Get your certified Kentucky Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Kentucky birth certificate costs $10 from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $10 each. Expedited processing and shipping are available for additional fees.

Ready to order? Start your Kentucky birth certificate application today.

Yes, you can order a Kentucky birth certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort.

Your Kentucky birth certificate can be used for a REAL ID or U.S. passport application.

In Kentucky, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.

Order a Kentucky birth certificate on behalf of a family member through our secure online process.

Kentucky birth certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals with a direct and tangible interest as defined by Kentucky law. The Office of Vital Statistics requires proof of identity and eligibility before issuing certified copies.

Need a certified copy? Start your Kentucky birth certificate application online.

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.

Order your own certified copy through our secure online application.

For answers to common questions about birth certificate types, replacement costs, and processing times, visit our birth certificate FAQ and resource page.

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.

Get your replacement quickly — start your online application now.

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.

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:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Kentucky birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Kentucky birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

A long form birth certificate is typically required for a REAL ID or U.S. passport. Order your Kentucky birth certificate to get the version you need.

Processing times for a Kentucky birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Kentucky vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Kentucky birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Start your order now through our secure online application and receive status updates throughout the process.

If you were born in Louisville or Jefferson County, your birth certificate is on file with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. You can also request records through the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

The easiest option is to order your Louisville birth certificate online through our secure application. Your request is processed and a certified copy is mailed directly to you.

A certified Kentucky birth certificate is accepted for a REAL ID, U.S. passport, and other official purposes.

Kentucky does not offer guaranteed same-day birth certificate processing. Walk-in requests at the Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort may be processed within a few hours, but availability and wait times vary.

For the fastest option without traveling to Frankfort, you can order your Kentucky birth certificate online with expedited processing. This is often quicker than visiting an office, especially if you live in Louisville, Lexington, or elsewhere in the state.

Once you receive your certified copy, it can be used for Kentucky marriage certificate applications, death certificate requests, and other vital records needs.

If you were born in Lexington or Fayette County, your birth certificate is maintained by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort. The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department may also assist with local records requests.

You can skip the trip and order your Lexington birth certificate online. We handle the paperwork and your certified copy is delivered by mail.

Your Kentucky birth certificate can be used for REAL ID, school enrollment, passport applications, and updating your Social Security record.