Your Ohio Certificate of Title

Front of the Title

The front of the title shows the current information of the vehicle, owner, and lienholder (if applicable).

1. Issuing County, Issuing Title Office, and Resident County

   1. Issuing County – the county in which the title was processed.
   2. Issuing Title Office – the office number that processed the title.
   3. Resident County – the county where the vehicle owner resides, which determines the sales tax rate.

   

2. Title Type

   The title type can be original, duplicate, replacement, salvage, salvage duplicate, or salvage replacement.

   

3. Title Number and Issue Date

   1. Title Number – the unique ten-digit number assigned to the title.
   2. Issue Date – the date the title was processed.

   

4. Identification Number, Year, Make, Make Description, Model Description and Body Type

   1. Identification Number – the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the unique code assigned to the vehicle when it is manufactured.
   2. Year – the designated model year of the vehicle.
   3. Make – the recognizable brand name of the vehicle (Ford, Tesla, Ferrari, etc.).
   4. Make Description – an extended statement of the vehicle make.
   5. Model Description – the name given to a specific vehicle within a manufacturer’s lineup (Explorer, Model S, Roma, etc.).
   6. Body Type – a code used to identify the style of the vehicle (sedan, truck, SUV, etc.).

   

5. Mileage and Mileage Notation

   Mileage – reflects the mileage stated at the time of transfer.

   Mileage Notation – a description of the odometer status; can be Actual, Exceeds Mechanical Limits, Non-Actual, or Exempt.

   1. Actual – the odometer reflects the true mileage the vehicle has been driven.
   2. Excess Mechanical Limits – the odometer has reached the highest odometer reading mechanically possible and started back at zero. (Either a 5-digit rolling odometer has gone over 99,999 or a 6-digit odometer over 999,999 miles.)
   3. Non-Actual – the odometer reading does not reflect the true mileage the vehicle has been driven.
   4. Exempt – the vehicle was manufactured without an odometer, or mileage is not required to be disclosed per applicable law.

   

6. Purchase Price and Tax

   1. Purchase Price – the price or consideration paid to the seller upon the transfer of the vehicle.
   2. Tax – the amount of sales tax paid by the buyer based on the county of residence.

   

7. Notations

   Also called a vehicle brand, a notation is a label that indicates a prior use (e.g., Former Taxi), past occurrence (e.g., Manufacturer Buyback), or former categorization of the vehicle (e.g., Rebuilt Salvage). Multiple notations can be recorded, and they remain part of the vehicle’s record for the life of the vehicle.

   

8. Owner(s)

   The legal name of the current owner(s) of the vehicle and their address at time of original purchase.

   

9. Previous Owner(s)

   The entity from which the current owner purchased or obtained the vehicle.

   

10. Lienholder (if applicable)

    Identifies the holder of legal interest in the vehicle.

    

11. Lien Discharge

    Once the lienholder’s interest has been satisfied, an authorized agent prints the lienholder’s name on the first line, and signs and dates the second line.

    

12. Clerk of Courts Seal Section

    The bottom right side of the title will have the signature and printed name of the Clerk of Court in the issuing county; this section should also have a seal serving as a certification of the title.

Back of the Title

The back of the title consists of the Assignment (top) and the Application (bottom).

Assignment

The assignment is the section where the current owner of the vehicle (seller/transferor) transfers ownership to the new owner (buyer/transferee). All spaces must be filled in before having a notary witness the seller’s/transferor’s signature.

1. Disclosure of Previous Vehicle History

   If applicable, indicate if the vehicle was previously a law enforcement vehicle, has sustained flood damage, or was previously a taxi.

   

2. Buyer Printed Name and Address

   Seller enters the buyer(s)’s full legal name and address.

   1. Name - the full legal name is most typically the person’s name as it appears on their state driver’s license or ID, including any suffix (JR, SR, III, etc.) if applicable.
   2. Address - this is the full physical address of the buyer. The street number, street name, city, state, and zip code are all required for the address. Individuals must provide their address of residence.

   

3. Transfer Date and Purchase Price

   1. Transfer Date - record the date of sale or delivery in MM/DD/YY format.
   2. Purchase Price - the selling price of the vehicle must be printed in numeric format.

