Ohio vs Washington: RV Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: Ohio vs Washington RV sale
| Feature | Ohio | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Official bill of sale form | BMV 3774 — Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle | Generic bill of sale accepted |
| Sales / use tax rate | 5.75% sales/use tax · Ohio procedure | 6.5% sales/use tax · Washington procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $15 | $12 |
| Title transfer deadline | 30 days from sale | 15 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | BMV 3774 | TD-420-069 or Title (lien section) |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for RVs newer than 2011 | Required for RVs newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Not required | Required (out-of-state vehicles) |
| Titling agency | Ohio BMV | Washington DOL |
When to choose Ohio vs Washington
Ohio charges 5.75% vs 6.5% in Washington, a 0.75-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. Ohio requires title transfer within 30 days; Washington allows 15. Tight 15-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. Ohio publishes BMV 3774 as the official bill of sale form; Washington accepts a generic bill of sale that includes the federally-required odometer disclosure. For a RV sale comparison, the buyer-side cost stack is dominated by sales/use tax, title fee, and any inspection or notary trip. Sellers should match the bill of sale format to the buyer's titling state because the buyer files the title transfer, not the seller.
Cross-state transfer: Ohio to Washington
If the RV moves from Ohio to Washington after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Washington — not Ohio. The seller's bill of sale should still match Ohio sale-side conventions (because the sale happened there), but the buyer takes that bill of sale plus the endorsed Ohio title to Washington DOL within 15 days of arrival. Washington will assess 6.5% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. Washington requires a VIN inspection for vehicles arriving from out of state — WA requires a VIN inspection by a DOL inspector, law enforcement, or licensed vehicle dealer for out-of-state titles with no VIN visible on the vehicle. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; RVs newer than 2011 need a written odometer reading on the bill of sale or title. If a lien existed on the Ohio title, the Ohio lienholder must release it (BMV 3774) before Washington DOL will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific RV bill of sale
Pick the buyer's titling state — the form ships pre-filled with the right odometer block, signature lines, and state-specific fields.
Frequently asked questions — Ohio vs Washington
Is the RV bill of sale form different in Ohio vs Washington?▾
Ohio publishes BMV 3774 as its official bill of sale form. Washington does not require a specific form — a typed or generated bill of sale that includes buyer, seller, RV details, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures is accepted.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party RV sale, Ohio or Washington?▾
Ohio (5.75%) has the lower published state rate vs Washington (6.5%). Local county and city rates can shift this — check the buyer's home county before the sale.
What is the title transfer deadline for a RV in Ohio vs Washington?▾
Ohio requires the buyer to title the RV within 30 days of sale. Washington allows 15 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the RV bill of sale in Ohio or Washington?▾
Neither Ohio nor Washington requires notarization of the RV bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a RV in Ohio and the buyer registers it in Washington, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the RV in Washington — Washington's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect Ohio sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Washington DOL will assess 6.5% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.