What is an Ohio electronic title (e-title)?

An Ohio electronic title (often called an Ohio e-title ) is a digital version of your vehicle’s title that the Ohio BMV maintains electronically instead of issuing a paper certificate. In many cases, when you have a car loan or a lien on your vehicle, the state will hold the title electronically while the lien is active. This means you (and the lienholder) won’t have a physical paper title until the lien is released – the record of the title exists in the BMV’s database. Even if there is no lien, Ohio offers the option to hold titles electronically for convenience. With an electronic title , you don’t have to worry about losing a paper document, and transactions (like lien releases or dealer transfers) can be processed digitally between banks and the BMV. For example, when you pay off your car loan, the lender can electronically notify the BMV, and the state can then allow a paper title to be issued to you. It’s important to note that if you have an e-title and you decide to sell your vehicle to a private party, you’ll need to request the BMV to convert that electronic title into a paper title so you can transfer it to the buyer. This usually involves a quick trip to the title office to get the physical title printed once any liens are cleared. The electronic title system is very useful for lienholders and for reducing paperwork. However, for everyday purposes, you might not notice a difference until it comes time to obtain your paper title. If you’re unsure whether your title is electronic or paper, you can check with the Ohio title office. And if you need help obtaining a paper copy of an electronic title (for instance, after paying off a lien), our Ohio lien title retrieval service can assist in getting your title for you.

What is an Ohio memorandum title?

An Ohio memorandum title is a specific type of title document issued by the Ohio BMV for informational purposes when there is a lien on a vehicle. When you finance a car in Ohio and the lender holds a lien, the actual title is often held electronically by the state or by the lienholder, and the owner doesn’t receive the standard paper title. In such cases, you have the option to request a memorandum title. A memorandum title is basically a paper copy of the title that shows the vehicle’s details, the owner’s name, and the lienholder’s name, but it is marked “non-transferable.” This means you cannot use a memorandum title to sell or transfer ownership of the vehicle. It’s only for your records – for example, you might use it to prove ownership for insurance or to get license plates while the lien is in place. Think of it as a receipt for the title. Not everyone with a lien needs or gets a memorandum title, but it’s available if the owner wants a physical document in hand. Once the lien is fully paid off and released, the memorandum title on its own doesn’t automatically become a full title. At that point, you or the lienholder will need to have the title converted: the BMV can issue a regular title (without the lien) in your name, either by using the memorandum title and lien release paperwork or through their electronic system. After lien release, the memorandum title is basically swapped out for the actual transferable title. In summary, a memorandum title is a non-transferable copy of your car title that you can hold while a lien is active. It’s a convenience so you have something in hand, but it’s not required. If you have questions about obtaining a memorandum title or what to do with one, our Ohio memorandum title resource page explains it in detail, and we can help you request one or convert one into a full title when the time comes.

How do I get my title after paying off my car loan (Ohio lien release process)?

After you pay off your car loan, you’ll want to obtain a clear title (one without the lien listed) in your name. The Ohio car lien release process ensures that the lienholder’s claim is removed and you become the sole owner on the title. Here’s what typically happens: Lien Release from Lender: Once you make the final payment on your auto loan, your lender (bank or finance company) will issue a lien release. In modern practice, if your title was held electronically, the lender will update the Ohio BMV’s system electronically to show the lien as satisfied. If a paper title was being held by the lender, they may mail you the paper title with a stamped or signed lien release on it, or they might send you a separate lien release letter. Obtain a New Title: To get a new title that no longer shows the lien, you will take proof of the lien release to your local title office. If you have the paper title that was returned to you with a lien release stamp/signature, you’ll bring that. If the title was electronic, you should receive a lien release letter or notification – with that, the title office can pull up your electronic title record. You will fill out a short form to apply for a title (essentially requesting a title reissue without the lien). Fees: You’ll pay a title issuance fee (similar to the original title fee, about $15). This is for the BMV to print a new title. If your lender sent the lien release electronically, sometimes the BMV might automatically mail you the new title once the lien is released, but often you need to initiate the title issuance. It’s always a good idea to check with the title office rather than assuming it will come automatically. New Title Issued: The Clerk of Courts Title Office will then issue you a fresh Ohio title in your name with no lien listed. This is your “clear” title, showing you as the sole owner. You can pick it up at the office or, in some cases, have it mailed to you. At this point, you should keep this title in a safe place; it’s the document that proves you own the vehicle free and clear. If you encounter any issues – for example, if you never received a lien release document, or the lender has closed down or did not properly update the BMV – you might need assistance. EZ Ohio Title offers an Ohio lien title retrieval service to help in such situations. We can assist in tracking down lien releases or navigating BMV procedures to get your lien cleared and your title issued. The bottom line is that after paying off your loan, you’ll go through a small process to update the title, and then you’ll have full ownership documented in your name.

How do I replace a lost or stolen car title in Ohio?

