BMV 3774 is the sworn application, issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), for a certificate of title to a motor vehicle. One form covers five types of application: original, duplicate, replacement, memorandum and salvage. Owners, purchasers and lien holders use it to ask for the title type that fits their situation. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by the Ohio BMV.
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What is BMV 3774?
Applications for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle (BMV 3774) is the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles form on which a lawful owner, purchaser or lien holder declares, under penalty of perjury, that they hold a motor vehicle and applies for a certificate of title.
The applicant checks the type of application at the top of the form:
- Original certificate of title, with evidence of ownership such as a manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO), a previous title number or a registration. The form also asks how the vehicle was acquired, from whom, and a full statement of all liens.
- Duplicate certificate of title, when the title has been lost, stolen or destroyed. The applicant states who holds the vehicle and agrees to deliver the old title to the Clerk of Courts for cancellation if it is recovered.
- Replacement certificate of title and memorandum certificate of title, each tied to an existing certificate of title number.
- Salvage certificate of title, which states that the original title has been surrendered to the Clerk of Courts.
The form also records the vehicle (year, VIN, make, model, body type, conversion), the purchase price and sales tax figures, the vehicle's condition, and questions on survivorship, transfer on death, minor applicants, replica vehicles and adaptive mobility vehicles. It is signed before a notary public or other authorized officer. The BMV lists other title forms separately, such as BMV 3770, Ownership Assignment and Title Application for Casual Sale, and BMV 3772, Application for Dealer Assignment.
Who needs to file BMV 3774?
The lawful owner, purchaser or lien holder of a motor vehicle who needs one of the five title types printed on the form completes BMV 3774. A co-applicant may be named and signs as well.
Conditions printed on the form:
- A motor vehicle dealer licensed under section 4517 of the Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) who is the owner or purchaser of the vehicle does not need to have the form notarized, under R.C. 4505.063. Other applicants swear to the application before a notary public or other authorized officer.
- Applicants for a salvage certificate for an owner-retained vehicle, or in transfers of titles to insurers or nonprofits, may use the last four digits of their SSN instead of the full number, under R.C. 4505.09.
- If the applicant is a minor, the form requires the date of birth and a BMV 3751 form.
- If you choose transfer on death, the BMV 3811 form is required.
The form does not say who may sign for an applicant. Anyone applying for a title type not listed on it should check the BMV's list of title forms at bmv.ohio.gov.
When to file BMV 3774
Apply for the title within 30 days of assignment: the form states that a late fee applies for failure to apply for title within 30 days of the assignment. Contact the BMV for the current amount of that fee.
For a duplicate title, the trigger is the loss, theft or destruction of the certificate of title. For a salvage certificate, the form states that the original title has already been surrendered to the Clerk of Courts. The form prints no other deadline and no validity or renewal period.
Documents you need
- Evidence of ownership for an original title, such as an MCO (manufacturer's certificate of origin), a previous title number or a registration, as the form lists.
- A statement of all additional liens, attached to the form, when there is more than one lien on the vehicle.
- BMV 3811, Affidavit for Designation of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries by the Sole Owner for a Motor Vehicle, Watercraft, or Outboard Motor Certificate of Title, when you answer Yes to Transfer on Death.
- BMV 3751, Minor Consent Form, when the applicant is a minor.
- The recovered original certificate of title, delivered to the Clerk of Courts for cancellation, only if a title reported lost, stolen or destroyed on a duplicate application is found.
How to fill out BMV 3774
Check the type of application
Check the box for the title you need: original, duplicate, replacement, memorandum or salvage. Type or print in ink.
Enter applicant and co-applicant details
Write the applicant's printed name, SSN or EIN, address, city, state, ZIP code and county. Add the co-applicant's name and SSN or EIN if there is one.
Complete the section for your title type
For an original title, give the evidence of ownership, how and from whom you acquired the vehicle, whether the seller is a minor, and the previous owner's address. For a duplicate, give the title number and whether it was lost, stolen or destroyed, and who has the vehicle. For replacement or memorandum, enter the certificate of title number.
List all liens
Enter each lien holder with its E code number and address. Write "none" if there is no lien, and attach a statement if there is more than one.
