If you're buying or selling in Northern Kentucky, here's what it really costs to close in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties: Covington, Florence, Independence, Fort Mitchell, Fort Thomas, Newport and the towns around them.

The short version: Northern Kentucky follows the same state rules as the rest of Kentucky, with a few local wrinkles. The biggest is that many NKY cities send their own property tax bill on top of the county bill, often on a different schedule. That's where people get surprised at the closing table.

The quick numbers

• Kentucky deed transfer tax: $0.50 for every $500 of the sale price, which is $1 per $1,000. The seller usually pays it.
• Deed recording (Kenton and Campbell County Clerks): $50 for up to 5 pages. The buyer usually pays it.
• Mortgage recording (Kenton and Campbell): $80 for up to 30 pages. The buyer pays this one too, as part of their loan costs.
• Mortgage release (Kenton and Campbell): $46. The seller pays to release their old loan.
• Typical Kentucky buyer closing costs: Bankrate puts the Kentucky average at about $2,475, or 0.91% of the sale price, not counting prepaid items and insurance. Most buyers should budget 2% to 5% once those are included.

Example: selling a $330,000 home in Kenton County

Kenton County's median sale price was $329,900 in March 2026, according to LINK nky's report on public sales records. So here's a rough example on a $330,000 sale:

• Transfer tax: $330, usually paid by the seller
• Release of the seller's mortgage: $46
• Recording the buyer's deed and mortgage: $50 plus $80, paid by the buyer
• Property tax proration: depends on the closing date (see below)
• Title insurance, the closing fee, and real estate commission: these are the big ones, and they vary by company and by deal

Want your exact numbers? Use the Kentucky seller closing cost calculator or the Kentucky buyer closing cost calculator. They use the same state transfer tax and recording rules that apply in Northern Kentucky.

Transfer tax: same rate statewide

Kentucky's deed transfer tax comes from state law (KRS 142.050), so it's the same in Boone, Kenton and Campbell as it is in Louisville or Lexington. The county clerk collects it when the deed is recorded. A few transfers are exempt, like transfers between spouses, divorce transfers, most parent-to-child gifts, and foreclosure deeds. Run your number with the Kentucky transfer tax calculator.

Recording fees by county

Kenton County

Deed $50, mortgage $80, release $46, plus $3 for each extra page. The Kenton County Clerk has two offices, one in Covington on Simon Kenton Way and one in Independence on Madison Pike. In-person recordings go to Covington.

Campbell County

The clerk's fee schedule, updated July 15, 2026, lists deed $50, mortgage $80 (or $126 with a MERS assignment), release $46, and $3 for each extra page.

Boone County

Recording fees are set by state law, so expect the same range as Kenton and Campbell. Boone's posted fee sheet is older, so your title company will confirm the current amount. Boone County Clerk takes cash or check for recordings, not cards.

Property taxes: the part that trips people up

Kentucky property taxes are assessed on January 1 and billed in the fall, for the whole calendar year. So when a house sells mid-year, the year's taxes haven't been billed yet. At closing, the taxes usually get split: the seller pays their share from January 1 to the closing date, often as a credit to the buyer, and the bill gets paid when it comes. Your settlement statement shows exactly how yours was handled.

County tax bills

Boone County's 2026 schedule from the Sheriff: 2% discount from October 1 to November 1, 2026; face amount November 2 to December 31; 5% penalty in January 2027; then a 10% penalty plus a 10% sheriff's add-on from February 1 to April 15, 2027. Kenton and Campbell County Sheriffs follow the same state framework, but their dates can run a little different, so check the sheriff's site for your county.

City tax bills (a separate bill)

Many Northern Kentucky cities bill their own property tax, separate from the county. A few examples:

• Florence: the city bills its own tax. The 2026 rate is $0.187 per $100 of value plus $0.027 for police and fire retirement, with a 2% discount if paid by November 1, 2026.
• Newport: city and Newport school taxes come on one city bill, typically due October 31, with no early discount.
• Fort Mitchell: the city bill is due October 31 and runs on a July-to-June fiscal year, separate from the county bill.
• Covington: the city mails its own bill each fall.

Because some city bills run July to June while the county runs January to December, proration can get messy. A good title company handles it, but make sure both bills show up on your settlement statement. City schedules change, so confirm with the city.

Title insurance and the closing

In Kentucky, title insurance rates are filed with the Kentucky Department of Insurance by each title insurer, so the price depends on which company you use. Shop it. As one example, First American's filed Kentucky rate for an owner's policy is about $1,220 on a $300,000 home, and a lender's policy issued at the same time is $200.

Who pays for the owner's policy is negotiable and spelled out in your contract. Stewart Title's Kentucky guide lists the buyer as the customary payer. Northern Kentucky deals sometimes borrow habits from the Cincinnati side of the river, so read your contract and ask before you assume.

In Kentucky, a title company can run your closing, but the deed and mortgage have to be prepared by an attorney. Most title companies handle that for you.

Other costs to plan for

• HOA transfer or estoppel fees in subdivisions, common in Boone County. Ask for the HOA's fee before you sign.
• Final water and sewer bills. Sewer service in most of Northern Kentucky runs through Sanitation District No. 1 (SD1), so line up the transfer of service before closing.
• Lender fees, appraisal, home inspection, survey if needed, and prepaid insurance and escrow for buyers.
• Commission for sellers, usually the biggest line on the seller's side.

Buying or selling in Northern Kentucky?

I'm a Kentucky Realtor based in Louisville, and I work deals across the state. If you're buying or selling in Boone, Kenton or Campbell County, text or email me. I'll run your real numbers, and if a local Northern Kentucky agent is the better fit for your deal, I'll connect you with one I trust.

• Kentucky closing costs: who pays what
• Lexington closing costs
• Elizabethtown closing costs
• Free home value estimate

Northern Kentucky closing costs FAQ

How much are closing costs in Northern Kentucky?

Buyers typically pay 2% to 5% of the price including prepaid items, and Bankrate puts the Kentucky average buyer closing cost at about $2,475 before those. Sellers pay the transfer tax ($1 per $1,000), their mortgage release, their share of property taxes, and commission.

Who pays the transfer tax in Northern Kentucky?

The seller usually pays Kentucky's deed transfer tax, $0.50 per $500 of the sale price. It's the same rate statewide.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Kenton County?

$50 for a deed up to 5 pages, $80 for a mortgage up to 30 pages, and $46 for a mortgage release, plus $3 for each extra page.

Do Northern Kentucky cities charge their own property tax?

Many do. Cities like Florence, Newport, Fort Mitchell and Covington send their own bill, separate from the county bill from the sheriff, and some run on a July-to-June year.

How are property taxes prorated at closing in Kentucky?

Kentucky taxes cover the calendar year and are billed in the fall. At closing, the seller usually pays their share from January 1 to the closing date, often as a credit to the buyer. Your settlement statement shows the exact split.

Who pays for title insurance in Northern Kentucky?

It's negotiable and set in your contract. Stewart Title's Kentucky guide lists the buyer as the usual payer of the owner's policy, and the buyer usually pays the lender's policy when there's a loan.