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Title Classifications and Fees

Original Title

Title issued to a new owner for the very first time and most commonly issued upon transfer of ownership.

Salvage Title

A salvage title is issued when a vehicle is wrecked and/or rendered a total loss in an insurance claim. Law enforcement also brands vehicles as salvage when taking title to abandoned vehicles. Salvage vehicles are not road worthy and cannot be driven on public roadways until they are properly inspected by the External linkOhio State Highway Patrol.

Replacement/Salvage Replacement Title

A replacement title is issued when the current title needs to be updated, or if the title is defaced or destroyed. No transfer of ownership occurs.

Duplicate/Salvage Duplicate Title

A duplicate title is issued when the current title has been lost, stolen or destroyed. No transfer of ownership occurs.

Rebuilt Salvage Title

A rebuilt salvage title is issued once a salvage vehicle has been inspected by the Ohio State Highway Patrol office and the inspection report is surrendered to the Clerk of Courts office. Once a salvage title has been converted to a rebuilt salvage title, license plates can be purchased and the vehicle can be driven on a public roadway.

Clerk of Courts Schedule of Fees

The title and miscellaneous fees assessed by this office are prescribed by the statutes and provisions set forth by the External linkOhio Revised Code.

Original Title $15.00
Replacement Titles $15.00
Duplicate Titles $15.00
Lien Notations (with or without memo) $15.00
Repossession Titles $15.00
Leasing Dealer $15.00
Dealer Resale w/Lien or Lien Notation $15.00
Daily Rental, Company and Vendor $15.00
Salvage with Lien (with or without memo) $15.00
Memorandum Only $5.00
Dealer Resale Titles $5.00
Late Fee $5.00
Archive Fee $5.00
Salvage Titles $4.00
Salvage Replacement $4.00
Inspection Fee $1.50
Affidavit Fee $1.00

 

Opens in new windowTitle Fees and Classifications (PDF)

Buying a Motor Vehicle

Buying from a private seller? Let us help make your vehicle titling experience as quick and efficient as possible!

What does the seller need to do?

  • The seller must complete the assignment of ownership portion on the back of the title including purchase price, buyer's information, date of transfer and current mileage in the presence of a deputy clerk or notary public. The deputy clerk or notary public will verify that all fields are properly completed, witness the seller's signature and notarize the document. Upon completion, the seller can present the title to the buyer to finalize the transfer. 
  • Ohio law does not require a seller to obtain a physical title prior to selling their motor vehicle when the title record was previously electronic. Seller must complete the Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (BMV 3770) in the presence of a deputy clerk or notary public. Upon completion, the seller can present the assignment form to the buyer in order to finalize the transfer. 

What do I need to know?

  • Title transfers must take place within 30-days of the date of transfer otherwise a $5.00 late fee will be assessed.
  • If you choose to have Temporary Tags issued, it must be obtained before you transfer the vehicle title into your name. Once an Ohio title is established you will only be able to purchase permanent Ohio license plates.
  • Any alterations or omissions may void your title. A sworn affidavit of correction, bill of sale from the seller or a replacement title may be required to properly complete your title transfer.

What do I need?

  • Original Title assigned to the buyer
    Dual ownership requires both parties to be present unless a notarized power of attorney is provided. Social Security numbers for all parties are required. Photocopies of title are not accepted.
  • Application for Certificate of Title.
  • A valid government issued drivers license or identification card.
  • An Out-of-State Vehicle Inspection
    For out-of-state titles only. Inspections can be obtained at any deputy registrar or new car dealership. Fees may apply.
  • $15.00 title fee** plus sales tax on purchase price
    **add $1.00 fee per notarization and/or $1.50 for out-of- state transfers. We accept cash, check or credit card payments (with a 3% fee). Please make checks payable to: Franklin County Clerk of Courts.
    *Additional evidence may be required based on unique titling situations.

Where do I go to transfer my title?

North Branch
980 Morse Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43229

East Branch
1583 Alum Creek Dr.
Columbus, Ohio 43209

South Branch
45 Great Southern Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio 43207

West Branch
4153 West Broad St.
Columbus, Ohio 43228

Opens in new windowBuying a Motor Vehicle (PDF)

Selling a Motor Vehicle

Selling your vehicle? Let us help make your titling experience as quick and efficient as possible!

