An Ohio motor vehicle bill of sale is a document that records the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle from one party to another. This document serves as proof of the transaction when interacting with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
For sellers, it provides a clear record of the sale, which is useful for tax purposes and liability protection. For buyers, it demonstrates proof of ownership. This is essential for registering the vehicle with the Ohio BMV (known as the DMV in other states) and for the title transfer process.
Common types of an Ohio vehicle bill of sale
There are different types of Ohio vehicle bills of sale, depending on the nature of the vehicle transaction. Some common types include:
Private sale bill of sale
Used for transactions between private individuals for personal property, including watercraft.
Dealer sale bill of sale
Used when purchasing a vehicle from a licensed dealer. After the transaction, the new owner may have to report the odometer reading and register their vehicle with the Ohio BMV.
As-is bill of sale
This states that the motor vehicle is sold without any warranty, and the buyer assumes all responsibility for the vehicle's condition after the sale.
There’s no requirement to complete a vehicle bill of sale form when purchasing a vehicle from within the state of Ohio. However, you might need one to officially record the transfer of ownership if you’re purchasing a vehicle from out of state.
Frequently asked questions
While you can create your own bill of sale, we recommend you use a fillable bill of sale template. This will ensure you include all the necessary details for a valid document.
No, a bill of sale and a title transfer are separate legal documents. The bill of sale documents the transaction, while the vehicle title transfer is the legal process of transferring the certificate of title from the seller to the buyer. Both are necessary when selling or buying a vehicle.
An Ohio vehicle bill of sale should include several key details related to the transaction, such as the following information:
- The buyer’s name, seller’s name, their addresses, and driver’s license numbers
- The vehicle information, including its license plate, model year, and body type
- The sales price/purchase price
- The date of sale
- The vehicle identification number (VIN)
- An odometer reading (odometer mileage statement) and odometer disclosure statement
- An emission vehicle inspection report
No. In Ohio, there’s no legal requirement to have a notary public notarize your vehicle bill of sale.
Yes, you can use a bill of sale form for various types of vehicles, including boats (using a boat bill of sale), motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles.
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