Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need insurance for the car I'm buying?

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.

Does the seller have to be with me when I transfer the title?

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:

Do I have to let you know if I junk my vehicle?

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.

Why does my car need an inspection if it's new?

All vehicles coming into Kentucky from out of state whether new or used must have a VIN inspection to make sure the paperwork matches the vehicle being registered.

Can I do a transfer of ownership by mail?

NO. All transfers must be done in person at the county clerk’s office.

Why would I pay usage tax based on the book value instead of what I paid for it?

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).

How can I get a special plate for my vehicle?

Most special plates are available to the general public. Bring your registration certificate and your proof of current Commonwealth of Kentucky liability insurance to the county clerk’s office. Click here to see our special plates.

How can I get a personalized plate for my vehicle?

Visit drive.ky.gov

How long will it take to receive my title?

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.

Do I have to title and register my boat?

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.

Do I have to title and register my trailer?

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.

I received my renewal notice and it states 'See Clerk' / 'See PVA', what does that mean?

“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 Fayette County Property Valuation Administration at (859) 246-2722 before your renewal can be processed.

I just got a tax bill for a car I no longer have, what do I do?

If the vehicle has been junked, the title must be surrendered to the County Clerk’s office. If the vehicle has been sold and not transferred, two affidavits must be completed: “Affidavit for Correction/Exoneration” (62A044) and “Affidavit of Incomplete Transfer” (89FCC-266).

I just got married, how do I update my name on my title?

Bring your title, registration, picture identification, and marriage certificate to the county clerk’s office room 102 to update your title and registration. The fee is $9.00.

I just moved, how do I update the address on my registration?

Bring your registration and picture identification to the county clerk’s office room 102 to update your address. You are not required to update the address on the title.

Why do I have to pay taxes on a vehicle I am not operating?

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 seperate from your registration fee.

If I have a driver's license am I automatically registered to vote?

Not necessarily. You have the opportunity to register to vote when you visit the driver’s license office, but you will only be registered if you fill out and sign a registration card before the registration deadline.

Will I receive a voter registration ID card when I register to vote?

No. We do not issue voter registration ID cards. You will receive a confirmation post card in the mail shortly after you register or change your address. This card will confirm your new precinct name.

Do I need to take anything with me when I go to the polls?

You will only need to show identification before voting. Kentucky law requires one of the following forms of identification that includes your name and photo:

1. A document issued by the State of Kentucky

2. A document issued by the United States

3. A document issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, any branch of uniformed services, Merchant Marines, or KY National Guard.

4. A document issued by a public or private college, university, or postgraduate technical or professional school located in the U.S.

5. A document issued by any city government, county government, urban-county government, charter county government, consolidated local government, or unified local government, located in Kentucky

If a voter does not have one of the documents above they may complete an affidavit and present one of the following:

1. Their social security card

2. Any ID card displaying the voter’s name and photo

3. A food stamp identification card, electronic benefit transfer card, or supplemental nutrition assistance card issued by KY displaying the voter’s name

I am a student. Do I vote here or in my home county?

Students have the choice to stay registered in their home county or to register in the county where they are attending school.

How often do I need to re-register?

You do not need to re-register unless you move out of the county and then return. Keeping your address updated with our office and voting regularly will keep your registration active.

What should I do if I change my name?

You will have to complete and sign a new voter registration card. You may do this on-line at govote.ky.gov, by mail, or in person at either the county clerk’s office or the driver’s license office.

Are seventeen year olds eligible to vote?

Seventeen year olds may register and vote in primary elections as long as they will be eighteen by the date of the next general election.

I previously had a felony conviction. Can I still register to vote?

Convicted felons must have their voting rights restored before they can register to vote. You may contact your local parole office or go to www.corrections.ky.gov to obtain an application for Restoration of Civil Rights.

What should I do if I move?

Moves within the county: Update your address with the county clerk in person, on-line at govote.ky.gov, in writing, or change your address at the driver’s license office. If you have not done this before Election Day you may still cast your ballot. You must go to the location that serves your new address on Election Day to vote and update your registration address at that time.

Moves outside of the county: Registration books close 28 days before each election. If you move to another Kentucky county you must register in your new county before the books close in order to be eligible to vote. If you move during the 28 day period that the books are closed, you may return to your previous county to vote in that one election only. You will need to change your registration to your new county as soon as the registration books reopen.

