Kentucky apostille services and document preparation
Kentucky documents can require an extra signature-certification step before they reach the Secretary of State. Miami Dade Apostille helps review the document, destination and preparation needed, then coordinates the appropriate process. We assist with vital records, court records, powers of attorney, affidavits, school records and corporate documents as a private coordinator, not a government office or law firm.
Before you start
- Identify the document type and the office that issued it.
- Confirm the destination country's treaty relationship and the receiving authority's requirements.
- Send us a scan for preparation review before committing originals.
Identify the signature and preparation
- Kentucky uses a single certificate for apostille and authentication.
- State vital records need the current State Registrar's signature.
- Paper notarizations require a Kentucky notary followed by certification from the county clerk where that notary is registered.
- School records follow this sequence using the school official's signature.
- Circuit Court clerk records require the corresponding county clerk's certification; county-issued copies need a current county clerk or deputy's signature.
Marriage and divorce record requests
- The Office of Vital Statistics holds marriage and divorce records from June 1958 onward.
- For earlier marriages, contact the county clerk where the license was issued; for earlier divorces, contact the circuit court clerk where the decree was granted.
- Provide both parties' names, the event date and county when ordering.
- The state charges for the search even if no record is found. It does not issue electronic or uncertified copies.
- Confirm whether your recipient needs a state certificate or the court's full decree before ordering.
Electronic documents follow a different route
- An eligible PDF electronically notarized by an authorized Kentucky online notary goes directly through the state portal without county-clerk certification of that notary.
- The electronic option is unavailable for vital records.
Check the portal's document category
- The portal offers categories for county-clerk-certified documents, electronic notarizations and public-university registrar certifications.
- It accepts one PDF document per request; different destination countries need separate requests.
- Ask the Secretary of State or university whether your particular registrar-certified record qualifies before choosing that category.
Submission and destination checks
- Mail requests use the current form and fee; walk-in and eligible electronic options are also available.
- Standard mailed returns use USPS, with a prepaid tracked label optional. Check current office instructions before travel.
- FBI checks follow the U.S. Department of State route, not Kentucky.
Kentucky document routing
| Document | Start here |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics; State Registrar's signature required. |
| Death certificate | Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics; State Registrar's signature required. |
| Marriage certificate (June 1958 onward) | Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. |
| Marriage record (before June 1958) | County clerk where the license was issued. |
| State divorce certificate (June 1958 onward) | Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. |
| Earlier divorce record (before June 1958) | Circuit court clerk where the decree was granted. |
| Full divorce decree (any date) | Circuit Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted → county clerk certifies the circuit court clerk's signature → Kentucky Secretary of State. |
| Paper-notarized document (POA, affidavit, etc.) | Kentucky notary → county clerk certification → Kentucky Secretary of State. |
| Electronically notarized document (eligible PDF) | Authorized Kentucky online notary → Kentucky Secretary of State portal directly. |
| Circuit Court clerk record | County clerk certification of the circuit court clerk's signature → Kentucky Secretary of State. |
| School / university record | Paper school records: school official signs before a Kentucky notary → county clerk certifies the notary → Secretary of State. For eligible public-university registrar certifications, confirm the separate portal category. |
| FBI background check | Federal document — U.S. Department of State route, not Kentucky. See our FBI apostille guide. |
Coordinate your package
- Send the document type, issuing office, destination and deadline. We can identify preparation gaps, coordinate the relevant route and discuss translation needs with qualified translators.
- An apostille authenticates the official signature rather than guaranteeing acceptance of the document's contents. A destination where the Convention does not apply with the United States may require additional legalization.
- Florida remote online notarization may be available for eligible private documents subject to identity, witness, document and recipient requirements. It follows the applicable Florida route and does not replace Kentucky public-record certification.
Working toward a deadline? Send us a scan before committing originals — we can review requirements and help coordinate the correct process. If mailing, use a trackable shipping method and keep your tracking number.
Frequently asked questions
Kentucky locations served
Miami Dade Apostille serves clients throughout Kentucky by mail. Documents can be sent from anywhere in the state — no in-person visit to our office is required.
- Louisville
- Lexington
- Bowling Green
- Owensboro
- Covington
- Richmond
- Georgetown
- Florence
- Hopkinsville
- Nicholasville
- Frankfort
- Elizabethtown
Sources
MIAMI DADE APOSTILLE IS NOT A LAW FIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. WE ARE A PRIVATE DOCUMENT COORDINATION SERVICE. THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. FOR LEGAL QUESTIONS, CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY.
Ready to start your Kentucky apostille?
Send us your documents by mail from anywhere in Kentucky. We review, coordinate the appropriate authentication process and return your documents.
Submissions are accepted 24/7, 365 days a year. We typically reply within approximately two hours during regular business hours.
If you're working toward a deadline, message us before sending your documents. We can review requirements, help avoid preventable delays and coordinate the correct process.
State documents: same day to 4 days. Federal documents (FBI, U.S. Department of State): 7–14 days. Contact us with your document type and deadline to confirm availability.
Miami Dade Apostille is a private document coordination service. We are not the Kentucky Secretary of State, a government agency, or a law firm. We do not issue apostilles or government records.