N. Kentucky · Seats: Covington, Independence

Process Serving in Kenton County, Kentucky

Kenton County runs from dense river cities on the Ohio to farmland near the Grant and Pendleton county lines. DFS serves papers in all 19 of its cities and the unincorporated south, documenting every attempt.

SUBMIT A PROCESS SERVE REQUESTSee Kenton County rates
County seats
Covington and Independence
Region
Northern Kentucky
Federal court
E.D. Ky., Covington (Northern Division)
Population (Census 2025 est.)
175,779
Routine starting rate
$125

Two seats, nineteen cities

Kenton County is unusual in having two county seats. Independence was chosen because it sits near the center of the county, and Covington, the larger city on the river, was also recognized, an arrangement that continues today. The county counts 19 incorporated cities, from Covington and Ludlow on the river to Erlanger, Elsmere, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Edgewood and Villa Hills in the suburban middle.

The northern third of the county is close-packed suburbs where city lines change every few blocks. Further south, around Independence, Taylor Mill and Ryland Heights, the subdivisions thin out into rural roads and farm property. DFS records the exact location of each attempt so the return is clear regardless of which city the address falls in.

Kenton borders Boone County to the west, Campbell County to the east across the Licking River, and Grant and Pendleton counties to the south. The two Northern Kentucky neighbors share Kenton's $125 Routine rate; Grant starts at $140 and Pendleton at $150.

Cities covered in Kenton County

  • Covington
  • Independence
  • Erlanger
  • Elsmere
  • Fort Mitchell
  • Fort Wright
  • Edgewood
  • Villa Hills
  • Taylor Mill
  • Ludlow

Process serving rates for Kenton County

Published starting rates by service level. Compare any other county on the Kentucky pricing map.

Kenton County · Kentucky

Routine$125First attempt in 5–7 days
Urgent$188First attempt in 3–5 days
Rush$250First attempt in 1–2 days
Same Day Rush$375Within 2 hours of receipt*

Published starting rates. Final pricing depends on the address, urgency and document readiness and is confirmed in writing before the first attempt. *Same Day Rush availability is assessed case by case; any request for service within 24 hours is billed as Same Day Rush. Outside Tennessee, DFS provides process serving only.

Services often needed in Kenton County

Each topic links to its own Kentucky page with scope, process and limits.

Coordinating service in Kenton County

  1. Provide the full addressInclude the city, unit and any alternate home or work address in Kentucky.
  2. Get the quoteDFS confirms the county, the service level and the price in writing before the first attempt.
  3. Field attemptsThe server tries at different times, with GPS time stamps and body-camera footage for each visit.
  4. Signed proofThe completed return of service, signed by the server, comes back to you for filing.

Kenton County courts

DFS serves papers issued by state and federal courts. Who may serve and what the proof of service must show depend on the issuing court.

  • Kenton Circuit CourtThe county's general trial court for larger civil suits, felonies and title disputes.
  • Kenton District CourtHandles small claims, smaller civil suits, will probate and forcible detainer cases.
  • Kenton Family CourtThe Circuit Court division for dissolution, custody, support and adoption.
  • U.S. District Court, E.D. Ky.The Covington docket covers Kenton, Boone, Campbell and six other northern counties.

Kenton County questions

Do the different small cities change the price?

No. Every address in Kenton County, from Ludlow to Independence, starts at the same $125 Routine rate.

Which court handles evictions here?

Kentucky directs forcible detainer complaints to the District Court of the county where the property is located, so Kenton rentals go to Kenton District Court.

Can DFS handle a defendant who lives in Kenton but works in Ohio?

DFS serves at the Kentucky address. An Ohio workplace is outside the states DFS covers.

Kentucky guides

Longer answers from the DFS Guides & FAQ.

Nearby service areas

Each local page covers its own geography, courts and published rates.

Reviewed October 2026 by Delator Field Services. General information about Kentucky practice, not legal advice.

Need papers served in Kenton County?

Send the documents and the recipient’s last known address through the request form. DFS confirms the county, service level and price in writing before the first attempt.

Questions first? Call or text (629) 310-8667 or email contact@delatorgroup.com.

SUBMIT A PROCESS SERVE REQUESTKentucky pricing map