Vehicles

Title Lien Statements

The perfection and discharge of a security interest in any property which has been issued a Kentucky certificate of title shall be by notation on the certificate of title (KRS 186A.190)(1). The lien is effective from the date on which the security interest is noted on the certificate of title for a period of ten (10) years, or in the case of a manufactured home for a period of thirty (30) years or until discharged. Liens filed on or before 7-14-2016 are only valid for seven (7) years. A continuation statement can be filed within six months preceding the expiration of the initial notation that extends the notation’s effectiveness for five additional years. (KRS 186A.190(1).

Property Required to be Titled

  • Vehicle (KRS 186.010(8)(a)
  • Manufactured (or mobile) home or trailer. (KRS 186.650)
  • Motorboats (KRS 186A.015, 235.055)

186A.070 REGISTRATION AND TITLE REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED HOMES, OR TRAILERS
Except as otherwise provided, the state resident owner of a vehicle as defined in KRS 186.010(8)(a), manufactured home as defined in KRS 186.650, or trailer which will not be operated upon the highways of this state shall within fifteen (15) days apply for and obtain a certificate of title in his name. He shall not, however, be required to obtain a certificate of registration until the vehicle, manufactured home, or trailer is to be operated upon the highways of this state.

186A.015 AUTOMATED MOTORBOAT REGISTRATION AND TITLING; AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT SYSTEM
(1) Except as provided for in KRS 235.050, the titling and registration of motorboats as defined in KRS 235.010 shall be administered through the automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling system developed and implemented under the provisions of KRS 186A.010.

Requirements for Filing a Title Lien Statement KRS 186A.190, KRS 186A.193, KRS 186A.195 & KRS 355.9-502(1)
A title lien statement must have the following information to be filed:

  • The name(s) of the debtor and their mailing address
  • The name of the secured party and their mailing address
  • Date executed
  • Description of collateral (year, make, ID Number)
  • Title or goldenrod
  • Fees equal to or greater than the required fee (Click here for lien fee information.)

The Title Lien Statement is the only recognized form for transmitting the required information needed to establish a lien on the certificate of title.

KRS 186A.190(6) states “In noting a security interest upon a certificate of title, the county clerk shall ensure that the certificate of title bears the lienholder’s name, mailing address and zip code, the date the lien was noted, the notation number, and the county in which the security interest was noted. The clerk shall obtain the information required by this subsection for notation upon the certificate of title from the title lien statement described in KRS 186A.195 to be provided to the county clerk by the secured party.”

Lien Fees

  • $22 – Title Lien Statement 
  • $2 – Late Filing Penalty
  • $13 – Assignment 
  • $13 – Amendment
  • No Fees – Continuation

 

Continuation Statements

The notation of a lien on the certificate of title is effective for ten (10) years or in the case of a manufactured home thirty (30) years from the date the security interest is noted on the certificate of title. Liens filed on or before 7-14-2016 are valid for seven (7) years. The filing of a continuation statement within six (6) months preceding the expiration of the initial period of a notation’s effectiveness extends the expiration date for five (5) additional years for all titled property (including mobile or manufactured homes).

The original file date is the date used to determine the expiration date. The six (6) month period preceding the expiration date that the continuation statement can be filed is also based upon the original file date. The continuation statement must be in the county clerk’s office by the expiration date. There is not a provision for envelopes that are postmarked on the expiration date, but received a few days later. A filed financing statement lapses on the expiration date unless a continuation statement is filed.

NO FEE is collected on a continuation statement for any titled property. Click here for lien fee information.

The recording requirements for a continuation statement are as follows:

  • Received by the county that filed the ORIGINAL TLS
  • Name and address of debtor
  • Name and address of secured party
  • Date of original notation on title
  • Original File number
  • States that it is a continuation – this must be submitted by the lien holder of record

Assignments

There is no longer a requirement that instructs a secured party to file an assignment on titled property, however the secured party may file an assignment if they wish. The legal record holder is the only entity that can submit an assignment or termination. The title will only be updated if a duplicate title is requested. The fee for an assignment is $13.00 per title lien.
Click here for lien fee information. Document requirements are as follows:

  • The name of the secured party of record
  • The name of the debtor
  • The original file number
  • The original date of filing
  • The name and address of the assignee
  • A description of the titled property assigned including the ID Number

Amendments, Assignments, and Continuation Statements

Amendments

Some secured parties will file an amendment to change their mailing address. No other situation requires or permits amendments to title lien statement filings. The fee for an amendment is $13.00.   

 

Assignments

The assignment changes the name and address of the secured party. The legal record holder is the only entity that can submit an assignment. The title will only be updated if a duplicate title is requested. The fee for an assignment is $13.00 per title lien.  

Document requirements are as follows:

  • Title Lien Statement
  • The name of the secured party of record
  • The name of the debtor
  • The original file number
  • The original date of filing
  • The name and address of the assignee (only needed for assignments)
  • A description of the titled property assigned including the ID Number

Continuation Statements 

A lien noted on a certificate of title remains effective for ten (10) years, or thirty (30) years in the case of a manufactured home, starting from the date the security interest is recorded on the title. Liens filed on or before July 14, 2016 are valid for seven (7) years.

To extend the lien beyond the initial period, a continuation statement must be filed within the six (6) months before the lien expires. Filing this statement extends the lien’s effectiveness for an additional five (5) years for all types of titled property, including mobile and manufactured homes.

The original filing date determines both the expiration date and the six-month window for filing the continuation statement. The continuation statement must be received by the county clerk’s office before the expiration date. Simply mailing the statement on the expiration date is not sufficient; it must be filed in person or received by the office on time. If a continuation statement is not filed by the expiration date, the lien will lapse.

 

NO FEE is collected on a continuation statement for any titled property

The recording requirements for a continuation statement are as follows:

  • Title Lien Statement
  • Name and address of debtor
  • Name and address of secured party
  • Date of original notation on title
  • Original File number 
  • States that it is a continuation – this must be submitted by the lien holder of record

 Lien fee information.

Terminations and Releases

When a loan is completely paid off, the lender (called the secured party) must fill out and file a form to show the loan is finished. They have to do this within:

  • 1 month after the loan is paid, or
  • 20 days after they get a written request from the person who borrowed the money (called the debtor).

This form must be filed in the same county where the original loan paperwork was filed. Since July 15, 2004, the form must be signed by the lender.

The legal holder of the record is the only entity allowed to submit a lien release or termination statement. The assigned party may instruct the secured party to terminate the lien.

Acceptable Release Forms

  • Form TC96-187 Title Lien Statement
  • Original Receipt/Termination Statement provided by the County Clerk

The recording requirements for a termination statement are as follows:

  • The name of the secured party of record
  • The name of the debtor
  • The original file number
  • The original date of filing
  • A description of the titled property assigned, including the ID Number
  • The signature of the secured party (Effective 7-15-04)