Private Party Car Sale in Ohio — State Requirements
Selling your car to a private buyer in Ohio? Plates stay with the seller. Smog certificate is not required. Buyer has 30 days to transfer the title.
Required Documents for Ohio Private Car Sale
Ohio's BMV 3774 notarization requirement is unique — most states do not require a notarized title application. Buyers should plan to visit a notary before going to the county BMV title office. Many title offices have notaries on staff.
License Plates in Ohio Private Sales
Ohio license plates stay with the SELLER. Remove your plates before transferring the vehicle. Ohio sellers can transfer plates to another vehicle they own, or return plates to the county BMV. Buyers must obtain new Ohio plates and registration.
Sales Tax on Private Car Sales in Ohio
Ohio does not levy a separate vehicle sales tax on private-party sales in the traditional sense. Instead, the county BMV collects a title fee and registration fee. Buyers pay the county auto use tax (typically 5.75–8% depending on county) when titling.
Ohio use tax applies to private vehicle purchases and is collected at the county BMV when the title is transferred. The rate varies by county (average ~7%). Documentation of the purchase price helps ensure accurate tax calculation.
Seller Liability After Sale in Ohio
Once the title is signed and transferred to the buyer, the seller's liability for the vehicle ends. Ohio plates remain with the seller, so there is no ongoing toll or registration liability after the sale.
Keep a copy of the signed title as proof the vehicle was sold on a specific date. If the buyer delays transfer, a written bill of sale with date protects the seller from citations or registration-related issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio's notarized BMV 3774 requirement is distinctive — buyers must notarize their title application before the county BMV will process it. Ohio also has no mandatory seller notification system, which is simpler than CA or FL but provides less post-sale seller protection.