Applications for vehicle and boat titles since the advent of cross-county titling no longer need to be made in the county of residence. Titles must be obtained within 30 days of assignment, or a late fee will be assessed.
To secure a title for new vehicles, boats, or motors, applicants must have a completed
Ohio application, Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), odometer statement, selling price, and all required fees. To secure a title for used vehicles, boats, or motors, the previous owner's properly assigned title with the selling price and mileage is needed. If the vehicle, mobile home, boat, or motor is being financed, a copy of the security agreement does not need to be sent as long as lien information is shown on the application.Finally, special affidavits for vehicle title transfer are available for the surviving spouse. A surviving spouse may transfer up to two motor vehicles with a combined appraised value of no more than $40,000.00. The surviving spouse must present the death certificate, a surviving spouse affidavit, and the original title along with the completed application (on reverse side of the title) that has been signed and notarized. A copy of the security agreement also must be presented if the item is being financed. The surviving spouse affidavit and notarization services are available from the Clerk of Courts Auto Title Division or may be downloaded from Auto Title Forms.
The fees below are payable by personal check by cash, Visa, MasterCard, or ATM card.
*** Out-of-state checks WILL NOT be accepted unless they are either certified or a money order. Visa, MasterCard, and ATM cards cannot be processed through the mail. ***
TITLE FEE ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009
| Fees Original without lien or memo (non dealer) Original / dealer resale (no lien) Original with lien and memo Original with lien no memo Replacement with lien being added, no memo Replacement with existing lien, no memo Replacement without lien or memo (non dealer) Replacement / dealer resale (no lien) Duplicate (all owner types) Salvage issued to licensed watercraft dealer without lien Salvage (non dealer, non law enforcement) without lien Salvage with lien, no memo Salvage replacement (dealer) without lien Salvage replacement with lien being added, no memo Salvage replacement with existing lien Salvage duplicate (all owner types) | $15.00 $5.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $5.00 $15.00 $5.00 $15.00 $15.00 $5.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 |
The watercraft title law went into effect on January 1, 1964. This law requires boats 14 feet and longer and outboard motors of 10 horsepower or greater to be titled. Boat trailers are only titled if they weigh 4000# or more. Effective in 1973, all certificates of origin for boats must have a 12-digit serial number (hull identification number).
Effective 1/1/2000. Ohio law provides for the titling of personal watercraft (commonly called jet skis & wave runners). A title must be issued for one of these regardless of length if the motor is 10 horsepower or greater. If owned prior to 1/1/2000 a title is not required until sold, mortgaged, or disposed of.
Effective 07/04/2002, Ohio law requires all watercraft to have a 12-digit hull identification number prior to titling.
Note: Canoes and kayaks are not titled only registered.
Title Types & Fees
Original Title – $15.00*
Title issued to a new owner for the very first time and most commonly issued upon transfer of ownership.
Replacement Title – $15.00*
A replacement title is issued when the current title needs to be updated, is in electronic format, or if the title is defaced. No transfer of ownership occurs.
Duplicate Title – $15.00*
A duplicate title is issued when the current title has been lost, stolen, or destroyed. No transfer of ownership occurs.
Ohio Residents purchasing a watercraft or outboard motor:
Note: Sales tax is due at the time of titling. The sales tax is based upon your total purchase price at the tax rate of the county you reside in.
From an Ohio dealer – the dealership will provide a title to you
From another Ohio resident – bring properly assigned Ohio title with proper ID to the title office.
From an out-of-state resident – bring a properly assigned out of state title and proper ID to the title office.
From an out of state dealership – bring the manufacturer’s statement of origin (MCO) for a new vehicle or a properly assigned title for a used vehicle to the title office along with a detailed bill of sale and proper ID.
*ORC 1548.10
A power of attorney is a legal document giving specific authority to another person to act as an agent for the person giving this authority.
Limited Power of Attorney—providing a specific person with a specific duty such as at the purchase or sale of a motor vehicle. To be used for one specific transaction. The original will be kept by the title office.
General Power of Attorney—General power of attorney may also be used to transfer an Ohio title. Specifies a certain person who can sign. Clerk of Courts office will accept a certified true and exact copy of this power of attorney that is made, signed and sealed by a notary public.
When selling a vehicle or watercraft, the seller must sign and print their name as it appears on the face of the title. Both the buyer and seller’s names must be signed in front of a Notary Public or a Clerk of Courts of Common Pleas Court or their deputies.
