Overview
Court-ordered transfers - divorce settlements, estate distributions - get the same no-consideration treatment. The catch: because Ohio's exemption isn't a strict family-only rule like some states use, clerks can be more careful about anything that doesn't look like an obvious family gift, and may ask you to sign a statement or provide Ohio's STEC MV exemption certificate confirming no payment was involved.
01 - Official fees
Ohio gift a car fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax on a genuine gift | $0.00 | no money or trade changes hands |
| Certificate of title | $18.00 | up to $23 by county |
| Notation of lien (if any) | $15.00 | |
| New registration/plates (if needed) | ≈ $44–$74/yr | state fee + service fee + county permissive tax |
| Non-gift 'sale' at a token price | Taxed on price or fair market value | county can question a suspiciously low price |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county deputy registrar (Ohio BMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to gift a car in Ohio
- 1
Confirm no money, services, or trade is changing hands - that's what makes it a gift, not a sale.
- 2
Sign the title over to the recipient; in the sale-price field write "GIFT," never $0.00.
- 3
Both parties bring the signed title and ID to the county Clerk of Courts title office.
- 4
If asked, sign a statement affirming no consideration was paid (some counties use Ohio's STEC MV exemption certificate).
- 5
Pay the $18–$23 title fee - no sales tax - then take the title to a deputy registrar for new plates if needed.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Ohio vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Ohio gift a car FAQ
Does gifting a car in Ohio require the recipient to be family?
No - Ohio's exemption is for transfers with no consideration exchanged, not a family-only rule. A genuine gift to a friend should qualify the same as one to a spouse or child, though clerks may look more closely at non-family transfers and could ask for a signed statement.
What should I write for the sale price on a gifted car's title?
"GIFT." Never write $0.00 - some clerks read a stated $0 price as a red flag requiring more documentation, while "GIFT" clearly states the nature of the transfer and is the standard practice statewide.
Can I just sell the car for $1 to my kid instead of calling it a gift?
It doesn't save anything and can backfire - a token $1 'sale' can prompt the county to check fair market value and tax you on that instead. Calling it what it is (a gift, with the GIFT notation) is simpler and cleaner.
Do I still pay the title and registration fees on a gifted car?
Yes. The exemption only covers sales tax - the recipient still pays the standard $18–$23 title fee, any lien recording fee, and full registration fees (state fee, deputy registrar fee, county permissive tax, EV/hybrid surcharge if applicable) just like any other transfer.
What about a car gifted through a divorce or an estate?
Court-ordered transfers with no consideration - dividing marital property in a divorce, or distributing a vehicle from an estate - get the same sales-tax exemption as any other gift. Bring the court order or estate paperwork to the Clerk of Courts along with the title.
Does the recipient owe any other tax on a gifted vehicle?
No state income tax applies to a gift, and Ohio has no separate gift tax. A federal gift-tax question could theoretically arise for the giver on a very high-value vehicle, but that's an IRS filing matter, not something the county collects.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.