If you have lost your car title or it’s been stolen (or even if it’s badly damaged and illegible), you will need to apply for a duplicate title – effectively a title replacement – through the Ohio BMV. To replace a lost title , Ohio BMV requires the titled owner to request a duplicate in person at a County Clerk of Courts Title Office (in some cases you can do it by mail, but in-person is quickest). Here are the steps: Application: Visit the title office and ask for an Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title . You’ll fill out this form with your name, address, the vehicle’s details (VIN, make, model), and indicate that you are requesting a duplicate because the original was lost/stolen. Owner Identification: Only the registered owner (or an authorized power of attorney) can apply for a duplicate title. So be prepared to show a valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s license) to prove you are the person named on the title record. If a lien was on the vehicle, you may need a lien release or for the lienholder to be present/notify the BMV, depending on whether the lien is still active or not. Pay the Fee: Pay the duplicate title fee, which is approximately $15.00 in Ohio (plus a small processing fee in some counties). This fee covers issuing the new title. Title Issuance: The title office will process your application and print a new title for you. Duplicate titles are usually issued on the spot (you’ll get it during your visit). The new title will have a stamp or indication that it’s a “duplicate.” Once it’s issued, the lost title (if someone found it later) becomes void and is no longer valid. Only the duplicate is considered the current title. Replacing a lost title is generally straightforward. However, if someone else’s name was also on the title (co-owner) or if your address changed, be sure to update that information during the application. Also note, if the title had a lien that hasn’t been released yet, the duplicate will still show that lien; you’d need to provide a lien release to get a clear title. For convenience, you can use our duplicate Ohio title service to handle this process. We’ll help you with the Ohio title replacement paperwork and can even submit the application on your behalf, saving you a trip. This is especially useful if you’re not currently in Ohio or can’t get to the title office easily. In any case, once you have your duplicate title, keep it in a safe place to avoid the situation in the future!

What if I bought a car and the seller can’t find the title?

If you’ve purchased a vehicle (or agreed to purchase one) and the seller cannot locate the title , the sale cannot be properly completed until the seller obtains a new title. In Ohio, a buyer cannot legally transfer ownership or register the car without receiving a valid title from the seller. So, what needs to happen is the seller must get a duplicate title issued in their name before you two can finalize the transaction. Here’s how to handle it: The seller (who is the current titled owner on record) will have to go to a title office and apply for an Ohio title replacement (a duplicate title). This is the same process described for lost titles – the seller fills out the duplicate title application, shows ID, pays the fee, and receives a new title. This duplicate title will list the seller as the owner (just like the original did). Once the seller has the duplicate title in hand, they can then sign it over to you (with their signature notarized) exactly as they would have with the original title. At that point, you as the buyer will be able to take the signed title to the title office and transfer the vehicle into your name. Until the seller provides you with a valid title, you do not have legal ownership of the vehicle. If a seller is unwilling or unable to obtain a duplicate title, you’re in a tough spot – the Ohio BMV will not issue a new title to you without the previous owner’s signed title. In such a case, you may need to seek a refund or even legal action, because you can’t drive or register the car without a title. Always insist on getting the title at the time of sale. If a seller says “I’ll send you the title later” or that it’s lost, be cautious. It’s best to pause the transaction until they can produce the title. If you’re already in this situation, encourage the seller to quickly obtain a duplicate. We can assist the seller through our duplicate Ohio title service to speed up the process. Once the seller has the new title, the sale can proceed normally and you can rightfully get the car titled in your name.

How do I add or remove someone (like a spouse) on a car title in Ohio?

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.

Can I use a power of attorney to handle a car title transfer in Ohio?

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.

Is transferring the title the same as registering the car in Ohio?

No – transferring the title is not the same as registering the car , and in Ohio these are two different processes (though they are related). A vehicle title is the document that shows who legally owns the car. Registration is what allows the car to be driven on public roads (it’s how you get your license plates, validation stickers, and registration card). When you buy a car (or otherwise acquire a vehicle), the first step is to get the title transferred into your name. This involves the seller signing over the title to you and you obtaining a new title from the Ohio title office listing you as the owner. This establishes legal ownership. However, having your name on the title alone doesn’t give you plates or the right to drive the car on the road. For that, you must register the vehicle with the Ohio BMV. Registration typically happens after (or concurrently with) the title process. To register, you’ll need proof of ownership (your new title or memorandum of title), proof of insurance, and you’ll pay registration fees for license plates or transfer existing plates to the vehicle. In practical terms: You usually go to the Clerk of Courts Title Office first to handle the title. Once you have the title (or at least the paperwork showing you will receive the title), you then go to a BMV deputy registrar to handle the registration and plates. In many Ohio counties, the title office and the registration office might be in the same building or nearby, but they are separate counters and separate transactions. Some title offices will even give you instructions or a checklist to go register the car after titling it. So remember, after you complete the title transfer into your name, you’re not quite done if you intend to drive the car – you’ll need to ensure the car is properly registered and insured before taking it on the road. The title makes you the owner; the registration (with tags) makes it legal to drive. If you have just done a title transfer with our assistance, we’ll be sure to remind you of the steps to get it registered. And if you have any confusion about the difference between title and registration, we’re happy to clarify those details so you stay compliant with Ohio law.