   

4. Odometer Certification

   1. Odometer Reading - the seller enters the mileage as it appears on the vehicle’s odometer. Mileage is recorded as a whole number. Do not use a decimal point to show tenths.
   2. Mileage Notation - select the appropriate box regarding the status of the odometer:
      1. Actual (first box) - the odometer reflects the true mileage the vehicle has been driven.
      2. Exceeds Mechanical Limits (second box) - the odometer has reached the highest odometer reading mechanically possible and started back at zero. Either a 5-digit rolling odometer has gone over 99,999 or a 6-digit odometer over 999,999 miles.
      3. Non-Actual (third box) - the odometer reading does not reflect the true mileage the vehicle has been driven.
      4. Exempt (fourth box) - applicable only if the vehicle was manufactured without an odometer, or mileage is not required to be disclosed per applicable law.

   

5. Minor and Lien Disclosure

   1. Seller Is a Minor - if the seller is a minor, the yes box must be checked, and a completed, notarized BMV Form 3751 must accompany the title.
   2. Lien Statement - by signing, the seller attests that there are no outstanding or unrecorded liens against the vehicle.

   

6. Seller’s Printed Name and Address

   1. Seller’s Printed Name - the name must match the owner(s) name on the front of the title.
   2. Seller’s Printed Street Address - the seller’s current address.

   

7. Seller’s Signature

   The seller must be sworn in before signing the title. This can be done in front of a notary public or a title clerk at an auto title office.

   

8. Notary Acknowledgment Section

   The notary dates, signs, and places their seal after witnessing the seller’s signature. The notary seal, date, county and state where witnessed, signature, and commission expiration date are all required.

   

Application

The application is the section where the new owner of the vehicle (also referred to as the buyer, transferee, or applicant) provides their information to apply for a new Ohio title in their name. All spaces must be filled in before having a notary witness the buyer's signature.

1. Buyer’s Acknowledgement of Odometer Certification

   The buyer’s signature acknowledges the mileage that the seller disclosed on the title assignment.

   

2. Check Type of Application

   The buyer selects the type of application being applied for.

   

3. Applicant’s Printed Name, Applicant’s Printed Address, SSN/EIN

   1. Applicant’s Printed Name - the buyer prints their legal name. The name on the application should match the name on the title assignment.
   2. Applicant’s Printed Address - the buyer enters their full address of residence, including county.
   3. SSN/EIN (Social Security Number/Employer Identification Number) - if the buyer is an individual, the full SSN is required. If the buyer is a company, the full EIN is required.

   

4. Purchase Price and Tax Exemption

   1. Purchase Price - the purchase price is written in numerical format.
   2. Tax Exemption - if the buyer states that they are tax exempt, the exemption reason is printed on the line provided. Additional supporting evidence may be required.

   

5. Lien Information

   A lienholder is an entity, such as a financial institution, company, or private party, that holds legal interest in the property until the owner’s loan or debt is satisfied. If there is a lienholder, the buyer must provide the lienholder’s name and address so that it can be recorded on the new title issued. If there is no lien against the vehicle, the buyer must state “none” in this field.

   

6. Condition of Vehicle/Watercraft

   Mark the condition of the vehicle.

   

7. Print Title

   If yes is selected, a physical paper title will be printed at the end of the transaction. If no is selected, the title will be held electronically by the Clerk of Courts, and a memorandum title will be provided.

   

8. With Right of Survivorship and Transfer on Death

   1. With Right of Survivorship - WROS can only be checked if two individuals are applying for a title. Upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner may apply for a title as sole owner.
   2. Transfer on Death - a beneficiary may be designated to take title to the vehicle upon the owner’s death. BMV Form 3811 is required to designate or remove a beneficiary.

   

9. Applicant Is a Minor

   If the applicant is a minor, consent from the parent or guardian is required to purchase a motor vehicle or watercraft. The applicant’s date of birth must be entered in the provided space, and a BMV Form 3751 must accompany the transaction.

   

10. Applicant’s Signature

    The applicant must be sworn in before signing the title application. This can be done in front of a notary public or a title clerk at an auto title office.

    

11. Notary Acknowledgment Section

    The notary dates, signs, and places their seal after witnessing the buyer’s signature. The notary seal, date, county and state where witnessed, signature, and commission expiration date are all required.