How To Get a Car Title in Ohio 2026
Ohio statute (Ohio Revised Code § 4505.06) mandates that proprietors of motor vehicles lacking a previously issued certificate of title file applications with the Department of Public Safety. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles operates Ohio's titling infrastructure, managing ownership documentation and coordinating certificate processing through county-level administrative offices statewide.
Where to Apply for an Ohio Certificate of Title
Ohio channels certificate of title applications through county officials authorized under the Bureau of Motor Vehicles jurisdiction:
- County Clerk of Courts Title Divisions – Administrative facilities operating in all 88 counties providing comprehensive title transaction services
- Authorized Motor Vehicle Dealers – Licensed dealers transmit electronic applications via automated processing systems during vehicle sales
- Ohio Title Portal – Web-based platform facilitating electronic ownership transfers between private individuals for eligible vehicles
- Postal Submission – Documentation forwarded to the County Clerk of Courts offices for standard mail processing
Search for Clerk of Courts title offices using the Bureau's location tool or contact county administrative offices regarding service hours and scheduling protocols.
Required Documents for Title Application in Ohio
Ohio regulations establish documentation standards for certificate issuance under ORC § 4505.06, with requirements determined by vehicle provenance and transaction type.
Primary Documentation
| Document Type | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsed Certificate of Title | Prior Ohio title bearing completed assignment section with all owner signatures and notarization | Foreign state titles accepted following originating jurisdiction's assignment protocols |
| Application for Certificate Form BMV 3774 | Executed form containing applicant data, vehicle specifications, and notarized oath | Licensed dealers may submit electronically through automated processing infrastructure |
| Government-Issued Photo Identification | Current Ohio driver license, state identification card, or equivalent credential | All applicants must present individual identification; joint owners require separate credentials |
| Ownership Evidence | Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin for new acquisitions; properly assigned title for used vehicles | Manufacturer or importer must provide original certificate for vehicles entering commerce |
Additional Documentation Requirements
Supplementary materials mandated under particular transaction conditions:
| Document Type | Purpose | Application Circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Lienholder Discharge Letter | Verify satisfaction of recorded security interest | Mandatory when existing title displays creditor notation; must reference vehicle identification number |
| Odometer Disclosure Form BMV 3724 | Document accurate mileage at ownership transfer | Applies to all vehicles excluding those rated above 16,000 pounds gross weight or transferred through estate succession |
| Foreign State VIN Verification | Authenticate vehicle identification number accuracy | Necessary for vehicles previously registered beyond Ohio borders; performed at deputy registrar locations, participating title offices, or authorized dealerships |
| Power of Attorney Document BMV 3771 | Delegate signing authority to designated agent | Original notarized instrument required when representative acts for principal owner |
| Minor Authorization Form BMV 3751 | Secure parental consent for underage participants | Mandatory when either party to transaction falls below legal majority |
| Electronic Title Assignment Form BMV 3770 | Enable transfer without physical title document | Applicable when ownership certificate maintained electronically; complete notarization of both pages required |
Ohio Title Fees and Costs
The Bureau establishes fee schedules through legislative mandate, with revised rates implemented January 1, 2026.
Standard Title Fees
| Service Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $18.00 |
| Ownership Transfer | $18.00 |
| Duplicate Certificate | $18.00 |
| Replacement Certificate | $18.00 |
| Salvage Designation | $18.00 |
| Memorandum Certificate | $18.00 |
Additional Processing Fees
Variable assessments determined by transaction parameters and vehicle characteristics:
| Fee Category | Amount | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and Use Tax | 5.75% state + local (up to 2.25%) = up to 8% | Calculated on purchase consideration for retail transactions; casual transfers taxed on stated sale price |
| Delayed Filing Penalty | $5.00 | Imposed when application submitted beyond 30-day statutory deadline following assignment |
| Security Interest Recording | Incorporated in title fee | No discrete charge for lienholder notation on certificate |
| Annual Vehicle Registration | $36.00 (passenger classification) | Rate effective January 1, 2026; commercial vehicle fees vary by weight category |
| County Administrative Charge | $4.00 to $9.50 | County-specific; clerk retains 1.01% commission from tax remittances |
| Foreign State VIN Verification | $3.50 to $5.00 | Performed at deputy registrar facilities or authorized locations |
County tax rates fluctuate based on residence location, combining state levy with municipal assessments. The Bureau collects tax during title processing unless a statutory exemption applies or prior payment is documented through a Tax Commissioner receipt.
Step-by-Step Title Application Process
Step 1: Gather Ownership Records and Execute Transfer Assignment
Secure the current certificate of title or manufacturer's certificate of origin. For ownership transfers, populate the assignment section on the certificate reverse, including all mandatory elements: transferor and transferee identification, residential addresses, transaction date, consideration amount, and odometer reading. The Ohio statute mandates notarization of all assignment signatures. Confirm that every registered owner has properly executed the transfer. Obtain lienholder discharge documentation when the existing certificate displays a security interest notation.
Step 2: Complete Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
Record a precise odometer measurement reflecting actual vehicle mileage at the transfer moment. Ohio law (ORC § 4549.46) criminalizes fraudulent odometer statements and prescribes sanctions for infractions. The transferor must designate whether the odometer displays actual mileage, surpasses mechanical capacity, or presents a non-actual reading. For foreign-registered vehicles, secure VIN verification from a certified inspector confirming the identification number corresponds to supporting documentation.
Step 3: Execute Application for Certificate of Title
Populate Form BMV 3774 with precise vehicle specifications, including identification number, manufacturing year, brand, model designation, and body configuration. Record applicant legal names matching identification credentials exactly. Specify ownership arrangement (sole, joint tenancy with survivorship rights, or beneficiary designation). Determine applicable sales and use tax liability based on consideration paid and the residential county. Execute oath before a notary public or commissioned official authorized to administer oaths.
Step 4: Present Application at County Title Office
Submit assembled documentation, executed application, valid photographic identification, and payment in authorized form (currency, negotiable instrument, or electronic payment card). The clerk validates documentation accuracy, confirms tax remittance or exemption qualification, and enters data into the automated title processing system. For postal filing, transmit materials to the County Clerk of Courts Title Office within your residential county, accompanied by a self-addressed return envelope bearing adequate postage.
Step 5: Obtain Certificate of Title
Ohio regulation processes applications within five business days following receipt, with certificate issuance or electronic processing completed upon approval. For in-person applications, the title will be printed on the spot. For mail-submitted applications, allow approximately 6 to 10 weeks for physical certificate delivery to the designated address. Electronic titles are immediately available in the automated system without physical mail delivery. The clerk forwards the certificate to the primary lienholder when a security interest exists, or to the registered owner for an absent lien notation. Electronic titles remain archived in the Ohio Title Portal, accessible to authorized parties.
Exemptions from Title Requirements
Ohio statute (ORC Chapter 4505) excludes designated vehicle classifications from certificate of title mandates:
- Vehicles owned by manufacturers or dealers maintained in inventory for commercial sale, including units temporarily operated for demonstration or diagnostic purposes
- Vehicles owned by non-Ohio residents are not subject to registration requirements within state boundaries
- Agricultural implements of husbandry operated exclusively for farming activities
- Special mobile equipment encompassing construction machinery and industrial equipment, lacking highway transportation design
- All-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles operated solely for recreational purposes on private land
- Vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating employed exclusively for commercial agricultural operations
- Government-owned vehicles operated for legitimate governmental functions
Contact Information
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles - Vehicle Title Section
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 752-7671
Official Website: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
