Ohio car registration and title fees

• Title fee — $18.00. Certificate of title, handled by the dealer. If you finance, the lien notation is included in this same fee u2014 there is no separate lien charge in Ohio. (ORC 4505.09(A)(1)(b))
• County title surcharge — $5.00. Four Ohio counties have adopted the higher $23 title fee by resolution of their county commissioners: Columbiana, Crawford, Lake and Noble. Everywhere else the title is $18. (ORC 4505.09(A)(1)(b))
• Temporary tag — $23.00. 45-day temporary tag issued by the dealer ($2 + $13 + $8 service fee). Not charged if you transfer plates from another vehicle you own. (ORC 4503.182(A),(D); ORC 4503.038)

• Ohio plates and registration are NOT handled by the dealer u2014 you visit a deputy registrar yourself, usually within days of delivery. Budget roughly $44 for a full year ($20 state tax + $16 BMV fee + $8 deputy registrar fee), plus a local permissive tax of $0 to $30 depending on your city or township. The $20 state portion is prorated to your birth month, so your first bill is often less.

• Battery-electric vehicles pay an extra $200 per year at registration in Ohio, on top of the normal fees.
• Plug-in hybrids pay an extra $150 per year at registration in Ohio, on top of the normal fees.
• Hybrids pay an extra $100 per year at registration in Ohio, on top of the normal fees.

• Registration and plates are not included in the total above. In Ohio the dealer handles the title, but you go to a deputy registrar yourself for plates u2014 see the ownership notes for what to expect.

Source: Ohio Department of Taxation — Sales Tax for Motor Vehicles; The Finder county rate downloads · rules last verified Sep 5, 2026. Methodology.