Ohio Bill of Sale Template

A bill of sale in Ohio is a legal document that records the transfer of personal property — most commonly a vehicle, boat, or other titled asset — from a seller to a buyer. The document establishes the purchase price, condition, and transfer date, serving as critical evidence for DMV title transfer, sales tax calculation, and liability protection. In Ohio, a bill of sale is recommended but not strictly required — the signed title is the primary transfer document accepted by the BMV. Regarding notarization, the seller's signature on the title must be notarized for vehicle title transfers in Ohio. Ohio uses Form BMV 3774 (Application for Certificate of Title) is the BMV form; no state-mandated bill of sale form exists. The purchase price stated on the bill of sale directly determines the sales tax owed: 5.75% state sales tax plus county permissive tax (total varies from 6.5% to 8%) — paid by the buyer at the title office at time of transfer.

Without a bill of sale, both parties face significant risks. The seller remains liable for parking tickets, tolls, and accidents involving the vehicle until title transfer is complete. The buyer lacks proof of the agreed purchase price and may be assessed sales tax on the vehicle's full fair market value instead. For vehicles, a bill of sale should always accompany the signed title certificate. For items without titles (furniture, electronics, equipment), the bill of sale is the only legal proof of the transaction. Use our bill of sale generator to create a Ohio-compliant document that protects both parties. If the buyer is financing the purchase, pair it with a promissory note documenting the payment terms.