Kentucky Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Kentucky divorce records are official court documents that confirm the end of a marriage. These records are important for various reasons, such as providing proof of divorce for name changes and verifying marital history.

In 2023, Kentucky's divorce rate saw a slight decrease to 2.9 per 1,000 residents, down from 3.0 in 2022. This figure, representing 2.9 divorces for every 1,000 people in the state, stands in contrast to the marriage rate, which was 6.2 per 1,000 people in 2022 and shifted slightly to 6.1 per 1,000 people in 2023, according to the CDC's National Vital Statistics.

Access to divorce records in the United States is state-specific, as procedures differ from one jurisdiction to another. For instance, access to Kentucky divorce records is regulated by the Kentucky Open Records Act, which establishes the public's right to access government-held information while simultaneously respecting individuals' rights to privacy.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Kentucky

Kentucky acknowledges three primary forms of official divorce documentation, each fulfilling a unique legal role. These include

• Divorce Certificates: These act as official confirmation of a marriage's dissolution in Kentucky.
• Divorce Decrees: These documents detail the court's final ruling, encompassing stipulations for custody, property division, and more
• Divorce Case Files: These files serve as a comprehensive case record, encompassing all documents submitted throughout the divorce proceedings.

Below is a summary of the official categories of divorce documentation in Kentucky.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, a division of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).	Official verification that a divorce has occurred in Kentucky	Full names of the parties, case number, county of decree
Divorce Decree (Final Judgement of Dissolution)	Circuit Court	Details the divorce settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, property division
Divorce Case File	Circuit Court	Complete litigation record	Petitions or complaints, financial disclosures, affidavits, hearing transcripts, motions, settlement agreements, final judgments, post-decree orders

Public Access and Confidentiality of Kentucky Divorce Records

Access to divorce records in Kentucky is governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884) and the administrative policies of the Kentucky Court of Justice and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. These records, as court records, are generally public, with certain restrictions.

For example, basic details, such as names, dates, and the county where the divorce was granted, may be available to the public. However, child custody details, financial disclosures, and Social Security numbers are not released publicly. Confidential records are accessible to the parties involved, their attorneys, or individuals with a court order; they are not available to the general public.

Divorce certificates maintained by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics can also be obtained by the public.

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics

What Information Do Kentucky Divorce Records Include?

Kentucky divorce records offer a range of details that differ based on the county, the age of the record, and the specific document type-whether it is a divorce certificate, decree, or a complete case file. These records typically include the following information:

• The names of both spouses, including prior or maiden names
• The county and the date the divorce was granted
• Case or docket number as assigned by the circuit court
• Date of marriage and separation
• Cause for the divorce
• Case documents, including affidavits, petitions, custody orders, financial disclosures, and the final judgment

Circuit Court Clerks in each county maintain their own divorce records, so the available data may differ slightly depending on the county and jurisdiction.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Kentucky

Kentucky divorce records can be located through different official sources. For instance, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics provides certified divorce certificates for divorces finalized in the state, while full decrees or case files are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the divorce was granted. Basic divorce case details can also be accessed through the Kentucky Court of Justice's remote search database.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Vital Records Division	Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics	1958-present	Certified divorce certificate	$6 per copy
Circuit Court Clerk's Office	Local County Circuit Court	All years	Certified decrees and full case files	Varies from county to county
Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts	CourtNet 2.0	All years	Case Search	Subscriptions start at $5 per month
State Archives/Library	Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA)	Historical Records (Pre 1958)	Archived record and microfilm search	Nominal fees

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Kentucky

A certified copy of a divorce record simply refers to an official document stamped and sealed by the issuing agency, confirming that it is a true and complete reproduction of the original record.

Individuals interested in obtaining Kentucky certified divorce records can access these records through two primary channels: the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (for certificates only) and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office (for full decrees and case files).

Interested parties can obtain these records by following the steps below:

Step 1. Identify the Issuing Agency (Custodian)

To begin, individuals should determine the official custodian. For divorce decrees or case files, this will be the circuit court that issued the divorce.

Step 2. Contact the Custodian's Office

If requesting a divorce court record, the next step will be to contact the Clerk of Circuit Court in person, online, or via phone. If requesting a divorce certificate, one may call the State Vital Statistics Office at (502) 564-4212. The purpose of contacting the records custodian is to verify request processes and fees

Step 3. Provide All Necessary Details

A form may be available through the custodian's office to request a divorce record in Kentucky. For example, the Application For A Certified Copy of Divorce Certificate is used to request divorce certificates from the State Vital Statistics Office.

Generally, the requester will need to provide information that enables the custodian to identify the record, such as

• Names of both spouses, including maiden names
• Date or year of divorce
• County of filing
• Case number

The requester will also need to provide their contact information and, for mail-in requests, state the number of copies required and include the necessary payment.

Step 4. Pay the Required Fee

Certified copy fees differ by custodian. For instance, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics charges $6 per certified copy of a divorce certificate, which is payable by check or money order to "Kentucky State Treasurer." County circuit court fees, on the other hand, vary.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Certificate	Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics	The former spouses, their attorney, or the court	Proof of divorce for remarriage, legal name changes, or verifying eligibility for government benefits
Certified Decree	Clerk of the Circuit Court	Either party or their authorized representatives	Custody or support enforcement, property claims

Why Search for Divorce Records in Kentucky?

Individuals seek out Kentucky divorce records for varying legal and administrative reasons, including

• Verification of Marital Status: Kentucky divorce records serve as official proof of the legal dissolution of marriage, which is often required for remarriage or name changes.
• Legal Enforcement: Kentucky divorce records are frequently used to enforce alimony, child support, or property division orders.
• Financial and Estate Matters: Divorce records may also be used in handling inheritance claims or receiving pension or Social Security benefits
• Genealogical and Historical Research: Researchers and historians may consult divorce records to trace ancestry or study demographic shifts.
• Background Checks and Identity Verification: Government agencies, some employers, and financial institutions may review marital records for eligibility or compliance purposes.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, divorce records are permanently preserved according to Kentucky Revised Statutes § 171.530, which mandates the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives to set retention standards for records with enduring value. Recent divorce records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce case was finalized. Older records may be transferred to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives in Frankfort for long-term storage and historical access.