Current Military & Dependents

Qualifications

• Active-duty military personnel, and military dependents, stationed outside of Ohio or deployed overseas.
• Ohio resident with a driver license number, ID number, or social security number
• Vehicle purchased outside of the state of Ohio

Documents Needed

• Out-of-state title certificate
• Bill of Sale if purchased from an Out-of-State dealer
• BMV 3774 Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle
• BMV 3787 Out of State Motor Vehicle Inspection for Ohio Residents and Military Personnel Temporarily Living Out of State.
• An out-of-state vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection is required for a used vehicle ONLY.
• The inspection must be performed by your commanding military authority and is only valid for 30 days.
• For lease transactions only, two original powers of attorney from lessor (one to obtain an Ohio title and one to obtain vehicle registration and license plates)
• Payment for title fees
• Sales tax on the purchase price (sales tax rates by county) or sales tax exemption form if applicable, STEC MV
• Motor Vehicle Taxability - Military

Process

1. Refer to general titling information and processes.
2. Contact the County Clerk of Courts title office in the county of your choice for a lienholder transfer request if the vehicle is financed and to verify details of the titling process such as mailing address, needed documentation, payment details, timelines, or any other relevant information.
3. Mail all necessary documents, along with a check or money order in the required amount, to the Clerk of Courts Title Office in the county of your choice.
4. You may visit OPLATES.COM to purchase a temporary tag if needed. Allow 10-15 business days to receive the temporary tag purchased from the website.
5. Refer to Active-duty Vehicle Registration instructions once the title has been received to register the vehicle in Ohio.

Ohio Revised Code: 2921.13 4505.06

• Review Vehicle Import and Vehicle Export sections in Title Processes for either exporting a vehicle titled in Ohio to an overseas location or if importing a vehicle purchased while overseas.

Military personnel stationed away from home may need assistance with transferring vehicle titles. In Ohio, a Power of Attorney (POA) allows a trusted individual to handle this process on their behalf.

What is a Power of Attorney (POA)?

A POA is a legal document that grants authority to an individual (the “agent”) to act on behalf of the principal (the military member). For vehicle title transfers, Ohio requires a BMV Form 3771 Power of Attorney to Assign Title.

Process for Transferring a Vehicle Title Using POA in Ohio:

1. Obtain a POA
• The military member must complete BMV Form 3771 and have it notarized.
2. Verify Ohio BMV Requirements.
• Contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) or the County Clerk of Courts title office to confirm necessary documentation.
3. Prepare the Title and Documents
• The current vehicle title, notarized POA, bill of sale (if applicable), and any required forms must be completed.
4. Visit the Local Title Office
• The designated POA agent must present all required documents to process the transfer.
5. Complete the Process and Receive the New Title
• Fees vary, but a standard title transfer in Ohio costs $15.
• The Clerk of Courts title office will issue a new title in the new owner's name.

Additional Considerations

• The POA must be notarized to be valid.
• Military personnel stationed out of state can have their vehicle inspection completed by a commanding military authority using BMV 3787 Out of State Motor Vehicle Inspection for Ohio Residents and Military Personnel Temporarily Living Out of State.