Ohio Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
Ohio is a notary state: the seller’s assignment of ownership — on the paper title, or on form BMV 3770 when the title is electronic — is signed in front of a notary, with an odometer certification and the true selling price. A bill of sale records the rest of the deal. Generate one with Ohio pre-selected, then follow the steps below, cited to the BMV form.
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- Word & PDF
- Ohio pre-selected
How it works
- 01 Ohio is already selected
The governing-law clause names the state; change it only if the sale happens elsewhere.
- 02 Enter the item and the parties
Vehicle, boat or general item — VIN and odometer, or HIN — plus price, payment method, seller and buyer.
- 03 Review clause by clause
The as-is terms, the seller’s title warranty and, for vehicles, the federal odometer statement.
- 04 Download, then file Ohio’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What Ohio actually requires
Ohio rules for a private sale
Last verified September 4, 2026- When BMV 3770 applies Electronic title, private (casual) sale
The form may be used when both apply: the certificate of title is held electronically (no paper title has been issued) and the electronic title is being transferred with neither the seller nor the buyer a licensed Ohio dealer. Erasures and alterations void the assignment.
Ohio BMV form 3770 (12/25) — Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale
- Notary Required — seller and buyer sign before a notary
The seller’s signature on the assignment of ownership, and the applicant/buyer’s signature on the title application, must be made in front of a notary public or other authorized officer.
- Odometer certification Required, with a discrepancy warning
Federal and state laws require the seller to state the mileage in connection with the transfer of ownership; the form provides boxes to certify the reading, to state that it is not the actual mileage, or to flag an odometer discrepancy. Failure to complete it or providing false information may result in fines and/or imprisonment.
- Buyer’s deadline 30 days — then a $5 late fee
An additional fee of $5.00 applies for failure to apply for title within 30 days of the assignment.
- Selling price The true price — audited by the Department of Taxation
Seller and buyer are required by law to state the true selling price; a false statement violates R.C. 2921.13 and is punishable by six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. All transfers are audited by the Department of Taxation, and the buyer may be assessed any additional tax found due.
Ohio BMV form 3770 (12/25), warning to transferor and transferee
How this document fits Ohio’s paperwork
Official form: BMV 3770 — Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale. Used when the title is held electronically and neither party is a licensed Ohio dealer: the seller completes and notarizes page 1, the buyer page 2, and both pages go to a Clerk of Courts title office.
Ohio transfers ownership on the notarized assignment, not on a bill of sale, so this document is the private record behind it: the price both parties certified, the payment method, the odometer reading, the seller’s title warranty and the as-is terms. Sign it when you sign the assignment, keep a copy each, and the buyer applies for the title at a Clerk of Courts title office within 30 days.
FAQ
Ohio bill of sale questions
- Does Ohio have an official bill of sale form?
- For a private sale the BMV’s transfer document is the assignment of ownership — on the back of a paper title, or on form BMV 3770 when the title is electronic — not a bill of sale. That assignment is notarized and carries the odometer certification and the true selling price. A separate bill of sale records the terms of the sale between you.
- Do I need a notary to sell a car in Ohio?
- Yes. On BMV 3770 the seller signs the assignment in front of a notary or other authorized officer, and the buyer signs the title application the same way. The bill of sale itself does not need to be notarized, but the assignment does.
- How long does the buyer have to apply for an Ohio title?
- 30 days from the date of assignment; after that a $5 late fee is added when the buyer applies at a Clerk of Courts title office.
- Why does the form warn about the selling price?
- Because tax is assessed on it and the Department of Taxation audits every transfer. Stating a false price violates R.C. 2921.13 — up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine — and the buyer can be assessed the extra tax. Put the real price on both the assignment and the bill of sale.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. Free Contract Generator provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Vehicle-transfer rules are set by each state and change; confirm the current rule with the agency cited and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.