Yes, you can use a power of attorney (POA) to handle a car title transfer in Ohio. This is a common practice if one of the parties (buyer or seller) cannot be present at the title office or prefers someone else (like an agent or a title service) to handle the paperwork on their behalf. Ohio BMV has a specific Power of Attorney form (BMV 3771) for motor vehicle transactions, but any properly drafted POA that includes the vehicle information should work as long as it’s notarized.

Here’s how it works: The person who is giving up the authority (for example, the vehicle owner who can’t go in person) will fill out and sign the power of attorney form, naming the person who will act as their “Attorney-in-fact” (the representative). This form must be notarized – so the owner’s signature on the POA is witnessed by a notary, just like a title would be. The POA should clearly state the vehicle’s details (year, make, VIN) and what authority is being granted (such as the authority to sign documents to transfer the title).

When it’s time to do the title transaction, the person acting as the power of attorney will bring the POA document to the title office. They will sign the title and/or any required forms on behalf of the person who gave them the authority. For example, if John Doe grants power of attorney to Jane Smith to sell his car, Jane can sign John’s name on the title as seller, and the title office will accept it because the notarized POA is on file showing she has that authority.

The Ohio title office will typically keep the original POA (or a certified copy) for their records when the transaction is completed, to prove that the signature was authorized.

Using a POA is very useful in situations such as: one party is out of state or out of the country, a busy person who cannot go to the BMV, or when you hire a service like EZ Ohio Title to handle everything for you. In fact, our service often uses a limited power of attorney – clients sign a specific POA allowing us to process their title work – so we can go to the BMV on their behalf. It’s a perfectly legal and accepted method in Ohio.

If you need a power of attorney form or guidance on how to use one, just ask us. We can provide the appropriate Ohio BMV POA form and walk you through filling it out. Feel free to contact us for assistance if you plan to have someone else handle your title transfer with a POA – we’ll make sure it’s done correctly so there are no issues at the title office.