How To Transfer a Car Title in Ohio 2026

Ohio mandates formal documentation of all motor vehicle ownership changes through the state's automated title processing system. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 4505.06, an application for a certificate of title must be filed with the Clerk of Courts in the applicant's county of residence within 30 days of the assignment or delivery of the motor vehicle. Private sales, gifted vehicles, and transfers arising from inheritance are each governed by this requirement.

Title issuance in Ohio is administered through County Clerk of Courts title offices operating under the regulatory authority of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Required Documents for Title Transfer in Ohio

All documents listed below must be presented at the County Clerk of Courts Title Office at the time of application. Requirements may vary depending on the nature of the transaction.

Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Ohio

Step 1: Collect and Verify All Required Documentation

Before visiting a County Clerk of Courts Title Office, all parties to the transaction must confirm that the documentation outlined above is complete and in order. Incomplete submissions will result in processing delays and may require an additional visit. Key requirements to verify before arrival:

• All signatures on the title must be original; photocopied certificates of title are not accepted under any circumstances
• For vehicles held under dual ownership, both parties must be present at the title office unless an original, notarized Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title (Form BMV 3771) is provided
• Social Security numbers for all listed owners are required at the time of submission
• If a security interest (lien) is attached to the vehicle, the lienholder's information must be included in the assignment

Step 2: Complete the Title Assignment Section

The transferor is responsible for completing the assignment section on the reverse of the physical certificate of title. This section must reflect the date of sale, the agreed-upon sale price, the buyer's full legal name and address, the current odometer reading, and original signatures from all titleholders.

For transactions involving a vehicle held under an electronic title, the Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (Form BMV 3770) serves the same legal purpose as the physical title assignment, pursuant to ORC § 4505.032. The seller completes and notarizes Page 1 in its entirety; the buyer completes and notarizes Page 2.

Step 3: Prepare the Odometer Disclosure and Applicant's Affidavit

Both federal and Ohio law require the transferor to declare the true odometer reading at the time of ownership transfer. For physical title transactions, the odometer disclosure is located on the reverse of the Ohio title. For transactions conducted using Form BMV 3770, a separate Odometer Certification form must accompany the application.

Under ORC § 4549.46, no transferor may fail to provide the complete and truthful odometer disclosure mandated by ORC § 4505.06. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 16,000 pounds are exempt from the odometer disclosure requirement.

The applicant must also complete a notarized Applicant's Affidavit stating the declared selling price, which serves as the taxable basis for sales and use tax calculation.

Step 4: Submit the Application to the County Clerk of Courts Title Office

Title applications in Ohio must be filed at the Clerk of Courts Title Office in the county where the buyer resides. The following items must be presented at the time of filing:

• Completed certificate of title assignment (or Form BMV 3770 for electronic title transactions)
• Notarized Application for Certificate of Title (Form BMV 3774)
• Valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security number(s) for all owners
• Completed odometer disclosure documentation
• Lien release, if a prior security interest existed on the vehicle
• Payment for all applicable fees and sales tax

Contact the applicable county title office in advance to confirm accepted payment methods, as these vary by location.

Step 5: Pay the Required Fees and Applicable Sales Tax

All fees are collected by the Clerk of Courts at the time of application submission. The schedule below reflects amounts established under ORC § 4505.09 and the Vehicle Title Fees by County schedule published by the Ohio Department of Public Safety:

Step 6: Receive the New Certificate of Title and Update Registration

Upon acceptance of the completed application and full payment, the Clerk of Courts will process the certificate of title. For in-person filings, the certificate is typically printed on-site at the time of submission. Mail-in applications are returned to the mailing address provided on Form BMV 3774.

Pursuant to ORC § 4503.12, the motor vehicle's existing registration expires upon transfer of ownership. New plates or a plate transfer must be obtained through a deputy registrar license agency before operating the vehicle on Ohio public roads. A 45-day temporary tag may be issued before the title transfer is finalized; however, once an Ohio title is established, only permanent Ohio license plates may be obtained.

Contact Information

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 752-7671
Official Website: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles