MOTOR BOATS: General Information

Titling and Registration of a New Boat
The following documents and information are required:

  1. Manufacturer's certificate of origin properly assigned to the buyer by the selling dealer
  2. Application for title/registration (TC-96-184)
  3. Motor Vehicle/Title Lien statement, if applicable  (Outboard motors require filing on UCC with Secretary of State)
  4. Social Security number for each party appearing on the title or federal ID tax number for companies

NOTE:  Boat Trailers Are Required To Be Titled.

Fees & Taxes
$  9.00  Kentucky Title Fee
$ 22.00  Record Lien
$  2.00  Notary of Each Signature

NOTES:  Registration Fees will be calculated according to length of boat and type of motor.  Maximum registration fee for one year is $ 34.00.

Registration Fees
$ 25.00  1 foot to 16 feet ( 1 foot thru 15 feet 11 inches)
$ 29.00  16 feet to 26 feet (16 feet thru 25 feet 11 inches)
$ 35.00  26 feet to 40 feet (26 feet thru 39 feet 11 inches)
$ 39.00  40 feet and over
$ 15.00  Trolling Motors
$ 40.00 Any class with inboard or inboard/outboard

Acceptable Methods of Payment
Cash, Certified Check, Cashier's Check, Money Order, Personal Check (No Out of County Checks)

Title and Registration of a First Time/Out-of-State Boat
The following documents and information are required:

  1. Original Title *
  2. Application for title/registration (TC-96-814)
  3. The Lien Statement, if applicable
  4. Social Security Number for Each Party appearing on the title or federal ID tax number for companies
  5. Pencil Tracing of Hull Identification number

* Some states do not issue boat titles.  Contact the County Clerk's office at 270-444-4700 to determine if your state does.  If your state does not title boats, you will need to supply the County Clerk with your registration.

Fees & Taxes
$  9.00  Kentucky Title Fee
$ 22.00  Record Lien
$  2.00  Notarization of Title Application

NOTES:  Registration Fees will be calculated according to length of boat and type of motor.  Maximum registration fee for one year is $ 34.00.

Registration Fees
$ 25.00  1 foot to 16 feet ( 1 foot thru 15 feet 11 inches)
$ 29.00  16 feet to 26 feet (16 feet thru 25 feet 11 inches)
$ 35.00  26 feet to 40 feet (26 feet thru 39 feet 11 inches)
$ 39.00  40 feet and over
$ 15.00  Trolling Motors
$ 40.00 Any class with inboard or inboard/outboard motors

Acceptable Methods of Payment
Cash, Certified Check, Cashier's Check, Money Order, Personal Check (No Out of County Checks)

Transfer of a Kentucky Titled Boat
The following documents and information are required:

  1. Original title with assignment of title properly completed.   Photocopies of the Title document are not acceptable.  Boats cannot be transferred if there are any unreleased liens appearing on the title of the boat.   (Kentucky began titling boats in 1990)
  2. Title application properly signed and notarized.  Titles in two names joined by "AND" (as opposed to "OR") require both signatures
  3. Social Security Number for each party appearing on the title or federal ID tax number for companies

NOTE:  Property Tax:  All boats are assessed January 1 of each year.  The January 1 owner of record is responsible for the tax for that year even if the boat is transferred to a new owner.  To avoid having a delinquent account, taxes should be paid immediately upon transfer.   Delinquent taxes owed by either seller or buyer may prohibit transfer until the taxes are paid.

Fees & Taxes
$ 17.00  Kentucky Title Fee
$ 22.00  Record Lien
$  2.00  Notarization of Title Application

NOTES:  Registration Fees will be calculated according to length of boat and type of motor.  Maximum registration fee for one year is $ 34.00.

Registration Fees
$ 25.00  1 foot to 16 feet ( 1 foot thru 15 feet 11 inches)
$ 29.00  16 feet to 26 feet (16 feet thru 25 feet 11 inches)
$ 35.00  26 feet to 40 feet (26 feet thru 39 feet 11 inches)
$ 39.00  40 feet and over
$ 15.00  Trolling Motors
$ 40.00 Any class with inboard or inboard/outboard motors

Acceptable Methods of Payment
Cash, Certified Check, Cashier's Check, Money Order, Personal Check (No Out of County Checks)

Renewal of a Kentucky Boat Registraion
The following documents are required:

  1. Original certificate of registration

Boat registrations are renewed yearly with the issuance of a decal.  Boat registrations expire in the month of April.  A courtesy notice showing tax and registration fees due is mailed by the Department of Revenue the month prior to expiration.

Fees & Taxes
Advalorem Property Tax:  Every boat titled in Kentucky is assessed by the property valuation administrator as of January 1 for each year.  The tax rate is set by each taxing jurisdiction (school board, etc.).  The tax liability for the year is placed on the owner of record of vehicle as of January 1.  Taxes are due upon renewal or registration change.  If a boat is transferred prior to renewal the owner of record as of January 1 is liable for the taxes for that boat.

NOTES:  Registration Fees will be calculated according to length of boat and type of motor.  Maximum registration fee for one year is $ 34.00.

Registration Fees
$ 25.00  1 foot to 16 feet ( 1 foot thru 15 feet 11 inches)
$ 29.00  16 feet to 26 feet (16 feet thru 25 feet 11 inches)
$ 35.00  26 feet to 40 feet (26 feet thru 39 feet 11 inches)
$ 40.00  40 feet and over
$ 15.00  Trolling Motors
$ 40.00 Any class with inboard or inboard/outboard motors

Where to Renew
Boat renewals may be processed in the county of residence or in the county of dockage.  They may be done either in person at the County Clerk's office or by mail.   Expired registrations cannot be renewed by mail.

Acceptable Methods of Payment
Cash, Certified Check, Cashier's Check, Money Order, Personal Check (No Out of County Checks)