, Frankfort, KY 40602. Or use the street address: 300 Coffee Tree Road, Frankfort, KY 40601.

KDLA research may have fees. Copy charges (like 25 cents per page) and postage may apply if many pages are found. Mail requests to KDLA can take 4 to 6 weeks to process. Contact KDLA directly for their current fees and policies.

Handling Special Birth Record Situations

Sometimes finding or using a birth record involves special steps. Here are a few common situations:

• Delayed Birth Registration: What if a birth after 1911 was never registered? Kentucky law allows for delayed registration. The process depends on how old the person is now. If under age 7, it may be simpler. If over age 7, it requires Form VS-B-5, "Established Certificate of Birth and Affidavits". You need affidavits from older relatives or non-relatives. You also need supporting documents showing birth date, place, and parents. Examples include old school records, census records, church records, or marriage applications. The rules are in regulation 901 KAR 5:020. Contact OVS at (502) 564-4212 for help with this process.

• Amending Birth Certificates: Found a mistake on a birth certificate? You can request a correction or amendment. This could be for a typo, a name change after adoption, or adding a father's name. The process depends on the type of change. It is governed by regulation 901 KAR 5:070. Contact OVS at (502) 564-4212 to learn the specific steps and forms needed for your situation.

• Foreign Birth / Adoption: If a child born outside the U.S. is adopted by Kentucky residents, a Kentucky Certificate of Foreign Birth may be established. OVS has a specific process for this. Find more information on the OVS Foreign Birth page: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/foreign-birth.aspx.

• Establishing Paternity: If parents are not married when a child is born, the father's name might not be on the birth certificate. Paternity can be established later. Often, parents sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAoP) form. This can sometimes be done at the hospital. Or it can be done later, often with help from the local health department or Child Support Enforcement office. Adding a father later may require amending the birth certificate.

Contact the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics for guidance on any complex situation. Their staff can explain the required steps and forms based on state law and regulations.

Kentucky Laws on Birth Record Access

Kentucky state law governs who can access birth records. The main law is found in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). Specifically, KRS 213.131 addresses the inspection and confidentiality of vital records. The goal is to protect people's privacy and ensure records are used properly.

Key points from the law include:

• Birth records are generally confidential. It is unlawful for someone to permit inspection or disclose information unless allowed by law or regulation.

• Records become public information much later. For birth records, this happens 100 years after the date of birth. Once public, the records held by the state registrar are available following state regulations. Older records held by KDLA may have different access rules.

• The State Registrar must create an annual list of all births registered in the past year. This list includes the person's name, mother's maiden name, and date and county of birth. This specific list is an open record for the public to inspect.

• The Cabinet for Health and Family Services can allow use of vital records data for research or official administrative needs. But, personal identifying information must be removed or withheld.

These laws balance the need for privacy with the public's right to access older information or limited current data. When you request a birth certificate, OVS follows these laws and related regulations (Title 901, Chapter 5 of Kentucky Administrative Regulations) to determine if you are eligible to receive a copy.

More Resources

Kentucky Public Records | Kentucky Marriage Records | Kentucky Divorce Records