Describe the vehicle
Enter the year, VIN, model, body type, make and conversion exactly as they appear on your ownership documents.
Enter price and tax figures
Write the purchase price, trade-in allowance, gross tax due, vendor's discount and tax paid. Add the dealer's permit number and vendor's number if they apply, and check Yes with a reason for a tax exemption.
Answer the condition and status questions
Check one condition: Good, Fair, Poor or Wrecked. Answer Print Title, With Right of Survivorship and Transfer on Death (BMV 3811 required if Yes).
Complete minor, replica and mobility questions
If the applicant is a minor, answer Yes, enter the date of birth and have BMV 3751 ready. For a replica vehicle give make, model and year; also answer the adaptive mobility vehicle question.
Sign and have the form notarized
The applicant and any co-applicant sign at the X lines. The notary or authorized officer completes the sworn section with the date, county, state, seal and commission expiration, unless you are an exempt licensed dealer.
Review and download the PDF
Check the VIN, prices and signatures, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit BMV 3774
BMV 3774 prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule, so follow the filing instructions of the Ohio BMV or the Clerk of Courts office that handles your title. The form does refer to the Clerk of Courts: a duplicate-title applicant delivers a recovered original title there for cancellation, and a salvage applicant states that the original title was surrendered there.
Before you submit, make sure the package is complete:
- Signatures: the applicant and any co-applicant sign, and the application is sworn before a notary public or other authorized officer, unless you are a licensed dealer exempt under R.C. 4505.063.
- Attachments: attach a statement of any additional liens if there is more than one, plus BMV 3811 for transfer on death or BMV 3751 for a minor applicant, when those apply.
- Pricing: state the true selling price; the Department of Taxation audits all transfers.
The BMV publishes the form at https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-forms.aspx. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying more than 30 days after assignment of the vehicle; the form states a late fee applies for failure to apply within 30 days.
- Stating a purchase price other than the true selling price; the form warns this violates R.C. 2921.13 and is punishable by imprisonment and a fine.
- Leaving the lien statement blank instead of writing "none" when the vehicle has no lien.
- Listing several liens without attaching a statement of all additional liens.
- Signing without a notary or other authorized officer, unless you are a licensed dealer exempt under R.C. 4505.063.
- Answering Yes to Transfer on Death without the BMV 3811 form.
- Naming a minor applicant without the date of birth and the BMV 3751 form.
- Checking more than one box for the condition of the vehicle, which allows only one.
Frequently asked questions
What is BMV 3774 used for?
BMV 3774 is the Ohio BMV application for a certificate of title to a motor vehicle. A single form covers an original, duplicate, replacement, memorandum or salvage title; you check the one you need and sign the application under penalty of perjury.
Does the BMV 3774 form have to be notarized?
Yes, in general: the form has a sworn section for a notary public or other authorized officer. The exception printed on the form is a licensed motor vehicle dealer under R.C. 4517 who is the owner or purchaser, who need not notarize under R.C. 4505.063.
Can I fill out BMV 3774 online?
You can fill out the Ohio BMV 3774 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application; you submit it through the agency's channels, and it still needs signatures and notarization.
How do I get a duplicate title with BMV 3774?
Check Duplicate Certificate of Title, enter the lost, stolen or destroyed title number, say who holds the vehicle, and list all liens. You also agree to deliver the old title to the Clerk of Courts for cancellation if you recover it.
Is there a late fee on BMV 3774?
Yes. The form states a fee applies for failure to apply for title within 30 days of assignment. It does not tell you how to pay it here, so ask the Ohio BMV for the current amount.
What other forms go with BMV 3774?
BMV 3811 is required if you answer Yes to Transfer on Death, and BMV 3751 is required if the applicant is a minor. If there is more than one lien, attach a statement of all additional liens.
Do I have to give the true selling price on the form?
Yes. The form warns that you must state the true selling price, and that a false statement violates R.C. 2921.13, punishable by imprisonment and a fine. The Department of Taxation audits all transfers and may assess the buyer additional tax.
Can I use only part of my SSN on BMV 3774?
Only in limited cases. Under R.C. 4505.09, applicants may use the last four digits of their SSN when applying for a salvage certificate for an owner-retained vehicle or when transferring titles to insurers or nonprofits.
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