Kentucky County Clerk Directory

Vehicle Title Transfer
in Kentucky

Real office locations, current hours, exact fees, and what to bring — for every Northern Kentucky county clerk office that handles vehicle titles.

Find Your County Office What to Bring
Kentucky county clerk office entrance with vehicle title paperwork
⚑ Kentucky law: You have 15 days from purchase to title a vehicle at your county clerk's office — or penalties apply.

NKY County Clerk Title Offices

Click any county for detailed hours, branch locations, and local rules.

Kenton County Kentucky

Kenton County Clerk — Motor Vehicle

Kenton County has two branch offices handling vehicle titles. Walk-ins only — no appointments. The Covington branch has a sheriff on-site for in-state inspections. The Independence branch serves the southern portion of the county.

Covington Branch
1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, KY 41011

(859) 392-1620

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Sheriff on-site for inspections. No extended Tuesday hours at this branch.

Independence Branch
5272 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051

(859) 392-1620

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Serves southern Kenton County residents. Shorter wait times than Covington.

Title Fee$9.00
Notary Fee$2.00
Sales Tax6% of NADA retail value
Walk-InYes — no appointment needed
Full Kenton County guide →
Boone County Kentucky

Boone County Clerk — Motor Vehicle

Boone County operates two full-service title offices plus a drive-through renewal location in Walton for southern Boone residents. The Burlington main office has extended Tuesday hours.

Burlington (Main)
2950 E. Washington Square, Burlington, KY 41005

(859) 334-2108

Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Extended Tuesday hours — useful if you can't get there during the week.

Florence Branch
8020 Ewing Blvd, Florence, KY 41042

(859) 647-8706

Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Serves the Florence/Erlanger corridor. Fax insurance card to expedite: (859) 647-8706.

Title Fee$9.00
Notary Fee$2.00
Sales Tax6% of NADA retail value
Tuesday HoursUntil 6:00 PM (Burlington only)
Full Boone County guide →
Campbell County Kentucky

Campbell County Clerk — Motor Vehicle Detailed guide coming soon

Campbell County Clerk's office in Newport handles vehicle titles for Newport, Alexandria, Cold Spring, and surrounding areas. Walk-ins accepted.

Newport (Main)
330 York St, Newport, KY 41071

(859) 635-9720

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Alexandria Branch
1098 Monmouth St, Alexandria, KY 41001

(859) 635-9720

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Title Fee$9.00
Sales Tax6% of NADA retail value
Hamilton County Ohio

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts — Auto Title Detailed guide coming soon

Ohio works differently than Kentucky — titles are handled by the Clerk of Courts, not the county clerk. Hamilton County has three auto title offices across Cincinnati.

Downtown Cincinnati
1000 Main St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

(513) 946-4650

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Avoid Mon morning rush. Best times: 8–10 AM or 2–4 PM.

Hamilton Ave Branch
2955 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Red Bank Road Branch
8227 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255

Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Title Fee$18.00 (duplicate)
Sales Tax7.0% (Hamilton County)
Credit Card3% surcharge added
Deadline30 days from purchase

Kentucky vs. Ohio: How Title Transfers Differ

If you live in the NKY/Cincinnati area, you need to know which state's process applies — they are very different.

Factor Kentucky Ohio
Who handles titles County Clerk (elected office) Clerk of Courts (separate from clerk)
Where to go Your county clerk's office Any county's Clerk of Courts auto title office
Deadline 15 days from purchase 30 days from purchase (late fee applies)
Base title fee $9.00 Varies by county (see county page)
Sales / use tax 6% of NADA retail value or purchase price Varies by county (Hamilton = 7.0%)
Notarization required Yes — both buyer and seller signatures must be notarized Required in specific cases (out-of-state, name changes)
Notary available at office Yes — $2.00 fee Varies by office
Sheriff inspection required Yes, for out-of-state vehicles ($15 cash) No sheriff inspection for standard transfers
Speed title option Yes — $25 extra, ready next business day No equivalent service
Title mailed or in-hand Mailed by KY Transportation Cabinet (2–6 weeks) Issued same day at the office
Online registration renewal Yes — drive.ky.gov Yes — Ohio BMV online

What to Bring to a Kentucky Title Transfer

For a standard private-party used vehicle purchase. Missing any item means a wasted trip.

