Kentucky Research: Finding Death Information
United States 
Kentucky Finding Death Information
Finding Kentucky Death Records[edit | edit source]
Next Step: When did the Death occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Death Records
Deaths 1700s to 1851[edit | edit source]
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:
| 1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
| Vital Records Cemeteries Obituaries Probate Records |
Military Records Church Records Land and Property Tax Records |
Deaths 1852 to 1910[edit | edit source]
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 - ($), 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 FamilySearch 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 Kentucky, Deaths and Burials, 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 FamilySearch Centers. They are cataloged as Vital records in the pertinent county in the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search, for example, Kentucky, Butler - Vital records
Deaths 1911 to 1986[edit | edit source]
Step One: Search the Index
First Try:
- 1911-1955 Kentucky, Death Records, 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 $6.00. Visit their website to obtain contact information.
Deaths 1987 to 2000[edit | edit source]
Step One: Search the Index
- 1911-2000 Kentucky Death Index, 1911-2000 at Ancestry - ($)
If you do not have access to Ancestry.com check with your local FamilySearch 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.
Deaths 2000 to Present[edit | edit source]
Step One: Search the Index
- 1954-present Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - free; nationwide death index
- 1954-present Social Security Death Index 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.
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[edit | edit source]
- United States Record Finder
- United States, How to Find Death Records
- United States Vital Records
- United States Death 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