Replacing a Lost Title in Ohio

Replacing a Lost Title in Ohio

All vehicle titles within Ohio are administered and governed by the OH Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). If you own and operate your vehicle within Ohio, you must have a physical Ohio certificate of title that is free from all alterations and erasures.

Drivers should immediately begin the application process for a replacement title if they have a:

  • Lost title.
  • Stolen title.
  • Damaged title.
  • Illegible title.

Although you should always keep your title in a safe place, it's easy to lose that vital document. Fortunately, if you can't find it, or if it's been stolen, destroyed, or damaged, it's simple to get a replacement.

Applying for a Duplicate Title

To replace your Ohio vehicle title as the title owner or lienholder, you will just need to go to a title office and:

  • Fill out an Application(s) For Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Form BMV 3774). Simply ignore the first section on the application entitled “Original Certificate of Title" and skip to the second section under the heading “Duplicate Certificate of Title." Check the appropriate box and fill out all blanks in their entirety.
  • Show proper identification such as your picture ID or driver's license.
  • Bring your current vehicle registration.
  • Pay the $15 replacement fee.

Be sure to check the business hours of your local Clerk of Courts Title Office office before planning your visit.

Should the original title magically reappear later, please be sure to take it to the title office so that it can be canceled.

NOTE: Only the owner(s) or lienholder(s) of the vehicle can apply for a duplicate title in Ohio. If a lost title is found after the Ohio BMV issues a duplicate, the original must be returned to the Clerk of Courts Title Office for immediate cancellation.

Other Title Situations in Ohio

Bought a vehicle with no title?

In Ohio, every new vehicle owner must transfer the title into his or her name within 30 days from the date of assignment. Before finalizing any automotive sales transaction, be sure to gather all the paperwork necessary to legally title your new vehicle.

If your seller provided you with a bill of sale but no title, contact the State of Ohio's Dealer Licensing Section as soon as possible. These offices can be reached at by phone at (614) 752-7671.

Making Corrections to Your Title

Owners can make changes to and correct inconsistencies on their Ohio vehicle titles by following the appropriate official procedures.

  • To fix incorrect mileage or brand (exceeded, salvage, buyback, etc.), contact the county in which the title was issued. If the problem is the result of a customer or dealer error, additional measures may be required.
  • Owners of titles that do not reflect the correct VIN must contact the nearest Highway Patrol Inspection Station to request a vehicle verification check by a licensed trooper.

Adding a Name to Your Title

Individuals who wish to add another name to their vehicle titles can do so by assigning and notarizing the title with a list of all included owners at the top of the back page.

These newly-listed owners will then need to apply for and sign a new title in person at an Ohio County Title Office.

NOTE: If one of these owners cannot be there, the present party must previously establish legal power of attorney. A co-owner of a given vehicle can also remove his or her name from a title using a similar process.

More Information

Have another title-related question? You can also check out our complete Registration & Titling section.

Forms

BMV 3774
Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle
Request an original, duplicate, replacement, memorandum, OR salvage Ohio Certificate of Title for your vehicle.
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