Boone County, Kentucky
Vehicle Title Transfer at the Boone County Clerk
Two full-service branch offices — Burlington and Florence. Burlington has extended Tuesday hours until 6:00 PM, making it one of the few NKY clerk offices accessible after a standard work day.
Boone County Clerk Branch Offices
Both branches handle complete vehicle title transfers. Choose based on your location and schedule.
Burlington Branch
Main Office
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Extended Tuesday hours are the only after-work option in Boone County. Closed all state and federal holidays.
Free parking lot at the Washington Square government complex. Typically easy to find a spot. Accessible entrance from the main lot.
If you work a standard weekday schedule, Tuesday evening at Burlington is your best shot without taking time off. Arrive by 5:30 PM to be safe — the window stops taking new customers at 6:00 PM sharp.
Out-of-state vehicle transfers require a sheriff VIN inspection. Burlington has a Boone County Sheriff deputy available during regular business hours. Call ahead at (859) 334-2108 to confirm availability before making the trip.
Florence Branch
North County(859) 647-8706 (direct branch line)
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
No extended hours. If you need after-work service, use Burlington on Tuesday.
You can fax your insurance card directly to the Florence branch before arriving: (859) 647-8706. This expedites processing at the counter — useful if your insurance card hasn't arrived in the mail yet.
If you live in the northern part of Boone County — Florence, Erlanger, Elsmere, or Union — this branch is closer and typically has shorter waits than Burlington. The Ewing Blvd location is easy to access from I-75 and US-42.
Florence accepts faxed insurance cards at (859) 647-8706. If your insurer can fax the card before your visit, the clerk can pull it up at the counter without you needing to present a physical card. Confirm with your insurer that the VIN matches exactly.
What to Bring to the Boone County Clerk
Standard private-party used vehicle purchase. All items required — one missing document means a return trip.
Required Documents
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Signed and notarized title
Seller completes and signs the back of the title. Both buyer and seller signatures must be notarized. Boone County Clerk can notarize at either branch for $2/signature. If the seller won't be present, their signature must be pre-notarized by a bank, UPS Store, or independent notary.
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Proof of Kentucky insurance
In the buyer's name, covering this specific vehicle (matching VIN), effective within 45 days of today. Florence branch accepts faxed insurance to (859) 647-8706 — useful if your physical card hasn't arrived. Burlington accepts phone screenshots and printed cards.
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Kentucky photo ID
Driver's license or state-issued ID. If your name differs from the ID (recent name change), bring your marriage certificate or court documentation.
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Social Security number
Required verbally at the counter for all individuals on the title. No card needed — just the number. Businesses provide their FEIN.
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Payment
Title fee: $9. Notary: $2/signature if done at the office. Usage tax: 6% of NADA trade-in value or purchase price (higher applies). Boone County accepts cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Credit cards carry a 2.75% surcharge; debit 1.5%. Bring a check or cash to avoid the surcharge.
Additional Requirements
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Out-of-state vehicle
Requires a sheriff VIN inspection before title transfer. Burlington has a Boone County Sheriff deputy available during business hours — call ahead at (859) 334-2108 to confirm. Bring $15 cash for the sheriff. After the inspection, proceed directly to the title window at the same branch. Florence may also have sheriff access — confirm by phone before visiting.
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Financed vehicle (lien)
$22 lien fee applies. The title will be issued to and mailed to your lender. You receive temporary registration and a plate sticker at the counter. The actual title follows when fully paid off.
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Family transfer or gift
Direct family transfers (parent ↔ child, grandparent ↔ grandchild, spouse ↔ spouse) qualify for usage tax exemption. Bring documentation: birth certificate or marriage certificate. All other gifts are taxed at 6% of trade-in value — not the purchase price of $0.
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Title with "AND" between owners
All named owners must sign and be notarized. "OR" requires only one. This also applies when buying — if you're putting two names on a new title, clarify whether "AND" or "OR" suits your situation before completing paperwork.
Boone County Title Transfer Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title transfer fee | $9.00 | Standard KY statewide fee |
| Notary fee | $2.00 per signature | Available at both branches |
| Usage tax | 6% of NADA retail | Higher of trade-in value or purchase price |
| Lien filing fee | $22.00 | If financing; title mailed to lender |
| Speed title | $25.00 | Ready next business day at clerk's office |
| Duplicate title | $6.00–$8.00 | If original is lost |
| Sheriff VIN inspection | $15.00 cash | Out-of-state vehicles only; cash to sheriff |
| Credit card surcharge | 2.75% credit / 1.5% debit | Bring cash or check to avoid |
Step-by-Step: Boone County Title Transfer
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1
Get the title signed and notarized with the seller
Before money changes hands: seller fills in buyer name, purchase price, odometer, and date on the title back. Both parties sign. Both must be notarized — either at the Boone County Clerk together, or with separate pre-notarized signatures. Never accept an unsigned title and assume you'll sort it out later.
Any correction on the title — including a crossed-out word — requires a notarized affidavit of correction. Do not attempt corrections yourself.
