Ohio Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

You bought a car in Ohio, but now how can you prove it is yours? Whether you bought from an authorized dealer or a private individual, you need the Vehicle Bill of Sale. This document can be used for almost any major purchase and serve as proof of a change of ownership.

In Ohio, this form is widely used in personal records and to transfer legal ownership through a state agency. We always recommend that you have several copies of this paper in your package of documents to freely use them for various purposes.

Ohio does not have a unified form for this paper, but still, it must include all the key elements. These include:

• Date of sale

• Location of sale

• Buyer's name, address, and telephone number

• Seller's name, address, and telephone number (remember to include the official name of the company if buying from a dealer)

• Payment amount (cash/trade-in/gift)

• Vehicle’s make, model, year, color, body type, odometer statement, Vehicle Identification Number

• Taxes (included/not included)

• Seller’s and buyer’s signatures

• Notary acknowledgment (not a must, but highly recommended)

Do not sign the document before you receive the car (if you are a buyer) or before you receive the money (if you are a seller). The signed Bill of Sale means the item has already passed to the new owner.

Do I Require This Form to Register My Car?

A Bill of Sale is not a mandatory document for registering a car. However, you must have it.

You will need the following papers to register a motor vehicle in Ohio:

• Assignment of the ownership portion (can be found on the back of an Ohio vehicle title)

• Verification of odometer reading

• Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle