Paperwork When Selling a Car in Ohio

Paperwork Required When Selling Your Car in Ohio

If you're looking to sell a vehicle in the state of Ohio, this page will explain the basic process and the necessary paperwork. If you require additional information about selling your vehicle, please refer to this very helpful guide to selling your car.

Selling a Vehicle in Ohio

One of the first steps to selling your vehicle in Ohio is to evaluate the condition of the car and doing some research to find it's current value. Once you've done this, you can begin advertising it to potential buyers.

Once you've found a buyer, you'll seal the deal by transferring the Ohio vehicle title over to the new owner.

Required Documents for Selling a Vehicle

To successfully transfer ownership of your vehicle in Ohio, you'll need to provide the following documentation:

• An Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form BMV 3724), fully completed and signed by you as well as the buyer. This certifies that the both of you have agreed on the vehicle's mileage prior to finalizing the sale.
• A release of ownership, officially achieved by signing the relevant section on the vehicle certificate of title. This signature must be done with a notary present. Anyone whose name is listed on the title certificate needs to sign off on the release.

You'll need to ensure that the sales price of the deal is also included on the back of the certificate of title. This takes the place of a formal bill of sale, which in Ohio is only required when someone is buying a car from a dealership.

Required Inspections in Ohio

Cars registered in certain counties in Ohio (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit) that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lbs or lighter and are 25 years old or younger must undergo emissions testing through the state's “E-Check" program. Cars of even-numbered model years need to be tested in even-numbered years; cars of odd-numbered model years, as you might expect, must be inspected during odd-numbered years.

You can find out more details on which cars must be inspected for the equivalent of a smog certificate at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency website.

Replacing a Title in Ohio

If you're missing the title for the vehicle you're intending to sell, you can obtain a replacement by applying for a duplicate title in the Ohio county in which the original one was issued. You will need to pay a $15 duplicate title fee.

If you end up locating the original title after you've already successfully applied for and received a duplicate version, you'll have to take that original to the appropriate title office so it can be voided.

Duplicate Registration in Ohio

If you've misplaced your registration, you can apply at your local Ohio DMV office for a replacement copy, the fee for which as of this writing was $6.

Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability

In order to complete the process of the sale of your vehicle you must complete a Customer Request to Cancel Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 4311). Submit this along with the license plates and/or a bill of sale to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office. Or, you can also mail your completed form to:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 16521
Columbus, OH 43216