Ohio: the Buckeye State, home to the great Lake Erie, to the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to the OSU Buckeyes, and to some darn good corn (if we do say so ourselves). If you’re about to move to “The Heart of it All,” there’s a lot to do to get settled in. Once you’ve unpacked, met your new neighbors, and threw a few ears of corn on the grill, it’s probably time to start thinking about getting your out-of-state vehicle titled and registered.
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Here’s a straightforward guide to transferring the title and registration of your car, truck, RV, or motorcycle to Ohio after a move.
Why You Need to Transfer Your Title After Moving to Ohio
Your vehicle title, that all-important legal document you received when you bought your car, is your proof of ownership. However, as it was likely issued by the state you previously lived in, it won’t be valid once you establish residence in another jurisdiction. To keep and drive your car legally after moving, you must have your car titled in Ohio.
More than just to prove ownership, you need a valid, local title in order to register your vehicle. It probably goes without saying, but driving around without an updated title and registration could potentially land you in hot water with local authorities. So, to avoid any run-ins with the law, it’s a smart idea to title and register your vehicle rather quickly after moving. In fact, the state of Ohio requires that new residents do just that within thirty days of landing in the state.
Documents Needed to Transfer Your Title to Ohio
To transfer your title to Ohio, you need a few documents, including:
1.Your out-of-state title: You need to be in possession of your current title in order to swap it out for an Ohio version. If this document has been lost, stolen or damaged, you will need to apply for a duplicate (replacement) from the state where it was originally issued.
Depending on the state you are moving from, you may be able to use eTags to help replace your lost title!
If a bank holds your title, you must send them a transfer request form. Your bank will then send it to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). While you wait for your lender to make the transfer, you can provide a copy of your loan agreement to a local BMV office to get the ball rolling on the paperwork. If your lien has been satisfied but is still recorded on your title, include the lien release from the bank with your paperwork, and you’re good to go!
2. Driver’s license or state ID: You need proof of identification to register and re-title your car in a new state. While you have your ID handy, it’s a great time to transfer your driver’s license to Ohio as well! Much like titling and registering your vehicle, you have 30 days to swap your old ID for an Ohio Real ID.
3. Current insurance: To register a car, you need an active insurance policy that meets Ohio coverage minimums. If the policy you held in your previous state can be transferred to OH, you simply have to notify your provider of your move and have them switch your state of residence. Otherwise, you will need to purchase local Ohio insurance. The minimum coverage in Ohio is:
- $25,000 for injury/death of one person
- $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people
- $25,000 for property damage in an accident.
4. Emissions testing (if needed): Vehicles between 4 and 25 years old need to pass an emissions test, also known as an E-Check. Vehicles older than 25 or newer than 4 do not require emissions testing. Conveniently, Ohio now offers E-Checks at several self-serve kiosks across the state. To find one near you, click here.
5. VIN inspection: Before heading to your local BMV office, visit any Ohio deputy registrar license agency to get a VIN inspection. This inspection proves that the vehicle you are titling and registering is indeed yours and was not obtained illegally.
6. Application for Certificate of Title Transfer (Form BMV-3774) : You can get this form at your closest County Clerk and Title Office. Please note that it must be signed in front of an on-site notary public. If you want to complete your title transfer online, you can download this form from the BMV website, then sign it in front of a notary.
Once you have all these items in hand, you’re ready to transfer your title. To do so, head to your local County Clerk and Title Office. They’ll collect all your documents and provide you with an updated title. After getting your new title, you can use that to register your vehicle in Ohio!
15 comments
I bought a vehicle at the end of a lease and “gifted” the vehicle to my daughter. The vehicle was titled and registered in Nebraska. The leasing company sent the Nebraska title to me, in my name. I then sent that title and a bill of sale, to my daughter who lives in Ohio. Those documents never made it to Ohio.
I have applied for a duplicate title from the leasing company. My plan is to send that title to my daughter along with another bill of sale via registered mail.
