Get your certified Kentucky Birth Certificate

How to Get a Kentucky Birth Certificate Without ID?

The Kentucky CHFS-OVS generally does not require applicants to provide a photocopy of their identification when requesting certified copies of their records. However, in certain cases identification may be required to prove eligibility.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Kentucky?

The current processing time for birth certificate replacements with Kentucky CHFS-OVS is 5 to 30 days, though this may vary. Refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing timelines. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

Kentucky CHFS-OVS generally does not require applicants to notarize applications when requesting birth certificates, regardless of the order method.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Kentucky Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Kentucky; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with Kentucky. If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base and your parents were U.S. citizens, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA of form FS-240).

  Note that this is not a birth certificate; it is evidence of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to having a U.S. birth certificate. This document is recognized in the U.S. as proof of birth and citizenship and can be used to obtain a passport and apply for social services. If you need additional copies of this document, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate or order them from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA for more information.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Kentucky Birth Certificate?

  

  A birth certificate is a vital document that verifies an individual's birth and is widely accepted by both government and commercial entities. It is an official source of information about a person's birth, confirming essential details such as legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. This document serves as proof of identity and citizenship. It is crucial for significant life events, including legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does a Kentucky Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the CHFS-OVS issues it. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth.

  Note that the Office of Vital Statistics does not issue uncertified copies or photocopies of birth certificates for any year. The CHFS-OVS defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:features such as:

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Kentucky Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the CHFS-OVS.

  a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the CHFS-OVS office during hours of availability.

  b. For applying by mail: Send your application and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the CHFS-OVS at:

  Office of Vital Statistics Department for Public Health Cabinet for Health and Family Services

  275 E. Main St. 1E-A Frankfort, KY 40621
  

  c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

  2. CHFS-OVS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a Kentucky Birth Certificate

  

  The Cabinet for Health and Family Services – Office of Vital Statistics provides a simple procedure for when an individual must correct or amend a birth certificate. If you find an error in a record and need to make a correction, please contact OVS at (502) 564-4212 during business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday.

  Requests to correct or amend birth records will typically require the following:
  
  1. A completed amendment application: An Affidavit for Amendment to Certificate , signed by a Notary Public.

  2. Supporting documentation: The Office of Vital Statistics must approve the evidence used to a correct birth certificate.

  If the registrant is 18 years of age or older:
  
  2.1. The document of evidence must be 5 years prior to the date of the amendment.

  If the registrant is between 7 years of age and 17 years of age:
  
  2.2. The document of evidence must be 3 years prior to the date of the amendment.

  If the registrant is between 3 years of age and 6 years of age:

  2.3 The document of evidence must be 1 year prior to the date of the amendment.

  3. Appropriate fee(s): Contact the CHFS - OVS for the fees to amend a birth record.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Kentucky Birth Certificate

  

  If you file your vital records with a foreign government, you will likely need an apostille. Apostilles can only be requested for birth certificates initially filed with the CHFS-OVS.

  You can obtain an apostille for Kentucky birth records through the Office of the Secretary of State Authentications and Apostilles or online through VRO.

  
  o manually obtain an apostille for your Kentucky birth certificate, you will need to provide the following documents:

  1. A certified copy of your birth certificate.
  2. A completed Apostille Request Form.
  3. A check or money order of $5.00 per document made out to the “Kentucky State Treasurer.”
  4. Optional self-addressed prepaid FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority label if you’d like expedited return shipping
  5. Submit the Apostille request to the Office of the Secretary of State - Authentications and Apostilles at the following addresses:
     
     Standard or Express Courier (UPS, DHL, FedEx)

  
  

  For walk-ins: