Adding or removing a person on an Ohio car title essentially requires performing a title transfer between the current ownership and the new ownership configuration. You cannot simply “add a name” or “take a name off” an existing title by filling in a blank – the state needs to issue a brand new title reflecting the new ownership. Fortunately, the process is similar to a regular transfer, just between the parties involved.
To Add Someone (e.g., adding a spouse): The current owner will be listed as the “seller” on the title, and the new owner grouping (current owner + spouse) will be the “buyers.” For example, if the car is only in your name and you want to add your spouse, you would sign the title as the seller (and have your signature notarized). On the buyer line, you would write your name and your spouse’s name as the new co-owners. Essentially, you are transferring the car from yourself to “you + spouse jointly.” Then you both would go to the title office, show ID, and apply for a new title that lists both names as owners. On the title application, you might indicate it’s a gift transfer between spouses (so no sales tax would be charged).
To Remove Someone: If two people are on the title and you want to remove one (for instance, after a divorce or if one party no longer wishes to be on the title), the person coming off the title will act as the “seller.” That person signs the title (notarized) over to the remaining person. For example, if a car is titled Jane and John Doe, and John is being removed, John would sign as seller, and Jane would be listed as the sole buyer on the title application. Then the title office issues a new title just to Jane. Again, if this is between family/spouses, it can be considered a gift transfer to avoid sales tax, since no money is really changing hands for the ownership change.
In both cases, the title transfer fee (around $15) applies, and the title office will print a new title with the updated names. If it’s a true addition or removal between immediate family, typically no sales tax is due. If it’s between non-family (say you’re adding a friend or removing a co-owner who was not immediate family), the state might consider it a sale – often these scenarios involve a $0 or minimal stated price, but you should be prepared to clarify the situation to the clerk.
Remember that notarization is required whenever someone is signing off their interest on the title (so whichever party is “seller” in these scenarios must sign in front of a notary).
It might sound a bit confusing, but it’s straightforward with the right guidance. Our Ohio private party title transfer service can help you with the paperwork to add or remove an owner. We’ll make sure all names are correctly listed and all signatures properly notarized so the transition from one title to the next is seamless.
