Bonds may be posted at the Circuit Clerk’s office in the Justice Center from 8 am to 3:30 pm Monday-Friday. Bonds outside of those hours may be posted at the Kenton County Detention Center.
- By posting a bond you are promising that the defendant will appear for all of their court appearances and obey all bond conditions.
- If the defendant fails to appear or breaks the conditions, you may lose any cash or property posted.
- Bonds are posted at the Circuit Clerk’s office during our regular business hours (8 am – 4 pm M-F).
- Bonds posted after hours are posted at the jail where the defendant is located (if the jail permits).
- The person’s name listed on the bond sheet as the Surety will be the only person to whom the bond money will be returned, unless a notarized bond assignment is on file with the Circuit Clerk’s office.
Process for Posting a Bond (please read all information below carefully):
- Go to Pretrial Services, on the 2nd Floor of the Kenton County Justice Center, 230 Madison Ave., Covington, Kentucky to obtain a Bond Decision.
- Take the Bond Decision, along with a $25 non-refundable bond filing fee in addition to the bond amount, to the counter on the 3rd Floor of the Justice Center. Once the bond paper has been completed, check to be sure all the information on the form is correct.
- Forms of payment accepted for bonds are: cash, or cashier’s check, money order, and credit/debit cards up to $1,000 (There is a $2.25 fee for debit (if a pin number is entered) or a $5.50 fee for credit.) Bonds in excess of $1,000 must be in cash or cashier’s check only. All cashier’s/bank checks are subject to verification with the bank. If we are unable to verify the check with the bank you will be required to come back the next business day.
- Bonds are not released until the completion of the case and there are no future court dates, unless otherwise ordered by the judge.
- Non-defendant sureties are not required to pay any fines, costs or fees, but please be aware that the bond money will not be released until those are paid in full, unless the Judge orders otherwise.
- Bonds are only refunded via a check made payable to the Surety listed on the bond sheet, unless a notarized bond assignment is on file with the Circuit Clerk’s office.
- A Photo ID of the surety is required to pick up the bond.
If a partially secured bond is being posted at 10% and there is a plea or finding of guilt, the State of Kentucky will keep 10% of the amount posted, not less than $5.00.
Types of bonds and what you will need –
- Release on Personal Recognizance (known as ROR or OR), Defendant is released based on the Defendant’s written promise to appear. – You will need a picture I.D. and $25.00 non-refundable bond filing fee.
- Unsecured Bond, is a promise by the defendant or surety to pay the designated amount upon a failure to appear when ordered by the court to do so, or upon a breach of a material condition of release. It is not secured by any deposit of money or property. You will need a picture I.D., most recent paycheck stub and $25.00 non-refundable bond filing fee.
- Full Cash Bond, is a bond in which the full amount of the bond is posted either by the defendant or surety. You will need a picture I.D., amount of money to post the full bond amount, and $25.00 non-refundable bond filing fee.
- Partially Secured Cash Bond, is a bond which requires a deposit of less than the full amount of the bond and may be as little as 10% of the original amount set. You will need a picture I.D., the amount of money to post the bond, and $25.00 non-refundable bond filing fee. Note- if a 10% bond and the defendant pleads or is found guilty, 10% of the bond will be kept when bond is refunded.
- Property Bond, is a bond in which the defendant or surety pledges real property located in Kentucky instead of cash to guarantee the defendant’s appearance. The amount pledged must be twice the amount of the bond over and above any encumbrances or exemptions. You will need a picture I.D., statement from the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) of the county where property is located, statement from the mortgage holder showing the unpaid balance or proof of no lien, property deed and $25.00 non-refundable bond filing fee. Note – additional steps are required.
** Unless ordered by the Judge, the Circuit Clerk may refuse any surety if there is any doubt as to the sufficiency to cover the amount of the bond. KRS 30A.060, RCr 4.32.
NOTE: The surety (except an approved corporate surety, KRS 304.21-350) must be a resident of Kentucky or own real estate in Kentucky. This does not apply to full cash bonds.
The following persons cannot be sureties (RCr 4.30(2), KRS 431.510):
- Attorneys
- Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs
- Judges
- Master commissioners and trial commissioners
- Clerks and deputy clerks
- For-profit bail bondsmen, whether individuals or corporations
- Pretrial release officers
***Reminder – Our office is prohibited from providing legal advice. You may contact the Northern Kentucky Bar Associations (Lawyer Referral Service) @ 859-781-1525 or Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (Pro-Bono) @ 859-431-8200, or contact a private attorney for further information.