The following needs to be completed on a title in front of the notary, Clerk of Courts or their deputies:
- Selling price
- Odometer reading
- Name and address of purchaser(s)
- The signature and printed name of all sellers
A Guidebook for Notarizing Ohio Title Documents
TRANSFERS TO AND FROM A MINOR
Any person under the age of 18 is considered a minor in the State of Ohio. In order for a minor to sell or purchase a vehicle or watercraft in Ohio, their parent or legal guardian must sign a Minor Consent Form. The parent or guardian will be asked to produce picture/signature type identification.
The minor’s date of birth will appear on the face to the title.
A married minor is considered emancipated. Proof of the marriage must be provided to avoid having a parent sign for the minor.
Ohio law (ORC1547.53) requires nearly all vessels to be registered through the Division of Watercraft. Watercraft registration agents are able to issue registrations to anyone that meets the legal requirements set forth by the Division of Watercraft.
Watercraft Agents are located throughout the state for convenience of the customer. Please click on the link to view agents that are closest to you
Ohio DNR
One of the principal responsibilities for each Clerk of Common Pleas Court in the State of Ohio is to issue certificates of titles for all motor vehicles and watercraft in cooperation with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Certificate of Titles are the primary evidence of ownership of the motor vehicle and or watercraft.
In certain circumstances a Judge the Court of Common Pleas Court may order the Clerk of Courts to issue a certificate of title for your motor vehicle and/or watercraft. These circumstances most generally refer to:
Lost or Stolen Titles (4505.12)—the certificate of title is lost or stolen and a duplicate is no longer available from the Wood County Clerk of Courts, Auto Title Office
Incomplete Sale: There is proof of a transaction (either you purchased a vehicle or it was given to you) and the previous owner has not provided to the buyer an appropriate signed over certificate of title.
Repair Garage or Place of Storage: Only when the value of the vehicle exceeds $3500.00, after the deduction of repair costs, can the court consider a request for an order. If the value of the vehicle is less than $3500.00, the owner of the repair garage or place of storage may obtain a title by completing BMV Form 4202 – Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Affidavit.
If you believe that the above remedies applies to your situation, there are certain steps that you will need to take before the Court can consider your petition for an Order directing the title office to issue a vehicle certificate of title to you. Please note that this process is only for persons that reside in Wood County. If you are a resident of another county, please refer to the Clerk of Courts Office in the county that you reside in.
Instructions for the Court Ordered Process
Forms for the Court Ordered Process
Application Form for Order of Title
BMV Inspection Request Form
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle Record Request
Order of Title
Have you ever wondered how to get a title for a boat without a title in Ohio? Look no more. We´ve got you covered.
Titles prove ownership of a vehicle or trailer. When purchasing a car, boat, or trailer, you should always make sure that the owner has a title.
If you plan to sell a car, boat, or trailer and you do not have the trailer, you can obtain a replacement to help make the sale legal and official.
In the State of Ohio, most boats will need to be titled and registered. In this article, we will dive into the title requirements and how you can obtain a title if you do not have one for your boat.
Why Would a Boat Not Have a Title?
There are several different reasons a boat may not have a title. The solution for getting a title will depend on the situation a boat is in. Some of the reasons a boat may not have a title include:
- The title was lost
- The title was destroyed
- The boat was handmade
- The boat has been stolen
- The boat did not need a title when it was first purchased, but now it does
How to Get a Title for a Boat if the Title Was Lost
A missing title is probably the most common reason a boat would not have a trailer. Titles can be lost in moves, thrown away, or simply misplaced. Luckily, replacing a missing title can be a simple process in Ohio:
1. Find the County Clerk of Courts Title Office closest to you. You can find this by going to this website and entering your zip code.
2. Fill out an application for Certificate of Title to Motor Vehicle.
- To fill out this application you will need:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your social security number
- The year of the boat
- The body type of the boat
- The HIN of the boat, if applicable
- The make of the boat
- The model of the boat
- Lien information for the boat, if applicable
- If you are the current owner of the boat and you need a replacement for a lost title, you should fill out the application for “Duplicate Certificate Title.”
3. Bring your ID (driver’s license, generally. Call your local office if you do not have a driver’s license and would like to use alternate identification) and payment to your local County Clerk of Courts Title Office. An employee there will help you replace your title.
If you do not wish to go to the office in person, you can mail in the application and corresponding fees. Remember, when mailing in the application, you will need to have it notarized.
How to Get a title for a Boat if the Title Was Destroyed
Titles are important documents, and they should be kept safe. However, accidents happen, and sometimes a title can be destroyed. This is particularly common in-house floods and fires.
To replace a destroyed title, you will follow the same steps as if the title was lost (see above).