How do I change my party affiliation?

You may change your party affiliation at anytime; however, you must change your affiliation between the date of the primary and December 31st of the current year in order to be eligible to vote in your new party’s next primary election. If you change your affiliation between January 1st and the primary election date, you will only be able to vote in the nonpartisan primary races.

If I am not registered as a Democrat or a Republican may I vote for any democrat or republican candidates of my choice in the May Primary?

No. If you are registered with a political group or organization, or as an Independent, you cannot vote in any of the partisan races, but you may vote in all nonpartisan primary races. The nonpartisan offices include urban county mayor, urban county council, school board, soil and water conservation, and all judicial offices. In the GENERAL election in November you may vote for any candidates of your choice regardless of party affiliation.

What hours are the polls open? Can I go to a precinct near my office instead of the one where I live?

On the primary and election day the polls are open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. You MUST be in line by 6:00 pm in order to vote. All voters must vote in the precinct that serves their current residential address on election day or at any public library vote center.

In-person absentee voting will be held the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before each primary and election. On these days voters may vote in any location specified as a county-wide vote center.

Is voter registration proof of residency?

No. Your voter registration information only proves the date you registered to vote in the county.

When I register to vote in Fayette County does that automatically delete me from the voter rolls elsewhere?

If you were registered in another county in Kentucky, you will automatically be deleted from your previous county. If you were registered in another state, you will need to contact that state to be deleted from their rolls.

I am moving out of the state and want to register in a new state. How can I be removed from the registration rolls here?

Make your request to be removed from the rolls by completing the State Board of Elections Voluntary Cancellation of Voter Registration Form and returning it to the county clerk’s office or the State Board of Elections.

What if I need assistance at the polls?

Voters who qualify for assistance at the polls may be assisted by anyone of their choice except their employer, agent of their employer, union head, or agent of their union. If the voter does not bring anyone with them, two election officers (one of each party) may assist the voter. The following people may receive assistance at the polls:

1. Voters who cannot operate the machine due to a physical disability
2. Voters who are blind or visually impaired
3. Voters who are unable to read English

What is the County Board of Elections?

The County Board of Elections is a bipartisan board charged with the overall responsibility for administration of elections in the county. The County Board of Elections consists of the County Clerk, the County Sheriff, one Republican member and one Democratic member. As Chair of the Board of Elections, the County Clerk is responsible for making sure all election laws mandated by the Kentucky Constitution and the Kentucky Revised Statutes are followed.

What is the difference between a partisan election and a nonpartisan election?

Partisan elections are associated with a particular political party. Federal, state and some county elections are partisan elections. Nonpartisan elections are not connected with any single political party. Urban County Mayor and Council elections, judicial elections and school board elections are nonpartisan.

How do I become an election officer?

To become an election officer you will need to contact the Fayette County Board of Elections at 253-8352 or 253-8354. You must live in Fayette County. Click on “Working as an Election Officer” for complete details.

What are the election officer positions?

At least four election officers serve in every location. In March of each election year, the County Board of Elections appoints two judges, one clerk, one sheriff and in some cases a ballot officer for each location. One judge is a Democrat and one is a Republican. The sheriff, the clerk, and the ballot officer are also from opposite parties.

The clerk is responsible for the roster, checking voter identification and completing required forms. The clerk also picks up the election supplies at the County Clerk’s office before Election Day. The two judges are responsible for setting up the voting machines and issuing ballots to voters. If there is a ballot officer at the location, he or she will issue the ballots. The judges also return the election supplies to the County Clerk’s office after the polls close. The sheriff is responsible for line management and enforcing electioneering laws within 100 feet of the polling place.

What are the work hours for election officers on Election Day?

Election officers must arrive at their precinct at 5:15 A.M. They must remain in the precinct until the last voter in line at 6:00 P.M. has voted and all the equipment has been closed down. After the polls close, the two judges must return the election supplies to the County Clerk’s office.

Do I get paid for being an election officer?

All officers are paid $230 for serving at the precinct on Election Day. Officers are paid an additional $20 for attending a required training session.

How do I become a candidate?

