General Information
The seller should sign his/her name on the back of the title exactly as it appears on the front. The seller’s signature must be notarized on the back of the title. In the case of an older title not having a notary field, the seller’s signature would then be notarized on the Application for Title (TC 96-182). In cases of joint ownership – ‘or’ requires just one signature – ‘and/or’ either signature, ‘and’ requires both signatures. The correct odometer reading is required. The Title and VTR may be completed and notarized outside the County Clerk’s Office. In such cases anyone may bring the paperwork in for processing.
If the buyer or seller’s signature is notarized by the County Clerk’s Office, the person must appear in person with a valid Kentucky I.D. A $2.00 notary fee is charged for each signature.
If the buyer wishes to register and plate the vehicle to be transferred, proof of Commonwealth of Kentucky insurance is required. When providing the Clerk’s Office with an insurance card it cannot have an Effective/Issue date older than 45 days from the date that it is presented. It is important to note that the effective date of the policy may be different than the effective date of the insurance card. For acceptance, the Clerk’s Office is concerned with the date the card was issued, not the policy. This applies to Personal Policies only. Mandatory Insurance Law
All fees including a $9 Motor Vehicle Title Application, notary fees (if applicable), plate fees (if applicable) and sales or usage taxes are due at the time of transfer. Usage tax is based on 6% of purchase price when using a Total Consideration Affidavit. If not, the vehicle is taxed on 6% of the NADA retail value. Any delinquent tax on the vehicle being transferred must be paid before transfer. Any delinquent tax on other vehicles owned by the purchaser must be paid prior to transfer.
When a vehicle is transferred with an unexpired registration, the seller will remove and keep the plate that was on the vehicle they sold. The seller can have that plate and their unexpired registration, including standard issue plates, reassigned to any other vehicle they own, including a new vehicle that they are purchasing.
The buyer of the vehicle can purchase a new plate at a Motor Vehicle branch or have a plate they own with an unexpired registration reissued to their new vehicle.
Plates no longer needed or with expired registrations, including special plates, will be handed over to the Clerk’s Office.
Accepted methods of payment are cash, money order, MC, Visa, AMX and Discover or personal check. No out-of-state checks accepted. Valid Kentucky I.D. is required for acceptance of personal checks.
Note: There is a payment service fee for all card transactions, 1.5% of total for Debit Cards and 2.75% of total for Credit Cards.
Motor Boat Transfers require previous owner’s certificate of registration and/or title along with a Motor Boat Transaction Record/TC 96-184 (revised 5/00). To print this form visit the Motor Vehicle Forms page.
If you have any questions regarding this information, you may call our Motor Vehicle Call Center at 502.574.5700.
