Kentucky Research: Finding Death Information

United States Kentucky  Finding Death Information

Finding Kentucky Death Records
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Next Step: When did the Death occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record:
 * Deaths 1700s to 1851
 * Deaths 1852 to 1910
 * Deaths 1911 to 1986
 * Deaths 1987 to 2000
 * Deaths 2000 to Present
 * Death year unknown


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Frequently Asked Questions about Death Records

Deaths 1700s to 1851
No official death records were kept by Kentucky state or county governments during this period. To find death information on persons who died during these years, try these various substitutes for death record information:

Go Back to the Top: Choose another death year

Deaths 1852 to 1910
County governments sporadically recorded deaths in Kentucky from 1852 to 1910. Step One: Search the Index with Images

First Try Index and Online Records


 * 1852-1953 Kentucky, Death Records at Ancestry.com - ($), incomplete for some counties

this database has images linked to the index. If you do not have access to Ancestry.com check with your local family history center which might have a subscription.

Step Two: Search the Index and Look up the Record

If you do not find your ancestor in Step OneThen Try this index: Index Only


 * 1843-1970 at FamilySearch - free

If you find your ancestor on this index. look up the death record on microfilm. Microfilm and can be viewed at various Family History Centers. They are cataloged as Vital records in the pertinent county in the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search, for example, Kentucky, Butler - Vital records Go Back to the Top: Choose another death year

Deaths 1911 to 1986
Step One: Search the Index First Try:


 * 1911-1955 at FamilySearch - free

If you are not successful,

Then Try:


 * 1911-1986 Kentucky Death Index for 1911-1986 on the University of Kentucky website - free

Step Two: Order the Certficate

If you find your ancestor in the index, order the certificate.

Ordering Certificates - 1911 to the Present You can order a copy of the death certificate from the Kentucky Department for Public Health for a fee of $6.00. Visit their website to obtain contact information. Go Back to the Top: Choose another death year

Deaths 1987 to 2000
Step One: Search the Index


 * 1911-2000 Kentucky Death Index, 1911-2000 at Ancestry.com - ($)

If you do not have access to Ancestry.com check with your local family history center which might have a subscription.

Step Two: Order the Certificate

If you find your ancestor in the index, order the certificate.

Ordering Certificates - 1911 to the Present You can order a copy of the death certificate from the Kentucky Department for Public Health for a fee of $6.00. Visit their website to obtain contact information. Go Back to the Top: Choose another death year

Deaths 2000 to Present
Step One: Search the Index


 * 1954-present at FamilySearch - free; nationwide death index

Step Two: Order the Certificate

If you find your ancestor in the index, order the certificate.

Ordering Certificates - 1911 to the Present You can order a copy of the death certificate from the Kentucky Department for Public Health for a fee of $6.00. Visit their website to obtain contact information. Go Back to the Top: Choose another death year

Many death records are little known and quite obscure. Be sure to look for mortuary records, burial permits, transportation records, funeral programs, obituaries, memorials and grave purchases in addition to death certificates or other formal records.

Wiki Articles

 * United States Record Selection Table
 * United States, How to Find Death Records
 * United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * Summary of Death Records in the United States by State
 * Deaths and Burials Vital Record Index Collections (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * United States Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Funeral Cards – A Little Used Resource
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States, How to Use Death Records