Cuyahoga County Auditor‘s IRS Auto Titles Division handles motor vehicle titles for automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs and off-road vehicles, recreational vehicles, RVs, personal watercraft, and marine engines. If the originals are lost or stolen, it issues replacement titles and duplicates.
To obtain a new vehicle, boat, or outboard motor title, applicants must provide a completed Ohio application, a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), an odometer reading, the sales price, and all required fees.
Auto Title Division
A corresponding title from the previous owner with sales the owner earlier must provide a corresponding title with theo a used vehicle boat; if the car, boat, or outboard is financed, a copy of the warranty agreement must accompany all required forms.
Buy a Vehicle
An Ohio dealer must provide your new title within 30 days of purchase. Ensure the retailer has your name exactly as you want it to appear in the title.
When you buy a private car, you are responsible for transferring ownership. It is not a good idea to complete any part of the assignment or request on the back of the title unless you have done so before a notary. All signatures must be notarized.
Never make changes or deletions to an ownership certificate; if you do, the title will expire, and a replacement title must be requested.
Do not complete any part of the delivery or demand on the reverse of the bond unless you are in the presence of a notary or other duly authorized official with the power to take the oath. All signatures must be sworn.
If your vehicle title was issued before December 10, 1977, the seller must provide a declaration of the seller’s odometer. This declaration must be notarized. Most banks also have these forms on hand.
Always perform a physical inspection of any car you buy. Ensure the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on the car and the title match.
If you have a mortgage on your vehicle
When applying for a loan and using your car as collateral, always insist on obtaining a certificate of ownership, which you can use to get license plates. You cannot transfer car ownership with a title certificate from memory (blank copy).
When you pay your mortgage, the bank or finance company will release the lien on your deed. A paper title must be pledged, and the tax office title must have a stamp that says ‘CARE RELEASED.’
If your security is electronic, you must file a Lien Release Notice from your lien holder on your
Letterhead with a complete description of the vehicle.