Kenton County, Kentucky
Vehicle Title Transfer at the Kenton County Clerk
Two branch locations — Covington and Independence. Walk-ins only. No appointment needed. Here's exactly what to expect at each office.
Kenton County Clerk Branch Offices
Both branches handle full vehicle title transfers. Choose based on your location within the county.
Covington Branch
Main OfficeMonday – Friday
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed all state and federal holidays. No extended hours at this branch.
Street parking on Simon Kenton Way and adjacent lots. Metered parking available nearby on 4th Street. Arrive early to avoid parking delays.
A Kenton County Sheriff deputy is stationed at this branch during regular hours for VIN inspections on out-of-state vehicles ($15 cash). No need to schedule a separate appointment — go directly to the title window and they'll direct you to the sheriff's station first.
Monday mornings and the last 3 business days of the month are peak times. Plan for a 20–45 minute wait during these periods. Mid-week mornings (Tuesday–Thursday, 9 AM–11 AM) are typically the fastest.
Independence Branch
South CountyMonday – Friday
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Same hours as Covington. Closed all state and federal holidays.
Free surface lot adjacent to the building. Typically easy to park — this branch is less congested than Covington.
Independence consistently has shorter waits than the Covington branch. If you live in the southern portion of Kenton County (Taylor Mill, Independence, Erlanger, Elsmere), this is your closest and fastest option.
If your vehicle was previously titled in another state, you need a VIN inspection by a sheriff before your title transfer. You must go to the Covington branch for this — or arrange an inspection separately. Call ahead to confirm sheriff availability at Covington: (859) 392-1620.
What to Bring to the Kenton County Clerk
For a standard used vehicle purchase from a private seller. Every item below is required — a missing document means a return trip.
Required Documents
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Signed and notarized title
The seller completes the back of the title — buyer name, purchase price, odometer, date — and both buyer and seller sign. Both signatures must be notarized. The Kenton County Clerk can notarize at the office for $2/signature. If the seller won't be with you, their signature must already be notarized before you arrive.
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Proof of Kentucky insurance
Must be in the buyer's name, covering this specific vehicle (matching VIN), with an effective date within 45 days of today. A printed card, phone screenshot, or fax from your insurer are all accepted. Kenton County accepts faxed insurance to (859) 392-1620.
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Kentucky photo ID
Driver's license or state-issued ID. If your name on the ID doesn't match the name you want on the title (e.g., recently married), bring your marriage certificate or court order showing the name change.
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Social Security number
Required for all individuals listed on the title. You don't need to bring a card — the clerk will ask for the number verbally. Businesses use their FEIN instead.
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Payment
Title fee: $9. Notary: $2/signature (if done at the office). Usage tax: 6% of NADA retail trade-in value or purchase price, whichever is higher. Kenton County accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Credit cards carry a 2.75% surcharge; debit cards 1.5%. Bring a check or cash to avoid the card fee.
Situation-Specific Additions
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Out-of-state vehicle (go to Covington)
Bring the out-of-state title and your TC 96-182 form (Vehicle/Vessel Transfer — available at the clerk's office). The Kenton County Sheriff will inspect the VIN, stamped on your door frame. Fee: $15 cash, paid to the sheriff. After inspection, proceed to the title window. The Independence branch does not have a sheriff on-site — go to Covington for out-of-state transfers.
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Vehicle with a lien (financing)
Add $22 for the lien fee. If the lender holds the original title, the clerk sends a request to the lienholder. You receive temporary registration plates while waiting. The title will be mailed to your lender once issued.
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Title lists "AND" between owner names
All named owners must sign and have their signatures notarized. "OR" on the title requires only one owner's signature. If you're buying from an estate or trust, bring the Letters of Administration or trustee documentation.
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Gift or family transfer
Gifted vehicles are still subject to 6% usage tax, calculated on the current trade-in value — not $0. However, direct family transfers (parent ↔ child, spouse ↔ spouse, grandparent ↔ grandchild) qualify for a tax exemption. Bring proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate). The clerk at Kenton County will verify eligibility.
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Dealer purchase
If you bought from a licensed Kentucky dealer, the dealer typically handles the title paperwork and submits it on your behalf. Confirm with your dealer whether you need to visit the clerk yourself. If they give you the title to take in, follow the same process as a private purchase.
Kenton County Title Transfer Fees
All fees are standard Kentucky state fees — Kenton County does not add county-level surcharges beyond state requirements.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title transfer fee | $9.00 | Standard KY fee, all transfers |
| Notary fee (at clerk's office) | $2.00 per signature | Bring a pre-notarized title to avoid this |
| Usage tax (sales tax) | 6% of NADA retail value | Based on trade-in book value or purchase price — whichever is higher |
| Lien filing fee | $22.00 | Only if financing the vehicle |
| Speed title | $25.00 | Title ready next business day at clerk's office instead of mailed in 2–6 weeks |
| Duplicate title | $6.00–$8.00 | If original is lost or mutilated |
| Sheriff VIN inspection | $15.00 cash | Out-of-state vehicles only; cash paid to sheriff, not clerk |
| Credit card surcharge | 2.75% (credit) / 1.5% (debit) | Use cash or check to avoid |
| Registration / plates | Varies by vehicle weight/type | Added to your total at the counter; clerk calculates at time of transfer |
Step-by-Step: Kenton County Title Transfer
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1
Complete the title assignment with the seller — before leaving
Don't leave the seller's location with an unsigned title. The seller fills in: buyer's full legal name, purchase price, odometer reading, and date of sale on the back of the title. Both of you sign in the notary section. If you do this together at the Kenton County Clerk, the clerk notarizes both for $2/signature. If doing it separately, the seller's signature must be notarized by a third party before you bring the title in.
