How to Gift a Car in Ohio in 2026
Transferring motor vehicle ownership as a gift in Ohio involves completing title and registration procedures through the county clerk of courts' title office. The donor and recipient must complete an assignment of ownership, provide notarized signatures, and submit required documentation within 30 days of the transfer date to avoid late fees.
How Does Gifting a Car in Ohio Work?
A motor vehicle gifted in Ohio is transferred through the Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (BMV 3770) form when an electronic Ohio title is held by the seller. This form permits the seller to assign ownership directly to an Ohio resident without first obtaining physical title. Both the seller and buyer complete notarized sections of the form and present both pages to a county clerk of courts' title office for processing.
If a physical title exists, the transfer is completed on the back of the title certificate by both parties with notarized signatures. The recipient then submits the assigned title and Application for Certificate of Title to the county title office along with proof of liability insurance, identification, and payment of applicable fees. Upon issuance of the new title, the recipient must apply for vehicle registration and license plates through a deputy registrar license agency before operating the vehicle on public highways.
Ohio Car Gifting Rules You Should Know
Title Status
Ohio law requires most motor vehicles operated on public roads to be titled. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4505.09, a certificate of title must be applied for within 30 days of acquisition; failure to do so results in a $5 late fee. Titles may be held electronically by the state or issued as physical documents. All-purpose vehicles and off-highway motorcycles are motor vehicles and must be titled. Snowmobiles are not motor vehicles and are not titled in Ohio.
Mini-trucks, under-speed vehicles, and utility vehicles may be titled at the owner's request for ownership purposes. If these vehicles will be operated on public roads, local authorization is required, and a title must be obtained. Mini-trucks and utility vehicles operated on public roads must pass an authorization inspection by local law enforcement.
License Plates
When ownership of a vehicle transfers, the current license plates revert to the state, or may be transferred by the original owner to another vehicle the owner acquires. The recipient of a gifted vehicle must apply for new license plates through a deputy registrar license agency after the new title is issued. A plate transfer or replacement fee applies, and registration plates cannot be displayed until the new registration is active.
Taxes and Fees
Ohio imposes a 5.75% sales tax on motor vehicle transfers based on the purchase price. However, gifts between individuals do not constitute sales and are generally not subject to sales tax if no consideration is exchanged. The recipient should provide documentation to the county clerk of courts' title office proving the transfer was a gift and not a sale.
The title fee is $18 statewide, though some counties may charge an additional $5, bringing the total to $23. A $5 late fee applies if the title is not applied for within 30 days of the assignment. Annual vehicle registration fees for a passenger vehicle are $16 as of January 2026, plus any applicable permissive (local) taxes, which vary by county and cannot exceed $30 per vehicle.
Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Ohio
Step 1: Confirm the title status.
Determine whether the vehicle's title is held electronically in Ohio or issued as a physical document. If the title is electronic and neither party is a licensed dealer, the BMV 3770 form may be used. If a physical title exists, the assignment will occur on the back of the title. For out-of-state titles, contact the county clerk of courts' title office for conversion requirements.
Step 2: Complete the ownership assignment.
If using the BMV 3770 form, the seller completes page 1 in its entirety and has the signature notarized. The buyer completes page 2 and has the signature notarized. If a physical title is used, both parties complete and sign the assignment section on the back of the title. Both signatures must be notarized. All owners must sign unless a Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title (BMV 3771) is provided.
Step 3: Complete the odometer disclosure.
The seller completes the Odometer Disclosure Statement (BMV 3724), certifying the actual mileage to the best of their knowledge. The buyer acknowledges receipt of the odometer disclosure. Both parties must sign this form. Certain vehicles are exempt from mileage disclosure, including inherited vehicles and repossessed vehicles.
Step 4: Obtain liability insurance.
The recipient must obtain liability insurance from an Ohio-licensed insurance company with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Proof of insurance must be provided to the county title office before title issuance.
Step 5: Submit documents to the county title office.
Present both pages of the completed BMV 3770 form, the odometer disclosure form, proof of liability insurance, valid photo identification, and payment of applicable fees to the county clerk of courts title office. The transfer must take place within 30 days of the assignment date to avoid a $5 late fee.
Step 6: Apply for vehicle registration and plates.
Once the title is issued, the recipient must apply for vehicle registration at a deputy registrar license agency. The recipient will need the new title, proof of insurance, identification, and payment of registration fees. The recipient will receive license plates and a registration sticker.
Step 7: Display plates and carry documentation.
The recipient must display the new license plates on the vehicle and carry proof of registration and insurance when operating the vehicle on public highways. Registration expires on the last day of the month and may be renewed beginning 90 days before expiration.
Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Ohio
- Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (BMV 3770) or the back of a physical title document, completed and signed by both parties
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (BMV 3724), signed by both the seller and buyer
- Valid photo identification for both the seller and buyer
- Proof of liability insurance for the recipient
- Original certificate of title (physical or electronic)
- Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title (BMV 3771) if either party cannot be present
- Minor Consent Form (BMV 3751) if either party is a minor
- Payment for title and registration fees
For out-of-state titles being transferred to Ohio, an out-of-state vehicle identification number inspection is required, which may be obtained from a deputy registrar agency, county title office, or licensed motor vehicle dealership.
Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Ohio
| Fee or Tax | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fee (Statewide) | $18–$23 | $18 base; additional $5 in some counties; applies when title is issued |
| Late Fee for Title Application | $5 | Assessed if title is not applied for within 30 days of assignment |
| Annual Registration Fee (Passenger Vehicle) | $16 | Does not include deputy registrar fees or permissive taxes |
| Deputy Registrar Fee (1 Year) | $8 | Fee charged by local license agency for registration services |
| Permissive Tax (Local) | $0–$30 | Varies by county and vehicle type; prorated if registering for less than 1 year |
| Sales Tax | 5.75% | Does not apply to gifts when no consideration is exchanged; applies only to sales |
| Notary Public Fee | Up to $5 | Fee for notarizing signatures on title documents |
| Out-of-State VIN Inspection | $8 | Required for converting out-of-state titles to Ohio titles |
| Replacement/Exchange Plates (1 plate) | $15 | Fee for obtaining new plates |
| Replacement/Exchange Plates (2 plates) | $16.25 | Fee for obtaining new plates |
Documentation proving the transfer was a gift rather than a sale should be provided to avoid sales tax assessment. All transfers are audited by the Ohio Department of Taxation, and both parties may be required to provide additional information if requested.
Contact Information
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (844) 644-6268
Official Website: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
