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Ohio Vehicle Registration

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OH Vehicle Registration Summary

On our Ohio Vehicle Registration page, you’ll find information about how to register a vehicle with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), car registration for new Ohio residents, OH registration renewal, duplicate registration, replacements & changes OH auto insurance requirements, and OH military member registration.

Registering a Vehicle in Ohio

You must register your vehicle through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Below is a quick summary of items to bring when visiting your local Ohio BMV office.

What to bring to the OH BMV:

  • Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, ID, or passport).
  • Proof of Ohio car insurance.
  • Required emissions inspection documents, if applicable.
  • Proof of vehicle ownership (vehicle title).
  • Acceptable form of payment for OH car registration fees and taxes.

Continue reading for more specific details about how to register a vehicle in Ohio.

DMVGO eTags and Title Services in Ohio

Registering Vehicles Purchased from a OH Dealer

When you purchase either a new or used vehicle from a licensed Ohio car dealer, they may submit the necessary documents to the OH BMV on your behalf. However, this is not a requirement.

The dealer has 30 days from the date of purchase to provide you with the title. Once you have possession of the title you can complete your registration.

To register your vehicle, visit your local deputy registrar’s office and be ready with the following:

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

In Ohio, registering a vehicle purchased from a private party is similar to the registration process after buying a new car from a dealership.

You must register and transfer the title of your vehicle within 30 days from the date of purchase.

To register your vehicle, visit your local Ohio deputy registrar’s office and present:

  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Form BMV 3774).
    • This form requires both buyer and seller to fill in the following information in the presence of a notary public:
    • Purchase price
    • Date of sale
    • Buyer’s information
    • Current odometer reading
    • The original title, signed by both the buyer and the seller.
    • Proof of identification.
    • Proof of car insurance, if required.
      • You must have car insurance in Ohio. However, the OH BMV doesn’t always require
        you to show proof of insurance when registering your vehicle. The BMV randomly
        selects individuals to show proof.

OH Vehicle Registration for New Residents

New to Ohio?

Ohio law requires you to apply for an Ohio title and vehicle registration within 30 days of establishing residency.

As a new resident, you must take certain steps before you can register your vehicle. The Ohio BMV requires you to:

OH Registration for Military Drivers

Ohio military residents who are currently in state can register their vehicles as normal.

Visit the section above Registering a Vehicle in Ohio to learn more.

Registration for OH Residents Stationed Outside Ohio

To register your vehicle by mail as an Ohio resident stationed outside of the state, gather all of the following:

Mail payment and all required documents to:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Information Servicest
Registration Support Services
PO Box 16521
Columbus, OH 43216

Registration for Non-Residents

The OH BMV does not require non-resident military service members stationed in Ohio to register their vehicles in state.

Ohio military personnel must maintain current registration and car insurance from their home state during deployment. If a military service member becomes a resident of Ohio, they’ll need to apply for OH car registration. Read Vehicle Registration for New Residents to learn more.

Renewing Your Registration in Ohio

In Ohio, you can renew your vehicle registration online, in person, or by mail.

  • The Ohio BMV typically mails your renewal notice 45 days prior to the expiration.
  • You can renew a plate up to 90 days prior to expiration.
  • Your registration expires on your birthday and you must renew before that date and based on
    your variable renewal cycle. This period is between 1 year and 5 years.

Notably, you qualify for 5-year registrations, if you reside outside the 7 counties that require vehicle inspections.

The Ohio DMV will mail your renewal notice and detail your registration due date.

Online Registration Renewals in OH

To renew your OH vehicle registration online, visit the OH BMV’s Oplates.com renewal portal Eligibility Requirements for Online Renewal :

Please verify your eligibility for the online renewal portal below (all must apply):

  • You own the vehicle.
  • You have valid OH car insurance.
  • Your most recent vehicle registration was with OH BMV.
  • Your registration expires in less than 90 days.
  • Your registration is no more than 6 months expired.
  • Your information is correct on your renewal notice.
  • Your vehicle has a current vehicle emissions inspection, if applicable.
  • You completed all necessary additional requirements for your registration (i.e., receipt
    for tickets paid).

To proceed with your online registration renewal, visit Oplates.com and with the following information:

  • Your license plate number
  • The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
  • Your OH driver’s license number
  • A credit card for OH registration renewal fees
  • NOTE: If you renew more than 30 days after your OH tags expire, the DMV will charge a $10 late fee.

    OH Registration Renewals by Mail

    To renew your OH vehicle registration by mail, all of the information on your renewal notice must be current.

    Gather the following and mail everything to the address on your renewal notice:

    NOTE: Ohio will provide your registration and decals 4 weeks after you mail your documents.

    Registration Renewals In Person

    To renew your OH registration in person, you can visit your local OH deputy registrars facility and bring:

Replace a Lost or Damaged Registration

If your OH registration cards or tabs are lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for a replacement online, by mail or in person at your local Ohio registrar’s office.

Online Replacements

To replace your OH registration card online, the Ohio BMV must have your current information. Visit the BMV’s Oplates.com online services portal and provide the following:

  • Your license plate number
  • Your social security number
  • Your date of birth
  • A credit card for the $6 duplicate registration card/decals fee.
  • The Ohio BMV will mail your duplicate cards and decals to the address on file.
Replace Registration By Mail or In Person

To replace your OH registration card or decals in person, you’ll need to visit your local OH registrar’s office and present the following:

To replace your registration/decals by mail, send all of the above to:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 16521
Columbus, OH 43216
NOTE: You should expect to receive your replacements in about 4 weeks if you request them by mail.

Changes to Your OH Car Registration

Name Changes on OH Registration

Before you can make changes to your Ohio registration documents, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Once you complete your name change with SSA, you can make changes to your name with the Ohio BMV.

To change a name on your vehicle registration in person at the OH BMV, be ready to provide:

  • Your Ohio certificate of vehicle title.
  • Legal documents supporting your name change such as a:
    • Marriage license if the name change is due to marriage.
    • Divorce decree.
    • A court-ordered name change document.
    • Payment for the $6 duplicate registration fee.

NOTE : You cannot change the name on your Ohio vehicle title unless you are transferring ownership.

Address Changes on OH Vehicle Registration

You may change your address with the OH BMV online, by mail, or in person.

Be sure to change your address within 10 days of moving.

Online Address Change in Ohio

To change your address online, please visit the OH BMV’s website online services portal.

Please have your Ohio license or ID ready and follow the prompts to update your address. Once complete, OH BMV’s system will update your new address.

Address Changes By Mail

To change your address by mail with the OH BMV, please complete a Request for Change of Address form (Form BMV 5756) and mail it to:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Deputy Registrar Services
Columbus,OH 43216

Address Changes in Person

To change your address in person, please visit any OH county registrar’s office and provide:

Vehicle Registration Fees in OH

Ohio Vehicle Registration Fees

Ohio vehicle registration fees do not include the Deputy Registrar fee or permissive (local) taxes which vary based on your taxing district. Permissive tax cannot exceed $30 per vehicle. Current Ohio BMV vehicle registration fees :

  • Passenger and non-commercial vehicles: $31
  • Motorcycles: $25
  • Motorhomes: $46
  • Light non commercial trucks: $46
  • Plate/registration transfer fee: $6
  • Original title certificate fee: $15
  • Duplicate/corrected title fee: $15
  • Replacement registration ID card fee: $6
  • Replacement plate fee: $12

For a complete list of vehicle registration fees, you may visit the OH BMV website.

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Last Verified:
Dec 12, 2022