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Ohio vehicle paperwork is full of cryptic numbers: BMV 3770, 3771, 3774, 4809, 4826. The wrong form can mean a wasted trip or a rejected filing. Use this page to match the form number to the task, the office that handles it, and the Ohio BMV download link. Every form below comes straight from the official Ohio BMV forms library, and you can always confirm the current version at bmv.ohio.gov/doc-forms.aspx.
First, a quick map. Ohio forms in the “Titles” group are generally filed at the County Clerk of Courts title office (titles aren’t a BMV function, see BMV vs. Clerk of Courts in Ohio). Forms in the “Vehicle Registration” and “Driver License/ID” groups are handled by BMV deputy registrars. The form’s job tells you which office to visit.
Title forms (filed at the Clerk of Courts)
These are the heavy hitters for buying, selling, and replacing titles.
BMV 3770, Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale
Used in a private (casual) sale between two individuals, no dealer involved. The seller assigns ownership and the buyer applies for a new title on the same form; the buyer completes their section and the signature is notarized. Reach for this when you buy a used car from a private party and the back of the existing title doesn’t have an open assignment space, or when the county wants the standalone casual-sale form.
BMV 3771, Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title
A vehicle-specific power of attorney that lets someone else apply for and receive a title on the owner’s behalf. It requires the owner’s information and a notarized signature. Use it when you can’t appear in person to title a vehicle and you’re sending a spouse, relative, or dealer to do it for you. Note: this POA is only for the title; registration has its own POA (see BMV 5736 below).
BMV 3774, Application for Certificate of Title
The general title application, used to apply for an original, duplicate, memorandum, or salvage Ohio certificate of title. This is the form you (or the Clerk) use to request a replacement title if yours is lost or damaged, among other title needs. See Duplicate title.
BMV 3724, Odometer Disclosure Statement
A standalone odometer reading disclosure, required by federal and state law on vehicle transfers when the disclosure isn’t already captured on the title assignment. Bring it when the title lacks an odometer line or you need to correct/complete the mileage record.
BMV 3773, Clerk of Courts Surviving Spouse Affidavit
Lets a surviving spouse transfer a limited value of vehicles out of a deceased spouse’s name without full probate. Used in inheritance situations, pair it with the Clerk’s guidance on estate transfers. Related reading: Gifted, inherited, or lost title in Ohio.
BMV 3811, Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Beneficiary Designation
Lets a sole owner name a beneficiary who will receive the vehicle’s title automatically on the owner’s death, avoiding probate for that vehicle. File it in advance with the Clerk; it only takes effect later.
BMV 3772, Application for Dealer Assignment
A dealer-facing form for assigning ownership through a licensed dealer’s inventory. Most private buyers won’t touch this, but it’s part of the title chain when a dealer is involved.
BMV 3787, Motor Vehicle Physical Inspection (out-of-state)
A physical/VIN inspection form used for Ohio residents and military personnel temporarily living out of state who need to title a vehicle in Ohio. For an in-state out-of-state transfer, you’ll typically get the inspection done at a deputy registrar, see VIN inspection and Out-of-state title transfer.
Vehicle registration & plate forms (handled at the BMV)
BMV 4809, Duplicate Registration Card, Transfer, Replacement Plates / Validation Sticker
The workhorse registration form. Use it to request a duplicate registration card, transfer plates and registration to another vehicle, or get replacement plates or a replacement validation sticker. It must be signed by the owner named on the title. This is the form behind most “I lost my sticker” or “move my plates” errands. See Transfer plates.
BMV 4625, Application for Registration by Mail
Lets you renew or apply for registration by mail instead of in person. Pair it with your renewal notice and payment, and allow time before your expiration date. See Ohio license plate renewal fees & deadlines.
BMV 4311, Customer Request to Cancel Vehicle Registration
Used to cancel a registration, for example, after selling a vehicle or moving out of state, which can matter for insurance and recordkeeping.
BMV 5736, Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration
The registration POA (distinct from the title POA, BMV 3771). Use it when someone else will handle your registration/plate transaction on your behalf.
BMV 4705, Request for Special License Plates
The application path for many special/organizational license plates. Specific plate programs (collegiate, military, organizational) sometimes have their own affidavit or eligibility form, the BMV lists one per program. See New & specialty plates.
BMV 4826, Application for Removable Windshield Placards
The disability (handicap) placard application. A health-care provider must certify the qualifying condition. Used for temporary and permanent removable windshield placards. (Disabled-veteran and certain military placards use related forms such as BMV 4531.) See Disability placards.
BMV 4740 / 4741, Fuel-Type Affidavit / Dispute
Because Ohio charges an extra fuel-type fee on EVs and hybrids, these forms let you declare an unknown fuel type (4740) or dispute the fuel type on your registration record (4741). Handy if the BMV has your hybrid or EV classified incorrectly.
