Question 1

Do I need to make an appointment to get a marriage license?

Accepted Answer

No. Couples can apply for their marriage license in Richmond or Berea, (8AM-4:30PM, M-F). Please note that the Berea Branch closes for lunch from 12PM to 1PM.

Question 2

Do you need a Kentucky ID to get a marriage license?

Accepted Answer

We accept any government-issued picture ID.

Question 3

Do ministers need to be bonded in order to perform the wedding ceremony?

Accepted Answer

No. The law that required this was repealed in 1994.

Question 4

If we are getting married in another state, where can we get the marriage license?

Accepted Answer

You need to get the license in the state where you are getting married.    The license we issue must be used in the state of Kentucky, within 30 days.

Question 5

We got married out of the country; do we need to register the marriage license in your office?

Accepted Answer

No. The country where you got married should send you it's official license.   The Madison County Clerk's Office only records licenses issued in Madison County, KY.

Question 6

How do I change my name after I get married?

Accepted Answer

You will need to take the certified marriage license that we mail to you to the Social Security Administration Office. The Richmond Office is located at 1060 Gibson Bay Dr.

Question 7

How do I obtain a certified copy of my marriage license?

Accepted Answer

A photocopy is $0.25 and a certified copy is $5.00.    Photocopies can be picked up in-person, emailed, or mailed.    Certified copies must be picked up in-person or mailed.    There are three ways to pay for your certified copy: (1) in-person, (2) over the phone, (3) maill-in payment.

Question 8

Do I have to change my name?

Accepted Answer

No, but you still need to inform the Social Security Administration Office of your marital status.

Question 9

Where do I obtain copies of divorce records?

Accepted Answer

If you filed for divorce in Madison County, KY, you can get a copy of your divorce records at the Family Court Division of Circuit Court. They are located on 1st Street in Richmond.   The phone number to Family Court is 859-625-5524.

Question 10

Do I need to bring my divorce papers when applying for a marriage license?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need to provide record of your divorce.

Question 11

Do both parties need to be present to obtain the marriage license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both parties are required to issue the license.

Question 12

Why does voter registration need my social security number?

Accepted Answer

Social security numbers aren't required but they allow our office to access the correct information when address and party changes are needed.

Question 13

If I have a driver's license, am I automatically registered to vote?"

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. You may have the opportunity to register to vote when you visit the driver's license office, but you will only be registered if you fill out and sign a voter registration card.

Question 14

Will I receive a voter registration ID card when I register to vote?

Accepted Answer

We do not issue voter registration ID cards.   You will receive a confirmation post card in the mail shortly after you register to vote or change your address. This card will confim your new precinct information and list your voting location.    You can review your registration at

Question 15

Do I need to take anything with me when I go to the polls?

Accepted Answer

You will need to show identification before voting. Kentucky law requires one of the following forms of identification:   -Driver's License   -Social Secuirty Card    -Credit Card   -ID Card with picture and signature of voter    -Personal acquaintance with an election officer.

Question 16

I am a student. Do I vote here or in my home county?

Accepted Answer

Students have the choice to stay registered in their home county or to register in the county where they are attending school.

Question 17

How often do I need to re-register?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to re-register unless you move out of the county/state and then return.   Voting regularly will keep your registration active.

Question 18

What should I do if I change my name?

Accepted Answer

You will have to fill out and sign a new voter registration card. You may do this by mail or in person at either the county clerk's office or the driver's license office.   If you are granted a legal name change by the courts, you may have to provide a copy of the name change document.

Question 19

Are seventeen year olds eligible to vote?

Accepted Answer

Seventeen year olds may register and vote in Primary Elections as long as they will be eighteen by the date of the General Election.

Question 20

I previously had a felony conviction. Can I still register to vote?

Accepted Answer

Convicted felons must have their voting rights restored before they can register to vote.   You may contact your local parole office or go to www.corrections.ky.gov to obtain an application for restoration of Civil Rights.

Question 21

What should I do if I move?

Accepted Answer

Moving within Madison County:   Update your address with the county clerk or change your address at the driver's license office. ***If you have not updated your registration before Election Day, you may still cast your ballot. However, you must go to the voting precinct that serves your new address on Election Day to vote and update your registration address at that time.    Moving outside of Madison County:   Registration books close 28 days before each election. If you move to another Kentucky county you must register in your new county before the books close in order to be eligible to vote. If you move during the 28-day period that the books are closed, you may return to your previous county to vote in that one election only. You will need to change your registration to your new county as soon as the registration books reopen.

Question 22

How do I change my party affiliation?

