ODPS Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Vehicle Registration

First Time

• You must register your vehicle for the first time at any local Deputy Registrar Agency.
• The first time you register your vehicle you will need the original Certificate of Title or Memorandum Certificate of Title. These are the documents that prove ownership. The title must be notarized and contain the Clerk of Court's seal. A photocopy of a title is not an acceptable document even if it is notarized or certified. An Ohio Title may be obtained at the County Clerk of Courts.
• Only the owner(s) or individuals with power of attorney from the owner may apply for registration of a vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, a power of attorney from the leasing company is required.
• If a power of attorney (POA) is used, the person that has been assigned POA must prove his/her identity with any document from the list of acceptable documents.
• Effective August 29, 2007, customers will no longer be required to show proof of Social Security Number on initial vehicle registrations if an Ohio driver license or Ohio identification card is presented. Customers who do not present an Ohio driver license or Ohio identification card on an initial registration will be required to prove their Social Security Number by presenting a document from the acceptable document list.
• The original registration period on new registrations goes from the title date or the date the vehicle was first used on the highway to the expiration date. Amended Substitute Senate Bill 1 established that the registration period for certain vehicles classifications be based on the owner’s date of birth. Vehicles that are leased or commercial owner will expire on the 20th day of the month based on the first letter of the owners name.
• The fees for new registrations will be prorated, if applicable.
• Fees are not prorated for Farm trucks or recreational vehicles.
• If registering a used vehicle in one of the seven E-Check counties, an E-Check inspection certificate or exemption is required per Ohio law. For additional information call 1-800-CAR-TEST.

Quick Links

Mail-in

According to Ohio Revised Code section 4503.102, the registrar of motor vehicles shall adopt rules to establish a centralized system of motor vehicle registration renewal by mail. Any person owning a motor vehicle that was registered in the person’s name during the preceding registration year shall renew the registration of the motor vehicle either by mail through the centralized system of registration established under this section or in person at a Deputy Registrar‘s office.

• You may renew your registration by mail or take the renewal notice to your local Deputy Registrar agency. If renewing by mail, allow three to four weeks for your application to be processed.
• The renewal application must be signed and dated on the reverse side. Make check or money order payable to the Ohio State Treasurer. Your check should include your name and address, also print your license plate number on the check or money order.
• Address changes can be made on the application; this may result in a fee change due to differing local taxes. To verify your local taxes, call 1-800-589-8247 or 1-614-752-7800.
• If any of the vehicle information or the name on the application has changed, you must take your certificate of title along with proper identification to your local Deputy Registrar.
• If your vehicle is a leased vehicle or if the application is not signed by the owner, a power of attorney signed by your leased company or the owner must accompany this application. Check the power of attorney requirements on the front of the application, if leased, your lease company could have an electronic power of attorney on file with the BMV.
• If the E-Check box on the application is marked YES, your vehicle is subject to EPA emission testing. You must enclose an Ohio issued E-Check inspection certificate, waiver or exemption. If you have questions concerning EPA requirements, call 1-800-CAR-TEST.
• You are not required to purchase new plate, if your current plates are in good condition. If you currently have initial or personalized plates and request new plates, your license plate number will remain the same. With all other requests, a different plate number will be mailed.
• Please check the appropriate box on your renewal application, if new plates are needed please submit the proper fees.

Out-of-State

• Renewal Application
• Power of Attorney (BMV 5736)

• Application for Out-of-State Registration by Mail (BMV 4625)

• Renewal application (Lessee);
• Application for Out-of-State Registration by Mail (BMV 4625) - (Lessee);
• Power of Attorney (BMV 5736) - (Lessee or Lessor);

• Leasing company power of attorney (unless there is an electronic power of attorney on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles) - (Lessor only).

• ONLY renewals may be completed with either of these methods.
• You may renew, upgrade, replace, and check availability by using OPlates.com.
• Pay the proper fee(s).

If registering in one of the seven E-Check counties, an E-Check inspection certificate or exemption is required per Ohio law. For additional information about E-Check program, call 1-800-CAR-TEST.

If attempting to register a new vehicle, the Ohio Original Title or Memorandum Title is required.  You CANNOT use OPlates.com or the automated telephone system to register new vehicles.

• Address must be provided to the BMV. If using power of attorney or out-of-state application, please be certain to include your out-of-state address.
• If you are using OPlates.com or the automated telephone system, you may call 1-800-589-8247 to have your out-of-state address added to your registration record PRIOR to registering.

Renewal

• at any local Deputy Registrar
• online at www.OPLATES.com
• by telephone by calling 1-866-675-2837
• by mail

• If the vehicle is leased, a power of attorney from the leasing company is required.
• If a power of attorney (POA)  is used, the person that has been assigned POA must prove his/her identity with any document from the list of acceptable documents.

Any of the documents from the acceptable documents list are required to be presented when renewing a vehicle registration in order to show proof of identity.

If registering a used vehicle in one of the seven E-Check counties, an E-Check inspection certificate or exemption is required per Ohio law. For additional information about E-Check program, call 1-800-CAR-TEST.

• House Bill 13, effective August 19, 2008, requires the removal of the printed Social Security number on the vehicle registration renewal notification. In addition, there will no longer be any other identifier such as tax identification number printed on the notice at this time.
• This change has resulted in the development of a new registration renewal notice which leaves a blank where the social security/tax identification number/etc. used to be.