Kenton County residents will need to update their bookmarks starting Saturday, Aug. 1, when the county's official website moves from KentonCounty.org to KentonCountyKY.gov.
The switch means anyone who visits the old address will be automatically redirected to the new site, so no services will be interrupted. But the county is asking residents to save the new URL and watch for changes to county email addresses, which will also shift to @KentonCountyKY.gov.
Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said the move is about making it easier for people to spot the real county website in an era of online scams.
"As more government services move online, it's essential residents can quickly identify Kenton County's official website and have confidence in the information they find there," Knochelmann said in the county's July 13 announcement.
Why .gov matters
Unlike .org or .com addresses, which anyone can register, .gov domains are reserved exclusively for verified U.S. government entities. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the federal agency that manages the .gov system, checks the identity of every organization that applies. The domains are free to qualifying governments.
That restriction gives residents a simple way to confirm they're on a legitimate government page. According to CISA, cybercriminals frequently create fake websites and email addresses mimicking government agencies to trick people into sharing personal or financial information. A .gov address eliminates that ambiguity.
What changes for residents
Website: KentonCounty.org redirects automatically to KentonCountyKY.gov after Aug. 1. Residents should update saved bookmarks.
Email: All county email addresses will switch to @KentonCountyKY.gov. Affected offices include all Fiscal Court employees, the Kenton County Clerk's Office, the Kenton County Sheriff's Office, and the Property Valuation Administrator's Office.
Services: Nothing else changes. The same online resources, forms, and information will be available at the new address.
Residents who correspond with county offices by email should watch for updated contact information after Aug. 1. The Kenton County Government Center can be reached at (859) 392-1400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark your calendar
- Saturday, Aug. 1 — Kenton County website transitions to KentonCountyKY.gov. Update your bookmarks.