Kentucky Birth Records

Are Birth Records Public in Kentucky

Per KRS 213.131 (5), birth records in the custody of the state registrar are not public records until 100 years after the date of birth. Hence, only registrants, parents, guardians, immediate family members, and legal representatives can assess birth records within 100 years of a person’s birth. Public birth records only become available when 100 years have elapsed. Record seekers can request Kentucky birth certificates online, by mail, on-site drop box, and in person (walk-in services are available) from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). The OVS is the official government organization that maintains records of vital events in the state. Hence, record seekers can review information on vital records like birth records, marriage records, death records, and divorce records on their official website. The OVS offers expedited service without additional costs to record seekers that visit the office before 3.30 pm. A record seeker can experience fast online orders, but it includes next-day service.

What are Birth Records in Kentucky?

Birth records in Kentucky are official records of births that occur within the state boundary. The data obtained from collecting birth records helps the state in formulating policies to favor its citizens. Statewide recording of births began in 1911, even though there were attempts at recording births in the 1850s. Kentucky statutes recommend registering all birth events in the state with the State Registrar at the Kentucky birth registry within five days after birth. After the completion of the registration process, birth records are made available to persons named on them or other authorized persons like record holders, parents, immediate family members, and legal representatives upon request. The information found in a typical Kentucky birth record include:

• Child’s full names
• Child’s gender
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city, county, and state)
• Mother’s full names (including maiden name)
• Father’s full names

The inclusion of the father’s name on Kentucky birth records depends on certain factors. If a child’s parents were not married at birth or any time within ten months before birth, the father’s name will not be entered on the child's birth record. To have the father’s name on the record, an acknowledgment of paternity must be provided in addition to the mother’s consent. A Kentucky birth record is required to process vital documents such as passports and driver’s licenses. It is also proof of citizenship. Certified copies of birth records are also required for school registration, social security registration, and personal identification in Kentucky.

Kentucky criminalizes altering, forging, and amending birth certificates unlawfully. The state also disapproves of the act of intentionally providing wrong information in the process of obtaining birth records. It is regarded as Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a 12-month jail term and fines not exceeding $500.

Individuals can inspect or obtain copies of birth records from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). This official government organization allows record seekers to access birth records online, in person, by mail, and on-site drop box. The OVS also maintains records of other vital events like death, marriage, death, and divorce. This allows record seekers to be able to review marriage records, death records, and divorce records on the OVS official website. Note that online orders of vital records are available in Kentucky.

Where to Find Public Birth Records in Kentucky

Record seekers can find Kentucky public birth records of birth from 1911 to the present at the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). These records can be obtained online (through a third-party online vendor), in-person, by mail, or by on-site drop box. Walk-in services are usually between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Meanwhile, in-person applicants will enjoy expedited service if they submit their orders at the office before 3.30 p.m.

Records before 1911 can be found at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) office, which is an official government organization that maintains records of all vital events. In addition, record seekers can conduct a search online to obtain Kentucky public birth records or complete a Birth Record Request Form and mail it to:

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
P.O. Box 537
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40602
Phone: (502) 564-8300
Fax: (502) 564-5773

Record seekers can also find marriage records, death records, and divorce records on the KDLA’S official website. For instance, a requester can search for a death certificate online using the KDLA Records Ordering System.

How to Find and Request Birth Records Online in Kentucky

In Kentucky, interested individuals can look up and obtain birth records registered before 1911 at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) at a cost. The acceptable means of payment is a credit card. Records of Kentucky births from 1911 till date are not public records and, as such, are not available online. However, eligible applicants can order Kentucky birth records online via licensed third-party online vendors.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, public records are available through both traditional, government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

• The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
• The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government-sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

How to Get Birth Records in Kentucky

To obtain birth records for live birth events in Kentucky, requesters are required to complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate Form. They must also provide the following information:

• Full name at birth of the person named on the record
• The correct date of birth (day, month, and year)
• Place of birth
• Mother's full name (including maiden name)
• The father's name

Kentucky also issues certified copies of birth records for stillbirths. The state classifies deaths of fetuses that completed a gestation period of 20 weeks or more as stillbirths. To obtain birth certificates for stillbirths, applicants must complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Stillbirth Certificate.

Applicants must ensure to provide accurate information when completing application forms. For ease of delivery, in the case of a mail-in request, a requester should provide the following information:

• Requester’s name and address
• Day time telephone number
• Number of copies of birth records requested

Requesters must also include clear photocopies of photo identification documents in their Kentucky birth certificate applications. Some of the approved identification documents are:

• Driver’s license issued by the State of Kentucky
• Kentucky personal identification card
• Any other government-issued photo identification

Completed applications and supporting documentation can be submitted in person or by mail. Most Kentucky birth record requests submitted in person are processed and fulfilled on the same day.

