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The most common mistake with Ohio vehicle titles is going to the wrong office. Your vehicle title is issued by the County Clerk of Courts, not the BMV. BMV deputy registrars handle registration, license plates, and VIN inspections after the title is in your name.
The short version: title at the Clerk, register and plate at the BMV.
DMVQ is an independent resource that organizes publicly available information to help you plan. We do not process transactions.
Who does what: Clerk of Courts vs. BMV
| Task | Where it happens |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title (proof of ownership) | County Clerk of Courts |
| Title transfer, duplicate, memorandum, lien notation | County Clerk of Courts |
| Notarizing the title assignment | Clerk title office or another notary public |
| VIN inspection (for out-of-state vehicles) | BMV deputy registrar |
| Registration & license plates | BMV deputy registrar |
| Driver license / state ID | BMV deputy registrar |
The title is where ownership legally changes hands; registration and plates are what let you legally drive and park the vehicle on the road. They’re two different transactions at two different offices, by design. For the full breakdown, see BMV vs. Clerk of Courts in Ohio.
The typical flow: dealer, Clerk, plate
Picture the journey a title takes:
- Origin. You buy a vehicle, from a dealer (the dealer usually processes the title for you) or in a private sale (you and the seller handle the assignment).
- Clerk of Courts. Your county’s Clerk of Courts issues the Certificate of Title in your name. This is the legal change of ownership. Signatures on a private-sale title must be notarized, and the transfer is due within 30 days of sale or a $5 late fee applies.
- BMV deputy registrar. With the title in hand, you visit a deputy registrar for registration and license plates, and, if the vehicle came from out of state, a VIN inspection first.
- On the road. Title in your name, plates on the car, registration in the glovebox.
Ohio also allows cross-county titling, so you can title at any Clerk of Courts office in the state.
Choose your title task
Pick the situation that matches yours:
- Buying or selling a car (private sale or dealer): Title transfer in Ohio
- Bought a vehicle out of state or moving to Ohio: Out-of-state title transfer (needs a VIN inspection first)
- Lost or damaged title: Duplicate title in Ohio
- There’s a loan or lien on the vehicle: Memorandum title in Ohio
- Need a signature notarized: Title notarization
Each page tells you what to bring, the fees, and which office handles your step.
Find your Clerk of Courts title office
Title offices are organized by county. Find your county’s Clerk of Courts locations in the Ohio BMV and Title Office Directory.
Find a BMV deputy registrar
For registration, plates, and out-of-state VIN inspections, visit a BMV deputy registrar in your county. Find locations in the Ohio BMV and Title Office Directory.
Title fees (quick reference)
| Charge | Where you pay it | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | Clerk of Courts | $18.00 |
| Notation of Lien | Clerk of Courts | $18.00 |
| Late fee (transfer after 30 days) | Clerk of Courts | $5.00 |
| Notary (per signature) | Clerk or BMV | Up to $5.00 |
| Sales or use tax | Clerk of Courts | Varies by county |
| Plate or registration transfer | BMV deputy registrar | $9.00 |
Fees and figures change. Verify current amounts on bmv.ohio.gov before your visit.
Title fees rose to $18.00 statewide under HB 96 (some counties may charge more if approved). Sales tax rates vary by county. Verify current fees on bmv.ohio.gov and with your county Clerk of Courts.
Common questions
Does DMVQ issue vehicle titles? No. DMVQ is an informational resource, not a title office or deputy registrar. Titles are issued by the County Clerk of Courts. BMV deputy registrars handle registration, plates, and VIN inspections after the title is in your name.
So I have to go to two places? Usually yes for a change of ownership: the Clerk for the title, then a BMV deputy registrar for registration and plates. A dealer often handles the title step for you.
Can I title my car in a different county? Yes. Ohio allows cross-county titling. You can visit any Clerk of Courts office in the state.
How long do I have to transfer a title? 30 days from the date of sale (the notarized assignment date), or a $5 late fee is added.
Do I need a VIN inspection? If the vehicle is coming from out of state, yes. A BMV deputy registrar performs the inspection. See out-of-state title transfer and VIN inspection.
Where do I get a title notarized? At the Clerk’s title office or another notary public. Don’t sign the assignment until you’re in front of the notary.
Helpful next pages
Where this information comes from
- Ohio BMV, Vehicle Titles: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/titles-new.aspx
- Ohio BMV, Documents and Fees: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx
- Ohio Revised Code 4505.06 (titling): https://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4505.06