How To Sell a Car in Ohio

Private motor vehicle sales in Ohio require adherence to state regulations established by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), and the Clerk of Courts offices in each county. The sales process involves completing and notarizing the title assignment documentation, providing accurate odometer disclosure, remitting the applicable sales tax, and ensuring the buyer obtains a new certificate of title within the prescribed deadline.

What You Need To Know Before Selling a Car in Ohio

Title Law and Ownership Requirements

Motor vehicles in Ohio are subject to title requirements established by state law. A certificate of title is the primary document establishing legal ownership and must be transferred to the buyer to create a marketable title. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4505.06, the existing title holder must ensure that all information on the certificate is accurate and that the vehicle is free from liens before the transfer process begins. Both signatures on a jointly held title are required if ownership is designated by "and." If ownership is designated by "or," only one owner's signature is required to assign the vehicle.

Vehicles Exempt From Title Requirements

Ohio law provides exemptions from standard title and registration requirements for certain specialized vehicles. Standard motor vehicles (cars, trucks, and light vehicles) require certificates of title under Ohio Revised Code Section 4505.03. However, exemptions exist for snowmobiles, all-purpose vehicles (APVs) used for agricultural purposes, and government-owned vehicles under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4519. Specifically, APVs used primarily for agricultural purposes when the owner qualifies for agricultural use valuation tax credit are exempt from registration under ORC Section 4519.02(B)(2), and government vehicles are exempt under ORC Section 4519.02(D). For privately sold standard vehicles, these exemptions do not apply.

Satisfying an Existing Lien

If an active lien is recorded against the vehicle's title, the lien must be fully discharged before the transfer of ownership can be completed. The lienholder holds the physical certificate of title and must release the lien and deliver the title to the owner upon receipt of payment. The seller should contact the lienholder to obtain written evidence of lien satisfaction and the physical title document before proceeding with the sale. Once the lienholder releases the lien, the seller may then transfer the title to the buyer.

No Vehicle Inspection or Emissions Test Required for Private Sales

Ohio does not require a safety inspection as a prerequisite to selling a private motor vehicle. Emissions testing requirements apply only in certain Ohio counties and are tied to vehicle registration, not to the sale itself. The seller has no obligation to obtain an inspection or emissions test before transferring the vehicle to a buyer. If the vehicle will be operated in a county subject to emissions testing, the buyer will be required to satisfy that requirement during the registration process.

Documents Required To Sell a Car in Ohio

Certificate of Title

The existing certificate of title is the primary instrument for transferring ownership from the seller to the buyer. The title must be notarized before a notary public or an authorized deputy clerk of courts. On the reverse side of the title, the seller completes the assignment section with the buyer's full legal name and address, the sale date, the agreed purchase price, and the odometer reading. The seller signs the assignment exactly as the name appears on the front of the title. If the title contains erasures, alterations, or corrections made with correction fluid or similar means, the assignment is void, and a replacement title must be obtained. The seller's signature alone is insufficient; the entire assignment section must be notarized for the transaction to be legally valid.

Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (Form BMV 3770)

When the current title is held electronically rather than as a paper certificate, the Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (Form BMV 3770), prescribed under Ohio Revised Code Section 4505.032, must be completed and notarized by both the seller and the buyer. This form serves as both the seller's assignment of ownership and the buyer's application for a new certificate of title. The form requires the seller to provide the buyer's name and address, the date of transfer, the purchase price, and a statement regarding the odometer reading. The seller must certify under penalty of perjury that the sale price stated is true and accurate, as sales tax information is audited by the Ohio Department of Taxation. Both the seller and the buyer must sign in the presence of a notary public or an authorized deputy clerk; signatures obtained outside the presence of a notary are not valid.

Odometer Disclosure

Federal and Ohio law require disclosure of the vehicle's odometer reading at the time of transfer. On the certificate of title assignment or on Form BMV 3770, the seller must certify one of the following: that the odometer reading represents the actual mileage, that the mileage exceeds the mechanical limits of the odometer, or that the odometer reading does not reflect actual mileage. Providing false odometer information is a federal offense and may result in fines and imprisonment.

Bill of Sale

Although Ohio does not mandate a bill of sale for private motor vehicle sales, creating one is strongly recommended. A bill of sale provides documentary evidence of the transaction, the agreed purchase price, and the date of sale. The document should include the full names and addresses of both parties, the vehicle identification number, the make, model, year, and body type, the purchase price, and the signatures of both the seller and the buyer. Both parties should retain a signed copy for their records.

