(A) A physical certificate of title shall be printed upon a special paper with a secure printing process or other secure process, for the printing of motor vehicle titles, as required by section 2 of the “Truth in Mileage Act of 1986,” 100 Stat. 3309, 15 U.S.C.A. 1901 et seq.

Ask a traffic law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified traffic lawyers.
Parking violations, accidents, DUI/DWI, licensing, registration, and more
Protect your vehicle and your rights with expert legal help now
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

An electronic certificate of title is an electronic record stored in the automated title processing system that established ownership of a motor vehicle, as well as any security interests that exist in that motor vehicle.

(B) Every certificate of title shall bear the distinguishing number assigned to the title, and shall contain, on the front of the certificate, the following information:

(1) An indication that the certificate is issued in this state;

(2) The county in which the certificate is issued;

(3) An indication that the certificate is an original, memorandum, duplicate, or salvage certificate;

(4) The date of issuance of the certificate;

(5) The name and address of the owner, in full;

(6) The name and address of the previous owner, in full;

(7) The previous certificate of title number;

(8) The state in which the vehicle previously was titled;

(9) The make, body type, year, model, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle;

(10) First and second lien notation information, including the name and address of the lienholder in full and the date of the lien notation;

(11) For discharging and canceling the lien notation, a notice that states: “lien discharge,” a space for the signature of the lienholder, the discharge date, a space for the signature of the clerk of the court of common pleas, the cancellation date, and a space for the notation of the deputy clerk;

(12) The purchase price of the motor vehicle and the amount of Ohio sales or use tax paid;

(13) The mileage registered on the odometer and the status of the odometer of the vehicle at the time the previous title was assigned;

(14) A space for the seal of the clerk;

(15) The signature of the clerk;

(16) A space for the notation of the deputy clerk;

(17) A space for other pertinent information as may be required by the registrar of motor vehicles;

(18) A consecutive number for control purposes;

(19) In the case of a vehicle last previously registered in another state, a space to be used for recording any notation applicable to the vehicle and the abbreviation of the state in which the vehicle was last registered, as required by divisions (B)(1) and (2) of section 4505.08 of the Revised Code;

(20) In the case of a vehicle last previously registered in this state, a space to be used for recording any information applicable to the vehicle as required by division (C) of section 4505.08 of the Revised Code or by rule of the registrar of motor vehicles adopted under that division.

(C) If the certificate of title is a duplicate certificate, that fact and the original title number must be stated on the front of the duplicate certificate.

(D) If the certificate of title is a memorandum certificate, that fact and the original title number must be stated on the front of the memorandum certificate.

(E) If the certificate of title is a salvage certificate, that fact and the original title number must be stated on the front of the salvage certificate.

(F) The following information shall appear on the reverse side of each certificate of title:

(1) A notice in bold lettering that states: “ERASURES AND ALTERATIONS VOID THIS TITLE ASSIGNMENT. (Type or print in ink.)”;

(2) The total consideration of the vehicle;

(3) A disclosure that states: “I (we) certify the vehicle described in this title was transferred for the price of $__________ to:” and the printed name and address of the buyer in full;

(4) An odometer certification statement that states: “Federal and state laws require that you state the mileage in connection with transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing false information may result in fines and imprisonment.”

The odometer certification language as required by federal law and division (C) of section 4505.06 of the Revised Code.

(5) A disclosure that states: “I (we) warrant the title to be free of all liens.”

(6) A space for the signature of the transferor and the transferor’s printed name and address in full;

(7) A space for the seal of the clerk or a notary;

(8) The acknowledgment statement of the clerk, the deputy clerk, or a notary;

(9) A space for the signature of the clerk, the deputy clerk, or a notary;

(10) The buyer’s odometer acknowledgment statement, with a space for the buyer’s printed name and address;

(11) A notice in bold lettering that states: “WARNING TO TRANSFEROR AND TRANSFEREE (SELLER AND BUYER): You are required by law to state the true selling price. A false statement is in violation of section 2921.13 of the Revised Code and is punishable by six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to one thousand dollars, or both. All transfers are audited by the department of taxation.

The seller and buyer must provide any information requested by the department of taxation. The buyer may be assessed any additional tax found to be due.”

(12) An application for a certificate of title, memorandum certificate of title, or salvage certificate of title, as prescribed by the registrar, which shall include all of the following:

(a) A disclosure that states: “Application for certificate of title (type or print in ink)”;

(b) A disclosure that states: “Fee of $5.00 for failure to apply for title within 30 days of assignment.”;

(c) A space for the applicant’s printed name and address:

(d) A space for the applicant’s social security number or employer’s identification number;

(e) A space for the purchase price, tax paid, or tax exemption reason, or dealer’s permit number, and vendor’s number, and condition of the vehicle;

(f) A disclosure statement that states: “Lien information: If no lien state “none.” If more than one lien, attach statement of all additional liens.”;

(g) A space for the lienholder’s name and address;

(h) A disclosure statement that states: “I (we) state that all information contained in this application is true and correct.”;

(i) A space for the applicant’s signature;

(j) A space for the acknowledgment statement of the clerk, the deputy clerk, or a notary;

(k) A space for the seal of the clerk or a notary;

(l) A space for the signature of the clerk, the deputy clerk, or a notary;

(m) Any other pertinent information as may be required by the registrar.