How to Get a Title for a Boat if the Boat was Stolen
If you are the thief who stole the boat, it should go without saying that you have committed a crime and you cannot legally obtain a title for that boat.
However, the more common reason someone would be facing a missing title due to theft would be if someone stole the boat and then attempted to sell it.
Take note before you purchase a boat without a title that it is illegal to sell or buy a boat in Ohio if the boat does not have a title.
If the seller does not have a title, you can offer to help pay for the application fee to obtain a replacement title. If the seller is unwilling to obtain a title, stay away from the boat!
How to Get a Title for a Boat if the Boat was Handmade
Handmade boats generally do not have titles. The reason for this is until it is registered, there is no formal record of the boat.
Luckily, Ohio has steps to help you register a home-built boat so that you can legally take it to the water and/or sell it someday.
HIN
Obtaining a HIN is the most important part of titling a home-built boat in Ohio. HIN stands for Hull Identification Number.
It is a number that is unique to a particular boat. It is similar to the VIN used for automobiles. The HIN is 12 characters and it can be used to trace the origin and history of a boat.
You can apply for a Hull Identification Number through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Watercraft Division. You will need to contact the office to obtain a HIN for your homemade boat. The office may require an inspection before they will issue the HIN.
Once you have obtained your HIN, you can apply for a title through the County Clerk of Courts Title Office. From this point on, the process is similar to if the title was lost.
If you have any questions about specifics for the application, call the County Clerk of Courts Title Office.
Read also: Can You Trade an RV For A Boat? (Sailboat and Pontoon Boat)
How to Get a Title for a Boat that Did Not Require One
Sometimes laws change and boats that were sold without titles now require titles. In Ohio, this is the case for boats constructed before 1963. It is also the case for boats under 14 feet in length that have a motor capable of 10 or more horsepower.
If you are in this situation, you can go to the County Clerk of Courts Title Office and fill out a title application. You will need the HIN number to help prove your ownership of the boat.
How Much Does it Cost to Apply for a Title for a Boat in Ohio?
In general, it costs 15 dollars to apply for a boat title in Ohio. This applies to certificates of titles, duplicate certificates of titles, and replacement certificates of titles.
If an out-of-state inspection is needed, you will be charged an additional $6.50.
If you are seeking a salvage title, that will cost $5.00, and an inspection is required to make sure the boat is safe.
How to Transfer a Boat Title in Ohio
If you are purchasing or selling a boat by yourself, without a title agency, you will need to transfer the title from the previous owner to the new owner.
The back of the title should have a section for transfers. The seller needs to fill out this section of the title and have it notarized.
Once it is notarized, take the title to the title office to formally complete the title transfer. To make sure the process is finished, you should also take the title to a boat registration agency and ensure that the registration for the boat is placed under the new owner’s name.
If the boat does not need a title, you will simply need to work with a boat registration agent to transfer the registration to the new owner.
What is the Difference Between Titling a Boat and Registering a Boat?
The title of a boat is necessary for the legal sale and ownership of a boat. It does not, however, make it legal to pilot the boat in the water. In order to do that, you will need to register the boat with the state of Ohio. This process will need to be renewed periodically.
The title of a boat is meant to last for the lifetime of the boat. Unless it is lost, destroyed, or stolen, the title does not need to be renewed or replaced.
Registration does not last for the lifetime of the boat. It needs to be renewed to ensure the boat can legally enter the water.
How Often Do You Need to Re-Register a Boat in Ohio?
You need to renew your boat’s registration every three years in Ohio. This renewal needs to happen before March 1st, as that is the set expiration date for registration.
If you have already registered your boat within Ohio, you can complete the renewal process online.
Which Boats in Ohio Need Trailers?
Most boats in Ohio need trailers. According to Ohio state law, it is illegal to sell or buy a boat that does not have a title. This includes all boats:
- With an outboard motor capable of 10 or more horsepower
- Jet skis
- Longer than 14 feet
Boats under 14 feet in length (like many kayaks and canoes) do not need titles or to be registered. Keep in mind, though, that if you tow many on a trailer, the trailer will need to be registered.
There are some notable exceptions to these rules. A boat will not need a title if it:
- Is documented by the US Coast Guard (usually those boats are over 25 feet long)
- Is a canoe or kayak
- If it is less than 14 feet in length and has no motor powering it
- If it is the lifeboat for a larger ship
- If it is owned by a government agency
Read also: How To Get a Title For a Camper Without Title In Ohio (Updated)
References
//ohiodnr.gov/
//www.bmv.ohio.gov/titles-new.aspx