Kenton County Divorce Records

Thank you for coming here to find help with your Kenton County Divorce Records search. We aim to give you the best guide. We want to make your search easy. This page offers key details for you.

If you need to start your Kenton County Divorce Records search now, go to: https://kentuckyofficialrecords.com/kenton-county-divorce-records/. This resource can help you begin finding the records you seek right away. Many find it a good place to start their search for official details. You might also find helpful data through state portals like https://kentuckypublicrecords.com/, which gather public record information across Kentucky. These links provide paths to begin looking for divorce information filed within the county.

Understanding Kenton County Divorce Records

What Are Divorce Records?

Divorce records show that a marriage has ended by law. In Kentucky, these are also called dissolution of marriage records. There are two main types of records you might seek. One is the full divorce decree. The other is a divorce certificate. The divorce decree is the full court order. It has all the details. The divorce certificate is a vital record. It just confirms the divorce happened. It lists basic facts like names and dates. Which one you need depends on why you need it. For legal needs, the decree is often best. For proof of divorce, a certificate may work.

Information Found in Records

A full divorce decree from the Kenton County Circuit Court has much detail. It lists the full names of both people. It shows the case number. It gives the date the divorce was final. It often includes orders about child custody. It can detail child support plans. Spousal support or alimony terms are listed. The decree also explains how property was split. This includes homes, cars, and bank funds. It may list debt division too. A divorce certificate from the state has less detail. It shows the names of the spouses. It lists the date of divorce. It notes the county where the divorce was granted, Kenton County. This certificate proves the divorce took place. You get certificates from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Decrees come from the court clerk.

How to Access Kenton County Divorce Records

You can find divorce information in two main places. Certified divorce certificates come from the state. Full divorce case files, or decrees, come from the county court clerk.

Searching for Divorce Certificates (OVS)

Who Holds the Records?

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) keeps divorce certificates. They only have records from June 1958 to the present day. If the divorce was before June 1958, OVS will not have it. You must contact the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk for older records. OVS is part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Their main office is in Frankfort. They issue certified copies useful for many official tasks. These are not the full court orders. They only confirm the divorce.

Methods to Request Certificates

You have a few ways to ask for a divorce certificate from OVS. Each method has steps and costs.

• Mail-in Request: You can mail a request form. Download the Application for Marriage/Divorce Certificate (Form VS-230) from the OVS website. Find it under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services site: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/Forms.aspx. Fill it out fully. Include payment. Mail it to: Vital Statistics 275 East Main St 1E-A Frankfort, KY 40621 Mail requests can take up to 30 days to process. Payment must be a check or money order.

• Walk-in Request: You can visit the OVS office in Frankfort. The address is 275 East Main St 1E-A. Walk-in requests are often processed faster, sometimes within an hour. But delays can happen. You must pay with a check or money order at the time of your visit. Bring ID. Be sure to check their current hours before you go.

• Telephone Request: Call 1-800-241-8322. Choose Option 1. You must use a major credit card to pay. There is an extra fee for phone orders. Processing takes about four to five business days. Mail delivery time adds to this. This is a quick way if you have a credit card.

• Online Request: You can order online through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com/. This service works for all states. VitalChek charges an extra fee for their service. This is often the fastest way. But it costs more.

Information Needed for OVS Request

To get a divorce certificate from OVS, you need key details. You must give the full names of both spouses. Include the wife's maiden name if you know it. You need the exact date of the divorce (month, day, year). You must state the county where the divorce was granted (Kenton). Tell them how many copies you need. Give your full name. Provide your mailing address. Include a phone number where they can reach you during business hours (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM). The cost is $6.00 per certified copy. Pay by check or money order for mail or walk-in. Credit cards work for phone or VitalChek orders. Make checks payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

Searching for Divorce Decrees (Court Files)

Who Holds the Records?

The Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk keeps the official court case files. These files contain the full divorce decree. This document has all the details and final orders from the judge. The Circuit Court Clerk's office handles all family court records. This includes divorce cases. Records are stored based on their age. Recent files are kept locally. Very old files are sent to state storage.

Accessing Recent Records (Under 15 Years)

Divorce records less than 15 years old are held at the local clerk's office. You can access these in a few ways.

• In-Person Visit: You can go to the Clerk's office. The office is in the Kenton County Justice Center.
  
  

  • Address: 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011

  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed on holidays)

  • Phone: 859-292-6523

• You can search records there. You can view files. You can ask for copies. Bring your ID. Be ready to pay copy fees. It costs $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or card (fees apply for cards). Checks are held for 10 days to clear.
  
  

• Mail Request: You can mail a request to the Clerk's office. Write a letter asking for the divorce record. Include the names of both parties. Give the approximate date of the divorce if you know it. Include the case number if possible. State clearly what you need (e.g., full decree). Include your contact info. Send the request to the address above. Call the office first to confirm the process. Ask about fees and how to pay by mail. You will need to pay for copies and postage.
  
  

• Online Court Dockets: Some case information might be online. Check the Kentucky Court of Justice website: https://kycourts.gov/. They have portals to search court dockets. You might find case numbers or basic details. Full documents are usually not free online. You may need to use the clerk's request tool or visit in person. The state site also has links to pay court fees online (ePay).
  
  

Accessing Older Records

If the divorce happened long ago, the records are not at the local clerk's office.

• Records 15-35 Years Old: These files are at the State Records Center. You cannot search just by name. You need the case number and locator number first. Get these numbers from the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk's office. Then fill out the records request form found on the kycourts.gov site under record requests. Submit the form to state.records@ky.gov. Or call 502-564-3617. Fees apply for copies.

• Records 36+ Years Old: These very old records are kept by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). Contact KDLA to ask about these records. Email them at kdla.archives@ky.gov. Or call 502-564-1787. They can tell you how to search and get copies. Fees will apply here too.