Title Division Forms and Information

Other forms can be found at bmv.ohio.gov.

External Resources

• Ohio BMV
• Ohio State Highway Patrol Vehicle Inspection Gateway
• ODNR Division of Watercraft

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for a title in my county of residence?

You may apply for a Certificate of Title in any of Ohio’s 88 counties. A valid Ohio issued ID is required. Taxes are calculated and paid to a buyer’s county of residence.

Can I get a new title if my name or address has changed?

If your name is changed through marriage or court proceedings, the name on your Certificate of Title cannot be changed. There is no authority in the law to issue a new title in your new name for the same vehicle. The same is true of any address changes. A new title will ONLY be issued upon transfer of ownership.

Can I have someone sign for me?

No person can sign for you without a notarized Power of Attorney form. This is attached to our files and becomes a part of the file. This must be an original or a certified copy.

Will I need my Social Security Number?

Social Security numbers are required on all transactions pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 4505.07.

Can I alter my title?

Never make any alterations or erasures on a Certificate of Title. If this is done, the title becomes null and void. A replacement title may be applied for in any county title office.

Are there special circumstances for titles with multiple names?

When a title is going into or coming out of more than one name, all parties must sign in the presence of a Notary Public. The title will reflect the conjunction “and.” NO Ohio title will be issued with the conjunction “or.”

What do with the title if I am buying a car?

• Never make any alterations or erasures to a Certificate of Title. If this is done, the title becomes null and void and a replacement title will have to be obtained.
• Do not fill in any part of the Assignment or Application (on the reverse side of the title) unless it is done in the presence of a Notary Public or another duly authorized officer with the power to administer oaths. 
• All signatures must be notarized.
• Your certificate of title must be procured within 30 days after delivery of the motor vehicle or a mandatory $5.00 late fee will be assessed.
• Always inspect any automobile you buy, checking the serial number to see that it corresponds with the serial number on your Certificate of Title.

What do with the title if I am selling a car?

• Do not complete the assignment on the reverse side of the certificate of title until the sale has been completed. Make certain that the buyer’s full name and address, current mileage and purchase price are inserted before you sign the assignment.
• Be sure to sign in the presence of a Notary.
• The seller should make a copy of the front and back of the assigned title and remove the license plates.

How do I title a vehicle to a minor?

Anyone less than 18 years of age must appear with a parent or legal guardian at a Clerk of Courts title office and complete a Minor Consent Form.

Can I transfer ownership with a Memorandum Certificate of Title?

You cannot transfer ownership of an automobile with a Memorandum Certificate of Title (white copy). It is issued only for the purpose of obtaining license plates when the lien holder holds the original title.

Are title fees subject to sales tax?

Payment Of Ohio Sales and Use Tax

• Section 4505.06 of the Ohio Revised Code requires that the Ohio sales tax and use tax be paid in cash, certified or personal check, credit/debit card, or a money order payable to the Clerk of Courts before an application for an automobile or watercraft title can be accepted.
• The Clerk of Courts is required to administer this law and collect this tax for the State of Ohio.

Sales Tax

• You must state the purchase price of the vehicle upon which your residential county’s tax rate will be levied (Belmont County is currently 7.25%).

Additional Sales Tax Consideration for Out-of-State Vehicle Purchases:

• If the vehicle was purchased at least six months before moving to Ohio, no additional Ohio sales tax is due.
• If the vehicle was purchased less than six months before moving to Ohio, Ohio sales tax is due, although credit may be available for the sales tax paid to the other state.

How do I get a release of a lien on my title?

When you pay off a vehicle loan, the lender will release the lien:

• Manually by marking that the lien was discharged on the front of the title and then sending you the title showing the lien as satisfied or
• Electronically if your lender participates in Ohio’s Electronic Lien and Title Program.

For a Lien Released Electronically

If your lender participates in Ohio’s Electronic Lien and Title Program, it will electronically release the lien and BMV records will no longer show a lien on the vehicle.

• You will need to apply for a paper title with the County Clerk of Courts Title Office and pay for title fees. Please see How to Title – Replacement for instructions.
• When all requirements are satisfied, you will be issued a new (paper) title.

For a Lien Released Manually

If your lender does not participate in Ohio’s Electronic Lien and Title Program, the lender will mark that the lien was discharged and mail the paper title to you. To remove the lien from BMV records:

• Take the title to any County Clerk of Courts Title Office

Do I need to complete an odometer statement?

State and federal law requires that an odometer statement be completed on most vehicle title transactions. The new Ohio Certificate of Title has the necessary statement on the reverse side of the title. The older yellow/gold titles require a separate odometer statement.

What are my title options when it comes to estate planning?

Three options are offered by the State of Ohio to a vehicle owner who is planning his or her estate.

1) Transfer on Death (TOD)

As the sole owner of a motor vehicle, watercraft, or outboard motor, an individual may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to an Ohio title with a signed and notarized Affidavit to Designate a Beneficiary (form BMV 3811) and Application for Certificate of Title to Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774) submitted to a County Clerk of Courts Title Office.

