- Home
- Government
- County Elected Officials
- Clerk of Courts
- Mail-In Title Instructions
Mail-In Title Instructions
Titles by Mail, Effective April 6, 2020
Please Read: Important Information
These instructions are provided in an effort to guide you through the basic requirements of transferring or applying for an Ohio certificate of title. It is strongly recommended that you call the office if after reading this document you have additional questions about the process.
All Mail-in Title requests should be sent to:
Auto Title Division
Lorain County Clerk of Courts
226 Middle Avenue
1st Floor
Elyria, OH 44035
You will need to find a notary to notarize signatures where indicated. Please make your check or money order payable to “Lorain County Clerk of Courts” for the exact amount due. Do not send cash.
- I bought a vehicle previously titled in Ohio and wish to title it in my name.
-
What You Need
- Original Ohio certificate of title with the top portion completed by the seller (this includes the seller's notarized signature), and the middle (odometer certification) and bottom (title application) portions completed by you (including your full Social Security Number and notarized signature)
- If an active lien is reflected on the front of the original title, a lien release letter/form will be needed or the lienholder should complete and sign the front of the title where indicated to release the lien
- If the seller or purchaser is a minor, then the minor's parent must complete and send a BMV 3751 Minor Consent Form (found online on the "Forms and Manuals" tab at the Ohio BMV website - under heading "Vehicle Titles"), including notarization
- Payment of the title fee ($15) plus applicable sales tax on the vehicle purchase price (based on your county of residence). Lorain county sales tax is 6.75%
Example: Vehicle purchase price is $3,000. $3,000 x 0.0675 = $202.50 + $15 = $217.50 Total due
- I lost my Ohio title and want to sell my vehicle to someone.
-
What You Need
- Ohio law prohibits the sale of a vehicle without transferring the title to the purchaser, so you must apply for a duplicate title by completing a BMV 3774 Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (found online on the "Forms and Manuals" tab at the Ohio BMV website - under heading "Vehicle Titles"), including notarization
- Payment of the title fee ($15)
Once we have completed the title transfer, your new Ohio title and your receipt will be mailed via regular U.S. mail to the address provided on the title. If this is not the address to which your title should be mailed, then make sure you include a note in your documentation providing the address to use for mailing purposes.
For all other questions or needs, including instructions on titling a vehicle not previously titled in Ohio, please call us at 440-329-5127. Thank you!
-
Tom Orlando
Clerk of CourtsPhone: 440-329-5000
-
- Can you give us any legal advice on my case?
-
Please understand that the Clerk's office is prohibited by law to give any legal advice. If you do not have a family attorney, you should contact the Lorain County Bar Association or the telephone directory for any attorney referral. Call the Legal Aid Society of Lorain County to see if you qualify for their service.
- Can I file my documents over the internet?
-
No. Electronic filing is not available at this time.
- I'm looking for a certain case and it is not showing up, can you please tell me why?
-
There may be several reasons. First, try conducting your search online with variations in the spelling of the name. For example, "James Smith" may be indexed as "Jim Smith." Second, our online case dockets start from October of 1987. Case information prior to that date is not available online. These records are available in our office from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, in our Records Department.
- I would like a marriage license and copy of my will.
-
Contact Lorain County Probate Court or visit us at:
Justice Center
225 Court Street
6th Floor
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-329-5295 - Can you tell me if you have any case on a particular person?
-
You may search the index yourself for cases filed here since October, 1987. Be advised some case types may not be publicly available for viewing on the website.
- Several years ago, a judgment was rendered against me. I have paid that judgment in full, so why does it still show up in your files?
-
The fact that the case was filed, a judgment was rendered, and the judgment was satisfied remains part of the public record. Our office has no authority to remove any cases from the public record absent a law or court order to the contrary.
- Can you take Pictures for Passport or Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) applications?
-
Yes, both of our title office locations can provide photo service, no appointment needed. These photos are suitable for passport or CCW applications. The cost is $15 per picture.