Each county in the Commonwealth has a Local Registrar. This person has been appointed by the Secretary of the Cabinet for Health Services, to regulate the operation of Vital Statistics in his or her county.  For more information on the Vital Statistics Program, call the Local Registrar in your County of residence or visit the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics website at DPH: Vital Statistics.

Birth Verifications can be obtained for persons born in Kentucky at the Local Health Department. 

The Health Department does not provide copies of official birth or death certificates locally.  They must be obtained from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.

You may obtain a certified copy in the following ways:

• Visit your local health department to pick up an application, complete the application, enclose the appropriate fee and mail to the address listed on the application.
• Visit the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics website at DPH: Vital Statistics to print an application, complete the application, enclose the appropriate fee and mail to the address listed on the application.
• Order by phone, by calling 1-877-817-7362.  You must have a major credit card to pay for the processing and mailing of the certificate when ordering by phone.
• Order online at https://www.vitalchek.com/.  You must have a major credit card to pay for the processing and mailing of the certificate.
• Visit the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics in Frankfort to request a copy in person.  The office is located at 275 E. Main St, Frankfort, KY 40621.

Parents who are not married and who did not have the father’s name listed on the birth certificate at the hospital may want to legally establish paternity by completing a paternity affidavit.  Paternity Affidavits are available for download HERE and at the health department.  Both parents must be present and have a photo ID with them.  The Health Department does NOT provide paternity testing.