How much is a death certificate in Kentucky?

$6 for the first certified copy from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics, and $6 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. The fee is a search fee and is not refunded if no record is found. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a vendor fee.

Who can order a death certificate in Kentucky?

Kentucky is an open record state. Anyone who pays the fee and gives enough information to identify the record can get a certified copy.

How do I order a death certificate in Kentucky?

You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. The office does not list an ID requirement for mail orders. A valid photo ID is needed to pick up an online order in person.

Death certificates

Death certificates in Kentucky

In Kentucky, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $6 from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics. Each copy costs the same. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked October 20, 2026 on the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in Kentucky

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in Kentucky
Office	Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics
First certified copy	$6
Each extra copy, same order	$6 The fee is a search fee and is not refunded if no record is found. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a vendor fee.
Who can order	Kentucky is an open record state. Anyone who pays the fee and gives enough information to identify the record can get a certified copy.
ID you need	The office does not list an ID requirement for mail orders. A valid photo ID is needed to pick up an online order in person.
Ways to order	Online, by mail or in person. The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee. At the state office in Frankfort. Same-day service is usual but not guaranteed after 3:45 p.m.
How long it takes	Mail and drop box orders usually take about five business days, but can take up to 30 working days.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in Kentucky?: $6 for the first certified copy from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Vital Statistics, and $6 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. The fee is a search fee and is not refunded if no record is found. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a vendor fee.
Who can order a death certificate in Kentucky?: Kentucky is an open record state. Anyone who pays the fee and gives enough information to identify the record can get a certified copy.
How do I order a death certificate in Kentucky?: You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. The office does not list an ID requirement for mail orders. A valid photo ID is needed to pick up an online order in person.

Death certificates in Kentucky

How to order in Kentucky

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Questions people ask

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