Q: Do I need to make an appointment to get a marriage license?
A: No. We are open Monday – Friday from 7:30 – 4:00.  You need to apply in the County Clerk’s Covington location at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, KY.

Q: Do you need a Kentucky ID to get a Marriage License?
A: We accept any government issued ID.

Q: Who may solemnize a marriage?
A: Ministers or priests in regular communion with any religious society;

Judges, county judges/executive, justice of the peace;

A religious society that has no minister and who solemnizes marriages at the usual place of worship, if
either party belongs to the society.

KRS chapter 402 has further information concerning marriage license laws.

We are unable to perform your ceremony at the County Clerk’s Office.

Q: Do ministers need to be bonded?
A: No. The law that required this was repealed in 1994.

Q: If we are getting married in another state, where can we get the license?
A: You need to get the license in the state where you are getting married. The license we issue must be used in Kentucky.

Q: We got married out of the country, do we need to register it in your office?
A: No. The country where you got married should send you its official certificate. The County Clerk’s office only records the marriage licenses that it issues.

Q: How do I change my name after I get married?
A: You will need to take the marriage certificate that we mail to you to the social security office.

Q: Do I have to change my name?
A: No, but you still need to inform the social security office of your marital status.

Q: Where do I obtain copies of divorce records?
A: At the Circuit Courthouse.

Q: Do I need to bring my divorce papers?
A: No. You need to bring your government issued ID.

Q: Do I need to make an appointment to get a marriage license?
A: No. We are open Monday – Friday from 7:30 – 4:00.  You need to apply in the County Clerk’s Covington location at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, KY.

Q: Do you need a Kentucky ID to get a Marriage License?
A: We accept any government issued ID.

Q: Who may solemnize a marriage?
A: Ministers or priests in regular communion with any religious society;

Judges, county judges/executive, justice of the peace;

A religious society that has no minister and who solemnizes marriages at the usual place of worship, if
either party belongs to the society.

KRS chapter 402 has further information concerning marriage license laws.

We are unable to perform your ceremony at the County Clerk’s Office.

Q: Do ministers need to be bonded?
A: No. The law that required this was repealed in 1994.

Q: If we are getting married in another state, where can we get the license?
A: You need to get the license in the state where you are getting married. The license we issue must be used in Kentucky.

Q: We got married out of the country, do we need to register it in your office?
A: No. The country where you got married should send you its official certificate. The County Clerk’s office only records the marriage licenses that it issues.

Q: How do I change my name after I get married?
A: You will need to take the marriage certificate that we mail to you to the social security office.

Q: Do I have to change my name?
A: No, but you still need to inform the social security office of your marital status.

Q: Where do I obtain copies of divorce records?
A: At the Circuit Courthouse.

Q: Do I need to bring my divorce papers?
A: No. You need to bring your government issued ID.

Q: What is required to file a lien?

A: The secured party (the lender) must submit the current KY title, a Title Lien Statement, and payment of $22.00.  If the title has been misplaced, a duplicate title must be ordered.  Ordering a title generates a form called a “goldenrod” that can be used in place of the title for 30 days.  This form looks like the registration to the vehicle, but has a red stamp to indicate “for lien filing purposes only” and also an embossed county seal on the page.

Note: If you are a lender and need access to the Title Lien Statement, please contact our office at (859) 392-392-1659 and ask for the Lien Department.  We can fax or e-mail the form with instructions to you.

 Q: What does it cost to file a lien?

A: The standard filing fee for a Title Lien Statement dated within 30 days the day we receive it is $22.00.  If the date on the TLS is dated more than 30 days old when we receive it, there is a $2.00 late fee making the total $24.00.  If there is no date at all on the TLS there is a $2.00 late fee making the total $24.00.

Q: What does it cost to release a lien?

A: The lien release fee was collected when the lien was originally filed, so there is no payment due at the time of the release.  However, if we need to fax a lien release to another county, there is a $3.00 fee for the fax.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?

A: We accept cash, checks, or money orders to file a lien or send a fax.

Q: What forms do you accept to release a lien?

A: The Kentucky County Clerk’s Association voted to only accept one of the following forms to release vehicle liens: Original Clerk’s Filing Receipt, Title Lien Statement (Form TC96-187), or a UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment.  The KCCA also voted NOT to accept terminations on company letterhead.

Note: If you are a lender and need access to the Title Lien Statement, please contact our office at (859) 92-1659 and ask for the Lien Department.  We can fax or e-mail the form with instructions to you.