Accepted Answer

You may change your party affiliation at any time. However, you must change your affiliation between the Primary Election and December 31st of the current year to be eligible to vote in your new party's next Primary Election.

Question 23

Who can I vote for in the Primary Election?

Accepted Answer

Registered voters must vote for their registered party in Primary Elecitions. If your party does not have any races, you will only be eligible to vote in availbale non-partisan races.    The nonpartisan offices include Richmond and Berea Mayoral, City Commissioners and Councilmen, School Board, Soil and Water Conservation, and all judicial offices.    In the general election in November you may vote for any candidates of you choice regardless of party affiliation.

Question 24

What hours are the polls open?

Accepted Answer

The polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.    You must be in line by 6:00 p.m. in order to vote.

Question 25

Is voter registration proof of residency?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 26

When I register in Madison County does that automatically remove me from voter registration elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

If you were registered in another county in Kentucky, you will automatically be deleted from your previous county.    If you were registered in another state, you will need to contact that state to be deleted from their voter registration.

Question 27

How can I be removed from the voter registration in Madison County?

Accepted Answer

Please contact the Kentucky State Board of Elections at 502-573-7100.

Question 28

What if I need assistance at the polls?

Accepted Answer

Voters who qualify for assistance at the polls may be assisted by anyone of their choice; except their employer, agent of their employer, union head, or agent of their union. If the voter does not bring anyone with them, two election officers (one from each party) must assist the voter.    The following people may receive assitance at the polls: 1. Voters who cannot operate the machine due to a physical disablity.  2. Voters who are blind or visually impaired. 3. Voters who are unable to read English.

Question 29

What if I can't get to the polls on election day?

Accepted Answer

Some voters qualify to vote by absentee ballot either in person at the county clerk's office or by mail.   You may review the on this website or call the voter registration office for more information 624-4703 (option 2).

Question 30

What is the Board of Elections?

Accepted Answer

The Board of Elections is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with overall responsibility for administration of the Election process in Madison County.   The Board of Elections consists of the County Clerk, County Sheriff, one Republican member and one Democratic member.   As Chairman of the Board of Elections, the County Clerk is responsible for making sure all election mandates of the Kentucky Constitution and the Kentucky Revised Statutes are met.

Question 31

What is the difference between a Partisan Election and a Nonpartisan Election?

Accepted Answer

Partisan elections are associated with a particular party or political group or organization. Federal, State and County elections are partisan elections.   Nonpartisan elections are not connected with any single political party or political group or organization.   Mayoral, Comissiors, Councilman and School Board elections are nonpartisan.

Question 32

How do I become an Election Officer?

Accepted Answer

To become an election officer you will need to fill out the Election Officer Application. You must be a registered Democrat or Republican and live in Madison County. Voters who have changed their party in the last year will be inelgible to serve as an Election Officer.    Apply Here

Question 33

What are the work hours for Election Officers on Election Day?

Accepted Answer

Election officers must arrive at their precint at 5:15 a.m. They remain in the precint until the last voter in line at 6:00 p.m. has voted and all end of Election Day procedures are complete.   After the polls close, the two judges (one Democrat and one Republican) must return, in the same vehicle, with the election supplies, to the County Clerk's office.

Question 34

Do I get paid for Being an Election Officer?

Accepted Answer

Yes; this is a paid position.

Question 35

How do I become a Candidate?

Accepted Answer

Procedures for those qualifying and running for office are established by the Kentucky Constitution and Kentucky Statutes.   For information on candidate filing procedures, applications for each office and sample forms you may download the "Declaring Your Candidacy" publication at http://www.sos.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Question 36

Where do I get the filing papers I need to become a Candidate?

Accepted Answer

Local candidates can pick up filing papers at the Madison County Clerk's Office.   Candidates wishing to run for federal, state, or judicial office must contact the Secretary of State's Office.

Question 37

What is considered a Delinquent Real Estate Tax?

Accepted Answer

A tax is considered "delinquent" when the due date of a specific real estate tax assesment has passed and by statute any appeal rights have expired.   Madison County real estate property tax notices are mailed out to all property owners in October and are payable to the County Sheriff's Office beginning November 1st. County taxes are maintained and collected in the County Sheriff's Office until April 15th each year.    The Sheriff transfers all unpaid taxes to the Madison County Clerk's Office, accruing statutory penalties as well as interest at 1% per month until paid.    Two additional notices are mailed by the County Attorney, the first week of May and the first week of June. The bills are advertised in the Richmond Register newspaper approximately 30 days before the scheduled tax sale date.

Question 38

What are the Delinquent Tax payment Instructions?

