Boone County Circuit Court Clerk — Burlington
Address
Boone County Justice Center6025 Rogers Lane, Room 141
Burlington, KY 41005
Circuit Court Clerk: David S. Martin
859-448-2900 (main)
Fax: 859-448-2975
Office Hours
| Monday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Thursday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Friday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Payments & bonds cutoff: 3:30 pm. Arrive by 3:30 pm to ensure same-day processing.
Filing Fee
~$148–$153
Call ahead to confirm — fees can adjust annually. Fee waivers available via Form AOC-026.
Payment Options
- Cash
- Local check
- Money order
- Credit / debit card (processing fee applies)
- Online via ePay (some transactions)
Cash required for bond payments only.
Boone County Clerk — Florence Branch
Address
Florence Branch Office(exact address — call to confirm)
Florence, KY 41042
859-647-8702 (Motor Vehicle)
Hours
| Mon / Tue / Wed / Fri | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| Sat / Sun | Closed |
⚠ Important — Florence Branch Limitations
The Florence branch handles Motor Vehicle services only (registration, titles, handicap placards) plus limited real estate services (marriage licenses, notaries). Divorce filings must be made at the Burlington main office. Do not go to Florence to file your divorce petition.
⭐ Boone County Local Notes & Edge Cases
- Parking is free at the Boone County Justice Center (front lot and church lot behind the building). This is not the case at all NKY courthouses.
- Self-represented filers must submit paper copies — Kentucky law requires attorneys to e-file, but pro se filers cannot. Bring two copies of your completed AOC-252 packet.
- Boone County Family Court schedules are set through the Circuit Court Clerk. Family Court has jurisdiction for all dissolution of marriage cases involving families and children.
- ePay is available for some payments (court costs, fines) but not all — call 859-448-2900 to confirm which fees can be paid online before filing.
- Legal Aid of the Bluegrass serves Boone County residents: 104 East 7th Street, Covington, KY 41011 — (859) 431-8200. Free assistance for qualifying low-income residents.
Step-by-Step: Filing in Boone County
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01
Confirm You Meet Residency
You or your spouse must have lived in Kentucky for 180 consecutive days and in Boone County (or wherever you currently reside) before filing. Boone County encompasses Burlington, Florence, Erlanger, Walton, Hebron, Union, and surrounding areas. If your spouse lives in Kenton County but you live in Boone, you file in Boone.
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02
Download and Complete the AOC-252 Packet
All Kentucky divorce forms are available free at courts.ky.gov/forms. Print and complete two copies of everything. The core packet for a divorce without minor children:
- AOC-252 — Petition for Dissolution
- AOC-252.1 — Waiver of Service (if applicable)
- AOC-252.4 — Separation Agreement
- AOC-252.5 — Petitioner's Deposition
- AOC-252.6 — Proposed Decree
- AOC-252.8 — Motion to Submit
- AOC-238 — Financial Disclosure (due within 45 days of service)
- VS-300 — Certificate of Divorce
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03
Go to Burlington — Room 141
Drive to 6025 Rogers Lane, Burlington, KY 41005. Parking is free. Go to Room 141 (Circuit Court Clerk's office). Arrive before 3:30 pm — that's the payment cutoff. Tell the clerk you're filing a dissolution of marriage petition.
Hand over your two copies. Pay the filing fee (~$148–$153). The clerk stamps your copies, assigns a case number, and returns one set to you. That stamped copy is your record — keep it safe.
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04
Serve Your Spouse (within 45 days)
Your spouse must be formally served with the petition within 45 days of your filing date. Options at Boone County:
- Signed waiver (free): If your spouse agrees, have them sign AOC-252.1 (Waiver of Service) before or immediately after you file. This is fastest.
- Certified mail (~$12): The clerk's office can mail the papers to your spouse with a return receipt. Cheapest if no waiver.
- Boone County Sheriff ($50–$100): Sheriff Administration at 3000 Conrad Lane, Burlington — (859) 334-2175.
- Process server ($75–$150): Hire a licensed private process server.
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05
File AOC-238 Financial Disclosure
Within 45 days of your spouse being served, both parties must exchange financial disclosures (AOC-238 — Preliminary Verified Disclosure Statement). This details income, expenses, assets, and debts. Both parties file their own copy with the clerk.
💡 This 45-day deadline runs from service, not from filing. Missing it can complicate or delay your case. -
06
Wait the Mandatory 60-Day Period
Under KRS 403.170, the court cannot issue a final decree until 60 days after the filing date. This is mandatory — even in fully agreed, uncontested divorces. Use this time to finalize your separation agreement and resolve any remaining property or custody issues.
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07
Submit the Final Decree
After 60 days, return to Room 141 (or have your attorney e-file) with AOC-252.8 (Motion to Submit) and AOC-252.6 (Proposed Findings and Decree). The clerk forwards your paperwork to the judge. For simple uncontested cases, no court appearance is required — the judge signs the decree and the clerk mails it to you. Timeline after submission: typically 1–4 weeks depending on the judge's schedule.
Boone County Divorce — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to appear in court for an uncontested divorce in Boone County?
In most simple uncontested cases with no minor children, no — you do not need to appear in court. The Circuit Court Clerk submits your paperwork to the judge on your behalf. However, if you have minor children or if there are any contested issues, the judge may schedule a hearing. Call the clerk at 859-448-2900 to ask about your specific situation before assuming you won't need to appear.
I live in Florence. Do I file at the Florence branch?
No. The Florence branch of the Boone County Clerk handles motor vehicles and limited real estate services only. All divorce (dissolution of marriage) filings must be made at the Burlington main office: 6025 Rogers Lane, Room 141, Burlington, KY 41005.
What if my spouse is in the military?
Active military stationed in Kentucky counts as Kentucky residency for divorce purposes. However, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) may affect timelines and default judgments. If your spouse is deployed, consult a family law attorney before filing — special rules apply to serving deployed military members and to proceedings while they're on active duty.
Can I get a fee waiver in Boone County?
Yes. File Form AOC-026 (Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) at the same time as your AOC-252 petition. The clerk forwards it to a judge, who typically rules within 3–5 business days. The income guideline is approximately 200% of the federal poverty level ($31,920 for a single person in 2026). Legal Aid of the Bluegrass can also help qualifying NKY residents at no cost: (859) 431-8200.
How long does an uncontested Boone County divorce take from filing to final decree?
Minimum: approximately 70–90 days (60-day mandatory wait + 1–4 weeks for the judge to sign after you file the motion to submit). Most simple uncontested cases complete in 3–4 months. Contested cases — involving property disputes, custody disagreements, or uncooperative spouses — routinely take 6–18+ months.
What if my spouse won't sign anything or refuses to cooperate?
You can still proceed. If your spouse is served and does not respond within 20 days, you can request a default judgment from the clerk. The court can grant your dissolution without your spouse's cooperation, as long as proper service was completed. You'll still need to wait the 60-day mandatory period. If you can't locate your spouse for service, Kentucky has a process for service by publication — ask the clerk for guidance or consult an attorney.