Required — Every Transfer

  • ✓
    The vehicle title

    Original Kentucky title, signed by the seller on the back. Both buyer and seller signatures must be notarized — if the seller isn't present, their signature must already be notarized before you arrive.

  • ✓
    Proof of Kentucky insurance

    Insurance card or binder, in the buyer's name, with an effective date within 45 days of the transfer date. The VIN on the insurance must match the vehicle. Many offices accept an email or fax from your insurer.

  • ✓
    Photo ID

    Kentucky driver's license or state ID. If your name on the title differs from your ID (e.g. after marriage), bring documentation of the name change.

  • ✓
    Social Security number

    Required for each person appearing on the title. Businesses must provide their Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) instead.

  • ✓
    Payment for fees and taxes

    Title fee ($9), notary fee ($2), and 6% usage tax on the NADA retail value or purchase price (whichever is higher, unless an exemption applies). Bring a check, cash, or card — most offices accept credit/debit with a 2.75% / 1.5% card fee.

Additional Requirements by Situation

  • →
    Out-of-state vehicle

    Requires a sheriff inspection ($15 cash) before the title transfer. Most county clerk branches have a sheriff on-site. Call ahead to confirm availability. You must have the title and your signed VTR form (TC 96-182) for the inspection.

  • →
    Financed vehicle (lien on title)

    An additional $22 lien fee applies. If the lender holds the title, the county clerk will send a letter requesting it. You may receive temporary plates while waiting.

  • →
    Vehicle titled prior to February 2000

    Older titles require the TC 96-182 form to be submitted along with the title. Titles issued after February 2000 have the assignment combined on the back and do not require this form separately.

  • →
    Title with "AND" between owner names

    If the title reads "John AND Jane Doe" (not "OR"), all owners must sign and have signatures notarized. "OR" requires only one owner's signature.

  • →
    Vehicle received as a gift

    The same documents apply, but usage tax is calculated on the vehicle's current trade-in value — not the "zero" purchase price. Certain family transfers (parent/child, spouse, grandparent/grandchild) are tax-exempt; bring documentation.

Kentucky Title Transfer Fee Breakdown

All fees listed are statewide Kentucky amounts. County processing and registration fees may vary slightly.

Fee TypeAmountNotes
Title transfer fee$9.00Standard for all in-state used vehicle transfers
Notary fee (at clerk's office)$2.00Per notarized signature; bring your own notarized title to avoid this
Lien filing fee$22.00Only if a lender is being added to the title
Speed title (optional)$25.00Title ready next business day from KY Transportation Cabinet
Duplicate title$6.00–$8.00If original is lost or damaged
Usage tax (sales tax)6% of NADA retailCalculated on trade-in book value or purchase price — whichever is greater
Sheriff inspection (out-of-state)$15.00 cashCash only to the sheriff; separate from clerk fees
Credit card surcharge1.5–2.75%Debit 1.5%, credit 2.75% — bring cash or check to avoid
Usage tax example: If you buy a car for $8,000 but the NADA trade-in value is $10,000, you pay 6% of $10,000 = $600. If you pay $12,000 and the book value is $10,000, you pay 6% of $12,000 = $720. The higher amount always applies — unless an exemption applies.

Step-by-Step: How a Kentucky Title Transfer Works

For a private-party used vehicle purchase between two Kentucky residents.

  1. 1

    Complete the title assignment before you leave the seller

    The seller fills in the buyer's name, purchase price, odometer reading, and date on the back of the title. Both buyer and seller sign — and both signatures must be notarized. If you do this at the clerk's office together, the clerk can notarize both for $2 each. If the seller is not present when you visit the clerk, their signature must already be notarized.

    Do not use white-out, liquid paper, or erase anything on the title. Any correction requires a written notarized affidavit — even a crossed-out typo.

  2. 2

    Confirm insurance is in the buyer's name

    Your insurance card must show an effective date within 45 days of the day you visit the clerk. The VIN must match the vehicle. If you're adding the car to an existing policy, get a temporary insurance card from your insurer — a screenshot of the app or a faxed card is accepted at most NKY offices.