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2
Confirm your insurance card is ready
Your KY insurance card must show an effective date within 45 days, with the correct VIN. If you're adding the car to an existing policy, most insurers can email or fax a temporary card immediately. Florence branch accepts faxed cards to (859) 647-8706 — fax it before you leave the house and it'll be on file when you arrive.
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3
Choose your branch — and your timing
Out-of-state vehicle: go to Burlington and plan for the sheriff inspection. In-state transfer near Florence or I-75 corridor: Florence branch is faster. Need evening hours: Burlington on Tuesday until 6:00 PM. If you're flexible, mid-week mornings at either branch are quickest.
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4
Submit documents and pay
The clerk processes your paperwork, calculates fees, and issues your new registration and plate sticker. The full transaction takes 10–20 minutes at the counter. Request a speed title ($25) here if you want the title available for pick-up the next business day instead of waiting 2–6 weeks for mail delivery.
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5
Receive your registration; wait for title certificate
You drive away with a valid registration sticker and receipt. The physical title certificate is mailed from the KY Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort. Standard: 2–6 weeks. Speed title: ready at the clerk's office the next business day after 11 AM. If your title doesn't arrive after 8 weeks, call the Transportation Cabinet: (502) 564-5301.
Boone County Title Transfer — FAQ
Can I go to the Florence branch on a Tuesday evening?
No — the extended Tuesday hours until 6:00 PM are available at the Burlington branch only. The Florence branch on Ewing Blvd closes at 4:30 PM every day, including Tuesday. If you need after-work hours, Burlington at 2950 E. Washington Square is your only option in Boone County.
What's the best time to go to avoid a long wait?
At both Boone County branches, Tuesday through Thursday mornings between 9 AM and 11 AM are typically the least congested. Avoid Monday mornings (post-weekend backlog) and the final 3–4 days of the month (renewal rush). If you can only go on a Friday, arrive at 8:30 AM when the doors open. Burlington on Tuesday between 4:30–5:30 PM is also a solid option — after-work traffic is lighter than you'd expect since most people don't know it stays open.
I bought a car from a private seller in Indiana. What do I need at Boone County?
You'll need the Indiana title signed over to you on the back, a sheriff VIN inspection (go to Burlington; call ahead to confirm sheriff availability at (859) 334-2108), proof of Kentucky insurance, your Kentucky ID, and $15 cash for the sheriff. The Indiana title must be properly endorsed — if the assignment section on the Indiana title is incomplete or improperly filled out, you may need to contact the Indiana BMV for a corrected title before the Boone County Clerk can process the transfer.
Can I fax my insurance card to the Florence branch before I arrive?
Yes — this is one of the unique advantages of the Florence branch. Fax your insurance card to (859) 647-8706 before leaving home. When you arrive, tell the clerk it was faxed and provide your name — they'll pull it from the fax queue. Confirm with your insurer that the VIN on the faxed card exactly matches the vehicle. Even a single transposed digit causes problems at the counter.
Does the car need to be present when I do the title transfer?
No — for in-state transfers, the vehicle doesn't need to be at the clerk's office. You bring the paperwork, not the car. The exception is out-of-state vehicles, which require a physical VIN inspection by the Boone County Sheriff at Burlington. For that, you'll need to drive the vehicle to the office.
I bought the car two weeks ago and haven't titled it yet — am I in trouble?
You're cutting it close — Kentucky's deadline is 15 days from purchase. If you're still within that window, go immediately. If you've passed 15 days, you're technically out of compliance, but the clerk will still process the transfer — there is no specific monetary penalty applied at the clerk's office for being late on a private-party purchase. Complete it as soon as possible. Operating a vehicle you haven't titled exposes you to liability for any issues tied to the previous owner's record until the title is in your name.
My parents are giving me their car as a gift. Will I owe usage tax?
Direct parent-to-child transfers qualify for the Kentucky family transfer tax exemption — you won't owe the 6% usage tax. Bring documentation confirming the relationship (your birth certificate showing your parents' names). The same exemption applies for spouse-to-spouse and grandparent-to-grandchild transfers. The clerk at either Boone County branch will verify eligibility at the counter and note the exemption in the paperwork.
I'm a new Boone County resident moving from Ohio. What do I do?
You have 15 days from establishing Kentucky residency to title your vehicle at the Boone County Clerk. You'll need your Ohio title (signed over if it's a new purchase, or just the existing title if you owned the car in Ohio), a sheriff VIN inspection at Burlington ($15 cash), proof of Kentucky auto insurance, and your Kentucky driver's license or ID. If your Ohio title has a lienholder listed, contact them first — the lienholder may need to release the title or provide a letter authorizing the Kentucky transfer. Call Burlington at (859) 334-2108 before your visit to walk through your specific situation.
Nearby County Guides
Near a county border? A neighboring clerk's office might be more convenient.
Kenton County KY →
Covington and Independence branches. Covington has a sheriff on-site for out-of-state inspections. Independence is faster for southern Kenton County residents.
Campbell County KY
Newport and Alexandria branches. Full guide coming soon.
Hamilton County OH
Ohio titles handled by the Clerk of Courts — a completely different process. Guide coming soon.