Ohio Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Ohio costs $18 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $924.50 in total, with $862.50 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Ohio title fees
These are the title-related fees in Ohio's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $18 |
|---|---|
| Title some counties | $23 |
| Late title | $5 |
| Plate transfer | $9 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Ohio
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Ohio car tax calculator:
| Title | $18 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $862.50 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $36 |
| Deputy registrar fee (if you register it now) | $8 |
| Estimated total | $924.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Ohio charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late title $5; plate transfer $9.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift with $0 consideration | Tax $0 ($1 sale is taxed) |
|---|---|
| Military (member-titled, used out of state over 6 months) | Tax $0; spouse-only transfers are taxed |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Ohio
| Used vehicle or private sale | Trade-in does not reduce the tax |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer rebate | Does not reduce the taxable base |
| Dealer doc fee | Not subject to sales tax |
| Divorce / court settlement with no consideration | Tax $0 |
| New resident, owned and titled out of state 6+ months | Tax $0 |
| Tax paid to another U.S. state | Credit against Ohio tax |
How Ohio works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - trade-in (trade-in only on new vehicles from an Ohio dealer)
- Tax = taxable base x combined county rate
- Title = $18 (or $23 in some counties) + late fee if applicable
- Registration = class fee (or plate transfer) + deputy registrar fee + permissive tax + powertrain fee
- Total = tax + title + registration + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Ohio: tax.ohio.gov, www.bmv.ohio.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Ohio?
The title fee is $18. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $924.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Ohio?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Ohio charges about $862.50. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Ohio?
Yes. Late title: $5; Plate transfer: $9.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Ohio?
Gift with $0 consideration: Tax $0 ($1 sale is taxed). Military (member-titled, used out of state over 6 months): Tax $0; spouse-only transfers are taxed.
What happens to a car title after a death in Ohio?
Inheritance: Tax $0.