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Titles

Memorandum Title in Ohio: What It Is and When You Need One

Ohio splits this work between two offices.

1

Vehicle titles

County Clerk of Courts, Title Office

2

Plates & registration

BMV deputy registrar

The BMV does not issue titles. Get the title at the Clerk first, then use the BMV or a deputy registrar for plates and registration.

On this page
  1. What a memorandum title is
  2. Who issues it: Clerk of Courts, not the BMV
  3. When you need a memorandum title
  4. What to bring (checklist)
  5. Step by step
  6. Fees
  7. Common scenarios
  8. Common questions
  9. Helpful next pages
  10. Before you visit
  11. Where this information comes from

A memorandum title in Ohio, often called a memo title, is a special certificate that lets you register and plate a vehicle when your lender holds the original title. It is not an ownership document and cannot be used to sell or transfer the vehicle. Its only job is to let you get license plates while the lienholder keeps the actual title. Like all Ohio titles, a memorandum title is issued by the County Clerk of Courts, not the BMV. Once you have it, a deputy registrar can use it for registration and plates. Here’s what it is, when you need one, and how to get it.

DMVQ is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the Ohio BMV, any County Clerk of Courts, or any government agency.

What a memorandum title is

When you finance a vehicle in Ohio, the lienholder (your bank or finance company) holds the original Certificate of Title until the loan is paid off. But you still need to register and plate the car so you can legally drive it. The memorandum title solves that gap: it’s a certificate the Clerk of Courts issues that you present to the BMV for the sole purpose of obtaining license plates while the original title stays with the lender.

Key characteristics:

  • It is issued only to obtain registration/plates when the original title is held by a lienholder.
  • It cannot transfer ownership. You cannot sell or gift the vehicle using a memorandum title.
  • The original (full) title is released to you only after the lien is satisfied and cancelled.
  • A memorandum title can be applied for in any county under Ohio’s cross-county titling.

For how this fits the broader title-vs-registration split, see BMV vs. Clerk of Courts in Ohio.

Who issues it: Clerk of Courts, not the BMV

This trips people up, so to be clear: the memorandum title is a Clerk of Courts document. You request it from your local Clerk of Courts title office. A deputy registrar then uses that memo title for registration and plates. The BMV does not print titles of any kind.

In many financed purchases, the dealer or lender arranges the memorandum title as part of closing your loan, so you may receive it without a separate trip. If you need to obtain one yourself, the steps below apply.

When you need a memorandum title

  • You financed a vehicle and the lender holds the title, but you need to register and plate it now. This is by far the most common case.
  • You’re renewing or obtaining plates on a vehicle that still has an active lien and you don’t physically hold the title.
  • Commercial and apportioned (IRP) registration. Operators registering certain commercial or apportioned vehicles, including many vehicles operated under a CDL, are commonly required to present a title or memorandum title as proof of ownership when the lender holds the original.

A practical tip straight from the title office: if you apply for a loan using your car as collateral, always ask for a memorandum title so you can obtain license plates.

What to bring (checklist)

Requirements vary by situation, so check with your local title office first. Generally you’ll need:

  • Valid photo ID (Ohio driver license or state ID)
  • Vehicle and lien information (the lienholder’s name and the title/VIN details)
  • Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774), if applying directly
  • Payment for the $5.00 memorandum title fee
  • If someone is acting on your behalf, an original Power of Attorney (form BMV 3771)

Then, to register and plate at a deputy registrar:

  • The memorandum title
  • Proof of Ohio insurance
  • Payment for registration and plate fees

Step by step

  1. Confirm the lender holds the title and gather the loan/lien details (lienholder name, account, VIN).
  2. Request the memorandum title. Many buyers receive it automatically at loan closing through the dealer or lender. If not, apply at any Clerk of Courts title office with form BMV 3774 and the $5 fee.
  3. Receive the memo title. When issued directly by the title office, it may print on the spot. When processed through a lien/electronic title workflow, allow a short turnaround.
  4. Register and plate at a deputy registrar. Bring the memorandum title and proof of insurance to get your Ohio plates and registration.
  5. Keep it safe. Store the memo title securely. When your loan is paid off and the lien is cancelled (no charge), you can obtain the full Ohio title.

Fees

ChargeWhere you pay itAmount
Memorandum Certificate of TitleClerk of Courts$5.00
Notation of LienClerk of Courts$18.00
Cancellation of LienClerk of CourtsNo charge
Boat MemorandumClerk of Courts$5.00
Registration + platesDeputy registrarVaries by vehicle type

Fees and figures change. Verify current amounts on bmv.ohio.gov before your visit.

Fees change. Verify current amounts on bmv.ohio.gov and with your local Clerk of Courts before your visit.

Common scenarios

  • You just financed a car. The dealer or lender typically generates the memorandum title at closing so you can plate the vehicle right away.
  • Your loan is paid off. Once the lienholder releases the lien (cancellation of lien is free), apply for the full Ohio title; the memo title is no longer needed.
  • You want to sell a financed car. You cannot use a memo title to transfer ownership. The lien must be satisfied and the full title obtained before a title transfer. The payoff can also be handled through the title office and buyer’s lender.
  • You financed a boat. Watercraft have their own boat memorandum ($5.00) for the same purpose.
  • Commercial vehicle/CDL operation. If you operate under a CDL or register an apportioned vehicle, confirm whether a memorandum title must be presented at registration. See the note above.

Common questions

What is a memorandum title in Ohio? A memo title is a certificate the County Clerk of Courts issues so you can register and plate a vehicle while the lienholder holds the original title. It is not proof of ownership and cannot be used to sell the vehicle.

Can I sell my car with a memorandum title? No. A memorandum title cannot transfer ownership. You need the full Ohio title, which the lender releases after the loan is paid off.

Does DMVQ issue memorandum titles? No. DMVQ is an informational site, not a government office. Like all Ohio titles, the memorandum title is issued by the County Clerk of Courts. A deputy registrar uses it to issue your plates and registration.

How much does a memorandum title cost? $5.00 at any Clerk of Courts in Ohio. A separate notation of lien fee ($18.00) may also apply depending on your transaction.

Do I have to get the memo title myself? Often not. When you finance through a dealer, the dealer or lender arranges it at closing. If you need one separately, apply at any Clerk of Courts title office.

What happens to the memo title when I pay off the loan? The lienholder releases the lien (cancellation is free). You can then obtain the full Ohio Certificate of Title in your name.

Can I get a memorandum title in any county? Yes. Ohio’s cross-county titling lets you apply at any Clerk of Courts title office statewide.

Helpful next pages

Before you visit

Have your memorandum title in hand? Check online queueing options at your local deputy registrar to register and plate your financed vehicle. Not sure what to bring? Start with the what-to-bring checklist.

Where this information comes from