Under Ohio law, the Deputy Registrar (BMV) has the responsibility to issue license plates, driver's licenses, and other such matters. The Clerk of Courts has the legal responsibility to store, transfer, and process auto titles. The offices are separately managed and operated. However, in most instances, the Clerk of Courts and the Deputy Registrar (BMV) have tried to keep their offices close to one another to better serve consumers.

Application can be made in person at any county title office. There is a $15.00 fee. The Deputy Clerk can notarize your signature for an additional $1.00. Please take your picture ID, registration or insurance card, or any other document that verifies the vehicle identification number and ownership.

If you have moved, an application can be printed from our web site (listed under Auto Title Forms) or we can mail or fax one to you. Complete the application with your title number & vehicle identification number and have your signature notarized. Mail your application, photocopy of your ID, $15.00 and a self addressed stamped return envelope to the Auto Title Division.

On the back of your current title, at the top, complete the new buyer's name and address, plus the purchase price. Complete the odometer certification are stating the mileage as it appears on the odometer. Right under the mileage area is the sellers signature line and notary section. This area must be signed and notarized. Next, the buyer must acknowledge the odometer certification as stated by the seller by filing in his signature and then printing his name. The seller should make a copy of the front and back of the assigned title and remove the plates from the vehicle. If the purchaser needs a 30 day tag, it must be purchased at this time.

You should go to any Clerk of Courts title office with the Ohio title, your driver's license and $6.00 to request a replacement title. The replacement title can then be assigned correctly and the Deputy Clerk can notarize the sellers signature for an additional $1.00. The seller should keep s a copy of the assigned title before giving it to the buyer.

Proceed to any county title office and apply for title. You will be charged a $5.00 late fee, in addition to other applicable fees.

You should go to the county title office, state that the original title was lost or stolen, and apply for a duplicate title. Do the assignment and notarization over and deliver to purchaser. Always keep a copy of the assigned title for your records.

After receiving an assigned notarized title, the new buyer should proceed to any Clerk of Courts Auto Title office within thirty(30) days (In order to avoid a penalty fee of $5.00 for a late charge) to apply for an Ohio title in their name. If you need to operate the vehicle before you obtain your title, take your assigned title to the Deputy Registrars office to purchase a 30 day tag. When you obtain your Ohio title, in the Clerk of Courts title office, you will be required to pay sales and use tax on the purchase price of the vehicle. (The rate varies from county to county, so phone ahead for your county's rate.) If there is a lien holder you might need to bring the security agreement with you for the lien to be noted. If you purchased the vehicle from out of state, we will need an out of state inspection, which can be obtained at any Deputy Registrar or almost all new or used car dealer.

If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must complete a minor consent form. A parent of legal guardian must accompany you when you appear in front of the Clerk of Courts Deputy Clerk or Notary, to have a vehicle titled into your name. Minor consent forms are available at the Clerk of Courts title offices. An Ohio drivers license or State ID are required for te minor and Parent / Legal Guardian to get their signatures notarized. Also, proof of parental status or Legal Guardianship is required.

You will need to contact your lienholder for a lien release statement. Take this, your driver's license and $16.00 to your county title office for a title. If you do not receive a lien release statement, you will need to contact the Ohio BMV, Deputy Registrar and Title Support Services (D.R.A.T.S.S.). Title Administration and Customer Service Unit (TACS) at 614-752-7671 for further direction.

Contact the Title Administration and Customer Service Unit at (TACS) 614-752-7671.

Take your out of state title, your Ohio driver's license, the current mileage, and a completed Out of State Inspection (inspections can be obtained at any Deputy Registrar or almost all or new or used car dealers in Ohio) to any Clerk of Courts Title office in the State of Ohio. You are applying for a conversion title from your state to Ohio. If you do not have your title and it is being held by the lien holder or leasing company, please contact them to see how they want to handle your conversion. Note: If you are converting your non-Ohio title to an Ohio title within six months of purchasing the vehicle in your previous residential state, it is possible that you may be required to pay Ohio sales tax. Bring a copy of your bill of sale, to receive credit for taxes paid, any balance due is payable at the time your Ohio title is issued.

