Ohio Bill of Sale
A bill of sale is not required to sell a car in Ohio, but if you decide to draft one, it should include information about the car, buyer, and seller.
Written by Michelle Ballestrasse
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
In
Ohio
, a bill of sale is not required in order to sell a vehicle. However, you may need a bill of sale for vehicles that are imported or were purchased out of state.While many states require a bill of sale as part of the vehicle purchase and registration process, Ohio does not. However, you can still request a bill of sale as part of the transaction. In this case, it’s important to know what a proper bill of sale requires.
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What is a bill of sale?
A bill of sale is simply a receipt granted when a car is privately sold—that is, not through a dealership. A proper bill of sale should contain all the necessary information about the car at the time of sale that the DMV may require when you transfer the car into your name. This includes details like the odometer reading, sale date, purchase price, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
There should also be identifying information about each party involved in the transaction. Each party should also sign the bill of sale. The bill of sale documents the agreement terms that the buyer and the seller reached when conducting a private transaction.
That is, however, the extent of the bill of sale’s role in the purchase process. Having one on hand does not automatically or legally transfer ownership of the car from the seller to the buyer. This is partly because a bill of sale can be written on anything, even scrap paper.
The document you need to transfer ownership,
the title transfer
, and all the other official paperwork involved in making the transfer official, must be acquired through your state’s DMV.Is a bill of sale required in Ohio?
Each state has its own laws about whether a bill of sale is required as part of private vehicle sales. Ohio is one of the states that does not require them. But just because it isn’t required doesn’t mean it isn’t still a good idea to have one.
Having documented proof of how much you agreed to pay for the car can affect how much you pay in sales tax. It can also help protect you from things like seller’s remorse or any disputes over ownership.
A bill of sale is a proof of transaction that contains key details of the sale that you may need during and even after the transfer process.
What is required in an Ohio bill of sale?
Because Ohio does not require a bill of sale in private vehicle transactions, except for out-of-state purchases and imports, they do not have any pre-existing templates or forms on their BMV site. This means you’ll have to draft your own, although there are free templates available online to make the process easier.
The following information should be included on a bill of sale:
- Purchase price
- The buyer and seller's:
- Names and signaturesContact information
- Information about the vehicle, including:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)License plate numberYearMakeModelOdometer reading
- Date of transaction
If the car is a gift to a family member, in lieu of purchase price, put in the value of the car at the time of transfer. This can be
estimated online
. Be sure to document that the car is being given as a gift because this can affect sales tax.RECOMMENDED
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What should I do after I get a bill of sale?
Remember that holding a bill of sale does not make you the legal owner of the car. The seller must first complete the assignment of ownership section on the back of their original title and then take it to the BMV.
You’ll have thirty days after the purchase date to transfer ownership of the car into your name or you’ll incur additional fees. Before you get started, make a copy of the bill of sale to keep for your records. Even though it isn’t required for the sale, it is still proof of the terms agreed. This can help save you from any potential legal headaches down the line.
Bring the original title, filled out as outlined above, the bill of sale (if you’ve drafted one), a completed Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (form BMV 3774), and the appropriate identification documents down to your BMV to begin the process.
The process may require additional documentation if the car was purchased out of state or imported. Remember, a bill of sale is required in these cases. Be sure to check the Ohio BMV website for a complete list of what documentation you may need.
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