Obtaining a New Title

Ohio law requires owners of manufactured homes to obtain a Certificate of Title. (Manufactured home titles are transferred in the same manner as motor vehicle titles.) Dealers are required to process the title of a new manufactured home.

Obtaining a Used Title

All titles for a previously-owned manufactured home must have tax approval stamps from the County Treasurer's Office and the County Auditor's Office before a transfer of ownership can occur. The following information will aid in the process of obtaining title to a used manufactured home:

Step 1

Assignment of Title: The seller must complete the back of the original Ohio Certificate of Title, assigning it to the purchaser. The Certificate of Title must be signed and notarized in the presence of a notary public or a deputy clerk.

Step 2

Payment of Property Tax: Manufactured home taxes for the current year, and any back taxes, must be paid in full at the Treasurer. https://www.ashtabulacounty.us/treasurer When the taxes are paid, a deputy treasurer will affix the required stamp to the title.

Step 3

Payment of Conveyance Fee: You must pay the conveyance fee at the Auditor’s Office https://auditor.ashtabulacounty.us A deputy auditor will affix the required second stamp to the front of the title when the fee is paid.

Step 4

The owner must bring the properly-assigned title with the property and conveyance stamps affixed to the title office to obtain a new title. A fee will apply.

If the cost of repairing a damaged vehicle is greater than its value, the vehicle is considered to be "totaled," and the owner's insurance company may require the issuance of a Salvage Title. To obtain a Salvage Title, the vehicle owner must take proper identification and the vehicle's original title to any Clerk of Courts' Title Office.

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles Deputy Registrar will not issue license plates for a vehicle with a Salvage Title. In order to get license plates, the owner will need to convert the Salvage Title to a Rebuilt Salvage Title, requiring the purchase of an inspection application from the Deputy Registrar.

Rebuilt Salvage Process:

Before a salvage title can be converted to a rebuilt salvage title, an inspection of the vehicle must be completed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Step 1

Purchase an Inspection Application from a deputy registrar.

Step 2

Schedule a vehicle inspection appointment with the Ohio State Highway Patrol Inspection Station.

Step 3

Present all required documentation for salvage inspections:

• Ohio Salvage Title in the name of the person applying for the title. ("Assigned titles" cannot be accepted.)
• Original receipts for all replaced "major" components and parts. (The inspection office may require receipts or documentation for any part in question.) When "kits" are used, the manufacturer's certificate of origin must be presented.

Step 4

Take the State Highway Patrol Inspection and the Salvage Title to any Clerk of Courts title office to obtain a Rebuilt Salvage Title.

Before a self-assembled vehicle can be titled in Ohio, an inspection of the vehicle must be completed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Step 1

Purchase an Inspection Application from a deputy registrar.

Step 2

Schedule a vehicle inspection appointment with the Ohio State Highway Patrol Inspection Station.

Step 3

Present all required documentation for inspections:

• Title or proof of ownership.
• All original receipts for all replaced "major" component or parts. (The inspection office may require receipts or documentation for any part in question.) When "kits" are used, the manufacturer's certificate of origin must be presented.
• The vehicle owner must take the Inspection Certificate and all receipts to any Clerk of Courts title office to obtain a new title. The year the vehicle was inspected becomes the year of the vehicle on the title. The title also identifies the vehicle as self-assembled.

Watercraft Title

Watercraft 14 feet and longer in length and watercraft less than 14 feet long that have a permanently affixed mechanical means of propulsion with 10 horsepower or more must be titled. Canoes and kayaks do not require a Certificate of Title. The Federal Boating Act requires all boats to have a Hull Identification Number or serial number that is 12 characters long.

Outboard Motor Title

Outboard motors 10 horsepower or greater require a Certificate of Title.

Jet Skis Title

Jet skis and similar watercraft purchased after January, 2000 require a Certificate of Title.

Jet skis and similar watercraft owned prior to January, 2000 do not require a Certificate of Title. However, owners are required to obtain a Certificate of Title if they wish to sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of their watercraft. To obtain a Certificate of Title, owners must present a manufacturer's statement of origin, a sworn statement of ownership, or a notarized bill of sale to any Clerk of Courts titling office.

Registration

When registering a boat for the first time you must provide proof of ownership. Proof of ownership may include:

• Certificate of Title
• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
• Registration assigned to the buyer.

Please contact us to determine what may qualify as proof of ownership.

Boat registrations in Ohio are valid for up to three years. Watercraft registrations expire March 1st of the expiration year. The cost of your registration depends on the length of your boat, how it is propelled, and which type of registration you are purchasing.

Watercraft Registration is Available

Hours of Operation are:
Pymatuning State Park – ODNR
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.440-261-4551
Geneva State Park – Watercraft Office
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.440-466-4551 x 3
Ashtabula.watercraft@dnr.state.oh.us

Buying a Vehicle from a Dealer

An Ohio Motor Vehicle dealer is required to provide a new title within thirty days of the purchase of a new vehicle. The dealer must have the owner's name exactly as it should appear on the title.

Buying a Vehicle from an Individual

When buying a vehicle from an individual, the purchaser is responsible for the transfer of title. The application on the reverse side of a title must be completed before a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk. All signatures must be notarized.

Assignment of Ownership

Once a sale has been made, the seller must complete the "Assignment of Ownership" section of the original Ohio Certificate of Title. The seller must fill in the proper name and address of the buyer, as well as the vehicle's sale date, selling price and odometer reading when applicable. The seller must sign his or her name exactly as it appears on the original title. If there is more than one seller, all sellers must sign the title. Any erasures or alterations void the title assignment. The full completion of this section must be witnessed by a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk, who will affix his or her signature and seal which will officially complete the seller's part of the title transfer process. Note that all of the aforementioned steps must be completed before a Certificate of Title will be issued.