Do I need insurance to transfer a car title in Ohio?

You do not need proof of insurance to transfer a car title in Ohio . When you visit the title office to transfer ownership (i.e., to get the title in your name), the staff will not ask for your insurance information – that step is purely about changing the legal ownership of the vehicle. So you can complete a title transfer without having insurance on the vehicle at that moment. However, to register the car and get license plates , Ohio law does require that you have valid auto insurance. The registration process (getting your plates) is handled by the BMV registrar’s office, and when you go to register, you must show proof of insurance coverage for the vehicle. Driving without insurance is illegal, and you can’t get new plates or renew plates without demonstrating insurance. Many people confuse title transfer and registration, and it’s understandable. Think of it this way: you can own a car (title) without driving it, but you can’t drive a car without registering it and insuring it. If you just bought a vehicle, you should certainly get insurance coverage on it right away (even before you drive it home, ideally). But if your question is strictly about the title paperwork: no, the title office doesn’t check insurance. In summary, for the title part – no insurance needed. For the driving on the road part (registration) – yes, you’ll need insurance. It’s wise to have an insurance policy in place as soon as you purchase a car, even if you’re not required to show it to the title office, to protect you and to be ready for when you do register the vehicle. If you have more questions about what’s needed at title vs. registration stages, we can help clarify when you work with us on a title service.

How do I sign an Ohio title when selling my car?

When you are selling a car in Ohio, properly signing the title is crucial. Any mistakes can void the title, causing delays, so you’ll want to do it carefully. Here are the steps to correctly fill out and sign an Ohio title as a seller: Don’t write on the title until you’re ready to transfer it. If possible, do this at a bank or title office where a notary is available. On the back of the title (Ohio titles have the transfer section on the back side), look for the section labeled “Assignment of Title” or “Transferor’s Section” . This is where the seller(s) will fill in the details for the buyer. Buyer’s Information: Neatly print the buyer’s full name and address on the lines provided. Make sure to spell the name correctly and use the legal name as on their ID. If there are two buyers to be on the title, both names can be written (typically with “AND” between them if you want both listed as owners). Odometer Disclosure: Enter the current odometer reading in the space provided on the title. Federal and state law require an odometer disclosure for vehicles less than 10 years old. Write the number exactly as it appears on the odometer (no tenths in Ohio). If the car is older and exempt, some titles have a box to check or you might write “Exempt” if applicable – but generally, just fill in the mileage for completeness. Sale Price: Fill in the sale price of the vehicle. If it’s a gift or a no-cost transfer to family, you can write “GIFT” or “$0”. (For a gift, also ensure that’s noted on the title application and any required affidavits are completed.) Date of Sale: There’s usually a line to write in the date of the transfer. Fill in the date you are signing over the title to the buyer. Signatures: This is critical – the seller(s) must sign on the line for Seller’s Signature exactly as the name appears on the front of the title. If two people are listed as owners on the title, typically both will need to sign (unless the title says “OR”, which is rare; most Ohio titles use “AND”). Do this in front of a notary. The notary will also have the buyer (or just witness the sale price and mileage) sign an acknowledgment section, and the notary will then notarize your signature. Do not sign until the notary is watching, as they need to verify your identity and witness the signing. Buyer’s Signature: The buyer will also sign on the title acknowledging the mileage (and in some cases to affirm they are the buyer). There’s usually a spot for the buyer’s signature and printed name. This can also be done at the title office; often the clerk will have the buyer sign when processing. After completing these steps, give the notarized title to the buyer . The buyer will use this to transfer the title into their name. As the seller, make sure you remove your license plates (they stay with you, not the car) and don’t forget to cancel your insurance on the vehicle after the sale is fully done. One more tip: Avoid any scratch-outs, white-out, or alterations. If you mess up any section (like misspelling a name or writing the wrong mileage), do not try to correct it on the title. The Ohio BMV is very strict and likely will reject a title with corrections. In such a case, you’d have to stop and get a replacement title to start over. So take your time and write carefully. If you’re unsure, it’s perfectly fine to ask a clerk at the title office for help before writing anything. By following these steps, you’ll have properly signed over your Ohio title, and the buyer will be able to take it to the BMV and complete the transfer without any issues.

FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 3 - EZ-OHIOTITLE

What is an Ohio electronic title (e-title)?
read more
What is an Ohio memorandum title?
read more
How do I get my title after paying off my car loan (Ohio lien release process)?
read more
How do I replace a lost or stolen car title in Ohio?
read more
What if I bought a car and the seller can’t find the title?
read more
How do I add or remove someone (like a spouse) on a car title in Ohio?
read more
Can I use a power of attorney to handle a car title transfer in Ohio?
read more
Is transferring the title the same as registering the car in Ohio?
read more
Do I need insurance to transfer a car title in Ohio?
read more
How do I sign an Ohio title when selling my car?
read more

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