Application for vehicle and boat titles can be made in any Clerk of Courts office in the State of Ohio. Titles must be obtained within 30 days of assignment, or a late fee will be assessed.
To secure a title for new vehicles, boats, or motors purchased in Ohio, applicants must have a completed Ohio application, an assigned Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO), the odometer statement, the selling price, and all required fees.
To secure a title for used vehicles, boats, or motors purchased in Ohio, the previous owner’s properly assigned Ohio title with the selling price and mileage is needed.
It may be necessary for a copy of the security agreement to accompany all required forms if the vehicle, boat or motor is being financed.
A surviving spouse may transfer up to two motor vehicles with a combined appraised value of no more than $40,000.00 as well as a boat title and a watercraft motor title. The surviving spouse must present the death certificate, a surviving spouse affidavit form, and the original Ohio title with the application (on back of the Ohio title), that has been completed, signed, and notarized. A copy of the security agreement must be presented if the item is being financed. The surviving spouse affidavit and notarization services are available from the Clerk of Courts Auto Title Division. The surviving spouse affidavit may be downloaded from the Auto Title forms page.
Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary
A sole owner may state a beneficiary when titling their vehicle, as long as, the sole owner is able to state the name(s), addresses, social security numbers, and dates of birth of all of their beneficiaries.
Also, a sole owner can have their existing Ohio title replaced to state a beneficiary. Fee $17.00. (A beneficiary can be an individual, more than one individual, a company, or a trust.)
| Certificate of Title | $15.00 |
| Duplicate Title | $15.00 |
| Memorandum (only) | $5.00 |
| Lien Recording (on existing title) | $15.00 |
| Watercraft Certificate of Title | $15.00 |
| Outboard Motor Title | $15.00 |
| Affidavit Fee | $1.00 |
| Penalty Fee | $5.00 |
Sales or use tax is the applicant’s/purchaser’s resident county amount. Hamilton County is currently at 7.0%.
All fees are payable by:
CASH, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, VISA, PERSONAL CHECK or CERTIFIED CHECK.
NOTICE – If you are paying by credit card, a fee will be added as dictated by this schedule.
When using a credit card, the card holder must be present.