  3. 3

    Go to your county clerk's office (no appointment needed)

    Kentucky clerk offices are walk-in only. Take a number when you arrive. The Kenton County Covington and Independence branches, and Boone County's Burlington and Florence branches, all handle title transfers without appointments. Avoid Monday mornings and the last few days of the month — these are the busiest times.

  4. 4

    Out-of-state vehicle? Get a sheriff inspection first

    If the vehicle was previously titled in another state, you need a VIN inspection by a county sheriff before going to the title window. Most NKY county clerk branches have a sheriff on-site during regular hours — but call ahead to confirm. The inspection fee is $15 cash, paid directly to the sheriff.

  5. 5

    Submit documents and pay fees at the counter

    The clerk processes your title application, collects the $9 title fee, $2 notary fee (if needed), any lien fee, and the 6% usage tax. You'll receive a vehicle registration in your name that day. The actual title certificate is mailed to you from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort — allow 2–6 weeks, or pay $25 for speed title delivery by the next business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the 15-day deadline in Kentucky?

Kentucky does not charge a specific monetary late title fee at the county clerk level, but you are out of compliance with KRS 186.020 and technically cannot legally operate the vehicle. You're also personally liable for any issues with the vehicle (traffic tickets, accidents) that occur before the title is in your name. Complete the transfer as soon as possible. The clerk will process it regardless of how late you are.

Can the seller and I do the title transfer at different times?

Yes — but the seller's signature on the back of the title must be notarized before you bring the title to the clerk. You can't have the clerk notarize a missing or unsigned seller signature. If you bring an unsigned title, you'll be turned away. Many people get the seller's signature notarized by a bank, UPS Store, or independent notary before meeting at the clerk's office.

Can I go to any county clerk, or must I go to my own county?

You should go to the clerk in the county where you reside or where the vehicle will primarily be operated. Kentucky law (KRS 186.020) ties registration to residency. While another county's clerk may process it, your title will be registered with your home county's system — you're better off going to your own county to avoid delays or complications.

Does the seller need to be present at the clerk's office?

Not if their signature is already notarized on the back of the title. If both of you go together, the clerk can notarize both signatures for a small fee. It's strongly recommended that both parties be present to catch any errors on the spot — an error on the title can mean a return trip.

I bought a car from a private seller and the title is signed over to me. Can I still drive it for 15 days without registering it?

Technically yes — you have 15 days to complete the title transfer, and you're allowed to drive to the clerk's office to do so. However, you should have the vehicle insured in your name before operating it. If you're stopped by police, having the signed title in the vehicle and being within the 15-day window is your documentation. After 15 days, you're not in compliance.

What if the seller's name on the title is different from their current name?

The seller must provide documentation of the name change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — to accompany the title. The same applies to you as a buyer: if your ID doesn't match the name you want on the new title, bring documentation. The clerk won't process a title where names don't match without this paper trail.

I'm moving to Kentucky from Ohio (or another state). What do I need to do?

As a new Kentucky resident, you have 15 days from establishing residency to title your vehicle in Kentucky. You'll need: your out-of-state title (properly signed and notarized if it's a new purchase), a sheriff inspection ($15 cash), proof of Kentucky insurance, and your Kentucky driver's license or ID. The sheriff inspection is required for all out-of-state vehicles, even if you owned the car for years in another state. Most NKY clerk branches have a sheriff available during regular business hours.

How long does it take to get the actual title in the mail?

The physical title certificate is mailed from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort. Standard processing takes 2–6 weeks. For $25 extra, you can request a "speed title" — the Cabinet makes it available for pick-up at the clerk's office by the next business day. Speed title pick-up at Rowan County (and some NKY offices) is available 11 AM–4 PM on business days.

Coverage Area

TitleCheckKY covers Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati — both sides of the river.

Kentucky Counties

Ohio Counties

  • Hamilton County (Cincinnati) Guide coming soon
  • Clermont County Coming soon
  • Warren County Coming soon
  • Butler County Coming soon