In short
Kentucky’s real estate transfer tax is $0.50 for each $500 of value, charged to the seller named in the deed (KRS 142.050), or $242 on a $241,700 sale. Recording a deed costs $33 for up to five pages, plus a $4 state tax (KRS 64.012; KRS 142.010). No official source gives a typical Kentucky closing-cost percentage.
Why there is no single “typical” total
Some Kentucky closing costs are set by law: the transfer tax, the state tax on each recorded deed and mortgage, and the county clerk’s recording fees. Others are set by private companies: lender charges, the appraisal, the survey, the inspection, title insurance and any attorney fee. Prorated property taxes and insurance deposits depend on the house, the closing date and the loan.
So your total depends mostly on your loan, your contract and your closing date. The fixed pieces can be calculated exactly. The variable pieces appear on two federal forms. The lender must give you a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application, and a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before you close (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). For a walk-through of each line, see closing costs explained.
Line by line: what each cost is
Lender charges. Origination, appraisal, credit report and underwriting fees are set by the lender and the companies it hires. No Kentucky rate table applies. Compare them across lenders on the Loan Estimate, which uses the same form everywhere.
Transfer tax. The statute taxes “the grantor named in the deed” at $0.50 per $500 of value “or fraction thereof.” The county clerk computes it and collects it before recording the deed. Full rules, exemptions and examples are on our Kentucky transfer tax page.
State tax on instruments. KRS 142.010 adds a $4 tax on each conveyance of real property and a $4 tax on each mortgage, collected by the county clerk at filing.
Recording fees. KRS 64.012 sets what the county clerk charges. Recording and indexing a deed or a deed of trust costs $33 if it has no more than five pages, then $3 for each additional page and $4 for each additional reference to the same instrument. Recording a real estate mortgage costs $63 up to 30 pages, then $3 per extra page. The same section also gives the clerk a $10 reimbursement for permanent storage of these records.
Deed requirements. A Kentucky deed must state the full consideration and carry a sworn, notarized certificate from both parties that it is the full price (KRS 382.135). It must also show the name and address of the person who prepared it, with that person’s signature (KRS 382.335). Our guide on whether you need an attorney explains who may prepare a deed.
Title insurance. Insurers must file their title insurance rates with the Kentucky Department of Insurance under 806 KAR 13:150, which sets the filing procedure. I did not find a state-published premium table, so ask each title agent for its filed rate in writing. See title insurance explained.
Survey, inspection and attorney. These are priced by each provider. See what a land survey costs and home inspection costs.
Prepaids and prorations. Kentucky property taxes are assessed as of January 1, and Jefferson County mails bills on November 1 (Jefferson County PVA). How the year’s bill is split between seller and buyer is set by your contract and shown on the Closing Disclosure. If your lender requires deposits for taxes and insurance, they fund your escrow account. See Kentucky property tax.
Who pays what in Kentucky
Kentucky law names a payer for only one item.
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax | The grantor (seller), by statute (KRS 142.050(2)) |
| Deed recording and $4 state tax | Not named in the statute; your contract and Closing Disclosure show it |
| Mortgage recording and $4 state tax | Not named in the statute; your Closing Disclosure shows it |
| Title insurance | Your contract and the title agent’s quote decide |
| Lender charges, appraisal | Charged by the lender; they appear on the Loan Estimate |
| Brokerage compensation | Negotiable; see real estate commission |
What it costs: a worked example in Louisville
This is an example, not a quote. Take a $241,700 home, the 2024 Census median value for the city of Louisville, and assume a five-page deed and a mortgage of under 30 pages. Only the government-set lines are calculated.
| Line | Rule used | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax | $241,700 ÷ $500 = 483.4, rounded up to 484 units × $0.50 | $242.00 |
| Recording the deed | KRS 64.012: $33 + $10 storage reimbursement | $43.00 |
| State tax on the conveyance | KRS 142.010 | $4.00 |
| Recording the mortgage | KRS 64.012: $63 + $10 storage reimbursement | $73.00 |
| State tax on the mortgage | KRS 142.010 | $4.00 |
| Government-set lines | $366.00 | |
| Lender charges, appraisal, survey, inspection, title insurance | Set by each provider | See your Loan Estimate and quotes |
| Tax proration and escrow deposits | Depends on the tax bill and closing date | See your Closing Disclosure |
The county clerk’s receipt is the final word on recording totals. At another price, rerun the transfer tax: a $400,000 sale gives $400.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky have a transfer tax on home sales?
Yes. KRS 142.050 taxes the grantor at $0.50 for each $500 of value or fraction of $500. The county clerk collects it before recording the deed. Several transfers are exempt, including foreclosure sales and transfers between spouses.
Who pays the Kentucky transfer tax, the buyer or the seller?
The statute imposes the tax on the grantor, who is the seller. The texts I read do not say whether a contract can shift it, so check your purchase contract.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Kentucky?
KRS 64.012 sets $33 for a deed of up to five pages, plus $3 for each additional page. KRS 142.010 adds a $4 state tax on each conveyance, and the clerk also receives a $10 storage reimbursement.
Can I shop for title insurance in Kentucky?
Yes, but ask for each agent’s filed rate in writing. Kentucky insurers file their rates with the Department of Insurance (806 KAR 13:150), and I did not find a single state-published premium schedule.
When will I know my exact closing costs?
Your lender must send a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application. You must receive the Closing Disclosure, with the final figures, at least three business days before closing (CFPB).
Compare with the other states: Closing costs by state.
More Kentucky guides
- Real estate transfer tax in Kentucky: rate, payer, exemptions
- Kentucky property tax: rates, homestead exemption, appeals
- Seller disclosure requirements in Kentucky (KREC Form 402)
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Kentucky?
- Foreclosure in Kentucky: court process and 6-month redemption
- Home prices in Kentucky and Louisville: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Kentucky: KHC and Louisville
- How to verify a real estate license in Kentucky
- Community property and buying a home in Kentucky
Sources
- KRS 142.050, Real estate transfer tax (Kentucky Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- KRS 142.010, State taxes on legal processes and instruments (Kentucky Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- KRS 64.012, Fees of county clerks (Kentucky Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- KRS 382.135, Statement of consideration required in deed (Kentucky Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- KRS 382.335, Information required in recorded instruments (Kentucky Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- 806 KAR 13:150, Property and casualty rate and rule filings, including title insurance (Kentucky Department of Insurance) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Table B25077, Median Value (Dollars), ACS 1-Year Estimates 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- What is a Loan Estimate? (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- What is a Closing Disclosure? (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)