Accepted Answer

Delinquent county property taxes may be paid by mail or in-person by visiting the Madison County Clerk's Office in Richmond or Berea. Payments may also be made over the phone. Full payment can be mailed to:  Madison County Clerk  ATTN: D-TAX PO Box 1270 Richmond, KY 40476    *Please review payoff information, view the d-tax timeline, and learn about the annual tax sale.   Richmond Branch  321 N. Madison Ave.  Richmond, KY 40475 859-624-4703  Berea Branch  304 Chestnut St. Berea, KY 40403 859-986-1460

Question 39

Forms of acceptable payment?

Accepted Answer

-Certified Check   -Cashiers Check   -Money Order   -Cash   -Debit Card ($2.50 processing fee)    -Credit Card (3% processing fee)  *payments can be made over the phone with a credit card

Question 40

Can I pay my delinquent property taxes in installments at the Clerk's Office?

Accepted Answer

No. It is important to note that if partial payments were allowed, a lien would remain on your property until payment is made in full. Additionally, as long as a balance remains on your delinquent tax account, a third party could purchase your tax bill without warning. The purchase could neither be anticipated nor prevented by the County Clerk.    The County Attorney may be able to offer you an installment payment plan. Please call that office at 859-624-4777 for questions concerning payment plans.    You can not set up payment plans until your tax bill becomes deliquent.   Once your tax lien is purchased by a third party, they may also offer an installment plan. Contact the buyer directly for more information.

Question 41

Who can lawfully purchase my Delinquent Tax bills?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky law allows any individual or company to purchase delinquent tax bills that are not flagged by the County Attorney as being on the protected list. Protected list bills include bills that are involved in Bankruptcy, pending Litigation, or are on a Payment Plan with the County Attorney.    The sale of tax bills cannot be anticipated nor prevented by the County Clerk.

Question 42

Is a lien placed on my property when my taxes become delinquent?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A lien is filed against the specified real property you own in Madison County. The lien is filed with the Madison County Clerk's Office and is a public record of the amount you owe. It could affect your ability to obtain credit or sell real estate. The cost of releasing the lien will be added to the delinquent tax account at the time the lien is filed.

Question 43

What happens when someone buys my Delinquent Tax Bill?

Accepted Answer

The lien (Certificate of Delinquency) which is held by the County Clerk's Office is then assigned to the third party purchaser and the document is recorded in the land records of the County Clerk's Office. The third party purchaser then has 50 days to give notice that the tax bill has been purchased. Payment must be sent directly to the third party purchaser, along with the associated penalties and interest assessed by them after their purchase.    There are statutory guidelines regulating what can be changed by a third party purchaser. Once you pay the third party purchaser, they will file a Release of Assignment of Certificate of Delinquency with the County Clerk's Office within 30 days of receipt of payment.

Question 44

What do I do if I can't locate the buyer?

Accepted Answer

Some buyers change addresses without contacting the debtors. Contact the Madison County Clerk's Office at 859-624-4703 #2 to verify the mailing address on record for the third party purchaser.

Question 45

Does the Madison County Clerk's Office report my Delinquent Taxex to a credit bureau?

Accepted Answer

No. However, the mortgage companies and other creditors contact the Madison County Clerk's Office to inquire about delinquent taxes.   If your credit bureau reports an open tax lien, it probably is not for Delinquent Real Estate or Tangible taxes. Usually these liens are placed by the Commonwealth for income or other taxes.   If your credit report shows that there is a Certificate of Delinquency or other tax liens on your property, you may obtain a copy of the lien and/or release from the Madison County Clerk's Office at 859-624-4703 #2.

Question 46

How long do I have to pay the Clerk's Office if no Third Party buys my bill?

Accepted Answer

Tax bills are collectable by the County Clerk until the Statute of Limitations runs out at 11 years following the date of delinquency.   However, the County Attorney can force a foreclosure action any time prior to the 11 years.

Question 47

If I did not receive my tax notice and my taxes become Delinquent, will the tax penalties be exonerated?"

Accepted Answer

That depends. In some cases, tax bills may be sent to the wrong address. If this is a governmental error, some penalties can be waived. However, property owners should expect to receive a yearly tax bill.   According to the Kentucky Department of Tax Revenue, not receiving a tax bill or being unfamiliar with Kentucky tax laws are not reasons to waive a penalty and interest on a delinquent tax bill. Interest cannot be waived under any current statutes. If you do not receive a bill in November, you will need to follow up with the County Sheriff's Office at 859-624-4715.

