Motorcycle Title Transfer Notary | Ohio Guide

Motorcycle titles move through the Ohio BMV the same way car titles do — the seller's signature on the Assignment of Ownership has to be notarized, witnessed in person, before the buyer can retitle the bike. The process is familiar if you have transferred a car title before. A few things trip people up on motorcycles specifically.

Same rule, same process

The seller fills in the buyer's information, sale price, date, and odometer reading on the back of the title, then signs in front of the notary — not before. We verify identity, witness the signature, and complete the notarial certificate. The buyer then has thirty days to bring the notarized title to an Ohio BMV branch, pay sales tax and title fees, and get the bike retitled.

Where motorcycle titles get complicated

— Older bikes sometimes have titles with damage, faded ink, or illegible VINs. If the title is hard to read, the BMV may reject it — it is worth checking before the signing, not after. — Homemade or kit-built motorcycles, and bikes assembled from salvage parts, often need an additional inspection or a different title process. If your bike falls into this category, call the BMV or your title office before scheduling.

— A motorcycle with a lien listed still needs a lien release before the transfer can be notarized, same as with a car. — Out-of-state motorcycles follow the same out-of-state rules as any other vehicle — a notarized title from the state of origin is generally accepted, though the BMV may ask for extra documentation.

What to bring

Seller: — Original title, unsigned — Current government-issued photo ID — Current odometer reading — Lien release if applicable

Buyer (optional at signing, required at the BMV): — Current government-issued photo ID — Proof of insurance — Payment for the purchase and BMV fees

A bill of sale is not legally required in Ohio but is worth having — we can notarize it in the same appointment as the title.

Where we meet you

Driveways, garages, dealership lots, parking lots — wherever the bike and the seller actually are. Same-day appointments are usually available across Southwest Ohio.