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Direct answer

Kentucky Divorce Records: Choose the Document

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics has marriage and divorce records from June 1958 to the present. For divorce records before June 1958, the state directs users to the circuit court clerk in the county where the decree was granted.

Route

Certificate or court record?

Need Start here Why
Divorce certificate, June 1958-present Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics State vital-record file
Older divorce record Circuit court clerk in county of decree State vital office directs older requests there
Court decree/case file Clerk of the court that heard the case Court record rather than vital certificate
Steps

Prepare a Kentucky divorce-record request

  1. 01
    Identify both parties

    Use the names associated with the divorce.

  2. 02
    Identify date and county

    These are key request fields.

  3. 03
    Choose certificate or decree

    The intended use determines the document.

    OVS requires a completed application and fee even to verify whether a certificate is on file. If found, the certified copy is mailed; OVS does not issue electronic, faxed, photocopied or non-certified copies. The search fee is not refunded when no certificate is found.

  4. 04
    Use the correct custodian

    Vital Statistics and the court clerk are separate routes.

    Complete the OVS Marriage/Divorce application linked in Sources. Mail the application and a check or money order payable to Kentucky State Treasurer to Vital Statistics, 275 East Main Street, 1E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621. The search/certified-copy fee is $6, and additional copies cost $6 each. Sign the application and supply your mailing address and phone number.

    For the decree or case file, call or visit the Circuit Court Clerk in the county that handled the divorce. If an accessible file is stored elsewhere, ask the clerk for the facility and case/file locator numbers. State Records Center requests need those numbers; that center cannot search by name or Social Security number. Availability depends on the record and retention rules.

Context

Why the distinction matters

A certificate is useful when you need official proof that a divorce occurred. A decree or court file contains the court action and belongs to the court record system.

If you do not know the county, use available case information to establish the filing location before sending a copy request.

Check

Information to gather

  • ✓
    Names of both parties

    Use names at the time of the divorce when possible.

  • ✓
    Date

    Exact or approximate divorce date.

  • ✓
    County

    County where the decree was granted.

  • ✓
    Document purpose

    Proof of divorce, decree terms, or case research.

Related Record Guides

Sources

Authoritative next stops