Ohio vehicle bill of sale

Fill in the free Ohio bill of sale on this page and print it.

BMV's list of what to bring for a used vehicle with an Ohio title does not include a bill of sale. The purchase price goes on the title assignment, and Ohio law makes the price on the assigned title prima facie evidence of the amount for the tax (ORC 4505.06). BMV lists a bill of sale for vehicles bought from out-of-state dealers, and as one proof of ownership for mini-trucks, under-speed vehicles and utility vehicles.

Ohio doesn't publish a required list. A complete bill of sale usually has:

• The seller's and buyer's names and addresses
• Year, make, model and VIN
• Odometer reading
• Sale date and price
• An "as is" statement if there's no warranty
• Both signatures and the date

1. Complete the assignment of ownership on the back of the Ohio title, including the sale price, the buyer's name and address, and the odometer reading.
2. Sign the assignment in front of a notary public and have your signature notarized.
3. If the title is held electronically and no paper title was issued, complete page 1 of form BMV 3770 instead. All owners must complete it and have their signatures notarized.
4. Give the notarized title, or both pages of BMV 3770, to the buyer. The buyer titles the vehicle at a county Clerk of Courts title office within 30 days.
5. Remove your license plates at the sale. Ohio law says to remove them immediately when ownership transfers.
6. To use your plates on a vehicle you buy, transfer them within 30 days. BMV charges $9 for a plate or registration transfer.

The "assignment of ownership" portion on the back of the Ohio title, which the seller completes and has notarized. Ohio law requires the seller to swear to the true selling price and odometer reading. For an electronic title, page 1 of BMV 3770 serves the same purpose and asks for the transfer date, the price, the buyer's printed name and address, the odometer reading, and the seller's printed name and signature, made in front of a notary.

Ohio doesn't require you to report the sale to the state. The seller's notarized title assignment goes to the buyer, who must title the vehicle at a Clerk of Courts title office within 30 days. Remove your plates at the sale.

When ownership transfers, the registration expires and the seller must remove the plates immediately (ORC 4503.12). The seller may transfer the plates and registration to a vehicle they buy within 30 days, and may display the plates on that vehicle during those 30 days. BMV charges $9 for a plate or registration transfer. Plates move only to a vehicle bought by the person they were issued to, with exceptions such as a transfer to a surviving spouse.

Inspection. We found none tied to a private sale of an Ohio-titled vehicle. A VIN inspection is needed only when the vehicle has an out-of-state title. To register the vehicle, a buyer living in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage or Summit County needs an E-Check for gasoline vehicles 6 to 25 years old and hybrid vehicles 7 to 25 years old.

Odometer disclosure. The seller states the odometer reading in the title assignment, or on BMV 3770 for an electronic title, and checks whether it is the actual mileage, exceeds the odometer's mechanical limits, or is not the actual mileage. Ohio law requires the seller to swear to the true odometer reading. BMV 3724 is the separate Odometer Disclosure Statement, used if applicable. ORC 4505.06 exempts transfers by inheritance, survivorship or transfer on death, security interests, and vehicles over 16,000 pounds GVWR.

Sales tax. The buyer pays sales tax on the purchase price at a Clerk of Courts title office when applying for title. The rate is based on the buyer's county of residence: the 5.75% state rate plus the county rate. The price on the assigned title is prima facie evidence of the amount for the tax. All transfers are audited by the Ohio Department of Taxation, and the buyer may be assessed more tax if it finds more is due.

The buyer has 30 days to apply for a new title. The title fee is $18.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale (electronic titles), BMV 3770
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (BMV 3724)
• Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title (BMV 3771)

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles if anything about your sale is unusual. Last verified October 20, 2026.

Listing it first? Good photos sell cars faster: see how to take pictures of a car to sell, and read the full guide to selling a car. Buying or selling in another state? Pick it on the bill of sale page.