Where Can I Find Birth Records in Kentucky?

Kentucky birth records are issued by the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS), a division of the Department for Public Health (DPH). The OVS maintains and issues birth records registered since 1911 to date. Members of the public can submit their requests for certified copies of Kentucky birth records in person or by mail at/to the OVS. Local County Health Departments in Kentucky do not issue certified copies of birth records. Requesters can only pick up Kentucky birth certificate application forms at the different County Health Departments and submit them to the OVS.

Walk-In Requests – OVS

Completed applications and supporting documentation may be submitted in person to the OVS at:

Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

The OVS provides walk-in services between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Expedited services are only available for individuals who submit their orders no later than 3.30 pm. The office does not open on public holidays.

OVS Drop Box

Requesters can submit applications for birth records requests using dropbox. They should drop their applications, with payments enclosed, in the box and have the requested birth records dispatched to them by mail. Applicants who have not downloaded the Kentucky birth certificate application form before visiting the OVS can use blank application forms available at the dropbox spot. The dropbox is located at the visitors’ entrance of the OVS’ office.

Mail-In Requests

Interested and eligible applicants can submit birth records requests by mail to the OVS. Supporting documentation, self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment proof should be enclosed with a completed application and sent to:

Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

Applicants should remember to clearly state their return addresses on the envelopes and the application forms.

A record seeker can also find a Kentucky marriage certificate, divorce certificate, and death certificate online, by mail, in-person, and onsite dropbox via the OVS.

Can Anyone Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Kentucky?

Not everyone can obtain birth certificates in Kentucky because birth records are not public records. They only become publicly available after 100 years of registration. While they are sealed, certified copies of birth records can only be obtained by:

• Persons named on the certificates and are above 18 years (Registrants)
• Parents of the registrants
• Legal guardians of registrants
• Members of registrants’ immediate families such as current spouses, siblings, children, grandparents, and grandchildren.
• Legal representatives
• Law enforcement officers or representatives of government agencies
• Persons authorized by the court to obtain birth records

How Much Does a Birth Certificate Cost in Kentucky?

Persons applying for birth records in person at the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) will pay a non-refundable fee of $10 for each copy of the certificate ordered. The OVS charges $10 for each copy of a live birth certificate requested by mail. Additional copies of a birth certificate in the same application attracts $10 each. Mail-in requesters must make payments by checks or money orders made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Birth certificates are typically the most expensive vital records to get. Kentucky marriage certificate, death certificate, and divorce certificate only cost $6 each.

The cost of obtaining birth certificates for stillbirths is $6 for each copy requested. For certified copies of birth records registered before 1911, the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) charges varying prices. In-state requesters pay a nonrefundable fee of $10 per document requested, while those applying outside Kentucky pay $15 per copy. Additional copies of birth records at the KDLA attract a fee of 25¢ per copy or 50¢ per microfilm. The KDLA also charges additional postal fees for requesters ordering more than 20 copies of Kentucky birth records and ten microfilms.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate in Kentucky?

The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) fulfill birth records applications submitted in person at their office location before 3:30 p.m. on the same day. Requests submitted after 3:30 p.m. are processed on the next business day. While the OVS strives to process birth record requests on the same day, it does not guarantee the same for requesters seeking to obtain more than ten certified copies of birth records. Such requests are typically processed within five business days.

Applications submitted by mail and via dropbox are usually processed between five to seven business days from the date of receipt by the OVS. Requests for Kentucky birth records registered before 1911 at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) are processed and delivered within four to six weeks.

How to Get a New Birth Certificate in Kentucky

New birth certificates containing birth location, hospital, and name of the midwife or doctor are usually issued when adoption occurs in Kentucky. These new birth certificates are available to authorize few and can be obtained online, by mail, on-site drop box, and in person from the Kentucky Vital Records Office.

Individuals who need to amend their Kentucky birth certificates can also obtain new ones by calling (502) 564-4212 and asking to speak with the Birth Amendment Unit supervisor. Parents who notice any incorrect or missing information on their children’s birth certificates should return the incorrect certificates to OVS. Other documents that must be submitted alongside the incorrect birth certificate are the required amendment document(s) and a signed-and-dated statement explaining why the certificate has been returned. A new certificate will be provided after the completion of the amendment process. Note that parents do not need to submit a Kentucky marriage certificate to obtain new birth certificates for their children.

Can You Find Kentucky Birth Certificates Online?

Yes. Record seekers can find Kentucky birth certificates online through a third-party online vendor approved by the Kentucky Vital Records Office. Alternatively, requesters can find birth certificates using the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) Records Ordering System. This tool can also be used to obtain divorce, marriage, and death certificates online.

