Car owners generally fill out an Ohio DMV bill of sale when they sell or purchase a motor vehicle for purposes of legalizing the transaction. Because a car bill of sale form contains valuable information about the parties involved in the sale agreement and the vehicle sold, it can prove useful for several purposes.

This signed credential may also be necessary when completing several unique vehicle transactions through the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). In such cases, a completed vehicle bill of sale template will be required of the car owner along with any supporting documentation. To learn more about the OH bill of sale document, where to obtain one and what information must be included within, read the following sections.

When is a bill of sale necessary in Ohio?

A vehicle bill of sale is not typically a requirement of the BMV for standard car title or vehicle registration procedures. However, an OH bill of sale PDF or printout may be necessary for a number of vehicle-related processes.

For example, you will generally need this credential during the procedure of titling vehicles imported from other countries or from states that do not issue titles. Moreover, the original BMV bill of sale and car title will be required as sufficient proof of ownership to successfully title a vehicle imported from Canada.

An Ohio bill of sale receipt is also necessary in the titling process of certain special types of vehicles. For example, when applying for a vehicle title for a mini-truck or a utility or under-speed vehicle, customers will be required to furnish proof of ownership, in addition to the standard title application.

A vehicle bill of sale, a certificate of origin or an assigned title can serve as a proof of ownership in such instances. Submitting a bill of sale form may also be a requirement when titling and registering salvage and self-assembled vehicles, since applicants will need to provide information about the source of the parts used in the construction of this special vehicle type.

Who needs an Ohio bill of sale?

Keeping an Ohio bill of sale copy after finalizing a vehicle sale transaction can prove useful to both the buyer and the seller in a variety of situations. For instance, a fully completed auto bill of sale document that bears the legal signature of the seller can be used to prove the transaction occurred and provide details about the involved parties and the sale price.

Therefore, purchasers can present this credential if they need to resolve certain legal disagreements regarding the vehicle ownership after the process of buying a car. Moreover, this document can also prove useful when calculating the sales tax one needs to pay.

The car sales receipt, which includes the sale price of the vehicle, affects the sales tax for the vehicle. On the other hand, a vehicle bill of sale can also protect sellers, as they can use it as an additional proof that they are no longer liable for the vehicle in question.

By keeping receipt of this credential, sellers will also retain access to the information regarding the sold vehicle. Due to the usefulness of an OH bill of sale agreement, both sellers and buyers are encouraged to keep a copy should they require it in the future.

Note: For good measure, obtain a vehicle history report to verify the accuracy of the vehicle information before signing a bill of sale.

How to Complete a Bill of Sale Form in Ohio

In order to correctly complete a car bill of sale template in Ohio, the parties involved in the vehicle sale will be required to provide several types of personal data, as well as information regarding the vehicle in question. Regardless of whether you are filling out this document as the buyer or the seller, ensure that the form includes the following general information:

  • The name and address of the buyer and seller.
  • The date of sale and the final sale price.
  • Detailed information about the vehicle, including:
    • The vehicle identification number.
    • The vehicle year, make, model, color and body type.
    • An odometer disclosure statement (if required).
  • The signatures of the buyer and the seller and the date of signature.

Note: The BMV may require you to notarize the bill of sale agreement if you are using it for official purposes.

After completing the OH vehicle bill of sale and retaining a copy for your records, inquire with the bureau whether or not you will be required to submit it in order to finalize an official vehicle-related transaction. If you need a bill of sale document to title a special vehicle type, for example, you will be required to submit it in person through a nearby BMV title office along with the remaining paperwork needed to finalize the titling procedure.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.