MobileHomeTitleKY
Kentucky's Mobile Home Title Directory
Mobile homes in Kentucky are titled like vehicles — not like real estate. That catches a lot of buyers and sellers off guard. This directory covers every county clerk office that handles mobile home titles, the exact documents required, current fees, and the local details that make or break a transaction.
Mobile home titles in Kentucky are handled by the county clerk in the county where the home is located — not where the buyer or seller lives.
Don't see your county? View the full county office directory →
Kentucky treats manufactured and mobile homes as personal property — titled exactly like a car. This is completely different from how most states handle it, and different from how real estate transactions work. Here's the full process.
In Kentucky, a mobile home remains personal property — and goes through the county clerk — unless it has been formally converted to real property through a process called "affixation." An affixed home with a recorded affidavit is now real estate and does NOT transfer via title. If you're not sure, search the county property records before you go to the clerk's office. Going to the wrong place costs you the appointment.
The seller is responsible for providing a clear title. This means the existing Kentucky Certificate of Title must be in the seller's name, free of any lien. If there's a lien (typically from a chattel loan or dealer financing), the lender must issue a lien release before the title can transfer. This process can take 2–4 weeks with some lenders — plan accordingly.
The back of the Kentucky title has an assignment section. The seller completes this in ink — no white-out, no corrections. Both the seller's printed name and signature must match the name on the front of the title exactly. The buyer's full legal name, address, and the sale price must be filled in. The odometer disclosure section (originally for vehicles) is marked N/A for mobile homes.
Kentucky does not require both buyer and seller to appear simultaneously at the clerk's office. The buyer typically presents the completed, signed title to the clerk to complete the transfer. However, some county clerks prefer — or require — both parties. Call ahead to confirm your county's policy before making the trip.
Kentucky charges a title transfer fee of $9.00 plus a usage tax. The usage tax on mobile home transfers is calculated at 6% of the sale price (or 6% of the assessed value if higher — the clerk will check). In many NKY and central Kentucky counties, there is also a local county fee of $2.00–$4.00. Bring cash or a check — not all county clerk offices accept credit cards for title transactions.
Some county clerks issue a new title on the spot. Others mail the new title within 7–14 business days. A few counties, particularly smaller ones, process titles through Frankfort and the turnaround can be 3–4 weeks. Ask your specific clerk's office what to expect. The buyer will receive the new Kentucky Certificate of Title listing them as the owner.
Bring everything on this list. Missing one document means a wasted trip. County clerks cannot complete the transfer without all required documents present.
Mobile home titles must be transferred at the county clerk's office in the county where the home is located. Offices listed below handle mobile home title transfers. Always call to confirm hours before visiting.
Burlington, KY (County Seat)
Covington, KY (Main) + Independence, KY (Branch)
Alexandria, KY (County Seat) + Newport, KY (Branch)
Williamstown, KY
Falmouth, KY
Louisville, KY — Multiple Locations
Lexington, KY
Bowling Green, KY
Can't find your county? Kentucky has 120 counties — each with a county clerk that handles mobile home title transfers. Find your county clerk on the Kentucky Secretary of State's website →
Estimate your total cost before you go to the county clerk. Kentucky's usage tax is 6% of the sale price — this is often the largest cost and surprises many buyers.
This is the most misunderstood aspect of mobile home ownership in Kentucky — and confusing it can derail a transaction completely.
The home is titled as personal property through the county clerk — like a vehicle. This applies when:
The home has been converted to real estate and transfers like any other real property. This applies when:
Questions people actually type into Google about mobile home title transfer in Kentucky.
No. Kentucky does not currently offer online mobile home title transfers. The transfer must be completed in person at the county clerk's office in the county where the home is located. The clerk must verify original documents — photocopies and digital submissions are not accepted.
The lien must be fully satisfied and a lien release must be obtained from the lender before the title can transfer. The lien release must be the original document — not a fax or photocopy. Lenders typically issue releases within 2–4 weeks of the payoff being received and cleared. Factor this into your closing timeline. Some chattel lenders, particularly smaller regional companies, have been slow to issue releases — sellers should request the release in writing as soon as the payoff is made.
Yes, but the seller must first apply for a duplicate title at the county clerk's office. The duplicate title fee is $6.00 and processing takes 2–3 business days in most counties. The seller must provide their ID and the serial/VIN number of the home. Once the duplicate title is issued, the transfer process proceeds normally. Note: a duplicate title cannot be applied for if there is an active lien — the lien must be cleared first.
Kentucky does not require a separate bill of sale for the title transfer — the assignment section on the back of the title serves as the official record of sale. However, many county clerks will ask to see a purchase agreement or bill of sale to verify the stated sale price. It's also strongly recommended as protection for both buyer and seller. Include the home's VIN/serial number, agreed purchase price, and the condition of sale (as-is, etc.).
Processing time at the window is typically 15–30 minutes if all documents are in order. Some county clerks issue the new title on the spot. Others submit to Frankfort for processing and mail the new title within 7–14 business days. Smaller counties may have longer Frankfort processing times. Ask your specific clerk's office at the time of transfer what the expected turnaround is.
Yes. The LLC must be registered in Kentucky (or registered as a foreign LLC doing business in Kentucky). You'll need to bring the LLC's articles of organization and any operating agreement to the clerk's office. The title will be issued in the LLC's name. Some counties also require a resolution authorizing the individual to act on behalf of the LLC — check with your specific county clerk before visiting.
Kentucky charges a 6% usage tax (not technically "sales tax") on mobile home transfers. It is calculated on the higher of the sale price or the county assessed value. Certain transfers are exempt: gifts between immediate family members, transfers due to divorce decrees, and inheritance via Affidavit of Descent. The tax is paid directly to the county clerk at the time of transfer.
Kentucky allows smaller estates to use an Affidavit of Descent rather than going through full probate. The affidavit form is available at the county clerk's office. An heir can execute the affidavit to claim ownership of the mobile home if the estate qualifies under Kentucky's small estate threshold. For larger estates or contested situations, formal probate through the district court is required, and the personal representative will transfer the title using Letters of Administration.
Yes — both buyer and seller should contact their insurance companies immediately. The seller should remove the home from their policy as of the closing date. The buyer should have new coverage in place before the transfer. Most mobile home insurers require the new title to be issued in the buyer's name before they'll underwrite a policy — plan accordingly if there's a gap between closing and receiving the new title.
Yes — Kentucky does not require both parties to appear at the clerk's office simultaneously. The seller can complete the assignment section on the back of the title and give or mail it to the buyer, who then takes it to the county clerk. However, the seller should never presign a blank title — fill in the buyer's information and sale price first, then sign. A signed blank title is as good as cash to anyone who finds it. Never send via regular mail without tracking.