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.