Title Transfers

All motor vehicles in Ohio should have a title that shows who the official owner is, and when a vehicle is bought or sold, that title must be transferred to the new owner.

Buying a Vehicle from a Dealer

In this state, if you buy a vehicle from a dealer, the titling process is simple. The dealer is required to provide you with the title within 30 days of the purchase date. Just make sure that the dealer has the correct spelling of your name, as well as having your proper county.

If you have financed the car, the dealer will apply for the title and have it sent to the lienholder, which in this case would be the financing company.

You can still register your car without a title (because of a lien), as long as you have the other sale documents from the dealership.

Buying a Vehicle from a Private Seller

If you buy a vehicle from an individual, you will be responsible for the transfer of the title.

Both you and the seller will need to sign the existing title. Wait to do this until you are before a Notary Public.

Note: If the original title cannot be found, the seller will have to get a duplicate title from the county where it was issued.

If the original title has two or more names on it, all parties must sign before a Notary Public. However, a person can sign for another person with a notarized Power of Attorney form.

Bring the following documents to any County Clerk of Courts title office:

• A completed Application for Certificate of Title

• Previous owner's title, signed over to you and notarized

• Bill of sale from seller

• Fee of $5 (plus $5 for each recorded lien)

If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, you'll also need to fill out the odometer statement on the back of the title. (If the existing title is the gold-colored title from past years, you'll need to request an Odometer Disclosure Statement from the title office.)

At the time of application, you will need to pay the sales tax in cash, certified check, or money order.

If you apply for a new title after 30 days from the date of the sale, you will be charged a $5 penalty fee.

Buying a Vehicle with an Out-of-State Title

If you buy a vehicle that was previously titled in another state, you will need to bring the following documents to your local County Clerk of Courts title office:

• Existing title (must be original document)

• Completed Out of State Motor Vehicle Inspection form (completed by inspector and given to you after inspection is done)

Vehicle Inspections

If you are buying a vehicle that has an out-of-state title, it will need to have an inspection. The inspection will verify the make, body type, model, mileage, and serial number or vehicle identification number (VIN). All deputy registrar's branches offer this service for $3.50. Many car dealers will also do this for you. You'll be given a completed inspection form to take to the title office. An extra $1.50 fee will be added there.

Name or Address Change

You can't change a name or address on the title if the change is due to a marriage or court proceeding. In these cases, you'll have to wait to change the information until a new title is issued due to a transfer of ownership.

Title Ownership and Driver's Licenses

Don't worry. You don't need to have a driver's license to hold a vehicle title.

Gifts

To indicate that you are taking the title of a vehicle as a result of a gift, simply flip over the title. On the back side, you'll see a space used for the purchase price. Write "gift" in that spot. Then, make sure to have the title notarized after the assignment has been made.

Transferring a Title in the Event of Death

The procedures concerning this type of title transfer vary according to who will be taking ownership of the vehicle. The state addresses the different scenarios in its Guide for Surviving Spouse, Family Members, and Friends page, as well as in the Titling Frequently Asked Questions page.

Adding or Deleting a Person from a Title

To add a name to the title, the current owner will need to complete the upper back of the title to include the new name. You will then need to have the title notarized and take it to a title office.

Deleting a name requires that everyone whose name appears on the title assign the title to just one name.

For more information, consult the state's Titling Frequently Asked Questions page, or call the Titling Division at (614) 752-7671.