Motor Vehicle Liens

Motor Vehicle liens are filed in the county where the debtor resides. Learn how to file and release a lien with the information provided and view examples. *Liens filed after July 15, 2016, are effective for ten years from the filing date on the certificate of title, according to KRS 186A.190.

File Lien

How to File a Lien...

To file a lien, a customer may mail or bring in person the following items:

Original Kentucky Title or Registration Receipt with the RED "FOR LIEN PURPOSE ONLY" stamp and the raised seal, as well as space to file the lien on the title. See examples.
A blank Title Lien Filing Statement (TC 96-187) which can be picked up from our office or by the lien holder
Payment of $22.00 (20 days past the registration date, you must submit a payment of $24.00)

The Madison County Clerk's Office strives to process all Title Lien Filing Statements in a timely and efficient manner. The Clerk's Office staff has 30 days per KRS 186A.195 (3) to process a Title Lien Filing Statement from the day it is received.

The Clerk's Office does not provide Title Lien Searches. To view copies of lien filings in Madison County, KY, you may register for the third-party subscription service, eCCLIX.

How to Release a Lien...

*E-mailed lien releases can only be accepted if they are sent from the secured party (lienholder)."

To release a lien, the following documents may be mailed, e-mailed, or delivered in person:

Original Kentucky Title
Completed Release/Termination Statement (TC 96-187) - we are only able to provide this form to the lien holder.

Liens WILL NOT be released under the following conditions:

Release information is listed on the original lien filing statement
Missing or Incorrect File Number
Missing or Incorrect File Date
Missing Debtor or Security Information
Missing Vehicle Information
Missing Signature and/or Date of Secured Party

If you need a copy of a lien release, the following fees will be charged:

$0.25 per page
$2.00

*Please note that the fee must be received before our office can send a fax.

If you request a copy of a lien via mail, please provide the following information:

Self-addressed stamped envelope
Written request containing the following information: File Number, File Date, Title Number, and Debtor's name

Mail request to:

Madison County Clerk's Office

ATTN: Lien Department

PO Box 1270

Richmond, KY 40476

Mailing Addresses that are NOT in Madison County, KY:

In Madison County, there are as many as 1500 property mailing addresses that are actually in neighboring counties. This has caused many vehicle liens to be sent to our county in error.

If you would be interested in receiving an emailed list of these addresses, please call our office at 859-624-4703 ext. 1. Because this list is so large, we are not able to send it out via mail. This list will help ensure accurate and timely processing of your lien.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF THE MULTIPLE MAILING ADDRESSES THAT ARE NOT IN MADISON COUNTY, KY.

Release Lien