Get your certified Kentucky Marriage Certificate

Kentucky marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be limited to authorized individuals such as the parties named on the certificate, their family members, or those with a legitimate legal need. Informational or non-certified copies may be available for genealogical research and other purposes. Contact the Kentucky vital records office for specific access policies.

You can obtain a certified copy of a Kentucky marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

A certified copy of a Kentucky marriage certificate costs $6 from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Additional fees may apply for expedited services. You can also obtain copies from the county clerk where the marriage license was issued, with fees varying by county.

Yes, you can order a Kentucky marriage certificate online through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics or at the county clerk office where the marriage license was issued.

In Kentucky, eligible requesters include either spouse named on the certificate, immediate family members, 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 an authorized applicant.

If you file your vital records with a foreign government, you will likely need an apostille. Apostilles can be requested for birth, death, death, and marriage certificate initially filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles.

How can I get an apostille for a vital record?

You can obtain an apostille for Kentucky vital records through the Office of the Secretary of State Authentications and Apostilles or with Vital Records Online (VRO**)**. VRO offers reliable apostille services across all 50 US states and is acknowledged by various governments and organizations with legal validity in over 100 countries. The service covers apostilles for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, all with professional assistance. The process can be conveniently done online in just three steps, and the cost starts at $149 (plus government fees).

1. Complete the Apostille Express online application.
2. Submit the required documents for approval.
3. Receive your apostille document.

Once you have completed the necessary documentation for the apostille, it will be delivered to you through FedEx or DHL. The delivery will reach you regardless of your location, whether in the US or elsewhere, as we rely on reputable courier services for global delivery.

You will need to provide the following information:

• Completed application form.
• Certified or notarized documents to be authenticated.
• Payment of $5.00 per document.

You can submit requests for vital record apostilles to the Office of the Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles at the following addresses:

For standard mail or express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

Office of the Secretary of State, Authentications and Apostilles, PO Box 718, Frankfort, KY 40602-0718

For walk-ins:

Office of the Secretary of State, State Capitol, 700 Capital Ave., Ste. 158, Frankfort, KY 40601

You can reach the office at (502) 564-3490 or https://www.sos.ky.gov/bus/apostilles/Pages/default.aspx.

A marriage license is a document issued by a county to spouses-to-be that permits marriage. Any couple wishing to marry in Kentucky must obtain a marriage license before the marriage ceremony. If they do not, the marriage will be seen as void. However, a marriage certificate is issued after the marriage has occurred.

Parties can get a license from the Offices of Kentucky County Clerks. Marriage licenses are only valid for thirty days; recipients must conduct the marriage ceremony within that time.

Marriage certificate maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services – Office of Vital Statistics (CHFS-OVS) can only be amended according to the Kentucky statutes and administrative regulations. If a record is incorrect and needs to be amended or corrected, contact OVS at (502) 564-4212. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The process and requirements for amending a marriage certificate in Kentucky can vary. Typically, amendments to marriage certificate will require:

1. A completed amendment application,
2. Supporting documentation,
3. Appropriate fee(s)
4. A notarized, sworn statement completed by an authorized person may be required, depending on the amendment to be made.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the CHFS-OVS.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the CHFS-OVS at:
      Cabinet for Health and Family Services – Office of Vital Statistics,
      275 East Main Street 1E-A,
      Frankfort, KY 40621
   3. 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.