The Clerk of Courts title office in any county will be able to record a lien. The owner's title and the security agreement or the owner's title and a properly executed application with the VIN and lien holder stated and $15.00 will enable the county title office to record a lien. The title owner may request a memorandum title for registration and plating. The application for title is available from this web site. (Listed under Auto Title Forms)

No. Upon the sale of the vehicle that is in your maiden name, assign the title with your married name and also your maiden name and have proof of your name change. (Example, Jane Doe formerly Jane Smith)

Proceed to the title office in any county and apply for a surviving spouse certificate of title. You will need the current title, a copy of the death certificate and a completed, signed & notarized surviving spouse affidavit. (Some counties require a certified copy of the death certificate, so phone ahead for requirements). You may apply for up to 2 vehicles and one boat and one boat motor on a surviving spouse benefit. However, the estimated value of both vehicles cannot exceed $40,000. Surviving spouse can only transfer passenger vehicles, motorcycle or a 3/4 ton truck or smaller into their name. Commercial vehicles, motor homes, recreational vehicles and all terrain vehicles are not covered under the surviving spouse law. (Contact Probate Court)

Contact the issuing county title office in the state the title was issued. The county office will check their records to verify the possible error. If an error has been made, the clerk will tell you to follow through with their office, BMV or the State Highway Patrol.

Contact the Title Administration and Customer Service Unit (TACS) at 614-752-7671 and ask for a VIN Replacement packet to be sent to your address. The enclosed letter will explain how to submit the proper documents to out office for a VIN replacement, which can result in either the Patrol making a Department of Public Safety VIN replacement plate or applying directly through the manufacturer. The time frame is 6-8 weeks for a manufacturer's plate. After completion, you may have the title replaced at any county title office.

Bring your Ohio title to any Clerk of Courts title office, so that you can apply for a salvage title in your name. Current mileage and your Ohio drivers license are needed to issue the salvage title. Note: The vehicle can not be operated on any road while branded a salvage title. Go directly to the Deputy Registrar to purchase a salvage receipt. (Current fee is $53.50.) Upon completion of repair, contact the State Highway Patrol to make an appointment to have a salvage inspection done. The State Highway Patrol will require the number of the salvage receipt you purchased from the Deputy Registrar to make your appointment. After the vehicle has successfully completed the inspection, take the form HP106, your salvage title, your Ohio driver's license and your current mileage to any Clerk of Courts Title Office to get your Salvage title replaced with a Re-Built Salvage Title. Then go directly to the Deputy Registrar to check the status of your registration and plates. The vehicle will then be operable for all roads.

First contact your local law enforcement, as each area has different rules on this. Some law enforcement agencies will come to your property and remove the vehicle, others may say it is your property and you will have to find the owner and contact them. If law enforcement will not remove the vehicle, you will need to contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), and possibly need to obtain a court order to have the vehicle titled into your name.

Contact your local law enforcement office to remove the vehicle.

Only the owner ot previous owner of a vehicle can obtain a copy of the record of their title. The owner or previous owner should go to the issuing county Clerk of Courts Title Office with their driver's license and vehicle identification number. If someone other than the owner or previous owner of a vehicle would like a copy of an Ohio title record or history of a vehicle title record, a subpoena is required. The cost is $5.00 for each copy or certified copy.

Only a sole owner of a vehicle can apply for a transfer on death beneficiary title under current Ohio law. No companies or 2 owner titles qualify for this type of title.

To apply, you would take your Ohio title to any county title office and apply for a transfer on death "TOD" replacement title. You will be asked to complete an affidavit naming the beneficiary or beneficiaries stating their full legal name, address, social security number and date of birth. That affidavit and an application to replace your existing title will require your notarized signature. A new title will be issued. Your name will still be stated asn the owner with the "TOD" designation also stated. The fee for this replacement title is $17.00. The "TOD" beneficiary can be an individual, more than one individual, a corporation, an organization or other legal entity. A "TRUST" is a legal entity. The beneficiary does not need to reside in Ohio. You are still stated as the sole owner on this replacement title, therefore, you do not need to purchase new plates and registration. When you purchase a vehicle you can have the beneficiary stated on the title at that time, also. the beneficiary can be changed, at any time, by repeating the above process.

Upon your death, the beneficiary will present your title, your death certificate, their driver's license, and the current mileage to be issued a title in their name. The fee is $17.00.

Only the trustee can sign an application when applying for a "TRUST" title or sign the as the seller on behalf of the trust. In both situations the trustee must have a copy of the trust when signing the application or assignment and their driver's license to get their signature notarized. The trustee can appoint a power of attorney to sign on their behalf. The notarized power of attorney form, current mileage and necessary fee are also required. A vehicle titled in the name of a "TRUST" does not have to be transferred when the person whose name the "TRUST" is passed away. A trust is considered a legal entity.

You would take the Ohio off-road title in your name, proof of the upgrade and proceed to your county title office and request to complete a "body code change" affidavit and an application to replace your existing off road title. If all is in order, the title will be replaced and reflect the body code as "MC" motorcycle. You would pay a fee of $17.00 and take the new title to the Deputy Registrar and apply for your motorcycle plates. Of course, you must have the motorcycle endorsement on your Ohio Operators License in order to drive the vehicle.

