Kentucky Revised Statutes Title XVI. Motor Vehicles § 186A.120.Initial application for title and registration to be in county of residence of owner; exceptions

(1)(a) Except for applications for title or salvage title using the electronic title application and registration system established under KRS 186A.017, application for a first certificate of registration or title and plate shall be made by the owner to the county clerk of the county in which the owner resides, except that, if a vehicle is purchased from:

(b) The county clerk shall ensure that all applications and required support documents are complete.

(c) An application received by a county clerk shall be processed and sent to the cabinet within three (3) business days of receipt.

(2)(a) When purchaser of a vehicle upon which a lien is to be recorded is a resident of a county other than that of the dealer, the application for registration or title may be made to the county clerk in either county. The lien must be recorded in the county of the purchaser's residence.

(b) If vehicle application for registration or title is presented to the county clerk of dealer's location rather than purchaser's residence, the clerk shall process documents in a manner similar to that of any application, with the exception that the AVIS system shall be programmed in a manner that the title shall not be issued from Frankfort until the lien information has been entered by the county clerk of the purchaser's residence.

(3)(a) A new vehicle, when first registered or titled in this state, shall be registered or titled in the name of the first owner for use rather than in the name of a dealer who held the vehicle for sale.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a used vehicle not previously registered or titled in this state shall be registered or titled in the name of the first owner for use rather than in the name of a dealer who held the vehicle for resale.