Office of Vital Statistics

Vital Records

The Office of Vital Statistics receives and preserves vital records for events (births, stillbirth, deaths, marriages, and divorces) which occur in Kansas. The Office maintains more than 10 million vital records, adding approximately 100,000 new records annually. Over 360,000 certified copies of these records are issued to eligible requestors annually.

The records maintained by this office are necessary for individuals to carry out day-to-day business such as obtaining passports, enrolling in schools, sports participation, starting new jobs, qualifying for subsidized housing, collecting life insurance benefits, and transferring property. Agencies such as the Kansas Department of Children and Families and the Social Security Administration rely upon vital records in order to provide services to Kansas citizens.

Data from the records also has important public health and social research significance. The data, considered the "gold standard" of public health data, can help determine which diseases and illnesses are problems in Kansas communities. For information on health care data and statistics, visit the Health Statistics section.

Kansas Records Only

Only Kansas vital records are filed and issued by this Office. If you need an out-of-state vital record, you have two options:

Eligibility

Birth, stillbirth, death, marriage, and divorce records (vital records) in Kansas are not public records. Certified copies of vital records are released to the person named on the record, immediate family, a legal representative, or anyone who can prove a direct interest, such as a named beneficiary or someone who jointly owns property with the person whose record is requested. The record must be necessary for the determination of personal or property rights. Proof of legal representation, direct interest, or written authorization with proper identification is required if the requestor is not named on the record or an immediate family member.

Telephone Service

The telephone service is automated with a directory to provide options for accessing recorded information for requesting certified copies, inquiring about the status of previously submitted requests, or speaking with a staff member, if other assistance is needed.

Contact the Office of Vital Statistics

  • General questions: 785-296-1400 or email
  • Credit card requests: 877-305-8315
  • Kay Haug, State Registrar: 785-296-8627
  • Jason Mathewson, OVS Director & Deputy State Registrar: 785-296-1423
  • Chief of Certification: 785-296-1415
  • Chief of Registration: 785-296-1426


Copying or Altering Prohibited

Except as authorized by the Uniform Vital Statistics Act, no person shall prepare or issue any certificate (vital record) which purports to be an original, certified copy or copy of a certificate [K.S.A. 65-2422d.(g)]. Any person who willfully makes or alters any certificate or certified copy, except as authorized by the Uniform Vital Statistics Act, shall be fined or imprisoned, or both fined and imprisoned [K.S.A. 21-3830].