How To Transfer a Car Title in Ohio

Step 1: Review the Title Before the Sale

Before completing the sale, the seller should carefully examine the certificate of title to verify that all information is accurate and that the seller's name exactly matches the name on the front of the certificate. The seller should confirm that no liens are recorded on the title and that the vehicle identification number, year, make, and model are correct. If the title is lost, damaged, or contains an unreleased lien, the seller must address these issues before the sale can proceed. A replacement title or lien release must be obtained from the county Clerk of Courts' title office.

Step 2: Complete the Assignment Section on the Certificate of Title

The seller completes the assignment section on the reverse of the existing certificate of title, providing the buyer's full name and address, the sale date, the purchase price, and the odometer reading. If the title is electronic and a paper memorandum title is not in hand, the seller uses Form BMV 3770 instead. The seller must print the seller's name and sign the assignment exactly as it appears on the face of the title. No alterations or corrections using correction fluid are permitted; any alteration voids the assignment.

Step 3: Obtain Notarization of the Assignment

The seller must appear in person before a notary public or an authorized deputy clerk at a county Clerk of Courts title office to have the assignment section signed and notarized. The assignment is a sworn statement, and the notary certifies that the seller personally appeared, was identified, and signed the document. If Form BMV 3770 is used, both the seller and the buyer must sign in the presence of a notary. The seller may not have the assignment notarized outside the notary's presence, and the buyer's signature on the BMV 3770 must also be notarized by the notary or a deputy clerk at the time of application for the new title.

Step 4: Deliver Documents to the Buyer

The seller delivers the original notarized certificate of title or the completed and notarized Form BMV 3770 to the buyer at the time of the sale. If prepared, a bill of sale should also be provided to the buyer. The seller should retain a copy of all documents for personal records.

Step 5: Buyer Submits Application Through a County Clerk of Courts Title Office

The buyer must apply for a new certificate of title at any county Clerk of Courts title office within 30 calendar days of the notarized assignment. The buyer may also apply online through the Ohio Title Portal if the requirements for electronic transfer are met. If the new title is not applied for within 30 days, a $5.00 late fee is assessed in addition to the standard title fee. The buyer presents proof of identification, the notarized assignment or Form BMV 3770, and proof of sales tax payment.

Title Transfer Fee Schedule in Ohio

The following fees apply to title transactions in Ohio:

The state fee of $18.00 applies statewide. In some counties, an additional local fee up to $5.00 may be imposed if authorized by county officials. To determine the exact fees applicable in a specific county, consult the County Title Information and Fees locator.

Sales Tax on Private Vehicle Sales

In Ohio, motor vehicles purchased from private sellers are subject to sales tax at the time of registration, regardless of whether sales tax was previously paid on the vehicle. The state sales tax rate is 5.75%. In addition, counties may impose local sales taxes ranging from 0% to 2.25%, and certain taxing districts may impose additional permissive taxes. The buyer is responsible for paying the applicable sales tax to the Clerk of Courts at the time of title application.

Under the Ohio Department of Taxation guidance on motor vehicle sales, the sales tax is calculated on the purchase price stated in the assignment or on Form BMV 3770. The stated sale price must be truthful and accurate, as all title transfers and claimed exemptions are audited by the Department of Taxation. If a discrepancy exists between the stated price and the assessed value, the Department of Taxation may assess additional tax against the buyer.

What To Do After Selling Your Car in Ohio

Remove the License Plates

Upon transfer of ownership, the seller must immediately remove the license plates from the vehicle under Ohio Revised Code Section 4503.12. The plates do not transfer to the buyer. The seller may retain the plates for use on another vehicle the seller owns, provided the seller applies for a transfer of registration within 30 days. If the seller does not own another vehicle, the plates may be voluntarily surrendered to any county Clerk of Courts motor vehicle office or transferred through the Ohio BMV online services.

Cancel Vehicle Registration

To prevent liability and unnecessary registration fees, the seller should cancel the registration for the sold vehicle. The registration automatically expires upon transfer of ownership; however, canceling the registration formally releases the seller from registration obligations. The seller may request cancellation through the Ohio BMV Online Services portal or by completing the appropriate cancellation form at a county Clerk of Courts' office.

Cancel Auto Insurance

The seller should contact the vehicle's insurance provider immediately to cancel coverage or transfer the policy to a replacement vehicle. Maintaining insurance on a vehicle no longer owned may result in unnecessary premium charges and provide no protection. Most insurance policies terminate automatically upon notification of the sale, but the seller should confirm cancellation in writing.

Retain Documentation

The seller should retain a copy of the notarized title assignment or Form BMV 3770, the bill of sale, if one was prepared, and proof of the sale for a minimum of 3 to 5 years. These documents may be needed to verify the sale in the event of future liability disputes, toll violations, or other legal claims related to the vehicle.

Contact Information

Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1980 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 752-7500
Official Website: Ohio BMV