Never use correction fluid or erase anything on the title. Any mark on the notary section invalidates it. A corrected entry anywhere on the title requires a notarized affidavit of correction — another form, another trip.
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2
Out-of-state vehicle? Go to Covington first — get the sheriff inspection
If the vehicle was last titled in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, or any other state, you need a VIN inspection before the title transfer. Go to the Covington branch (1840 Simon Kenton Way). Tell the front desk you need a sheriff inspection for an out-of-state vehicle. Bring $15 cash for the sheriff. After the inspection, you go straight to the title window — same visit.
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3
Choose your branch and go — no appointment needed
Walk in at either branch. Take a number at the motor vehicle window. For the fastest experience: Independence branch on a Tuesday–Thursday mid-morning. Covington is convenient if you need the on-site sheriff or you're already in the area. Both branches open at 8:00 AM — arriving in the first 30 minutes of the day avoids most of the queue.
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4
Submit documents and pay at the counter
Hand over: signed notarized title, proof of insurance, photo ID, and your Social Security number. The clerk calculates your fees and usage tax on the spot. You'll receive your new registration and temporary plate sticker the same day. If you want a speed title, request it now — $25 extra, ready the next business day.
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5
Wait for the title certificate in the mail
The physical title certificate is printed and mailed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort — not the local clerk. Standard delivery takes 2–6 weeks. Speed title: available for pick-up at the clerk's office the next business day after 11 AM. If your title hasn't arrived after 8 weeks, call the KY Transportation Cabinet directly at (502) 564-5301.
Kenton County Title Transfer — FAQ
Can I go to the Independence branch if my car is from out of state?
No — not for the initial transfer. The Independence branch does not have a sheriff deputy on-site, and out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection by a sheriff before the title transfer can be processed. You must go to the Covington branch at 1840 Simon Kenton Way for this. Once the inspection is complete, the title transfer is processed at the same visit.
What are the least busy times at the Kenton County Clerk?
Tuesday through Thursday, between 9 AM and 11 AM, are consistently the least congested times at both branches. Monday mornings are the busiest — people who bought cars over the weekend pile in. The last 3–4 business days of any month are also very busy due to registration renewals. If you must go on a Friday, arrive right at 8:00 AM.
I bought a car from a private seller in Ohio. Where do I title it?
If you are a Kentucky resident, you title it at your Kentucky county clerk — Kenton County in your case. The Ohio title needs to be properly signed over to you on the back (Ohio titles have an assignment section). You'll also need a sheriff VIN inspection at the Covington branch since it was previously titled out of state. Bring the Ohio title, your KY insurance card, KY ID, and $15 cash for the sheriff.
The title has my name spelled slightly wrong. What do I do?
Do not try to correct it yourself on the title document. Bring the title as-is and let the Kenton County Clerk advise. In many cases, if the discrepancy is minor (one letter, common misspelling), the clerk can process it with a notarized affidavit of correction. In other cases, a corrected title from the previous state or the seller may be needed. Call (859) 392-1620 before your visit to describe the issue and get guidance.
Do I need to bring the car to the clerk's office?
No — for standard in-state Kentucky-to-Kentucky transfers, the vehicle does not need to be present. You bring the paperwork, not the car. The exception is out-of-state vehicles, which require a physical VIN inspection by the sheriff at the Covington branch — so you would need to drive the vehicle there for that step.
What if the seller lost the title?
The seller needs to obtain a duplicate title before you can complete the transfer. In Kentucky, the seller applies for a duplicate at their county clerk's office for $6–$8. This takes time — plan ahead. Do not complete the sale and exchange money until the seller has a clean, valid title in hand. Without a proper title, you have no legal recourse if problems arise later.
Can I add a co-owner to the title at the time of transfer?
Yes. If you want two names on the title (e.g., you and your spouse), both names go on the buyer line of the title assignment. Both people should be present for notarization, or both must have their signatures notarized separately. The title will be issued listing both names with either "AND" or "OR" — clarify with the seller how it's written, as this affects who can sell or transfer the vehicle later.
I'm moving to Kenton County from out of state. How long do I have to retitle?
Kentucky law gives new residents 15 days from establishing Kentucky residency to title their vehicle at the local county clerk. You'll need your out-of-state title, a sheriff VIN inspection ($15 cash at the Covington branch), proof of Kentucky insurance, and your Kentucky driver's license or ID (which you should have obtained within 30 days of moving under KRS 186.410). Call the clerk at (859) 392-1620 if you have a specific situation — they're generally helpful with new residents.
Nearby County Guides
If you live near a county border, it may be faster or more convenient to use a neighboring county's office.
Boone County KY →
Burlington (main) and Florence branches. Burlington has extended Tuesday hours until 6:00 PM — useful if you can't get there during the work day.
Campbell County KY
Newport and Alexandria branches. Full guide coming soon.
Hamilton County OH
Ohio titles are handled by the Clerk of Courts — a different system. Guide coming soon.