Introduction to Kentucky Marriage Certificates

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

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

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

Kentucky Marriage Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

Kentucky Marriage Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Currently, the Office of Vital Statistics does allow requests for genealogical research. Pre-1940 records may be requested by an individual related as at least a cousin. Post 1940 records must be requested by an immediate family member.

Kentucky Marriage Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Kentucky Marriage Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Kentucky Marriage Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Kentucky Marriage 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 Marriage Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Kentucky Marriage certificate online.  It usually takes 30 business days upon receipt of genealogy request to be sent to you.  For certified Marriage 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 Marriage certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Kentucky Marriage certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Kentucky Marriage certificate
• Date of Marriage on the Kentucky Marriage certificate
• County (or city) of Marriage on the Kentucky Marriage certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Kentucky Marriage certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Kentucky Marriage 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 Marriage certificate. Most Kentucky Marriage certificates can be issued while you wait.

Kentucky Marriage Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Kentucky Marriage certificate is $6.00, which includes one certified copy of the Kentucky Marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Kentucky Marriage 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.