Q: My lienholder mailed a lien release to me.  Do I need to send this to your office?

A: If your lien is filed in Kenton County, you may mail or bring the release into our office along with your title.  We will release the lien in the computer, sign the lien off of the title, and return the title to you.

If your lien is filed in another county, you should mail the original lien release to the county where it is filed.  You may also bring it to our office to be faxed to the correct county for a $3.00 fee.

 Q: My lien has been released in your computer system.  When will I receive the new title?

A: A new title is not automatically generated when a lien is released.  If you still have the original title showing the lien, you may mail it to our office or bring it to us in person to be signed off and returned to you.  If you do not have the original title, or would simply prefer to have a new one issued, you may order a duplicate title.

Q: I have a letter from my bank showing my loan is paid in full, and it is signed and notarized.  Isn’t this the best form to accept for a lien release?

A: No.  All liens filed in Kentucky have a specific file number and file date that are not referenced in a letter from your bank. The Clerk’s office will only accept one of the following forms to release vehicle liens: Original Clerk’s Filing Receipt, Title Lien Statement (Form TC96-187), or a UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment.  The KCCA also voted NOT to accept terminations on company letterhead.

Q: Will you accept a faxed termination?

A: Yes, as long as it is faxed directly from the secured party or another county clerk’s office. If the fax does not have the secured party or county clerk’s name as the header, we will need to have a cover sheet also.  We do not accept faxes from a third party, such as mytitlesupport.com.

Q: I live in Kenton County now, but my lien is filed in another county.  Can you release this lien for me?

A: The lien can only be released in the county where it was originally filed, but we can fax the release for a $3.00 fee.

Q: My lienholder has gone out of business, but the lien hasn’t been released.  What do I do now?

A: If your lienholder was a financial institution (such as a bank or credit union), they may have been bought out by or merged with another financial institution.  If this is the case, we can accept a lien release from the new entity, but we require proof of the relationship between the two entities.

If your lienholder was a dealership, you can contact the Motor Vehicle Commission in Frankfort at (502)-573-1000 to get information about who may have taken over the accounts for the dealership.  You may also check the Business Filings information on the Secretary of State’s website (www.sos.ky.gov) to determine who may be handling the paperwork now.

If these options do not work, you may petition the Circuit Court and file a lawsuit.

Q: Are you closed for lunch?
A: No. We have staff available to assist customers from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Q: Will you fax or email a copy to me?
A: No. Our office does not fax or email copies of documents.

Q: Can I obtain the book and page number of a document over the phone?
A: No. We do not give recording information over the phone.

Q: How do I look up records in the land records department?
A: There is an instruction sheet available at the counter. It explains basic search techniques on our computer system.

Q: Do you have marriage licenses for other counties?
A: No. Each county is responsible for their marriage records. It wasn’t until June 1958 that the Vital Statistics Office began centrally storing records for every county.

Q: How do I get a copy of a divorce decree?
A: Divorce records can be found in the Circuit Court where the divorce was granted. For a divorce filed in Kenton County contact the Kenton County Circuit Court at (859) 292-6576.

Q: Does the Kenton County Clerk’s Office have a list of foreclosures?
A: No. The Master Commissioner’s Office is responsible for the properties that are going to be auctioned. Please contact the Master Commissioner at (859) 431-1027 or tmcsales.info/index.html

Q: Where/How do you transfer a mobile home?
A: Mobile homes are titled like vehicles. Mobile home transfers are completed in the Auto Department of the Kenton County Clerk.

Q: How do I find out how much I paid in real estate taxes last year?
A: The Kenton County Sheriff collects the current year tax bills through April 15^th of each year.  Contact the Kenton County Sheriff at (859) 392-1882 or online at www.kentoncountysheriff.org.  If the tax bill was delinquent (paid after April 16th), contact our office at (859) 392-1650 or search online at www.kentondeeds.com.

Q: Who do I contact if I feel that my property tax assessment is incorrect or I want to claim a homestead or disability exemption?
A: The Kenton County Property Valuation Office is in charge of property assessments. Contact the PVA at (859) 392-1750 or www.kentonpva.com.

Q: How do I get a business license?
A: The Kenton County Occupational License office is responsible for issuing business licenses. Contact the Occupational Office at (859) 392-1440.  For a listing of other services and additional information for the County Occupational Office go to www.kentoncounty.org.

If you are inquiring about a vendor’s license then contact the County Clerk’s office at 859-392-1650.

