Kentucky Divorce Records 

Thank you for coming here for help. We want to assist you with your Kentucky divorce records search. Our goal is to give you the facts you need. We will guide you to the right place. Let us help you find the divorce record you seek.

If you need to begin your search now, visit https://kentuckyofficialrecords.com/divorce-records/. This site can help you start looking for records right away. Finding divorce records can take time. Using the right tools helps speed things up. Be sure you have key facts like names and dates ready. This makes the search go much faster for you. Good luck with your search process.

Finding Kentucky Divorce Records

You need to know where to look for these records. The correct office depends on the record type. It also depends on the date of the divorce. Knowing this saves you time and effort. Two main places hold these records. The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics is one. The local Circuit Court Clerk is the other main place. For quick checks on public data, resources like https://kentuckypublicrecords.com/ can offer starting points. But official copies come from state or county offices. Plan your search based on what you need.

Key Offices for Your Search

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics holds some divorce information. They have divorce certificates from June 1958 to now. These show basic facts about the divorce. They do not hold the full court document. For the full divorce decree, you need a different office. You must contact the Circuit Court Clerk. This is true for all divorce dates. The Clerk’s office is in the county where the divorce took place. They also hold divorce certificates from before June 1958. So, the county clerk is key for older records and full decrees.

Understanding Record Types

You can get two main types of divorce records in Kentucky. A divorce certificate is a simple document. It usually lists the names of the people divorced. It shows the date the divorce was final. It also shows the county where it happened. The Office of Vital Statistics issues these for divorces since June 1958. They are good for proof of divorce. But they lack full details.

A divorce decree is the official court judgment. This is the full document signed by the judge. It includes all terms of the divorce. This can cover child custody terms. It lists property division details. It may include support payment orders. Decrees hold much more data than certificates. You can only get a copy of the decree from the Circuit Court Clerk. This applies to the county where the judge granted the divorce. This is the record needed for legal matters often. Be sure which type you need before you ask.

Online Search Tools and Resources

Kentucky does not have one main website for all divorce records. You cannot view full divorce decrees online easily. But, some online tools can help parts of your search. The Kentucky Court of Justice (KCOJ) offers a case search tool. You might find limited case data here. Select "Civil" cases to look. This may show case numbers or party names. It might show dates related to the case. However, this info is often not enough for official use. It will not give you the full decree details. These online court searches offer clues, not full records. You still need to contact the right office for official copies. Some public record sites may offer search help too. But always confirm facts with official sources.

How to Get Kentucky Divorce Records

Getting copies involves specific steps. You must contact the correct agency. You need to provide certain facts. Fees often apply to get certified copies. Know the process for each office. This will make your request smooth. Follow the steps for Vital Statistics or the Circuit Clerk.

From the Office of Vital Statistics (Certificates June 1958+)

This office provides divorce certificates for divorces finalized from June 1958 onward. You need to give them enough information to find the record. This usually includes the full names of both people involved. The date of the divorce helps greatly. The county where the divorce occurred is also key. Without these facts, they may not find the record. Know what info they need first.

There are several ways to request a certificate:

• Mail: You can send a request by mail. Use a check or money order for payment. Make it payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Send it to: Office of Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. Mail requests can take up to 30 working days. You should use their official form if one is available online. Check their site for the latest form.

• Phone: You can call them toll-free at (800) 241-8322. Choose option 1 for vital records. You must pay with a credit card for phone orders. They accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. An extra fee applies for card use. This method is often faster than mail for processing.

• In-Person: Visit their office in Frankfort. The address is 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. They accept walk-in requests on weekdays. Hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for same-day service. Check current hours before you go. Payment can be cash, check, or money order. Bring ID with you.

The fee for a certified copy is set by the state. Check the Office of Vital Statistics website or call (502) 564-4212 for current fees. The fee is per copy. Expect mail requests to take about 30 working days after payment posts. Phone and walk-in can be quicker if the record is ready. They do not issue non-certified copies.

From the Circuit Court Clerk (Decrees & Pre-1958 Certificates)

To get a full divorce decree, contact the Circuit Court Clerk. This is true for any year. They also hold divorce certificates from before June 1958. You must contact the clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. Each county has its own clerk's office. Their procedures might differ slightly. It is vital to find the correct county first. Use the Find a Court/Circuit Court Clerk by County tool on the KCOJ website. This gives you contact details for each county clerk.

You will need to provide key information for the search. Give the full names of both parties. The date of the divorce is very helpful. A case number, if known, speeds up the process. The clerk's office needs these facts to locate the file. Some counties may have specific request forms. Check the county clerk's website or call them. For example, the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk handles requests via email. You send details to [email address removed]. Always include names, dates of birth if possible, and the case timeframe.

Costs for copies vary by county. There might be a per-page fee. There could be a flat search fee. Certification adds an extra cost. Jefferson County charges $0.25 per page in person. Mailed copies cost $10 for up to 18 pages. Certification is $5 per copy. Payment types also vary. Cash, money orders, or cashier's checks are common. Some clerks now take credit cards, maybe with a fee. Personal checks are often not accepted. Always ask the specific clerk about fees and payment options. Their contact info is on the KCOJ site.

Accessing Older Divorce Court Files

Court records are kept for many years. Where they are stored depends on their age. Different offices handle records based on how old they are. You need to know the age of the case. This tells you who to contact. Records move over time.

Records Aged 15-35 Years

Court case files between 15 and 35 years old are stored off-site. They are held at the State Records Center. You cannot get these directly from the local Circuit Clerk. You must request them from the center. You need a specific form for this. Submit the records request form to [email address removed]. You can also call them at 502-564-3617.

A key point for these records exists. You must provide the case number and locator number. The State Records Center cannot search only by name. If you do not have these numbers, you must get them first. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case was handled. Ask them for the case and locator numbers for the old file. Once you have these numbers, submit your request to the State Records Center. They will then retrieve the file for you. Fees may apply for copies. Ask the center about costs.

Records Older Than 35 Years

Divorce case files older than 35 years move again. They go to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). KDLA manages the state's archival records. This includes very old court cases. To request these old divorce records, contact KDLA's archives staff. You can email them at [email address removed]. Or you can call them at 502-564-1787.

Provide as much detail as you can. Include names, the county, and approximate dates. KDLA staff can help search their holdings. Fees likely apply for research and copies. Ask KDLA about their fee schedule. Accessing these very old records takes time. Be patient during the search process. They hold important history.

Kentucky Divorce Records: Access Rules

State law governs access to public records. This includes divorce records held by courts and state agencies. Most divorce records are public information. But there are some rules and limits. Understand these rules before you ask.

Public Access and the Law

The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 et seq.) grants public access rights. It states that most government records are open for inspection. This generally includes divorce certificates and decrees after they are filed. Anyone can request these public records. You usually do not need to state why you want them. The law aims for open government.

Most adult members of the public can obtain Kentucky divorce records. There are few restrictions on who can ask. You just need to provide enough detail for the office to find the record. Follow the proper request procedure for the agency holding the record. Pay any required fees for copies. Access is meant to be broad under the law.

When Records Are Not Public

Not all records are open. The Open Records Act lists exemptions (KRS 61.878). Some information in a divorce file might be protected. This could include Social Security numbers or bank details. Sometimes, a judge may order a divorce record sealed. This makes it non-public.

A party must ask the court to seal a record. They need a strong reason. For example, to protect a child's safety. Or to guard sensitive business data. The judge holds a hearing on the request. They decide if sealing is needed. If sealed, the record is removed from public view. Only the parties or those with a court order can see it then. Sealed records are rare but possible. Assume records are public unless told otherwise or if a judge sealed them.

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