Question 48

Will I need proof of insurance for the car I'm buying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Proof of current Kentucky liability insurance is required at the time of transfer.   The insurance card must reflect the VIN of the vehicle being transferred, show the new owner's name as the insured, and show the NAIC number or company code.   The effective date of the insurance must be within 45 days of transfer as well.

Question 49

Does the seller have to be with me when I transfer the title?

Accepted Answer

No. If the seller has completed their part of the title in its entirety including the signature and notary, then the buyer may come into our office to transfer the vehicle without the seller.

Question 50

Do I have to let you know if I junk my vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must surrender your title and license plate to the Madison County Clerk's Office in order to cancel the record. Not cancelling the record will result in future taxes on a vehicle you no longer own.

Question 51

Why does my car need an inspection if it's new?

Accepted Answer

All vehicles coming into Kentucky from out of state whether new or used must have a VIN inspection to make sure the paperwork matches the vehicle being registered.

Question 52

Why would I pay usage tax based on the book value instead of what I paid for it?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky House Bill 380 established a minimum taxable value for all motor vehicles. It provides that the value of a used motor vehicle for usage tax purposes would be based on the affidavit of total consideration (TC 96-182) signed by the seller for the taxes to be based on purchase price. The taxable value cannot be less than 50% of its trade-in value as listed in the automotive price reference manuals.

Question 53

How long will it take to receive my title?

Accepted Answer

Titles are processed by the Department of Transporation and are mailed to the customer within 4 to 6 weeks of application.   Expedited "Speed" titles are available in some circumstances for an additional fee. Speed titles are mailed within 4 to 5 days of application.

Question 54

Do I have to title and register my boat?

Accepted Answer

Boats that are not operated on public waterways or do not have a motor do not require registration.

Question 55

Do I have to title and register my trailer?

Accepted Answer

All trailers must be titled in Kentucky. Privately owned and operated trailers used for the transporation of boats, luggage, personal effects, farm products, farm suppliers, or farm equipment do not require registration.    Trailers used for commercial purposes must be registered.

Question 56

I received my renewal notice and it states "See Clerk/See PVA," what does that mean?"

Accepted Answer

"See Clerk" usually means that registration is expired/cancelled. You must come to our office to renew.    "See PVA" means that the Property Valuation Office needs more information to properly assess taxes. You must call the Madison County Property Valuation Administration (PVA) at 859-623-5410 before your renewal can be processed.

Question 57

I received a tax bill for a car I no longer have. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

You need to request cancellation of the registration/title.   If the vehicle has been junked, the title and plate must be surrendered to the Madison County Clerk's Office.   If the vehicle has been sold, two affidavits must be completed: 1. Affidavit for Correction/Exoneration (62A044) 2. Affidavit of Incomplete Transfer (89FCC-266)

Question 58

I just moved, how do I update the address on my registration?"

Accepted Answer

Bring your registration and picture identification to the Motor Vehicle Office at the Madison County Clerk's Office to update your address.   You are not required to update the address on the title.

Question 59

Why do I have to pay taxes on a vehicle I'm not operating?

Accepted Answer

Property taxes for your vehicle, trailers and boats are assesed by the Property Valuation Administrator on January 1st of each year.   You are responsible for the property tax for any vehicle registered to you on January 1st. This tax is separate from your registration fee.

Question 60

Will you accept a faxed termination?

Accepted Answer

Only if it is faxed from the secured party or another county clerk's office. If the fax does not have the secured party or county clerk's name as the header, we will need to have a cover sheet.    All faxed terminations must also contain "Will Mail Original" on the termination or cover sheet.

Question 61

Will you fax a copy to me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is $1.00 per page to fax a document.

Question 62

Do you have marriage licenses for other counties?

Accepted Answer

No. Each county is responsible for their marriage records.   You may want to contact the Vital Statistics Office, who keeps marriage records statewide. Their number is 502-564-4212.

Question 63

How do I get a copy of a divorce decree?

Accepted Answer

Family Court will have divorce decree documentation.   You may contact them at 859-625-5524.

Question 64

Does the Madison County Clerk's Office have a list of foreclosures?

Accepted Answer

No. The master commissioner's office is responsible for the properties that are going to be auctioned.   Please visit their website, www.madisonkymastercommissioner.com to view a list of current properties .

MADISON COUNTY CLERK

KENNY BARGER

Richmond Office
321 N. Madison Ave.
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 624-4703
8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Passport Hours
8:00a.m.-3:45p.m.

Berea Office
304 Chestnut St.
Berea, KY 40403
(859) 986-1460
8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Closed for lunch
(12:00p.m.-1:00p.m.)

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