Procedures for qualifying and running for office are established by the Kentucky Constitution and Kentucky Revised Statutes. For information on candidate filing procedures, qualifications for each office, and to access filing forms you may contact our office or visit the website of the Secretary of State.

What are the qualifications to run for Urban County Mayor?

Requirements for Holding Office
1. Qualified voter and resident of Fayette County for at least three years prior to filing
2. Must be 21 years old or older
3. Must continue to live in Fayette County, if elected

What are the qualifications to run for Urban County Council?

Requirements for Holding Office
1. Qualified voter and resident of Fayette County for at least one year prior to filing
2. Must be 18 years old or older
3. District Offices – must be a resident of the district for at least 6 months immediately prior to filing and must continue to live in the district if elected

What information do I need to run for Mayor or Urban County Council?

You will need a PETITION prescribed by the Urban County Charter signed by 100 qualified voters of an individual district for district council, or 100 qualified voters of the county for mayor or council at-large. The petition form is available at the County Clerk’s office. Each page of the petition must be signed by the person circulating the petition and the signature must be notarized.

Will you accept digitally or electronically signed instruments?

We will accept a printed digitally or electronically signed instrument for recordation if it is accompanied by a wet-signed certificate from a notary certifying that the printed-out document is a ‘true & correct copy of the electronically signed instrument.’ See Ky. Revised Statute 382.076. Instruments ‘born-digital’ and electronically-recorded do not require the certificate.

Has your indexing procedure changed?

On January 3, 2022, we began indexing as written on the document rather than using our standard abbreviation list and frequent party names. Lists of standard abbreviations and frequent parties can be found here for your reference. Please note that this may affect your search process.

Are you closed for lunch?

No – we have staff available to assist customers from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Will you fax or email a copy to me?

No. Our office does not fax or email copies of documents. Our online public portal for land records, https://fayettedeeds.com/, has a significant number of current documents available in PDF or TIFF format. You can print and save documents from this site without a subscription.

Can I obtain the book and page number of a document over the phone?

No. We do not give recording information over the phone. You may be able to research the information at our website https:/fayettedeeds.com.

How do I look up records in the land records department?

We have several public terminals, and printed indexes for older documents. If needed, there is an instruction booklet available at the counter. It explains basic search techniques on our in-house system. How to find deed or plat (PDF)

Does the Fayette County Clerk's Office have a list of foreclosures?

No. The Master Commissioner’s Office is responsible for the properties that are scheduled for auction. Please contact the Master Commissioner at (859) 246-2117 or www.faycom.info

Where/How do you transfer a mobile home?

Mobile homes are titled like vehicles. Mobile home transfers are completed in the Transfer Department of the Fayette County Clerk.

How do I find out how much I paid in real estate taxes last year?

The Fayette County Sheriff collects the current year tax bills. Contact the Property Tax Division of the Fayette County Sheriff at (859) 252-1771 or online at www.fayettesheriff.com If the tax bill was delinquent (paid after April 16th), contact our office at (859) 253-3344 or search delinquent tax bills at fayettedeeds.com.

Who do I contact if I feel that my property tax assessment is incorrect or I want to claim a homestead or disability exemption?

The Fayette County Property Valuation Office is in charge of property assessments. Contact the PVA at (859) 246-2722 or www.fayettepva.com.

How do I get a business license?

The Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Department of Revenue is responsible for issuing business licenses. Contact the LFUCG Revenue Department at (859) 425-2255 or www.lexingtonky.gov.

Where do I get a building permit?

The Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Department of Building Inspection is in charge of issuing building permits. Contact that office at (859) 425-2255 or www.lexingtonky.gov.

Will your office help me prepare my documents or do you have blank forms?

The Fayette 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.

Do you record a health care power of attorney or living will?

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.

When will you hold the annual tax sale?

Go to www.revenue.ky.gov to see the schedule of all the Kentucky counties’ tax sales.

Is there a conversion chart for plats with a cabinet number instead of cabinet letter?

Yes: Plat Conversion Chart

Do I need to make an appointment to get a marriage license?

Not at this time.

Do you need a Kentucky ID to get a Marriage License?

We accept any government-issued ID. If available, please bring multiple forms of identification, such as passport, REAL ID, birth certificate, and/or court papers that include name and birthdate. If you have applied for a REAL ID and have the temporary paper license, that is also acceptable.

