Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Ohio? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Ohio transfers ownership through the notarized title assignment at the County Clerk of Courts title office, but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Ohio requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Ohio?
It's commonly expected. Ownership transfers through the notarized title assignment at the County Clerk of Courts title office, and many county title offices ask for a bill of sale to verify the sale price. Either way, it's strongly recommended — it proves the price and sale date and shows you're no longer liable for the vehicle.
Does it need to be notarized?
The bill of sale itself does not need to be notarized. Ohio does, however, require the seller's signature on the title assignment to be notarized, so plan to sign the title in front of a notary before the buyer files.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a new title at the County Clerk of Courts title office within 30 days of the sale. Applying after 30 days adds a $5 late penalty.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Ohio charges 5.75% state sales tax plus a county tax (roughly 6.5% to 8% combined), paid by the buyer at the Clerk of Courts title office. It's based on the vehicle's purchase price, so an accurate price on your bill of sale matters.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Ohio county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files for a new title at the County Clerk of Courts within 30 days.
Ready to create your Ohio bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Ohio bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Ohiobuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than your county Clerk of Courts title office. Confirm the details with your county Clerk of Courts title office.
Ohio bill of sale FAQ
Does an Ohio motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Ohio does not require the bill of sale itself to be notarized. The legal transfer happens through the title assignment at the County Clerk of Courts — and the seller's signature on that title does require notarization, while notarizing the bill of sale is optional.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Ohio?
Ownership transfers through the notarized title assignment, but many county title offices expect a bill of sale to confirm the sale price, so it's strongly recommended. It proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle after the sale.
Where do I transfer the title in Ohio?
At your county Clerk of Courts title office — the Ohio BMV does not issue titles. The buyer brings the properly assigned, notarized title, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Ohio?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to apply for a new title at the County Clerk of Courts. After 30 days, Ohio charges a $5 late penalty, so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Ohio?
Ohio charges 5.75% state sales tax plus a county tax, for a combined rate of roughly 6.5% to 8% depending on the buyer's county. The buyer pays it at the Clerk of Courts when titling, which is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Ohio?
Yes — Ohio doesn't mandate a specific bill of sale form, so a handwritten one is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the title office.
Is this Ohio bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.