Trading Tips and Legal Paperwork

Tips about making the trade and negotiating with other parties for a simple and great trade.

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• Title Inquiry

Ohio BMV Online title Inquiry webpage

• Finding Deputy Registrar Title Offices, by county

Ohio BMV title Offices, look for Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union county, etc. webpage

Offices closed on Columbus Day Holiday

• Registration of New Vehicles

Ohio BMV FAQs webpage

• How do I transfer ownership of my vehicle to another person (according to Ohio BMV):

On the back of your current title, at the top, complete the new buyers name and address, plus the purchase price. Complete the odometer certification area stating the mileage as it appears on the odometer. Right under the mileage area is the seller’s notary section. This area must be completed and notarized. Next, the buyer must acknowledge the mileage as stated by the seller by filling in his signature and then printing his name.  Please note that you are attesting to the actual mileage of the vehicle.  The seller should make a copy of the front and back of the assigned title and remove the plates from the vehicle.

• I purchased a vehicle in-state or out-of-state and the seller did not provide me with a title. I have a bill of sale.  What do I do?

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

• How do I transfer an assigned title into my name?

After receiving an assigned title, the new buyer can proceed to any Deputy Registrars Office with the assigned title and purchase a 30 day tag. Within 30 days, proceed to the Clerk of Courts title office (in order to avoid a $5.00 late charge) in any county and apply for title in your name. You will also have to pay sales & use tax on the purchase price of the vehicle. The rate varies from county to county so phone ahead for your rate. If you have a lien holder, it must be noted on the assignment portion of the title.  

• How do I record a lien on a motor vehicle?

The Clerk of Courts title office in any county will require an application for title to record a lien.  Once the application is filled out and the lien information added, plus the surrender of the owner's title, a new title will be issued to the lienholder.  The fee is currently $10.00.  The title owner should receive a memorandum title for registration and plating that is an additional $5.00 fee.  The BMV 3774 application for title is available online in the forms download area.

• I need to get a title history done on a vehicle. How is this done?

Visit your nearest County title office, or download the BMV 1173 Title Request form from our website OhioBMV.com under download forms.  You may also fax in your request for a form at 614-752-8929. or write in to the Ohio BMV, Deputy Registrar And Title Support Services (D.R.A.T.S.S.), Title Administration and Customer Service Unit (TACS), PO Box 16520, Columbus, Ohio, 43216-6520 and request the form.  You will need to supply the vehicle identification number, the year and make of the vehicle.  There is a $2.00 charge for each individual title history. This history will reveal all previous owner information if you meet the requirements according to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).  Otherwise, you will only receive vehicle information.

• I'm Seventeen and i want to purchase a vehicle in Ohio. How is that handled?

Per House Bill 68 a dealer or a clerk of court can witness a minor consent form. The forms are available at the Title Office.

• Why should I get a non-printed title?

It will prevent your physical title from being lost or stolen.

• Where do I store my title?

e.  Choose a safe place where you store other important documents or you have the option of telling the clerk of court title office that you would like a non-printed title.  It will still cost $5.00, but your title record will be retained on the database.

 

Never leave the title in the motor vehicle.  ChTitle Search State of Ohio Motor Vehicles & Watercraftoose a safe place where you store other important documents or you have the option of telling the clerk of court title office that you would like a non-printed title.  It will still cost $5.00, but your title record will be retained on the database.