Application for Certificate of Title

Once the seller completes the "Assignment of Ownership" section of the title, the buyer must complete the "Application for Certificate of Title" section. This is a sworn statement that must be fully completed and witnessed by a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk. The buyer can opt to bring the assigned title to any Clerk of Courts title office to complete this section and obtain a new title at the same time. If there is more than one buyer, all buyers must sign the title. The buyer is required to show a photo ID.

Federal Odometer Statement

State and federal laws require the buyer to complete an odometer statement for most vehicle transactions. The odometer statement is located on the back of Ohio Certificates of Title. Vehicles weighing 16,000 pounds or more are exempt and do not require a Federal Odometer Statement.

Late Filing Fee

There is a late filing fee of $5.00 if the new title is issued later than 30 days from the date of notarization of the assignment of title.

Lien Filing and Cancellation

If the debtor uses a vehicle as collateral for a loan, the lender must file an application for title in the Clerk of Courts office and the lien will be recorded on the new title issued to the lender. The vehicle owner must have a memorandum title for registration purposes.

Upon satisfaction of the lien, the debtor should receive the original Certificate of Title from the lender. The title should contain the lender's printed name, signature and the date that the lien was satisfied. There will be a cancellation stamp on the returned title if the lien has been officially cancelled by the Clerk of Courts. If there is no stamp, the debtor must bring the title to any Clerk of Courts title office to have the lien officially cancelled. A lien cancellation may or may not have been filed electronically.

If the lien is being cancelled on a non-printed title, the lender can provide written, faxed or electronic confirmation to the Clerk of the satisfaction of lien.

Memorandum Certificate of Title

When a vehicle has a lien, the vehicle owner will receive a memorandum Certificate of Title as proof of ownership DO NOT DESTROY THIS DOCUMENT. This is a copy of the original title that is used to obtain the registration and first set of license plates (transfer of ownership cannot be performed with the memorandum copy).

Power of Attorney

An individual may sign for, or act on behalf of, another individual with a notarized Power of Attorney. (ADD ASH COUNTY POA LINK) The Power of Attorney is attached to the application for Certificate of Title and becomes part of the permanent file. (The BMV requires that the Power of Attorney be specific for motor vehicles).

Repossession Title

In the event of default, the lienholder can obtain a repossession title by completing the Application for Certificate of Title, found on the back of the original title, in the presence of a notary public or deputy clerk. The lienholder must submit the title, Buyers Affidavit, and a copy of the security agreement to any Clerk of Courts title office and a new title will be issued in the lienholder's name.

Sales Tax

If the vehicle is factory new and has never been titled, the sales tax is based upon the purchase price of the vehicle or the difference between the purchase price and the trade-in amount. Used vehicle sales tax is based solely upon the vehicle's purchase price. If the buyer purchases an out-of-state vehicle for use in Ohio, the buyer may receive a written tax credit to the other state for any tax paid, if the law provides and proof of payment is supplied.

Multiple Names on a Title

When a title is going to, or coming out of, more than one name, all parties must sign in the presence of a notary public or deputy clerk. The title will reflect the conjunction "and." No Ohio title will be issued with the conjunction "or."

To change a title from multiple owners to one owner, both parties must complete the assignment of ownership in the presence of a notary public or deputy clerk. After a new title is issued to a single owner, the vehicle will require new plates and registration.

Converting to an Ohio Title

To convert another state's title when relocating to Ohio, a vehicle owner must obtain an out-of-state Motor Vehicle Inspection and present the original Certificate of Title to any Clerk of Courts title office. All parties appearing as the vehicle owner(s) on the title must appear at the title office unless they are represented by an authorized power of attorney. If title is held by a lienholder, instructions and forms are available at any title by mail.

Purchasing a Vehicle from Out-of-State

Every state has different processes and requirements for titling a vehicle, so when purchasing a vehicle from out-of-state, please contact the title division for information as to the required documentation.

Out-of-State Motor Vehicle Inspection

When purchasing a vehicle or converting a title that is from another state, an out-of-state Motor Vehicle Inspection is required, and can be obtained from most new car dealers or any Deputy Registrar. This inspection verifies the vehicle's identification number, description, and mileage. Only used vehicles require out-of-state inspections. New vehicles that have never been titled are exempt. Take the completed inspection form along with the required paperwork to any Clerk of Courts title office. There are fees associated with this inspection.

Recreational Vehicles

Titles for recreational vehicles, such as travel trailers, motor homes and fold-down campers, are transferred in the same manner as motor vehicle titles.

Death of a Vehicle Owner

Please contact our office (440) 576-3821 for more information.

Vehicle Body Type Changes

If the body of a vehicle is altered, such that the character of the vehicle has been changed, the owner must bring the current title to any Clerk of Courts title office to obtain a new title. The owner will complete and sign a Body-Change Affidavit. An example of a body change is the conversion of a truck or van into a motor home, or the conversion of a passenger van to a bus.

Change of Name or Address

Regardless of whether a vehicle owner's name or address changes, the name or address on the Certificate of Title cannot be changed. New titles are only issued upon transfer of ownership.

Scrapped Vehicles

When a vehicle is dismantled or junked and is not intended to be used again, the owner must surrender the Certificate of Title to any Clerk of Courts title office for cancellation. When a vehicle is sold for scrap, the title must be assigned to the scrap yard. The title must contain the notarized signature of the transferring owner.

Lost or Stolen Titles

If a vehicle's original Certificate of Title has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, the owner or lienholder may obtain a duplicate title. If the original title is recovered after the issuance of the duplicate title, the original title is no longer valid and must be destroyed.