Q: Will your office help me prepare my documents or do you have blank forms?
A: The Kenton County Clerk’s Office cannot help you prepare any document nor do we have blank forms. The documents that are brought here for recording must be completely filled out prior to recording.

Q: Do you record a health care power of attorney or living will?
A: No. There is no statutory authority for us to record either of those documents and there is an Attorney General’s opinion that instructs us not to record them.

Q: When will you hold the annual tax sale?
A: Go to www.revenue.ky.gov to see the schedule of all the Kentucky counties’ tax sales.

Q: Will I need insurance for the car I’m buying?
A: YES. Proof of current Kentucky liability insurance is required at the time of transfer. The insurance card must reflect the VIN of the vehicle being transferred, show the new owner’s name as the insured, and show the NAIC number or company code. Insurance requirements

Q: Does the seller have to be with me when I transfer the title?
A: NO. If the seller has completed their part of the title in its entirety including the signature and notary, then the buyer may come into our office to transfer the vehicle without the seller. (See Example)

Q: Do I have to let you know if I junk my vehicle?
A: YES. You must surrender your title and license plate to the county clerk’s office in order to cancel the record. Not cancelling the record will result in future taxes on a vehicle you no longer own.

Q: Why does my car need an inspection if it’s new?
A: All vehicles coming into Kentucky from out of state whether new or used must have a VIN inspection done by the Sheriff to make sure the paperwork matches the vehicle being registered. The cost of an inspection is $5.00

Q: Can I do a transfer of ownership by mail?
A: NO. All transfers must be done in person at the county clerk’s office.

Q: Why would I pay usage tax based on the book value instead of what I paid for it?
A: Kentucky House Bill 380 established a minimum taxable value for all motor vehicles. It provides that the value of a used motor vehicle for usage tax purposes would be based on the affidavit of total consideration given, but the taxable value could not be less than 50% of its trade-in value as listed in the automotive price reference manuals (NADA).

Q: How can I get a special plate for my vehicle?
A: Most special plates are available to the general public. If the vehicle is currently registered you must bring the current plate, registration certificate and your proof of current Kentucky liability insurance to the county clerk’s office. Click here to see our special plates.

Q: How can I get a personalized plate for my vehicle? (do you need me to upload the application?)
A: A completed personalized plate application must be submitted to the county clerk’s office along with a $25 application fee. A personalized plate application must first be approved by the Department of Transportation.

Q: How long will it take to receive my title?
A: Titles are processed by the Department of Transportation and are mailed to the customer within 4 to 6 weeks of application. Expedited “Speed” titles are available in some circumstances for an additional fee. Speed titles are mailed within 4 to 5 days of application.

Q: Do I have to title and register my boat?
A: All motor boats must be titled in Kentucky. Boats that are not operated on public waterways or do not have a motor do not require registration.

Q: Do I have to title and register my trailer?
A: All trailers must be titled in Kentucky. Privately owned and operated trailers used for the transportation of boats, luggage, personal effects, farm products, farm suppliers or farm equipment do not require registration. Trailers used for commercial purposes must be registered.

Q: I received my renewal notice and it states “See Clerk” / “See PVA”, what does that mean?
A: “See Clerk” usually means that the registration is expired. You must come to our office to renew.
“See PVA” means that the Property Valuation Office needs more information to properly assess taxes. You must call Kenton County PVA at (859) 392-1750 before your renewal can be processed.

Q: I just got a tax bill for a car I no longer have, what do I do?
A: You need to request cancellation of the registration/title. If the vehicle has been junked, the title and plate must be surrendered to the county clerk’s office. If the vehicle has been sold, two affidavits must be completed: “Affidavit for Correction/Exoneration” (62A044) and “Affidavit of Incomplete Transfer” (89FCC-266).

Q: I just got married, how do I update my name on my title?
A: Bring your title, registration, picture identification (i.e. Driver’s License, Government issued photo ID card, Passport) , and marriage certificate to the county clerk’s office  to update your title and registration. The fee is $9.00. (don’t need a link to the picture identification)

Q: I just moved within Kentucky, how do I update the address on my registration?
A: Bring your registration and picture identification (i.e. Driver’s License, Government issued photo ID card, Passport) to the county clerk’s office to update your address. You are not required to update the address on the title.

Q: Why do I have to pay taxes on a vehicle I am not operating?
A: Property tax for your vehicles, trailers and boats are assessed by the Property Valuation Administrator on January 1st of each year. You are responsible for property tax for any vehicle registered to you on January 1. This tax is separate from your registration fee.