Boats

Transferring a KY title from individual to individual:

Documents Required:

– KY Title

– Title Application TC 96-184 is needed depending on the “age” of your title. You can read more about the “age” of your title here.

Note:  Both signatures of the seller and buyer are required to be notarized.

Out-of-State individual to individual: 

Documents Required depends on the state it is coming from if they title boats or just register boats.

If they are a title issuing state for boats then you will need the following documents:

– The out of state title signed over to you by the seller

-A Bill of Sale, signed by both the buyer and seller. Notarized.

– You will also need a completed TC 96-184but we can complete this for you here when we title it

-A completed Out of State Use Tax Affidavit but we can complete this for you here when you title it

If they are a registration only state then you will need the following documents:

-The out of state registration in the sellers name  

-A TC 96-184the seller has to sign it and their signature has to be notarized. This is because they do not have a title to sign over to you.

-A Bill of Sale, signed by both the buyer and seller. Notarized.

**Make sure the name of the person you are buying it from matches the name of the person on the title/registration.

**If there is more than one name on the registration/title then make sure there is an OR between their names if only one of them is signing. If it says AND it requires signatures of both parties. If there is not a connector between the names then both parties need to sign. 

**If your name on the title is different than the one on your ID, you must provide an affidavit showing they are one and the same. A marriage license will do.

**If you live out-of-state, you must title and register your boat in the Kentucky County where it is docked.

Documented Boats:

Due to state exemptions, Kentucky does not title or register documented boats. If you choose to, you will need to provide the following:

– Certificate of documentation

– Release Letter from the U.S. Coastguard. For more information visit the U.S. National Vessel Documentation Center.

– Completed TC 96-184 and signed over title. If your state requires titling documented boats, you will need a title.

– If you live out-of-state, you must title and register your boat in the Kentucky county where it is docked.

Duplicate Boat Title:

To get a Replacement/Duplicate Title you will need the following:

 – The current owner would need to come in with a photo ID and the current title number or KY Number so we can look it up, we can complete the TC 96-184form for you.

-If you are not the current owner or if the owner is unable to come in and order the duplicate then they will need to complete a  TC 96-184 form. They will need to sign it and have it notarized. Then anyone can bring this form in on their behalf and pay to order it or they can send it in by mail. 

Updating or Correcting Errors:

HIN Corrections

Due to the various issues which could result in a HIN mismatch, contact your County Clerk for guidance / explanation. Updates will require the original title, completed Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration (​TC 96-184) pencil tracing or photo of hull number, and a photo ID​.

Misspelled Names

To update a misspelled name, a photo ID, along with the Title, must be presented to the county clerk in the owner’s county of residence.

Updating Addresses

To update an address, a photo ID or piece of physical mail (with current postmark) must be presented, along with the Title, to the county clerk in the owner’s county of residence.

Make/Model/Color/Year/Etc.

To update a make/model/color/year/etc., photo ID, along with Title, must be presented to the county clerk in the owner’s county of residence. Speak with County Clerk for special guidance.

Update/Removal of and/or Conjunction

In order to remove a co-owner from a Title, both parties must sign the back of the existing Title. If one party is unavailable, a Power of Attorney form signed (and notarized) by the absent party is acceptable. Updates/Removals are processed by the county clerk in the owner’s county of residence.

Failure to Receive Your Title

If you have not received your Title within 45 days of application, contact your County Clerk’s office.