Driver license & ID forms
BMV 5745, Application Information for Standard/Compliant Ohio DL/ID
The driver license / ID application information form behind every license, ID, and REAL ID transaction. The clerk typically generates it, but it’s the document that captures your application details (and can help re-establish a previously verified SSN). See REAL ID Ohio required documents.
BMV 2430 / 2424, Acceptable Documents Lists (Compliant / Standard)
Official checklists of acceptable documents for a Compliant (REAL ID) card (BMV 2430) and a Standard card (BMV 2424). Print the right one before a license visit so you bring exactly what the clerk needs.
BMV 2336, Proof of Ohio Residency (Certified Statement)
Lets a resident who can prove an Ohio address vouch for someone living at the same address who can’t yet prove it in their own name, useful for new arrivals or young adults establishing residency for a REAL ID.
BMV 5756, Request for Change of Address
Updates your address on BMV records. Ohio law requires you to report an address change within a set window; this form (or the online service) is how you do it.
Quick-reference: which form, which office
| Form | What it’s for | Where filed |
|---|---|---|
| BMV 3770 | Casual-sale title transfer | Clerk of Courts |
| BMV 3771 | Title power of attorney | Clerk of Courts |
| BMV 3774 | Title application (orig./dup./memo/salvage) | Clerk of Courts |
| BMV 3724 | Odometer disclosure | Clerk of Courts |
| BMV 3773 | Surviving-spouse title affidavit | Clerk of Courts |
| BMV 3811 | Transfer-on-death beneficiary | Clerk of Courts |
| BMV 4809 | Duplicate reg / transfer / replacement plates | BMV |
| BMV 4625 | Registration by mail | BMV |
| BMV 4311 | Cancel registration | BMV |
| BMV 5736 | Registration power of attorney | BMV |
| BMV 4705 | Special license plates | BMV |
| BMV 4826 | Disability windshield placard | BMV |
| BMV 5745 | DL/ID application info (incl. REAL ID) | BMV |
| BMV 5756 | Change of address | BMV |
Where to get the forms
- Download the PDF from the Ohio BMV forms library: bmv.ohio.gov/doc-forms.aspx, sortable by number, topic, or name, with PDF and Word versions.
- Pick one up in person at a BMV deputy registrar, bring it back completed, and staff can help with the parts handled by that office.
- Avoid third-party “form” sites that charge a fee; the BMV forms are free.
Always use the current version. Ohio updates forms periodically (the revision date is printed in the corner). When in doubt, download fresh from bmv.ohio.gov rather than reusing an old PDF.
What causes return trips
- Taking a title form to the BMV. Title forms (3770, 3771, 3774…) are filed at the Clerk of Courts, not the BMV.
- Confusing the two power-of-attorney forms. BMV 3771 is for titles; BMV 5736 is for registration. They’re not interchangeable.
- Signing before notarization. Title forms requiring a notary must be signed in front of the notary.
- Using an outdated form. Check the revision date and re-download if unsure.
- Paying a third-party site for a form that’s free on bmv.ohio.gov.
Common questions
What is BMV form 3770 used for? A private (casual) used-vehicle sale, it combines the seller’s ownership assignment and the buyer’s title application, with a notarized signature. Filed at the Clerk of Courts.
What’s the difference between BMV 3771 and BMV 5736? BMV 3771 is a power of attorney for the vehicle title; BMV 5736 is a power of attorney for registration. Use the one that matches the transaction.
Which form do I use for a lost title? BMV 3774 (Application for Certificate of Title), filed as a duplicate at the Clerk of Courts. See Duplicate title.
What is BMV 4809? The form for a duplicate registration card, plate transfer, or replacement plates/sticker, a BMV (deputy registrar) transaction.
What form do I need for a handicap placard? BMV 4826, with a health-care provider’s certification. See Disability placards.
Are these forms free? Yes. Download them at no charge from bmv.ohio.gov/doc-forms.aspx, avoid sites that charge for them.
Can I get forms at a deputy registrar? Most BMV deputy registrars have common forms on hand and can process the parts handled by the BMV. For titles, you file with the Clerk of Courts.
Helpful next pages
before you visit
Know your form, know the office. For BMV transactions, bring the completed form and get in line online at your local deputy registrar, and use the Clerk of Courts for anything title-related.
Where this information comes from
- Ohio BMV, Forms (official, sortable PDF/Word library): https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-forms.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Vehicle Titles: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/titles-new.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Documents & Fees: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Form BMV 3771 (Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title): https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/bmv3771.pdf
- Ohio BMV, Form BMV 4809 (Duplicate/Transfer/Replacement): https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/bmv4809.pdf
- Ohio BMV, Form BMV 4826 (Removable Windshield Placards): https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/bmv4826.pdf