How To Transfer a Car Title in Kentucky 2026
Every motor vehicle operated on Commonwealth roadways must be titled and registered in Kentucky. KRS 186A.215 governs the procedures for transferring vehicle ownership and requires the new owner to submit a completed title application to the county clerk's office within 15 days of receiving the vehicle. Unlike states that route title work through a central motor vehicle agency, Kentucky administers all title and registration transactions exclusively through the county clerk's office in the buyer's county of residence.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Kentucky
The following items must be presented to the county clerk's office at the time of application. All signatures on the title instrument must be executed in the presence of a notary public.
| Document | Form / Reference | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Original Kentucky Certificate of Title (seller's assignment notarized) | — | All in-state transfers |
| Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration | TC 96-182 | Out-of-state titles; titles issued before February 2000 |
| Valid Photo Identification | — | Buyer and seller; all transfers |
| Social Security Number | — | Required for all new owners |
| Proof of Kentucky Insurance (issued within 45 days) | — | Required for registration |
| Title Lien Statement or Lien Release | TC 96-187 | When a lien is recorded on the title |
| Power of Attorney | — | When the titled owner cannot appear in person |
| Sheriff's VIN Inspection | — | Out-of-state vehicles only |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Kentucky
Step 1: Satisfy All Outstanding Liens
A title with an unreleased lien cannot be transferred to a new owner without the lienholder's formal release. The county clerk's office accepts only the following as valid proof of lien discharge: the original clerk's filing receipt, a Title Lien Statement (Form TC 96-187) bearing the lienholder's original signature, or a written release letter from the lending institution on official letterhead. Faxed or photocopied lien releases are not accepted instead of original instruments. If the title is currently held in electronic format by the lienholder, the lienholder must release it directly to the county clerk before the transfer can proceed.
Step 2: Execute the Title Assignment Before a Notary
The seller must complete the assignment section on the reverse of the certificate of title and sign it in the physical presence of a notary public before delivering it to the buyer. The assignment must include the date of sale, the full purchase price, and the buyer's complete legal name and address. County clerk offices do not accept titles showing erasures or alterations; contact your county clerk for guidance on corrections or apply for a corrected title via separate application. The completed, notarized title is then delivered to the buyer for presentation to the county clerk.
Step 3: Complete Form TC 96-182 (Where Required)
For Kentucky titles issued before February 2000, as well as for all out-of-state title transfers, the Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration (Form TC 96-182) must be completed, signed, and notarized by both buyer and seller. This form also serves as the odometer disclosure statement, where applicable. Buyers transferring a vehicle from another state must additionally present the results of a Sheriff's VIN inspection conducted in their Kentucky county of residence.
Step 4: Compile All Supporting Documentation
Before visiting the county clerk's office, assemble every applicable item listed in the document table above. Kentucky proof of insurance must bear an issue date no more than 45 days before the date of application. If the titled owner is unable to appear in person, a notarized Power of Attorney signed by that owner must accompany the application. Delinquent property taxes owed by the buyer or assessed against the vehicle must be satisfied in full before the clerk will accept the transfer.
Step 5: Submit the Application at Your County Clerk's Office
Bring the complete document package to the county clerk's office in the Kentucky county where the buyer resides or where the vehicle will be primarily operated. The clerk will process the application, collect all applicable fees and Motor Vehicle Usage Tax, and forward the title request to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Title Branch in Frankfort.
Step 6: Pay All Applicable Fees and Await Your Title
All fees and taxes are collected at the county clerk's office at the time of submission. Kentucky's Motor Vehicle Usage Tax, established under KRS Chapter 138, is levied at 6% of the vehicle's purchase price or NADA retail value, whichever is greater, and is due at the time of registration. An expedited Speed Title option — which delivers the title by mail the following business day — is available at an additional fee directly from the county clerk.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title Fee (with registration and license plate) | $17.00 |
| Title Fee (title only, no plate issued) | $9.00 |
| Motor Vehicle Usage Tax | 6% of purchase price or NADA retail value |
| Lien Filing Fee | $22.00 |
| Speed Title (expedited next-business-day mail) | $25.00 |
| Duplicate Title | $6.00 |
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Title Branch mails the new certificate of title directly to the registered owner. If the title has not been received within 45 days of the application date, contact your county clerk's office to investigate the status of the issuance.
Contact Information
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Department of Vehicle Regulation (DRIVE)
200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622
Phone: (502) 564-1257
Official Website: DRIVE — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
