Vehicle Titles

New Motor Vehicle

Purchasing a New Motor Vehicle from an Ohio Dealer

When you buy a new motor vehicle from an Ohio dealership, the dealer will handle the vehicle title paperwork for you.

Purchasing a New Motor Vehicle from an Out-of-State Dealer

The Clerk of Courts title office will need:

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) – assigned and notarized if required by that state
• Bill of Sale
• Application(s) for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774)
  • What is included in the “price” of a motor vehicle when calculating the sales and use tax can be found on the Ohio Department of Taxation website: Motor Vehicle Taxability – Dealers
• Sales tax on the purchase price (sales tax rates by county)
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (form BMV 3724), if applicable
• Payment for title fees, including a lien holder notation, if applicable

Please contact the county clerk of courts title office for payment options.

Ohio Revised Code: 2921.13 4505.06

Used Motor Vehicle

Title an All-Purpose Vehicle (APV), Off-Highway Motorcycle, or Snowmobile

Under Ohio law:

• APVs and off-highway motorcycles are motor vehicles and are titled.
• Snowmobiles are not motor vehicles and are not titled.

See vehicle registration requirements for more information.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Title Office?

The following evidence is required at the time of titling and is subject to the discretion of the issuing County Clerk of Courts title office:

• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), an Ohio certificate of title assigned to the applicant’s name, or an out-of-state title in the applicant’s name
  • If it is an out-of-state title, please see Transfer an Out-of-State Title to Ohio.
• Payment for title fees, including a lienholder notation (if applicable), and sales tax on the purchase price (see sales tax rates by county) are required at the time of titling.

Please contact the county clerk of courts title office for payment options.

Ohio Revised Code: 4519.01

Title a Mini-Truck, Under-Speed Vehicle (USV), or Utility Vehicle (UTV)

Under Ohio law, mini-trucks, USV, and UTV are not motor vehicles and are titled for ownership purposes upon the owner’s request. A certificate of title is not required when only being used on private property.

Road Use Requirements

If you are using the vehicle for limited on-road use, you must obtain a title and registration.

Please contact local law enforcement in the city, township, village, or applicable jurisdiction for the ordinances and/or laws.

• Authorization to operate these vehicles on public roads is at the discretion of the local authority of each jurisdiction where the vehicle will be operated.
• Prior to obtaining registration, each vehicle must pass the required Authorization for the Operation of Under-Speed Vehicle/Utility Vehicle or Mini-Truck on Public Streets and Highways (form DPS 1373) performed by each local law enforcement agency.

See vehicle registration requirements for more information.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Title Office?

The following evidence is required at the time of titling and is subject to the discretion of the issuing county Clerk of Courts title office:

• Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774)
• Proof of ownership (one of the following):
• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO)
• Assigned title from this state or another state
• Bill of sale from a retail business or individual
• Sworn statement of ownership
• Other evidence required by law of another state from which the vehicle was brought into this state
• Affidavit for Titling Mini-Truck, Utility Vehicle, and Under-Speed Vehicle (form BMV 3722), which will be completed at the county title office.

Payment for title fees, including a lienholder notation (if applicable), and sales tax on the purchase price (see sales tax rates by county) are required at the time of titling.

Ohio Revised Code: 4501.01 4511.214 4511.215

Ohio Administrative Code: 4501-30

Title a Motor Scooter

In Ohio, a motor scooter must be compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and considered roadworthy before it is titled.

Motor scooters should be equipped with a motor with a piston displacement between 50 and 100 cubic centimeters piston displacement that produces not more than 5 brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on a level surface.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Title Office?

• Application(s) for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774)
• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) stating the vehicle is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)

Payment for title fees, including a lienholder notation (if applicable), and sales tax on the purchase price (see sales tax rates by county) are required at the time of titling.

Ohio Revised Code: 4501.01 4511.01 4513.04 4513.05 4513.261 4513.071 4513.21 4513.23

Title a Repossessed Vehicle

To receive a repossession title, the secured party (financial institution or individual) must surrender the Ohio title assigned in the name of the lienholder and pay a title fee.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Title Office?

• Ohio title assigned in the name of the lienholder
• If it is a paper title, use the application on the back of the title
• If it is an electronic title, use the Application(s) for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774)
• Certified copy of the security agreement that includes:
  • the name and address of the debtor and secured party
  • the terms of the contract
  • a description of the secured collateral – year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • signature of debtor
• Applicant affidavit to establish mileage (if applicable)
• Acceptable identification (please contact your County Clerk of Courts Title Office for details)
• Payment for title fees is required at the time of titling.

Please contact the county clerk of courts title office for payment options.

Title a Salvage or Self-Assembled Vehicle

To have your Ohio Title changed to a Salvage Title, the Clerk of Courts title office will need the application on the back of the title completed by the owner with the Application Type – Salvage marked. The owner will need to have their signature notarized and pay the title fees for a Salvage Title.

Before a self-assembled vehicle or a rebuilt salvage vehicle can be titled in Ohio, an inspection must be completed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The inspection is to:

• verify ownership of all parts
• review all required documentation

See the Ohio State Highway Patrol Vehicle Inspection Gateway for more information or to schedule an inspection.

Please contact the county clerk of courts title office for payment options.

Duplicate Title – Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Ohio Title

There are two options for obtaining your title, in person or through the mail. To apply in person, you will need to visit any Ohio County Clerk of Courts title office with your valid photo ID and payment of title fees. The title will be printed on the spot.

In order to get a paper title through the mail, you would need to send the following documents to your County Clerk of Courts title office:

1. Application(s) for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774)
   • Enter your name and current mailing address
   • Mark Duplicate Certificate of Title and state that the title was lost, stolen, or destroyed
     • If you are in need of your title number, you may enter your VIN number into the VIN search tool on the BMV website to locate that number.
     • Note: The search tool can also verify the lien release. Be sure a date is listed in the field labeled: Lien 1 Cancel Date. If this field is blank, you will also need to send the lien release letter to the county title office.
   • Complete the fields at the bottom that identify the vehicle: Year, VIN, Model, Body Type and Make
   • Have your signature notarized
2. Payment of title fees
3. Self-addressed, return-stamped envelope

Please contact the county clerk of courts title office for payment options.

Replacement Title

Any County Clerk of Courts Title Office can issue a replacement title when information on the previously issued title needs to be changed. If your title is electronic and you would like a paper title, you will apply for a Replacement Title.

If there is a lien on the vehicle, you must contact the lienholder to make changes to the existing title record.

There are two options for obtaining your title, in person or through the mail. To apply in person, you will need to visit any Ohio County Clerk of Courts Title Office with your valid photo ID and payment of title fees. The title will be printed on the spot.

In order to get a paper title through the mail, you would need to send the following documents to your County Clerk of Courts Title Office:

1. Application(s) for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774)
   • Enter your name and current mailing address
   • Mark Replacement Certificate of Title
     • If you are in need of your title number, you may enter your VIN number into the VIN search tool on the BMV website to locate that number.
     • Note: The search tool can also verify the lien release. Be sure a date is listed in the field labeled: Lien 1 Cancel Date. If this field is blank, you will also need to send the lien release letter to the county title office.
   • Complete the fields at the bottom that identify the vehicle: Year, VIN, Model, Body Type and Make
   • Have your signature notarized
2. Payment of title fees
3. Self-addressed, return-stamped envelope

Please contact the county clerk of courts title office for payment options.