CLERK OF COURTS
TITLE DEPARTMENT

The Title Department handles trailers, campers, motor homes, boats, and boat motors, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), off-highway motorcycle, wave runners, and jet skis. The Title Department also issues duplicate titles when the original has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

  • Information on Title By Mail and Drop Offs: Lancaster Title office and Pickerington Title office are open for in person transactions.  Both offices are also processing titles by mail and drop off.
  • For questions or assistance, please email Titles@FairfieldCountyOhio.gov.
  • The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts has been designated as an authorized office to accept passport applications.  Please visit the following link for information regarding the passport application process: Passport Information at U.S. Department of State.  Passports are being processed by appointment only.
  • Please note: The Clerk of Courts' Title Department does not issue license plates or driver’s licenses. These are issued through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
  • For your convenience, we have provided a link to the Ohio BMV, which lists the locations of its license plate and driver’s license operations.
  • For a complete list of fees and to see a checklist of items required to obtain a Certificate of Title, please look at our Title Information Guide.
  • Fees are payable by cash, certified or personal check, credit card/debit card or money order.  Customers who use a credit card/debit card as payment will be charged a non-refundable processing fee of $2.00 or 2.39%, whichever is greater, by LexisNexis VitalChek, Network Inc.

 

 

VEHICLE AND BOAT TITLES

Application for vehicle or watercraft titles may be obtained in any title office in the state. If the title is not already in the current owner's name, the vehicle must be titled within 30 days of the assignment date, or a $5.00 late fee will be assessed [ORC 4505.06(A)(6)].

 

To process a title for a new, out-of-state vehicle or watercraft: an application, odometer affidavit (except watercraft), Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) and dealer invoice or purchase order are required at the time of titling.  All applicable fees and taxes will be applied.

 

For a used, out-of-state vehicle or watercraft, the requirements are: a properly assigned title including purchase price and mileage or registration (in a few cases) and bill of sale, an out-of-state vehicle inspection, and all applicable fees and taxes. When purchased from a dealer, a bill of sale is always required. The inspection may be done at a Deputy Registrar’s or new car dealer’s place of business. Neither, out of state inspections nor mileage is required for watercraft.

 

When financing or leasing an out-of-state vehicle, our “Lienholder's Request Form” must be completed and sent to the lending institution or leasing company, requesting the original title. Additionally, an out-of-state vehicle inspection and titling fees are required.

 

The rules for new Ohio residents also apply to current Ohio residents who are titling a vehicle or watercraft that has been purchased out-of-state.

 

MOBILE HOME TITLES

Application for a mobile home title may be made in any title office in the state. Titles must be obtained within 30 days of assignment, or a $5.00 late fee will be assessed [ORC 4505.06(A)(6)].

 

If purchasing a new mobile home, the dealer is required, by law, to furnish you with a title.

 

For a used mobile home (other than from a dealer), the previous owner's properly assigned title (including purchase price), the County Treasurer's stamp as evidence property taxes have been paid and the County Auditor's conveyance fee stamp are required.

 

LOST/STOLEN TITLES

If the original title is lost, stolen or destroyed, you may obtain a Duplicate Certificate of Title. You may apply for the Duplicate in any title office in the state. If the original title is recovered after issuance of the duplicate, it must be returned to the Auto Title office for cancellation.

 

The owner may complete the application for duplicate title if there is no lien or the lien has been canceled. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lien holder must apply for the duplicate title.

 

Please be assured the Title Department will make every attempt to help you obtain a duplicate title. Your vehicle information can be retrieved by name, VIN number, title number and Social Security Number.

 

NEW OHIO RESIDENTS/OUT OF STATE TITLES

Application for vehicle or watercraft titles may be obtained in any title office in the state. If the title is not already in the current owner's name, the vehicle must be titled within 30 days of the assignment date, or a $5.00 late fee will be assessed [ORC 4505.06(A)(6)].

 

To process a title for a new, out-of-state vehicle or watercraft: an application, odometer affidavit (except watercraft), Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) and dealer invoice or purchase order are required at the time of titling.  All applicable fees and taxes will be applied.

 

For a used, out-of-state vehicle or watercraft, the requirements are: a properly assigned title including purchase price and mileage or registration (in a few cases) and bill of sale, an out-of-state vehicle inspection, and all applicable fees and taxes. When purchased from a dealer, a bill of sale is always required. The inspection may be done at a Deputy Registrar’s or new car dealer’s place of business. Neither, out of state inspections nor mileage is required for watercraft.