Should I take the duplicate, Nebraska title, to the Nebraska DMV and get a fresh title from Nebraska in MY name and send that to my daughter with a bill of sale? OR, should I just send my child the duplicate title I get from the leasing company along with a bill of sale and have her get an Ohio title with those documents?
In short, is the duplicate Nebraska title, from the leasing company, in my name along with a bill of sale to my daughter adequate documentation for her to transfer the vehicle to her name in Ohio?
If I choose eTags, you will help me deal with lien.
We don’t have all the details of your situation but,: If you need a duplicate title and the lien is satisfied-with a lien release letter we can print you the clear title. With a title transfer if you need to transfer your vehicle to OH and you have a lien-Yes we’ll reach out to your lienholder to obtain the the title for the state and OH will print you a memorandum title until the lien is satisfied.
The only way we wouldn’t be able to “help” is if you have an active lien and you’re trying to transfer from private sale. Can’t do that, you have to go to the bank.
I recently sold my car that was bought in Illinois ( cash ). My had moved to Ohio after that. I went to DMV for new Ohio plates/ registration. Gave the new owner the title I received after registering in Ohio and other info as to where I purchased , etc. She took it to California and went to register and they wouldn’t, saying the title wasn’t the original. It’s the only one I had. I can’t remember if I had to give my Illinois title to them in Ohio when I registered. Lol. It’s on blue paper. She wants me to get the “ original “. I’m so confused . Please help. Thanks so much
You need to find the original title, to see if it’s an OH title or Illinois title. Check your vin number on this https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/bmvonline/titles/titlesearch for OH and then on https://apps.ilsos.gov/regstatus/ for IL. If the title is an Ohio, eTags can help. You can order a duplicate title. If it’s an IL title, you’ll have to go to the DMV.
Is VIN inspection not required with tags?
For an out of state title transfer in Ohio, a VIN inspection is needed. You can get one at any Ohio deputy registrar license agency
I recently was living in Nevada and bought a car. Well I’m moving back to Ohio but the car still only has a 30 day tag from the dealership. Can I transfer my car to Ohio still or is there something I need to do first
You’ll need to transfer the out-of-state title to an OH title and register the car in OH too. Maker sure you also have OH insurance and get the VIN inspected since it’s coming out of state. You can process these transactions with eTags.
While on military active duty stationed in Ohio I purchased a vehicle and was exempt from paying sales tax because I titled and registered the vehicle in Montana. I’ve since left the military and recently became an Ohio resident so I’m transferring the title and registration to my vehicle in Ohio. Will I be charged sales tax on a vehicle I bought three years ago? Seems like I shouldn’t but just checking. Thanks!
Hi there! No. The vehicle isn’t being transferred due to a purchase. You’re only moving the vehicle to Ohio. You’ll simply pay the title transfer and registration fee. You can place an order with eTags and complete the transfer online here. I hope this helps!
I co-signed vehicle in NJ with my niece. Now my niece is moving to ohio and need to register and new license in ohio. Does she need to pay taxes again? Also the vehicle will registered on her name only in ohio. What’s the procedure? The vehicle is fully paid.
Hi there. She won’t need to pay sales tax as she’s only transferring the vehicle due to a move. As long as you have the title/lien release, Ohio insurance and a driver’s license, your niece can get started transferring the title now! Place an order on our site for title transfer today!
Hi I recently about 45 days ago I bought a truck in ohio.i live in kentucky.u want to get a title only made but I’m being told I need to get it inspected and insurance.i cannot do as .u only have a state id I can’t get a permit or do the eye test do to cataracts.and my surgery isn’t till the end of February.what can I do I can’t travel back to Ohio to get this done .help
Hey there, eTags can title out of state vehicles in the states we operate it. We work in Ohio, but it looks like you want to bring back the car in KY. So that’s where it has to be titled and registered, but eTags doesn’t operate in Kentucky.