Legal Templates

Ohio Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form

Create a motorcycle bill of sale for Ohio so you can document the details of your motorcycle transaction and prove change of ownership.

ohio motorcycle bill of sale

Updated April 19, 2023
Written by | Reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

Buying or selling a motorcycle in Ohio can be a complicated process.

To avoid legal disputes and ensure proper title and registration, you can use an Ohio Motorcycle Bill of Sale to record the sale details. 

Table of Contents

What is an Ohio Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?

An Ohio motorcycle bill of sale is a document that shows the details of a motorcycle purchase and documents a change of ownership.

Ohio’s motorcycle bill of sale form should include details about the buyer, seller, and motorcycle.

Incorporate important motorcycle information such as the make, model, year, odometer reading, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Your bill of sale should also indicate the amount of the sale and the date the sale occurred.

If legal questions arise, an Ohio motorcycle bill of sale helps you prove ownership. It also provides evidence of the motorcycle’s sales price for tax purposes. 

Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Ohio?

Ohio does not require a bill of sale for motorcycle sales. However, the form serves as legal and valid proof of the sale.

Since you must register and title motorcycles similar to passenger vehicles, it helps to have one document with all of the required information.

You may also find the following documents helpful if you plan to buy other equipment along with your motorcycle:

Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Ohio?

A bill of sale is unnecessary for Ohio motorcycle registration, but it can provide essential details about the motorcycle purchase.

Whether you intend to drive the motorcycle on Ohio’s highways or take it off-road, it must have a valid title and current registration. 

To title a motorcycle in Ohio, you must provide the following:

Take the required information and payments to your local county clerk of courts title office to transfer the title to your name. The title serves as legal evidence of the transfer of ownership.

Register your motorcycle with your deputy registrar license agency using the title, proof of identification, and proof of insurance (minimum coverage of $25,000 for injury/death of one person, $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage in an accident).

You must pay registration fees and permissive tax. 

How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Ohio?

Follow these steps to transfer the motorcycle to the new owner:

Step 1 – Sign Title

Sign the title over to the buyer. Signatures must be notarized, so wait until you are before a notary with all signing parties. 

Step 2 – Apply for Certificate of Title

Fill out the application for a certificate of title. You can use your Ohio bill of sale to obtain the information you need for this form. 

Step 3 – Provide ID

Provide acceptable identification in the form of an Ohio motorcycle license, driver’s license, state ID, Social Security card, or other ID approved by your county clerk of courts title office.

Step 4 – Complete Inspection

Complete VIN inspection for out-of-state motorcycles

Step 5 – Pay Taxes

Pay taxes and fees, including sales and use tax and title fees.

Step 6 – Take Care of Liens

Arrange for lienholder notation if your motorcycle has a lien or financing.

Step 7 – Complete Transfer

You must complete title transfers within thirty (30) days of the sale.

Motorcycle Bill of Sale – No Title

If you want to transfer a motorcycle in Ohio with a bill of sale only, you will likely encounter issues with the ownership transfer, titling, and registration requirements. 

If the previous title was lost, stolen, or destroyed, the owner must obtain a duplicate title before selling the motorcycle. 

You can obtain a duplicate title in Ohio from your local county clerk of courts title office by presenting a title application, acceptable identification, and title fees. 

Does an Ohio Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?

Since Ohio only recognizes titles as proof of ownership, the motorcycle bill of sale is your legal documentation of the sale.

All parties involved in the transfer of ownership need to sign the bill of sale for the document to be valid. You do not need to notarize signatures on a motorcycle bill of sale in Ohio.

Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Ohio

When you are ready to buy or sell a motorcycle in Ohio, the following steps — listed from the seller’s perspective —can ensure the process runs smoothly:

Step 1 – Cleaning and Repairing the Motorcycle

You can obtain a better price for your motorcycle with a clean bike in good repair. Ensure that the motorcycle is in good operating condition. If there is any damage, disclose it to the potential buyer. 

Step 2 – Listing the Motorcycle 

Post an ad with motorcycle sales websites like Cycle Trader and Autotrader. Also, consider posting your motorcycle for sale in the local paper or Facebook Marketplace site. 

Step 3 – Meeting With the Potential Buyer

Negotiate with potential buyers to establish an agreed-upon price. Set up a meeting so the buyer can inspect the motorcycle.

Step 4 – Filling Out the Bill of Sale

Fill out the bill of sale to finalize the deal. When both parties sign, the bill of sale is a legally binding agreement for the motorcycle’s purchase. 

Step 5 – Signing the Title Over

Sign the certificate of title over to the new owner in the presence of a notary. All title transfer signatures must be notarized. If there are multiple owners, the title must include the notarized signature of each owner.

How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Ohio (What to Include)

Transferring ownership begins with clear documentation of the ownership transfer. An Ohio motorcycle bill of sale can provide legal documentation to streamline the sale and registration processes.

Use our document builder to follow these steps:

Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information

Complete the buyer and seller information, including names, addresses, and contact information. If multiple owners exist, include each buyer and seller’s complete information. 

Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information 

Provide information about the motorcycle, including: 

  • Make and model
  • Year manufactured
  • Color and detailing
  • Body type, trim, and features
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Odometer reading

Include details about the motorcycle’s condition, such as cosmetic damage or parts needing repair. If the bike is being sold as-is, document this on the bill of sale.

Step 3 – Fill in the Sale Price 

Indicate the agreed-upon sale price of the motorcycle. If the bike is part of an exchange, note this information. The new owner must still pay sales tax for the bike, even if the purchase is through an exchange of goods rather than money.  

Step 4 – Sign and Date the Bill of Sale Form

Include signatures from everyone on the title and the date the sale becomes final. Include all parties in the deal to avoid legal issues down the line. 

Summary

Although you do not need it to title and register the motorcycle, an Ohio motorcycle bill of sale can ensure you have the details you need to transfer ownership.

Use this printable LegalTemplates form with motorcycle bill of sale template instructions to get a head start on your motorcycle title and registration.

Ohio Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample

Below is an example of an Ohio motorcycle bill of sale.

ohio motorcycle bill of sale

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ohio motorcycle bill of sale

The document above is a sample. Please note that the language you see here may change depending on your answers to the document questionnaire.

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