Application for duplicate title can be made in any Clerk of Courts office in the state of Ohio. The owner may complete the application for duplicate title if there is no lien or if the lien has been canceled or if they have a notarized lien termination statement. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lien holder must apply for the duplicate title. The title number and vehicle identification number are both required in order to process a duplicate title. If you do not know the title number you will need the VIN number and the date of purchase. The VIN number and the date of purchase can be found on your registration.

All fees are payable by:

CASH, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, VISA, PERSONAL CHECK or CERTIFIED CHECK.

NOTICE - If you are paying by credit card, a fee will be added as dictated by this schedule.

When using a credit card, the card holder must be present.

Application for a mobile home title can be made in any Clerk of Courts Auto Title office in the State of Ohio. Titles must be obtained within 30 days of assignment, or a late fee will be assessed.

Processing a new mobile home title requires a completed application, a new mobile home Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO), the selling price, and all required fees.

For a used mobile home, the previous owner's properly assigned Ohio title, including purchase price, the county auditor's stamp, and county treasurer's stamp as evidence property taxes have been paid in full are required.

It may be necessary for a copy of the security agreement to accompany all required forms if the mobile home is being financed.

All fees are payable by:

CASH, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, VISA, PERSONAL CHECK or CERTIFIED CHECK.

NOTICE - If you are paying by credit card, a fee will be added as dictated by this schedule.

When using a credit card, the card holder must be present.

Application for a vehicle, boat or motor title can be made in any Clerk of Courts office in the state of Ohio. If the title is not already in the current owner's name, the vehicle must be titled within 30 days of assignment, or a late fee will be assessed.

For a new vehicle purchased out-of-state, a completed application, an odometer statement, a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO), a dealer invoice or purchase order, and all fees and taxes are required for the new title to be processed.

For a used vehicle purchased out-of-state, a properly assigned title with the purchase price and mileage, an out-of-state serial number inspection, and all fees and taxes are required.

After moving to the state of Ohio from another state; if your vehicle is being financed or leased, an out of state request form must be completed and sent to the bank or leasing company requesting the original title. Additionally, an out of state serial number inspection, Ohio driver's license, current mileage and all fees are required.

The rules for new Ohio residents also apply to current Ohio residents who are titling a vehicle, boat or motor that has been purchased out of state.

Sales or use tax is the applicant's/purchaser's resident county amount. Adams County is currently at 7.0%.

All fees are payable by:

CASH, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, VISA, PERSONAL CHECK or CERTIFIED CHECK.

NOTICE - If you are paying by credit card, a fee will be added as dictated by this schedule.

When using a credit card, the card holder must be present.

Application for a vehicle, boat or motor title can be made in any Clerk of Courts office in the state of Ohio. If the title is not already in the current owner's name, the vehicle must be titled within 30 days of assignment, or a late fee will be assessed.

To secure a title for new vehicles, boats, or motors purchased in Ohio, applicants must have a completed Ohio application, and assigned Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO), the odometer statement, the selling price, and all required fees.

To secure a title for used vehicles, boats, or motors purchased in Ohio, the previous owner's properly assigned Ohio title with the selling price and mileage is needed.

It may be necessary for a copy of the security agreement to accompany all required forms if the vehicle, boat, or motor is being financed.

A surviving spouse may transfer up to two motor vehicles with a combined appraised value of no more than $40,000.00 as well as a boat title and a watercraft motor title. The surviving spouse must present the death certificate, a surviving spouse affidavit form, and the original Ohio title with the application (on back of the Ohio title), that has been completed, signed, and notarized. A copy of the security agreement must be presented if the item is being financed. The surviving spouse affidavit and notarization services are available from the Clerk of Courts Auto Title Division. The surviving spouse affidavit may be downloaded from the Auto Forms Title forms page.

Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary

A sole owner may state a beneficiary when titling their vehicle, as long as, the sole owner is able to state the name(s), addresses, social security numbers, and dates of birth of all of their beneficiaries.

Also, a sole owner can have their existing Ohio title replaced to state a beneficiary. Fee $17.00. (A beneficiary can be an individual, more than one individual, a company, or a trust.)

Sales or use tax is the applicant's/purchaser's resident county amount. Adams County is currently at 7.0%.

All fees are payable by:

CASH, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, VISA, PERSONAL CHECK or CERTIFIED CHECK.

NOTICE - If you are paying by credit card, a fee will be added as dictated by this schedule.

When using a credit card, the card holder must be present.