Ohio Horse Bill of Sale

Ohio does not require a bill of sale, but the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles recommends one. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page Ohio horse bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

State

Ohio

What is being sold

Horse Bill of Sale

Seller

Full name

Street address

City, state, ZIP

Phone

Driver's license or ID number (optional)

Buyer

Full name

Street address

City, state, ZIP

Phone

Driver's license or ID number (optional)

Horse details

Horse's name

Registered name / registration no.

Breed

Sex

Age or foaling year

Color and markings

Brand, tattoo or microchip

Health, Coggins and vet records provided

Price and terms

Payment

Sale price ($)

Date of sale

Sold as-is, no warranty. Recommended for every private sale. Add two witness signature lines

Known defects or extra terms (optional)

How to sell a horse in Ohio

A horse bill of sale records who sold which horse to whom, with the horse's name, breed, sex, age, markings, registration and any brand or microchip, plus the price and the condition the horse is sold in. Breed registries require it to transfer registration papers, and it is the buyer's proof of ownership if the horse is ever disputed.

Seller steps

Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
Agree on the price and fill in the Ohio horse bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Ohio does not require a notary.
Hand over any registration papers, manuals, receipts or health records that go with the horse.
Hand over the horse and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

Check the description against the horse itself before you sign.
Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
Transfer any registration papers and update the microchip or brand records in your name.

Before you sign

Describe markings precisely; two sorrel geldings look alike on paper.
Attach a copy of the registration papers and the Coggins.
State whether the horse is sold as-is or with any soundness guarantee, and for what use.
Note any known vices or health conditions in the terms field.

Why a bill of sale matters for a horse

Breed registries (AQHA, APHA, Jockey Club and others) need it to transfer papers.
Proves ownership in a dispute, which happens with horses more than people expect.
Documents the health records and Coggins test that came with the horse.
An as-is clause covers soundness and temperament; without it the buyer may claim a warranty.

Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.

Ohio at a glance

Bill of sale: Not required, strongly recommended
Notary: Notarization optional
Official state form: None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
Where the buyer registers: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (www.bmv.ohio.gov)

License plates: Stay with seller

Ohio sellers complete the assignment of ownership on the back of the title and have their signature notarized; the price goes on the title, so no separate bill of sale is required. The buyer takes the assigned title to a County Clerk of Courts title office. A bill of sale is still a useful receipt.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other Ohio forms

Horse Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Ohio horse bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a horse in Ohio?+

Ohio does not require a bill of sale, but the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles recommends one. Ohio sellers complete the assignment of ownership on the back of the title and have their signature notarized; the price goes on the title, so no separate bill of sale is required. The buyer takes the assigned title to a County Clerk of Courts title office. A bill of sale is still a useful receipt. Ohio has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a Ohio horse bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Ohio does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Does the buyer need to file a horse bill of sale in Ohio?+

No. Horses are not titled or registered with the state, so there is nothing to file. The signed bill of sale is the ownership record; each party keeps a copy.

Does a horse bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Not by law, but some registries ask for a notarized transfer. Check the registry rules; the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary page.

Can I sell a horse without registration papers?+

Yes, as a grade horse. The bill of sale is then the only ownership document, so be thorough with the description.