• The beneficiary may be an individual, corporation, organization, trust, or other legal entity.
• A replacement title will be issued with the Transfer on Death on record.

Ohio Revised Code: 2131.13

2) Transfer with Rights of Survivorship (WROS)

For joint ownership with right of survivorship, the owners’ names on the title are shown as: John Doe and Mary Smith WROS

• Signature of each party is required if both are living
• If one party is deceased, the surviving party applies for the certificate of title and the title is issued in the survivor’s name showing “acquired by right of survivorship”

For joint ownership without right of survivorship, the owners’ name on the title will be shown as: John Doe and Mary Smith.

• Signature of each party is required if both are living
• If one party is deceased, the signature of an executor or an administrator is required

Ohio Revised Code: 2131.12

3) Transfer with Rights of Survivorship (WROS) with Transfer on Death (TOD)

For joint ownership with right of survivorship, the owners’ names on the title are shown as: John Doe and Mary Smith WROS

• Signature of each party is required if both are living
• If one party is deceased, the surviving party applies for the certificate of title and the title is issued in the survivor’s name.

If the joint owners of a motor vehicle, watercraft, or outboard motor, an individual may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to an Ohio title with a signed and notarized Affidavit to Designate a Beneficiary (form BMV 3811) and Application for Certificate of Title to Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774) submitted to a County Clerk of Courts Title Office.

• The beneficiary may be an individual, corporation, organization, trust, or other legal entity.
• A replacement title will be issued with the Transfer on Death on record.

The surviving owner has rights to the vehicle before the TOD beneficiary. The surviving owner can elect to keep, remove, or change the TOD beneficiary. To keep or change the TOD beneficiary, a new BMV 3811 must be submitted due to the change of ownership.
In order for a TOD beneficiary to receive rights to the title, both titled owners must be deceased and both certified death certificates must be presented.

Ohio Revised Code: 2131.13

Can titles be transferred to a surviving spouse?

Upon the death of a married resident who owned at least one automobile at the time of death, the surviving spouse may transfer an unlimited number of vehicles valued up to $65,000 and one boat and one outboard motor.

• Conveyance vehicles for daily use qualify for a surviving spouse transfer. Acceptable vehicles include passenger cars, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. Vehicles used for recreational purposes do not qualify.
• Vehicles may not be disposed of by a will or transferred to the surviving spouse due to joint ownership With Rights of Survivorship (WROS), transferred to a Transfer On Death (TOD) beneficiary, or specifically disposed of by Testamentary Disposition.
• This transfer does not affect any liens upon the vehicle. If a lien exists, it will be carried forward.

Ohio Revised Code: 1548.11 2106.18 2106.19 4505.10

If none of the above, the transfer of ownership cannot take place without probate court documentation.

What are the requirements for different titles?

The most up to date requirements can always be found on the State of Ohio’s How to Title web page.

How do title transfers work for vehicles coming from out-of-state?

Relocating to Ohio

To convert another state’s title when relocating to Ohio, a vehicle owner must provide the Out-of-State Motor Vehicle Inspection, original Certificate of Title, valid Ohio driver’s license or state ID, and mileage to the Clerk of Courts title department. All parties appearing as the vehicle owner(s) on the title must appear at the title office unless they are represented by an authorized power of attorney.

If title is held by a lienholder, contact the Title Department for instructions.

If vehicle is leased, contact the leasing company for Leasing Dealer # / Vendor # and Power of Attorney form. For further instructions, contact the Title Department.

DO NOT wait until your plates expire to process this request. It could take several weeks to get your title from the lienholder.

Purchasing a Vehicle from Out-of-State

Every state has different processes and requirements for titling a vehicle, so when purchasing a vehicle from out-of-state, please contact the Clerk of Courts Title Department for information as to the required documentation.

Active-Duty Military Personnel

• Vehicle Purchased Out of State
• Duplicate or Replacement Title

Do out-of-state transfers require an inpection?

When purchasing a vehicle or converting a title that is from another state, an out-of-state Motor Vehicle Inspection is required. This inspection verifies the vehicle’s identification number, description, and mileage. Only used vehicles require out-of-state inspections. New vehicles that have never been titled are exempt. Take the completed inspection form along with the required paperwork to Clerk of Courts Title Department. VIN Inspections are VOID after 30 days. There is a fee associated with the inspection.

Belmont County Title Department VIN Inspection hours:
Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Hours and fees are subject to change without notice.

Alternative locations:

Ohio Deputy Registrar License Agency (BMV) or Ohio Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealerships (contact dealership to determine participation)

Do manufactured homes require a title?

The owner of a manufactured home is required to obtain a certificate of title. Manufactured homes are transferred in the same manner as motor vehicles. Owners of manufactured homes are required to register the manufactured home with the County Auditor annually and pay the taxes assessed to the County Treasurer. Ownership of a manufactured home cannot be transferred until proof of annual registration and payment of taxes is provided. If you purchase a manufactured home from a private individual, make sure that the County Treasurer and County Auditor have stamped the Certificate of Title evidencing payment of all taxes.