Getting title for missing/untitled bike in Ohio

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diggerdanh

Been Around the Block
I did a search for anything already covering this in Ohio and Cincinnati forums but didn't see anything. I've read that states can be different...


Up to this point I've avoided even looking at any bikes where the owner doesn't have the title, but because of that there have been a few decent barn finds/projects that I would have considered but didn't. Anyone have any experience getting a title for bike in Ohio when all they got from the seller was a Bill of Sale? How much of a pain in the butt is it? Any recommendations of things to do or not to do?


What kind of steps are involved? From what I've read it involves searching to see if there is a lien on the bike, sending a registered letter to the previous title holder, and I haven't found anything specific after that. I searched the Ohio BMV site and I couldn't find anything concrete, it just said that if you need to find/replace a title for a bike you should call the title office. I don't really want to get into that now since it's all just theoretical.


I'm just wondering if I'm taking the right approach by avoiding anything without a title or if I should relax on that.
 
I looked into this along time ago (15 years at least), and all I really remember was that the first step was to have the Sherriffs department confirm that it wasn't stolen. This risks the bike, because if it was reported stolen at anytime, and not recovered, guess what- they impound it. If it's not stolen, you then had to have a judge of some sort put his/her stamp on it saying you came by it honestly- receipt needed. All in all I remember it seemed like a big hassle with a very real risk of giving the sherriff a bike to auction off if they deemed it was stolen. I'm sure it can be done, just call the BMV.

Matt
 
You can check the Vin yourself, get it and call your local office and have them run it. If it is/was registered it will show up. If it was reported stolen it should show up as well.

Most states have provisions for your situation, you just have to ask the right people, IE the people at your local office or email your states BMV. I've used mine a ton of times and they always get me the info I need.

Most times it's a pain in the ass and can cost some money. I guess it all depends on what kind of deal you can get.

If the bike isn't stolen you can just find a buddy in Michigan and "Sell" it to them with a notarized BOS and have them "SELL" it back you with a title.
 
Thanks for the info. I found a good clean titled bike for my first go around, but I'll remember this for next time. Frogman, nice tip about calling and having the VIN run. Much better idea to do that before buying the bike!
 
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