 

When financing or leasing an out-of-state vehicle, our “Lienholder's Request Form” must be completed and sent to the lending institution or leasing company, requesting the original title. Additionally, an out-of-state vehicle inspection and titling fees are required.

 

The rules for new Ohio residents also apply to current Ohio residents who are titling a vehicle or watercraft that has been purchased out-of-state.

 

GENERAL TITLE INFORMATION

 

SELLING A MOTOR VEHICLE

Do not complete the assignment on the reverse side of the Certificate of Title until a bona fide sale has been made. The buyer's full name (legal name, no "nicknames"), address, purchase price and mileage (if applicable) must be inserted before you sign and have it notarized.

 

No alterations should be made on a Certificate of Title. If this is done, the title becomes null and void and a replacement title will have to be obtained.

 

Do not fill in any part of the Assignment or Application (on the reverse side of the title) unless it is done in the presence of a notary public or another duly authorized officer with power to administer oaths.

 

All signatures must be notarized.

 

Your Certificate of Title must be procured within 30 days after delivery of the motor vehicle or a $5.00 penalty will be assessed.

 

If two names are to appear on the title, both signatures are required for all transactions in the state of Ohio. A State I.D. or Ohio License must be presented to the Title Department at time of transfer.

 

If the vehicle is purchased from a dealer, the dealer is required to provide you with a title.

 

Always make a physical inspection of any motor vehicle you buy, checking the VIN/serial number to see that it corresponds with the VIN/serial number on the Certificate of Title.

 

MEMORANDUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE

If you have a lien on your vehicle, you can be issued a Memorandum Title, which is issued only for the purpose of obtaining license plates when the original title is held by the lienholder.  You cannot transfer ownership of a motor vehicle with a Memorandum Title.

 

 

MORTGAGES ON A MOTOR VEHICLE

If you use your motor vehicle as collateral for a loan, always insist upon getting a Memorandum Certificate of Title with which you can obtain license plates.

 

Upon satisfaction of the mortgage, you will receive the original Certificate of Title from the lending institution properly discharged with the lien canceled by the Clerk of Courts.

 

SALVAGED AND MODIFIED VEHICLES

When you dismantle, destroy or change a motor vehicle in such a manner that it is no longer the motor vehicle described on the Certificate of Title, you must surrender the Certificate of Title to the Clerk of Courts for cancellation.

 

When you sell a motor vehicle to a Salvage Dealer, you must surrender the Certificate of Title to that dealer with the Assignment (on the back of the title) completely executed.

 

TRAILERS

A Certificate of Title is not required on a Utility Trailer weighing 4,000 pounds, or less, or a boat trailer. To obtain license plates you must get a weight card from a license bureau and have the trailer weighed.

 

Commercial Trailers or Semi-Trailers weighing in excess of 4,000 pounds, all travel trailers, slide in truck campers and fold campers must have a Certificate of Title. To sell, transfer or mortgage such trailers the Certificate of Title must be presented.

 

MANUFACTURED HOMES

The owner of a manufactured home is required to obtain a Certificate of Title. All Manufactured Home Titles must have a Tax Approval Stamp from the County Treasurer's Office where the Manufactured Home is located and the Auditor’s conveyance fee stamp.

 

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Recreational vehicles are defined by law as vehicular portable structures designed and constructed to be used as temporary dwellings for travel, recreational and vacation use. Recreational vehicles are titled as travel trailers, motor homes, or truck campers, depending upon whether they are self-propelled, not self-propelled, or designed to be attached to a motor vehicle.

 

DEATH OF VEHICLE OWNER

A surviving spouse can take title to two automobiles (one may be a motorcycle), one boat and a motor (the combined value not to exceed $65,000.00) if it is not disposed of by a will. This can be done by Surviving Spouse Affidavit, Death Certificate and the application portion of the Certificate of Title, properly completed. Other transfers must be accompanied by the proper authority from probate court.

 

A vehicle can be titled to two owners as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. While both parties are living, both signatures are required for all transactions. When one of the party passes away, the survivor may bring the title and a copy of the Death Certificate to transfer the Title to the survivor.

