How do I get a copy of the adoption order in Kentucky?

You get a copy of your Kentucky adoption order from the clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where your adoption was finalized, either right after the hearing or by request later.

At the finalization hearing: The judge signs the Order of Adoption at or after the hearing. Before you leave, ask the Circuit Court clerk how to get certified copies. Some clerks can hand them over that day, while others prepare them afterward. The clerk can tell you which applies in your county.

How many copies to ask for: Ask for several certified copies rather than just one. You may be asked for the order in a number of places, including:

• The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, when you ask about an updated birth certificate
• Your health insurance company, when you add your child to your plan
• Your child's school, to update records
• A passport application
• Your own family records

Each office sets its own rules about whether it wants a certified copy or accepts a photocopy, so check with each one before you hand over an original.

What it costs: The Circuit Court clerk sets the fee for certified copies, and it is separate from your court filing fee, which typically falls between $150 and $300. Ask the clerk for the current per-copy charge and which payment methods the office accepts.

If you need copies later: You can go back to the same Circuit Court clerk at any time. To make the request easier, have this information ready:

• The full names used in the case
• The case number, if you have it
• The date the adoption was finalized
• The county where you filed

Ask the clerk whether you need to come in person or can request by mail, what identification is required, who is allowed to request copies, and how long processing takes. Those details can vary by county, so the clerk's office is the best source.

Getting the new birth certificate: The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics is the state agency that handles birth records. Contact them to find out exactly what they need from you after the adoption, including the form of the order, any application, and any fee.

Keep the original safe: Store your certified copies with other important papers, such as Social Security cards and passports. If the adoption took place in a different county than where you live now, remember that the clerk in the county of finalization is the one who holds the court file.

When to expect the order: A stepparent adoption in Kentucky typically takes about 3-6 months from filing to finalization, so the order arrives at the end of that process. If your situation has any unusual features, such as a contested case or an unknown parent, ask the Circuit Court clerk or an attorney about how it may affect your paperwork.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your Kentucky county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child, or for one adult adoptee, and $99 for each additional child. Court-ready documents are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and our 100% court acceptance guarantee applies. We have helped 501 Kentucky families so far.