Free Ohio Trailer Bill of Sale Template

An Ohio trailer bill of sale records a private trailer sale. Ohio splits its vehicle work between county clerks of courts, who handle titles, and deputy registrars, who handle plates.

Only from 4,001 pounds. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles asks for an Ohio certificate of title or memorandum of title at 4,001 pounds or more, and for a lighter trailer accepts a statement of origin, a bill of sale, or a notarized proof of purchase affidavit instead.

That makes your bill of sale one of three named routes to a plate on a trailer of 4,000 pounds or less, which covers most utility and boat trailers.

State law backs the line up. The original owner of a trailer weighing 4,000 pounds or less used exclusively for noncommercial purposes has to present evidence of the trailer’s weight when first registering it.

Proving the weight is a step in its own right here.

Three ways to prove weight

An official weight slip works, as does a manufacturer’s certificate or statement of origin. Where you are relying on the previous owner’s Ohio registration instead, a notarized affidavit of original weight is required.

Everything gets notarized

The seller completes the assignment of ownership on the back of the title and has their signature notarized before handing it to the buyer.

When there is no paper title

Where the record was electronic, the seller completes their page of the casual sale ownership assignment and title application before a notary, then gives both pages to the buyer, who completes and notarizes their own page.

Everyone signs

All owners have to complete the assignment, and a power of attorney can only be used where the original state form is produced.

Assembled trailers

A self-assembled vehicle has to be inspected by the Ohio State Highway Patrol before it can be titled.

Erasures void it

County title offices warn that an altered certificate of title becomes null and void, and a replacement then has to be obtained.

No odometer statement on a trailer

County title offices note that selling or mortgaging a trailer works exactly like a motor vehicle, except that the odometer statement is not required.

Thirty days, then a penalty

A five dollar penalty applies where the new certificate of title is not applied for within 30 days of the purchase or transfer.

Weight first, then paperwork.

1. Establish the weight from an origin document or an official weight slip.
2. Complete the bill of sale with the price, date, and full description.
3. At 4,001 pounds and above, have the seller notarize the assignment on the back of the title.
4. At 4,000 pounds or less, bring the bill of sale or a notarized proof of purchase affidavit instead.
5. Take everything to a deputy registrar with proof of insurance and payment.

Fees and sales tax vary by county and change from time to time, so confirm current amounts before you go.

Record the year, make, and identification number, the weight, the purchase price, the date, and both parties’ names, addresses, and signatures.

Use full legal names rather than nicknames or initials. County title offices are explicit that the proper name of the buyer needs to be known before an assignment is made.

Both parties keep a copy.