 

You may also complete an affidavit for designation of beneficiary if you are the sole owner of a motor vehicle or watercraft.  This will allow the beneficiary or beneficiaries to bring in a certified copy of the death certificate and the title and apply for title in their names or names.  Any liens that may exist on the owner’s title will move to the new beneficiary’s title.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

No Person can sign for you without a notarized Power of Attorney. This form is available at all Auto Title offices or from our web page, under “Forms”.

 

BUYING A MOTOR VEHICLE IN OHIO THAT CARRIES AN OUT-OF-STATE REGISTRATION

If a car is purchased in Ohio from someone holding a title from another state, it is not necessary for the seller to obtain an Ohio Certificate of Title prior to transfer. Notarization may be made by an Ohio Notary Public in good standing on the Certificate of Title from another state, provided the seller has a valid Certificate of Title and makes the proper assignment to you.  Some states do not require the assignment to be notarized. This transaction can also be handled at the Clerk of Courts Auto Title office.

 

BUYING A MOTOR VEHICLE OUT-OF-STATE THAT CARRIES AN OUT-OF-STATE REGISTRATION

If a motor vehicle is purchased in another state from a private party, it is necessary for the seller to assign the title to you and have it notarized. The notarization may be made by a Notary Public of that state or by an Ohio Notary Public. Be sure the Notary Public's Seal is affixed. Notarization is not required on the assignment of titles in some states. In those instances, the Title office will accept those titles without notarization. If the vehicle is registered in a non-title state, the seller's Certificate of Registration along with a notarized Bill of Sale is required.

 

OUT-OF-STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION

Any vehicle transferring from an out-of-state title to an Ohio Title must be physically inspected. This may be done at a Deputy Registrar’s or New Car Dealer’s place of business.

 

Locations of inspection stations in Fairfield County may be obtained by calling the Clerk of Courts Auto Title Department.

 

TITLING BOATS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS

A Certificate of Title is required on all boats 14 feet long or greater and all outboard motors 10 HP or greater. Canoes and kayaks are not titled.

 

Watercraft titles will be issued by the Clerk of Courts in the County of your residence regardless of the location of the boat.

 

Effective January 1, 2000, watercraft less than 14 feet in length with a permanently affixed mechanical means of propulsion of 10 HP or more will be required to be titled. This includes wave runners, jet skis and jet boats.

 

If the watercraft was owned prior to January 1, 2000, no title is required until sold, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of (ORC 1548.21).

 

If a title has not been previously issued in Ohio, the owner may present a manufactures statement of origin, a sworn statement (if owned prior to January 1, 2000), bill of sale or Certificate of Title.

 

For Out-of-State watercraft, the owner must present evidence of ownership required by law of the state from which the watercraft is coming into Ohio.

 

 

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

All boats manufactured on or after November 1,1972 are required to have a Hull Identification Number of no less than 12 characters.  Call the boat manufacturer to obtain a 12-digit HIN if your boat doesn’t have one.  If the boat manufacturer is out of business, contact the Division of Watercraft to schedule a HIN inspection.  If your boat was manufactured before November1, 1972, you must have a 12-digit HIN in order to title or transfer ownership of your boat.  If your boat does not have a 12-digit HIN contact the Division of Watercraft to schedule a HIN inspection.  The phone number for the Division of Watercraft is 1-877-4BOATER

 

PAYMENT OF OHIO SALES AND USE TAX

According to Ohio Sales Tax Law, the Clerk of Courts is required to collect tax for the State of Ohio, based on the purchase price of the vehicle. The tax rate in Fairfield County is 6.75% except those residents in the COTA area.  Those are the portions of the cities of Columbus and Reynoldsburg, located in Fairfield County. That tax rate is 7%. Tax is also collected on the purchase of a vehicle for use or storage in Ohio.

 

FEES FOR TITLE SERVICE

The Ohio Revised Code directs the Clerk of Courts to collect the fees for titling services (The fees are the same for both motor vehicles and watercraft.). 

 

For a complete list of fees and to see a checklist of items required to obtain a Certificate of Title, please look at our Title Information Guide.

 

Fees are payable by cash, certified or personal check, credit card/debit card or money order.  Customers who use a credit card/debit card as payment will be charged a non-refundable processing fee of $2.00 or 2.39%, whichever is greater, by LexisNexis VitalChek, Network Inc.