What do I need to do to sell my vehicle?

  • The seller must complete the assignment of ownership portion on the back of the title including purchase price, buyer's information, date of transfer and current mileage in the presence of a deputy clerk or notary public. The deputy clerk or notary public will verify that all fields are properly completed, witness the seller's signature and notarize the document. Once the title is notarized, the seller can present the title to the buyer to finalize the transfer.
  • Ohio law does not require a seller to obtain a physical title prior to selling their motor vehicle when the title record was previously electronic. Seller must complete the Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale form (BMV 3770) in the presence of a deputy clerk or notary public. Upon completion, the seller can present the assignment form to the buyer in order to finalize the transfer. This form only permits the transfer of a motor vehicle defined in ORC 4505.01. Definition of motor vehicle includes manufactured homes, mobile homes, recreational vehicles such as travel trailers or motorhomes, and trailers and semitrailers whose weight exceeds 4,000 pounds. The BMV 3770 form may NOT be used to transfer ownership for ATV's, off-highway motorcycles, watercraft, outboard motors, or any unconventional vehicles (utility vehicles, under speed, and mini trucks) as these are not defined as motor vehicles. In these situations, a paper title must first be issued to the current owner, then it can be signed over to the new owner.

I would like to sell my vehicle, however, my Ohio title is lost, stolen or destroyed. What do I do?

  • A duplicate title can be obtained at any of our four Franklin County Title offices. A valid government issued identification is required. Dual ownership requires both parties to be present unless a notarized power of attorney is provided. Title fees apply.

I made an error on my Ohio Title. What do I do?

  • If an error is made, please do not attempt to alter the title, as doing such will void the title. In many instances a seller can correct an error by completing a sworn affidavit of correction; however, some instances require a title to be replaced. Please call our dedicated title help line at 614.525.3090 and allow us to assist you in addressing this issue.

I would like to sell my vehicle, however, I have not converted my out-of-state title to an Ohio title. What do I do?

  • The title can simply be assigned over to the new owner. Please ensure a purchase price is listed on the title or a separate bill of sale is provided. A valid government issued identification is required. Dual ownership requires both parties to be present unless a notarized power of attorney is provided. Title fees apply. An Out-of-State inspection is required and can be obtained by the buyer or seller at any deputy registrar or new car dealership in Ohio.

Opens in new windowSelling a Motor Vehicle (PDF)

Other Motor Vehicles

Titling Trailers, Travel Trailers, and Campers in Ohio

Trailers must weigh over 4000 pounds to be titled in the State of Ohio. The titling process is the same for trailers as a vehicle.

Watercraft trailers are usually not titled because of their low weight. Registrations are required for trailers less than 4000 pounds and are issued at deputy registrars.

Travel trailers and pop-up/fold down campers are required to be titled in the state of Ohio. They are handled in the same manner as a motor vehicle.

Manufactured Homes

What do I need to sell my manufactured home?

The seller must complete the assignment of ownership portion on the back of the title in the presence of a notary public before presenting it to the buyer. If the manufactured home has not been previously titled, the seller must present proof of ownership to our office and establish an Ohio title in their name before it can be sold. Call 614.525.3090 for details.

What steps do I need to take to transfer a manufactured home into my name?

  1. Obtain conveyance fee and transfer stamps by presenting the assigned title to the Franklin County Auditor’s Office, Conveyance Tax & Transfer Section located at theFranklin County Courthouse
    373 S. High St., 19th floor
    Columbus, OH 43215Fees may apply. Please call 614.525.3253 or visit the External linkFranklin County Auditor’s website.
  2. Obtain a red “taxes paid” validation stamp by presenting the assigned title to the Franklin County Treasurer’s Office, located at theFranklin County Courthouse
    373 S. High St., 17th floor
    Columbus, OH 43215Please call 614.525.3438 or visit theExternal link Franklin County Treasurer’s website for details.
  3. Present your Title to the Clerk of Courts Auto Title office to complete the transfer process.

Forms and Information

All forms are in PDF format and require either Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Reader to view. You can download the latest version of this software free from Adobe's website.

External linkGet Adobe Reader

Automobile Forms

Watercraft Forms

Out-of-State Transfers

Information Brochures

Other