Kentucky Certificate of Trust
County Specific Legal Forms Validated as recently as May 18, 2026 by our Forms Development Team
About the Kentucky Certificate of Trust
How to Use This Form
- Select your county from the list on the left
- Download the county-specific form
- Fill in the required information
- Have the document notarized if required
- Record with your county recorder's office
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Codified under the Kentucky Uniform Trust Code at KSA 386B.10-120, the certification of trust is a document containing the relevant details of a trust and certifying a trustee's authority to act on behalf of a trust.
(Note: this certificate of trust is separate from the certificate of trust for business trusts under 386A.2-010 of the Kentucky Uniform Statutory Trust Act.)
A trustee can furnish the certification of trust instead of providing the entire trust instrument, as it "need not contain the dispositive terms of a trust" (KSA 386B.10-120(4)). In this way, the trustee can keep information irrelevant to the transaction, specifically the identities of trust beneficiaries, private.
A certificate of trust requires the name and date of the trust, along with the settlor's name. The settlor is the person who created the trust and is funding the trust with assets. In addition, the certificate identifies the currently acting trustee. The trustee is the fiduciary in charge of administering the trust.
In addition, the document details the powers of the trustee concerning the transaction at hand. For example, the certification of trust is commonly used in conjunction with a deed executed by a trustee, so the trustee's power to convey property is often cited, with reference to the article or section of the trust instrument where the power is conferred. Recipients of a certificate can request excerpts from the trust instrument that designate the trustee and authorize the power to act in the pending transaction (KSA 386B.10-120(5)).
The certificate states whether the trust is irrevocable or revocable, and the identity of anyone with the power to revoke the trust, if applicable. If there are co-trustees, the document names the trustees authorized to sign trust documents and whether all or fewer than all are needed to carry out the trustee's powers. The certificate also gives the full name by which the trust will vest real property.
Since the document affects real property, a certificate should include the legal description of the subject property or properties. Pursuant to KSA 386B.10-120(2), any trustee can sign a certification of trust in the presence of a notary public. Certifications may be recorded as a supplemental document in the county in which the real property is located.
Finally, the certificate requires a statement that the trust referred to within "has not been revoked, modified, or amended" so as to cause the statements within to be incorrect (KSA 386B.10-120(3)). Recipients may rely on the representations within the certification as factual (KSA 386B.10-120(6)). They may request the trust instrument in addition to the excerpts mentioned above, but doing so opens them to certain liabilities under KSA 386B.10-120(8).
Consult a lawyer for guidance, as trust law can quickly become complicated.
(Kentucky COT Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)
How to Use This Form
- Select your county from the list above
- Download the county-specific form
- Fill in the required information
- Have the document notarized if required
- Record with your county recorder's office
What Others Like You Are Saying
"Easy to use service. However, the product that I purchased did not meet my needs. No fault of the co…"
"I was referred to your company, but when i tried to process the recording of a deed to a property in…"
"Once I figured out what I wanted it was great!"
"Deeds.com did a great job in explaining exactly what I'd need to file a deed transfer (quitclaim dee…"
"This is a great service recommended by CSC. I only had one document to e-file. I would recommend to …"
Common Uses for Certificate of Trust
- Record a trust's ownership interest with the county
- Convey property from an estate to a buyer
- Distribute inherited property among multiple heirs
- Transfer property to a successor trustee
- Convey property as directed by a will or court order
Compare other Kentucky deed forms and documents
Important: County-Specific Forms
Our certificate of trust forms are specifically formatted for each county in Kentucky.
After selecting your county, you'll receive forms that meet all local recording requirements, ensuring your documents will be accepted without delays or rejection fees.