Who may solemnize a marriage?

Ministers or priests in regular communion with any religious society;

Kentucky 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.

If we are getting married in another state, where can we get the license?

Contact the jurisdiction to which you are traveling to get their requirements. A Kentucky license must be used within Kentucky.

We got married out of the country, do we need to register it in your office?

No. The country where you were married should provide your official certificate.

How do I change my name after I get married?

Take your certified copy of your marriage certificate to the Social Security Office. After they update their records, you will be able to go to the Driver’s License Office for new identification, usually 24 hours later.

Do I have to change my name?

No, but you still need to inform the Social Security Office of your updated marital status.

Where do I obtain copies of divorce records?

At the Circuit Court where your divorce was finalized. The Fayette Circuit Courthouse is located at 150 N. Limestone St.

Do I need to bring my divorce papers?

No. You need only to bring your government-issued ID.

Do you have marriage licenses for other counties?

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.

How do I get a copy of a divorce decree?

Divorce records can be found in the Circuit Court where the divorce was granted. For a divorce filed in Fayette County contact the Fayette County Circuit Court at (859) 246-2141.

What do I need to file a lien in Kentucky?

The lender (secured party) must provide:
• The current Commonwealth of Kentucky vehicle title or a goldenrod
• A Title Lien Statement (TLS)
• $22.00 filing fee
If the title is lost, a duplicate title must be ordered. A temporary form called a “goldenrod” can be used for up to 30 days. It looks like a registration but has a red stamp and a county seal.
Lenders: To request the Title Lien Statement form, call (859) 253-3344 and ask for the Lien Department.

What does it cost to file a lien?

• $22.00 – if the Title Lien Statement is dated within 30 days
• $24.00 – if the TLS is more than 30 days old or has no date (includes a $2 late fee)

What does it cost to release a lien?

• No charge – the fee was collected when the lien was filed
• $3.00 – if the lien release needs to be faxed to another county

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, checks, or money orders.

What forms do you accept to release a lien?

One of the following must be submitted:
• Original Clerk’s Filing Receipt
• Title Lien Statement (Form TC96-187)
Letters on company letterhead are not accepted.

My lienholder sent me a lien release. Do I send it to you?

•If filed in Fayette County: Bring or mail it with your title to have the lien removed.
•If filed in another county: Mail it to that county, or we can fax it there for $3.00.

Will I automatically get a new title after the lien is released?

No.
•If you still have the title, bring or mail it in to be updated.
•If you lost it or want a clean copy, request a duplicate title.

I have a notarized letter from my bank saying my loan is paid off. Is that good enough?

No. Lien releases must include specific filing information that bank letters don’t provide.

Will you accept a faxed lien release?

Yes, if:
• It comes directly from the lender or another county clerk’s office
• It includes a cover sheet if the sender info isn’t on the fax header

My lien was filed in another county, but I live in Fayette now. Can you release it?

No. The lien must be released by the county where it was originally filed. We can fax the release for $3.00.

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

• If it was a bank or credit union: Find out if another institution took over. Provide proof of the merger.

• If it was a dealership:

Call the Motor Vehicle Commission at (502) 573-1000
Or check sos.ky.gov for business filings

What is the notary surety bond?

In order to complete your notary commission, you must post bond in the amount of $1,000.00 with a notary surety bond from an approved insurance company. If the notary does something illegal with regard to notarizing a document, the insurance bond covers the penalty up to $1,000.00.

Is the use of a seal necessary?

As of January 1, 2020, it is no longer necessary to use a seal. If the notary does choose to use a stamp or seal, the embossed seal must be inked. The stamp must include the notary’s: name, title, jurisdiction, commission number, and expiration date. KRS 423.370

Do I have to use my identification number when I notarize a document?

Yes. You must include your jurisdiction, commission number and expiration date.

Is there a notary handbook available?

For further notary information and/or handbook, please go to the Secretary of State’s website www.sos.ky.gov.

Will I be notified when my commission is ready to expire?

No. The Secretary of State does not send any reminders when your four-year commission will expire.

How do I renew my notary?

You may reapply to the Secretary of State within four weeks of your commission expiration date.