How to Expunge Your Birth Records in Kentucky

Expungement of a record is the removal of all or part of that record. Once expunged, it is assumed the event that birthed such a document never occurred. Kentucky currently does not expunge birth records. The expungement types in Kentucky statutes all point to the destruction of criminal records.

How to Seal Your Birth Records in Kentucky

Birth records are automatically sealed in Kentucky. The public does not have access to birth records until after 100 years of the registrant’s birth registration. Kentucky birth records only become public records after 100 years and are accessible at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). Adoption records are sealed in Kentucky, except a court order permits them to be accessed. Hence, adoptive parents are not required to file for a petition to seal adoption records. The completion of an adoption process gives way to sealing an adoptee’s original birth certificate and other documents generated during the adoption proceedings. As a part of this process, adoptive parents are usually issued amended birth certificates. Such birth certificates bear the names of adoptive parents as the legal parents of adoptees.

How to Unseal Your Birth Records in Kentucky

Adoptees in Kentucky age 18 years and above are only granted access to their original birth records if permitted by the birth parents. At the end of any adoption process, birth parents must do two things and notify the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) about them. These are:

• To permit an adoptee to contact them or not in the future
• To give an adoptee the right to inspect Kentucky adoption records or deny them the liberty to do so

The decision made by birth parents on these two issues is included in the adoptees’ files and sealed with other adoption documents. Any adoptee seeking to obtain their original birth certificate must first get an order from the Circuit Court where the adoption was finalized. Adoptees whose parents have given their written consents can inspect their Kentucky adoption records and can obtain copies of their original birth certificates. If birth parents did not leave a written permission in an adoptee’s file, the adoptee can obtain a court order to unseal the birth record. In this instance, the court order will instruct the secretary of the CHFS to search for the birth parents within seven days of receiving the adoptees’ application. The CHFS has up to six months to find the birth parents and either secure their consent or confirm their insistence on dissent. Kentucky statutes prohibit contacting birth parents by mail in such situations. The CHFS must make attempts to see the birth parents in person and have them file affidavits with the court that they were contacted. The information that should be entered in such affidavits include:

• The information requested by the adult adoptee
• The date on the request submitted by the adult adoptee
• The right of birth parents to file, within sixty days of receipt of the notice, an affidavit with the Circuit Court stating that the adoptee is authorized to inspect all papers and the adoption proceedings
• The right of the biological parents to file at any other time an affidavit permitting the adoptee to inspect all papers and records of the adoption proceedings
• The right of the birth parents to file an affidavit with the Circuit Court stating that all papers and records of the adoption proceedings shall not be open for inspection

If the CHFS is unable to locate the birth parents or finds out that they are deceased, the court will rule in favor of the adoptee. It will grant the adoptee permission to inspect the Kentucky adoption records. The CHFS is empowered to charge the adoptee an amount not exceeding $250 for the record search.

Who Signs Birth and Death Certificates in Kentucky?

Per Section 213.046 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the physician or any other person in attendance signs birth certificates of birth that occur within the confines or en route to the hospital. If the physician or other people in attendance cannot sign the birth certificate, the person in charge of the institution will sign it. When a birth occurs outside a hospital, the birth certificate will be signed by any of the following in the order of priority:

• The physician who was present at or after the birth.
• If the physician is absent, anybody in attendance at or immediately after the birth.
• In the absence of such a person, the father or the mother of the child
• In a case where the father or mother cannot sign the certificate, the person managing the premises where the birth occurred or of the institution to which the child was admitted after the birth can sign it.

Per Section 213.076 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, if a person dies within the hospital, the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, dentist, or chiropractor in charge of the person before their death will sign the death certificate. In the absence of any of these persons, the death certificate can be signed by:

• Their associates, or
• The chief medical officer of the institution in which the death occurred, or
• The physician who performed an autopsy on the deceased, or
• A physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse employed by the local health department.

If the death occured outside an institution, the funeral director would file the deceased’s death certificate with the local registrar. The person with whom the death certificate was filed will sign it. If the death happens 36 hours after the deceased was last attended to or treated by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, dentist, or chiropractor, the death certificate will be signed by a coroner after an investigation has been carried out. If the coroner cannot sign it, and there is no deputy, the county judge/executive will appoint a competent person to sign the death certificate. A Record seeker can order a death certificate online, in-person, by mail, through the OVS on-site drop box, and KY-EDRS (for funeral homes only) at the Kentucky Vital Records Office.

What is a Kentucky Birth Index?

Kentucky birth index is a database that contains records of birth that occur in the state. It reveals a person's full name, gender, date and county of birth, and mother's maiden name. For instance, Department for Libraries and Archives has a Kentucky birth index where individuals can find information regarding births that occured before 1911.