KentuckyBill would set vital-record fees and provide free certificates in listed cases
If approved, the bill would set maximum fees for vital-record services, provide free certificates in listed cases, and limit who may request certified copies.
What it does
The Cabinet would set fees for vital-record services, capped at $10 for listed services and $15 for a certified birth-record copy.
The text provides free certificates in listed cases, including for some veterans, children in state custody, and people without housing. Disaster victims qualify only after state officials make the required declarations.
Registrars would issue certified copies to people entitled to them under regulations. The text treats those copies like originals, with special rules for some records.
Argument forPeople without housing could get birth certificates without a fee, which may make it easier to obtain an important identity record.
Argument againstHigher fee limits could mean some people pay more for records or searches, especially if they need several documents.
More detail
The Cabinet would set fees for listed vital-record services, subject to maximum amounts. The listed services include record certification, searches when no copy is made, and certain copies or information. Fees for certification, searches, and listed copies or information could not exceed $10. The fee for a certified copy of a birth record could not exceed $15.
The text provides for free certificates in specified cases. These cases cover birth or death certificates as specified in the text; the disaster waiver applies to vital-record certificates for disaster victims. The listed cases include certain veterans seeking benefits, National Guard members with deployment orders received within the prior 60 days, children in Cabinet custody, people without housing, and people who died in the line of duty. A person without housing must be verified by one of the listed service, school, or education-program officials. Disaster victims qualify only when the Governor declares a natural disaster in Kentucky and the public health commissioner declares a fee waiver for the victims.
Registrars would issue certified copies to applicants entitled to receive them under regulations. The rule applies to certified copies of vital records held by a state or county registrar. A certified copy counts as the legal equivalent of the original and is initial evidence of the facts it states. A court or administrative decision-maker determines the evidentiary value of records filed more than one year after the event, amended records, and foreign live-birth records.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 15recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)Latest
- Mar 26floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filedMinor
- Mar 202nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 19reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Mar 18to Health Services (H)Minor
- Mar 17to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Mar 17received in House
- Mar 133rd reading, passed 38-0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded PASS SB 147. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day by the Rules Committee for Friday, March 13 2026
- Mar 122nd reading, to Rules as a consent billMinor
- Mar 11reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent CalendarMinor
- Mar 10to Health Services (S)Minor
- Feb 2to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Feb 2introduced in SenateIntroduced
Government & Ethics