Ohio Vehicle 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.

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:

• Your notarized Certificate of Title or Memorandum Certificate of Title.
• Proof of identity (e.g., Ohio driver’s license, ID or proof of Social Security number).
• A completed Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 5736), if you lease your vehicle.
• Your E-Check certificate, (if applicable).
• Payment for all applicable OH car registration, fees, and taxes.

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.
  • Your E-Check certificate, (if applicable).
  • Appropriate payment for OH car registration and title fees.

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:

• Have a valid Ohio driver’s license.
• Complete a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection.
  • Ohio requires inspections to verify vehicle ownership.
  • You can complete your inspections at Ohio Deputy Registrar license agencies and many car dealerships.
• Get a vehicle emissions test done, if you live in an E-Check county.
• Complete an Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (Form BMV 3774).
  • You must complete the application at your local county clerks title office.

Once you complete these steps, you may then register your vehicle.

Visit your local Ohio deputy registrar’s office and present your:

• Ohio certificate of title.
• Ohio driver license, state ID, or Social Security number (SSN).
• Lease agreement and power of attorney documents (if applicable).
  • If your vehicle has two owners and one cannot be present, you must bring a Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 5736) with you.
• E-Check certificate, (if applicable).
• Proof of vehicle insurance.
• Proof of financial responsibility statement.
• Payment for OH car registration, fees, and taxes.

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:

• A completed Application for Out-of-State Registration by Mail (Form BMV 4625).
• A properly assigned original vehicle title.
• A completed Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 5736), If you lease your vehicle.
• Proof of car insurance if required.
• Proof of VIN inspection.
• Proof of emissions inspection if you reside in a county that requires one.
• Payment for your OH car registration and fees.

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:

• Your OH registration renewal notice, signed and dated.
• A completed Application for Out-of-State Registration by Mail (Form BMV 4625) if you are not currently in Ohio.
• A completed Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 5736), if you lease your vehicle.
• Your E-Check certificate, (if applicable).
• Proof of insurance, if required.
• Payment for your registration renewal fees (make your check payable to the Ohio State
  Treasurer).

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:

• Your OH registration renewal notice.
• A completed Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 5736), if you lease your vehicle.
• Your vehicle title if you make any changes to your registration.
• Your E-Check certificate, (if applicable).
• Proof of insurance, if required.
• Appropriate payment for your registration renewal fees.