Introduction to Kentucky Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Kentucky Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.

Kentucky Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics for individuals divorced in the state of Kentucky since 1958.

Kentucky Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Kentucky state law, Kentucky Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Kentucky Divorce Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Kentucky Divorce Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized person of individual named on the Kentucky Divorce certificate

Kentucky Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics cannot by law, provide free 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 Vital Statistics office will, upon receiving the application and fee, perform a search of the records and if a certificate is on file, it will be mailed to you. The required fee covers the cost of the record search and no refunds are issued if a certificate is not found. The office does not issue non-certified copies or photocopies of certificates.

Kentucky Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Kentucky Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Kentucky Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Kentucky Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Kentucky Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Kentucky Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 30 business days upon receipt of genealogy request to be sent to you.  For certified Divorce certificate request delivery may take 6-8 weeks:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Kentucky Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Kentucky Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Kentucky Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Kentucky Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Kentucky Divorce certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Kentucky Divorce certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Kentucky Divorce certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Kentucky Vital Statistics  

275 East Main Street 1E-A

Frankfort, KY 40621

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Kentucky: You may go to any county health department in the State of Kentucky to obtain a certified copy of a Kentucky Divorce certificate. Most Kentucky Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Kentucky Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Kentucky Divorce certificate is $6.00, which includes one certified copy of the Kentucky Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Kentucky Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $6.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Kentucky State Treasurer." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.