How to Write a Vehicle Bill of Sale in Ohio
Step-by-step guide to writing a valid Ohio vehicle bill of sale — required fields, notarization rules, and official forms.
Required Fields in a Ohio Bill of Sale
- •Seller full legal name and address
- •Buyer full legal name and address
- •Vehicle year, make, model
- •VIN
- •Odometer reading
- •Sale price in dollars
- •Date of sale
- •Seller signature
- •Buyer signature
Notarization: Not Required
Ohio does not require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. The title itself is the primary transfer document — signed over on the back.
Witness: Not Required
Ohio does not require witnesses for a private vehicle bill of sale.
6-Step Guide: Writing a Ohio Bill of Sale
- 1Gather Vehicle InformationWrite down the vehicle year, make, model, VIN (found on the dashboard or door jamb), current odometer reading, and agreed sale price.
- 2Add Parties' InformationRecord the seller's full legal name and address, and the buyer's full legal name and address. Use names exactly as they appear on government-issued ID.
- 3Write the Sale TermsState the agreed sale price in full (e.g., "Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000)"). Include an As Is clause if selling without warranty: "Vehicle sold as-is with no expressed or implied warranty."
- 4Include Required DisclosuresIn Ohio, include an odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old. Note any known defects in writing.
- 5Sign and DateBoth buyer and seller sign and date the document. Ohio does not require notarization for a private vehicle bill of sale.
- 6Make Copies for Both PartiesEach party should retain a signed original or a signed copy. The seller should keep a copy for at least 3 years.
Ohio BMV
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov ↗Ohio Note
Ohio sales tax is collected at the county title office when the buyer completes the title transfer. Ohio's caveat emptor law means the bill of sale's As Is clause provides critical protection to the seller — include it on every Ohio vehicle sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fields are required on a Ohio vehicle bill of sale?
Seller full legal name and address, Buyer full legal name and address, Vehicle year, make, model, VIN, Odometer reading, Sale price in dollars, Date of sale, Seller signature, Buyer signature.
Does a Ohio bill of sale need to be notarized?
Ohio does not require notarization of a private vehicle bill of sale. The title itself is the primary transfer document — signed over on the back.
Does Ohio require a specific bill of sale form?
Ohio does not have a mandatory standardized bill of sale form for private vehicle transactions. A written bill of sale with all required fields is legally sufficient and recommended.
Do I need witnesses on a Ohio bill of sale?
Ohio does not require witnesses for a private vehicle bill of sale.
What is an As Is clause and should I include it in Ohio?
An As Is clause states the vehicle is sold without any expressed or implied warranty. In Ohio, an As Is clause protects the seller from post-sale claims about vehicle condition. Always include it for private party sales and list any known defects separately.
How many copies of the bill of sale should I make in Ohio?
Make at least two signed copies — one for the seller and one for the buyer. Some Ohio DMV offices request a copy during the title transfer process. The seller should retain a copy for at least 3 years as a record of the transaction.
Skip the Writing — Generate It in 60 Seconds
Use our free Ohio bill of sale generator. All required fields pre-filled, As Is clause included, ready to print and sign.
Generate Ohio Bill of Sale