Kenton County Property Records
What Is Kenton County Property Records
Property records in Kenton County are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout Kenton County, Kentucky.
The primary purposes of maintaining property records include:
- Establishing legal ownership and chain of title
- Providing public notice of property interests
- Protecting property rights of owners and lienholders
- Facilitating real estate transactions
- Supporting property tax assessment and collection
Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes § 382.110, all deeds and mortgages must be recorded with the county clerk to be legally valid against third parties. This statute establishes the legal framework for property recording in Kentucky counties, including Kenton County.
Property records in Kenton County are maintained by several government offices, with the Kenton County Clerk serving as the primary custodian of recorded documents. The Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) maintains assessment records and property tax information.
Kenton County Clerk
303 Court Street
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 392-1500
Kenton County Clerk
Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator
303 Court Street, Room 210
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 392-1750
Kenton County PVA
Are Property Records Public Information In Kenton County?
Property records in Kenton County are public information and accessible to all citizens under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS § 61.870-61.884) establishes the public's right to access government records, including property records maintained by county offices.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public access facilitates real estate transactions and property research
Any member of the public may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or providing a reason for their request. This open access policy supports transparency in government and facilitates informed decision-making in real estate matters.
The Kentucky Revised Statutes specifically address the public nature of property records in KRS § 382.360, which requires that mortgages and deeds of trust be recorded in the county clerk's office where the property is located, making them available for public inspection.
While property records are public, certain personal information may be redacted to protect privacy, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and bank account information, in accordance with Kentucky privacy laws.
How To Search Property Records in Kenton County in 2026
Kenton County offers multiple methods for searching property records. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to access property information:
In-Person Search:
- Visit the Kenton County Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Complete a records request form at the public counter
- Provide specific information about the property (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
- Staff will assist in locating the requested records
- Pay applicable fees for copies ($0.50 per page for standard copies)
Online Search:
- Navigate to the Kenton County Clerk's website
- Select "Property Records" from the main menu
- Choose the appropriate search option (name, address, or parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the designated fields
- Review search results and select the desired record
- View basic information at no cost; fees apply for document copies
Property Assessment Records:
- Visit the Kenton County PVA website
- Select "Property Search" from the navigation menu
- Enter search criteria (owner name, property address, or PVA number)
- Review property assessment information, including valuation and tax data
- Access property maps and other available documentation
For complex searches or historical records that may not be available online, the county recommends contacting the clerk's office directly for assistance. Staff members are available to guide users through the search process and locate specific documents.
How To Find Property Records in Kenton County Online?
Kenton County provides comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms. The following steps outline how to effectively search for property records using these online resources:
-
Kenton County Clerk's Online Records Portal
- Visit the Kenton County Clerk's website
- Select "Online Services" then "Property Records Search"
- Create a user account if accessing premium features
- Search by name, property address, or document type
- Records available include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats
- Basic searches are free; document copies require payment
-
Kenton County PVA Property Search
- Access the Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator website
- Click on "Property Search" in the main navigation
- Search by owner name, property address, or PVA number
- View assessment information, property characteristics, and tax data
- Access GIS maps showing property boundaries
- Download property record cards showing detailed property information
-
Kenton County Tax Records
- Visit the Kenton County Sheriff's Tax Collection page
- Search by property address or owner name
- View current and past tax bills
- Check payment status and tax delinquency information
- Access delinquent property tax information through the Kentucky Department of Revenue
-
City-Specific Property Information
- For properties in Covington, visit the City of Covington Finance Department website
- For properties in Erlanger, check the Erlanger City Clerk's property tax page
- For properties in Edgewood, use the City of Edgewood business links for property information
When using online search tools, users should note that some records may have limited information available online, particularly for historical documents. Additionally, certain specialized documents may require in-person requests at the county clerk's office.
How To Look Up Kenton County Property Records for Free?
Kenton County offers several no-cost options for accessing property records. Members of the public may utilize these free resources to obtain basic property information:
Free Online Resources:
-
Kenton County PVA Website
- Visit the Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator website
- Use the free property search function
- Access basic property details including:
- Owner information
- Property address
- Assessment value
- Property characteristics
- Tax district information
- Recent sales data
-
Kenton County Clerk's Basic Search
- Access the Kenton County Clerk's website
- Use the basic search function at no cost
- View limited document information including:
- Document type
- Filing date
- Parties involved
- Document number
- Note that viewing or downloading actual documents typically requires payment
-
Public Access Terminals
- Visit the Kenton County Clerk's office in person
- Use the public access computer terminals at no charge
- Search property records and view basic information
- Staff assistance is available for navigating the system
-
Municipal Websites
- Access city-specific property information through municipal websites:
-
Kenton County Public Library
- Visit any Kenton County Public Library branch
- Access free internet and public computers
- Use online county resources with librarian assistance
- Access historical property records in the local history section
While basic property information is available at no cost, fees typically apply for obtaining copies of actual documents or accessing premium search features. Standard copy fees at the clerk's office are $0.50 per page for paper copies, with additional fees for certified copies.
What's Included in a Kenton County Property Record?
Property records in Kenton County encompass a wide range of documents and information related to real property ownership and interests. These records are maintained by multiple county offices and contain detailed information about properties within the county's jurisdiction.
