Kentucky Divorce Records

Kentucky Divorce Records Information

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services works with the Kentucky Vital Statistics office to provide public records for those with a need or interest. Kentucky divorce records are easily obtained by visiting, calling, or writing into the office to obtain the record you need. The Vital Statistics office does not file divorce records prior to 1958, which means tracing family ancestry is not something you can do in this office. For records older, you?ll need to obtain them from the Clerk of Court?s office in the county where the divorce took place. They are the only entities in Kentucky holding onto records dated prior to 1958.

Kentucky Divorce Records Through Vital Statistics

Anyone is free to visit the vital statistics office in Frankfort Kentucky to ask for vital records, including Kentucky divorce records. These records are a matter of public record, which means anyone can see a copy or obtain an unofficial divorce record copy in any capacity. There is a small fee for each record, but the fee is dependent on how you order the record, how you pay for it, and how quickly you want to obtain the record.

Vital Statistics will only provide divorce records to individuals who provide the following information:

– Name
– Photo identification
– Mailing address
– Names of both parties listed on the divorce record
– County and city where the divorce took place

Requests through the mail must contain a written request along with a check in the amount of your total order, and a copy of your valid photo identification. If you make your request for a copy of a divorce certificate over the phone, you?ll need to mail in your photo identification and payment. In person requests are usually handled the same day, but there is a cut-off time in the afternoon for same-day service. Other requests take as long as 30 days to process.

Certified Copies of Kentucky Divorce Records

If you need to obtain a certified copy for legal reasons, you?ll need to do so through the Kentucky county court clerk?s office in the county your divorce took place. You must also be someone listed on the divorce paperwork, or you must be the parent or child of someone listed on the divorce certificate to have a certified copy presented to you.

If you?d like to view a divorce record, the best way to do so is through the county clerk and the website the office maintains. All county clerk websites offer a public record link that allows you to use the names of the parties in the divorce to perform a search. You need only one name of one person who was involved in the marriage to do this. The result is available immediately, and it?s for anyone to view. It cannot be used in any legal manner, and it?s only for public viewing online. This is not a certified copy, nor can it be used as one anywhere in Kentucky or any other surrounding states.