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What You Can Do:
Kentucky Vital Records Background Checks
The Kentucky Open Records Act , KRS61.870-61.884, requires a completed request form for vital records, along with the applicable fee. Government agencies must release lawful information, which may include data used for Kentucky background checks, to the public in keeping with the Act. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health, has certified copies of birth and death certificates available.
The current fees of $10 per birth certificate and $6 per death certificate are for the records search part of Kentucky background checks. If no certificate is found, the fee still applies. When requesting a birth certificate copy, the subject’s full name, day, month and year of birth, as well as the county in which the birth occurred, should be supplied.
To avoid delays in receiving birth certificate copies that you may require for Kentucky background checks, it’s best to make requests in the non-peak period of October through April. In May through September, birth certificate requests for Kentucky school and sports related programs are at a peak and this may mean your request could take 30 business days or more. During non-peak request periods, 7 business days after the request is received is typical. A self-addressed, stamped envelope, plus a check or money order and a completed form, should accompany your birth certificate request.
Marriage and divorce records can be obtained from the Kentucky county in which the marriage license was given or the divorce decree granted. The month, day and year of the event as well as the county in which it took place should be specified in your request form. The full name of both persons on marriage and divorce documents should also be given. Only certified copies of documents are available whether they are for Kentucky background checks or other purposes. Requests for photocopies of certificates or non-certified copies will not be granted.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Department for Public Health
Office of Vital Statistics
275 East Main Street 1E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-4212
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm
After 3:30pm, in person requests may be processed the next day
Kentucky Criminal Background Checks
Kentucky is an “open records” state and written requests made by the public for accident reports or other information are typically granted. Details for Kentucky background checks such as the date and location of the event must be included on the signed request form. A description of the record being sought should also accompany a criminal public records request to the Kentucky State Police.
Any surname that the person being searched for has ever used should be included, if possible. A name search section of the Records Branch of the Police will do Kentucky background checks for whatever legal purposes. The fee is currently $20 for each search, either by mail or in person. Processing may take up to four weeks.
Name searches:
The Kentucky State Police
Records Branch
1266 Louisville Rd.
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 227-8700
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm
Public records:
The Kentucky State Police
Official Custodian of Records
Attention: Open Records
919 Versailles Rd.
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 695-6391
or (502) 695-6320
Fax: (502) 573-1636