Types of Property Records:
- Real Property Records - Documents related to land and permanently attached structures
- Personal Property Records - Information about taxable movable property (maintained separately)
Primary Documents in Property Records:
-
Deeds and Conveyances
- Warranty deeds
- Quitclaim deeds
- Special warranty deeds
- Transfer on death deeds
- Executor's deeds
-
Mortgage Documents
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Mortgage assignments
- Mortgage releases
- Mortgage modifications
-
Liens and Encumbrances
- Tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Judgment liens
- Lis pendens notices
-
Plats and Surveys
- Subdivision plats
- Boundary surveys
- Easement surveys
- Condominium plats
-
Property Assessment Records
- Property valuation information
- Tax assessment data
- Property classification
- Exemption information
Detailed Information Included:
Property records typically contain the following specific information:
- Legal description of the property
- Names of current and previous owners
- Purchase price and date of acquisition
- Mortgage amounts and lender information
- Property tax assessment values
- Property dimensions and acreage
- Building characteristics (square footage, number of rooms, etc.)
- Zoning classification
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Historical ownership chain (title history)
Pursuant to KRS § 382.135, deeds must contain specific information including the mailing addresses of both grantor and grantee, a statement of consideration, and a legal description of the property.
How Long Does Kenton County Keep Property Records?
Kenton County maintains property records according to Kentucky's records retention requirements. The retention periods vary based on document type and historical significance, with many property records being permanently preserved due to their ongoing legal importance.
Standard Retention Periods:
-
Permanent Records (Never Destroyed)
- Deeds and conveyances
- Mortgages and releases
- Plats and surveys
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision maps
- Master property record cards
- Tax maps
-
Long-Term Records (25+ Years)
- Property tax rolls (25 years)
- Assessment appeals documentation (25 years)
- Special assessment records (25 years after final payment)
-
Medium-Term Records (5-15 Years)
- Building permits (15 years after completion)
- Temporary easements (5 years after expiration)
- Tax exemption applications (5 years after expiration)
-
Short-Term Records (1-5 Years)
- Property record change requests (3 years)
- Routine correspondence (2 years)
- Property information requests (1 year)
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives establishes records retention schedules for all county offices under KRS § 171.410-171.740, which mandates the preservation of public records. The Local Government Records Retention Schedule provides specific guidance on retention periods.
Historical property records in Kenton County date back to the county's formation in 1840. These historical records are preserved through both physical archiving and digital conversion projects. The county has undertaken digitization efforts to preserve older records and make them more accessible to the public.
For research involving historical property records, the Kenton County Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Department provides additional resources and assistance.
How To Find Liens on Property In Kenton County?
Locating liens on property in Kenton County requires searching records maintained by several government offices. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold. The following methods can be used to identify liens on Kenton County properties:
County Clerk's Office Search:
- Visit the Kenton County Clerk's office or access their online records portal
- Search by property owner name or property address
- Request a lien search from the clerk's staff (fees may apply)
- Review the following lien documents:
- Mechanic's liens
- Judgment liens
- Federal tax liens
- State tax liens
- Child support liens
- Homeowners association liens
Tax Lien Search:
- Contact the Kenton County Sheriff's Office Tax Collection Division
- Request information about delinquent property taxes
- Check the Kentucky Department of Revenue's delinquent property tax database
- Verify city tax liens through municipal offices:
- City of Covington Finance Department
- Erlanger City Clerk's office
- Other municipal tax offices within Kenton County
Court Records Search:
- Check Kenton County Circuit Court records for judgment liens
- Search federal court records for federal judgments and bankruptcy proceedings
- Review probate court records for estate-related liens
Professional Lien Search:
- Hire a title company to conduct a comprehensive title search
- Request a property lien report from a real estate attorney
- Obtain a title insurance commitment that identifies existing liens
When conducting lien searches, it's important to note that some liens may be filed against the property owner rather than the property itself. These personal liens may still affect the property and should be identified through a thorough search of both property and name indices.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Kenton County?
The Property Owner Rule in Kenton County refers to the legal framework governing property ownership, rights, and responsibilities within the county. This rule encompasses various regulations and requirements that property owners must adhere to under Kentucky law and local ordinances.
Key Components of the Property Owner Rule:
-
Property Recording Requirements
- All property transfers must be recorded with the Kenton County Clerk
- Deeds must contain specific information as required by KRS § 382.135
- Recording establishes constructive notice of ownership
- Unrecorded deeds may be valid between parties but not against third parties
-
Property Tax Obligations
- Property owners must pay annual property taxes
- Tax rates are set by the Kenton County Fiscal Court and municipal governments
- The Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator establishes property assessments
- Tax bills are issued by the Sheriff's Office and become delinquent if unpaid
- Delinquent taxes may result in tax liens and eventual foreclosure
-
Property Maintenance Requirements
- Property owners must maintain their properties in accordance with local codes
- Nuisance ordinances prohibit conditions that threaten public health or safety
- Code enforcement officers may issue citations for violations
- Repeated violations may result in liens against the property
-
Disclosure Requirements
- Sellers must disclose known property defects to buyers
- Kentucky's Seller Disclosure of Property Condition form is required for most residential sales
- Failure to disclose may result in legal liability
-
Easement and Right-of-Way Provisions
- Property owners must respect recorded easements on their property
- Utility companies have statutory rights to access utility easements
- Public right-of-way access must be maintained
- Encroachment on easements may result in legal action
-
Zoning and Land Use Regulations
- Properties must be used in accordance with zoning classifications
- Special permits are required for non-conforming uses
- Building permits are required for most construction activities
- Variance requests must be approved by appropriate zoning boards
The Property Owner Rule is enforced through various county and municipal offices, including the Property Valuation Administrator, County Clerk, Planning and Development Services, and local code enforcement departments. Property owners should familiarize themselves with these regulations to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.
Lookup Property Records in Kenton County
Delinquent Property Tax Information
Covington Property Assessment Information