OH · STATE PROCESS
Ohio: from final payment to clear title.
The Ohio guide below works one post-payoff title problem back through the state's documents and release process.
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- Title system
- Ohio supports both manual lien releases on paper titles and electronic releases through the state's Electronic Lien and Title program. County Clerk of Courts title offices issue titles; the BMV does not issue the title itself.
- After payoff
- If the lender participates in ELT, it releases the lien electronically and BMV records no longer show the lien. If the lender uses a paper title, it marks the lien discharged and mails the title to the owner.
- Lien release
- An electronic release clears the lien from the BMV record, but Ohio says the owner must apply at a County Clerk of Courts Title Office if a new paper title is wanted. A manually released paper title must be taken to a title office to remove the lien from the state record.
- Owner action
- Determine whether the lender released electronically or manually. For an electronic release, apply for a paper title through the County Clerk of Courts if you need one. For a manual release, take the released paper title to the title office.
- Timing
- Ohio's consumer page does not publish a single automatic mailing timeline after an electronic release because the owner applies for the paper title rather than receiving one automatically from that release.