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Ohio Motorcycle 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 motorcycle bill of sale PDF that includes everything the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Ohio
Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Motorcycle details

Price and terms

How to sell a motorcycle in Ohio

A motorcycle bill of sale works the same way as a car bill of sale: it names the bike by year, make, model and VIN, states the price and the date, and both parties sign. Motorcycles are titled in every state, so the buyer will also need the signed title to register.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the Ohio motorcycle bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the VIN and the exact odometer reading.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. Ohio does not require a notary.
  4. Sign the title over to the buyer exactly as your name appears on it, and complete the odometer section on the title if the motorcycle has one.
  5. File a notice of sale or release of liability with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles if Ohio offers one, remove your plates if the state keeps plates with the seller, and cancel the insurance once the buyer has driven away.

Buyer steps

  1. Bring the signed bill of sale, the signed title and your ID to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
  2. Expect to pay sales or use tax on the price shown on the bill of sale, plus title and registration fees.
  3. Register within Ohio's deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days from the sale date, to avoid late penalties.

Before you sign

  • The VIN is usually stamped on the steering head or the frame near the neck.
  • Note any aftermarket parts in the description so there is no dispute later.
  • Include the engine size; several states use it for registration class.
  • Both parties sign and keep a copy.

Why a bill of sale matters for a motorcycle

  • Motorcycles change hands often and informally; a signed bill of sale settles who owned the bike on which date.
  • The DMV uses the price for sales tax.
  • Documents the odometer reading, which is required for most bikes.
  • An as-is clause protects the seller once the buyer rides off.

Selling a motorcycle? The $19 sell-your-vehicle kit adds a signed release of liability and a Ohio checklist to the pack, so the handoff is finished the day you sign.

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

Motorcycle Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

Ohio motorcycle bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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.

Where does the buyer take the bill of sale in Ohio?+

To the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the county office that handles vehicle registration, together with the signed title, proof of insurance where required, and payment for tax and fees.

Do I need a title to sell a motorcycle?+

Yes, in every state. The bill of sale is the receipt; the title is the ownership record. If the title is lost, apply for a duplicate before the sale.

Is an odometer reading required for a motorcycle?+

Federal odometer disclosure applies to motorcycles under 20 model years old, just like cars.