| Revised July 24, 2024
CUYAHOGA COUNTY COURT ORDER TITLE INFORMATION PACKET
(Ohio Revised Code 4505.10)
** Please recognize that there is no guarantee that a court order directing issuance of a motor vehicle certificate
of title will be granted. The decision depends on the Court finding that you have presented sufficient evidence to
establish your claim that you are entitled to the possession and ownership of the subject motor vehicle. **
In Cuyahoga County the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office, Auto Title Division, has principal responsibility
for issuing motor vehicle certificates of title on behalf of, and in cooperation with, the Bureau of Motor
Vehicles, Ohio Department of Public Safety (BMV). A properly issued motor vehicle certificate of title is
the primary evidence of ownership of the motor vehicle described in the certificate.
In a limited number of circumstances, a judge of the Common Please Court can order the Auto Title
Division to issue you a motor vehicle certificate of title. These circumstances include:
I. Lost or stolen title with no historical records: When the original certificate of title issued by
the State of Ohio or any other state has been lost, destroyed or stolen and a duplicate of that
certificate as provided by Section 4505.12 of the Ohio Revised Code is not available from the
Clerk or BMV due to lack of historical title records.
II. Incomplete sale: When you have purchased a vehicle, but the previous owner has failed,
refused or otherwise been unable to furnish you with a properly assigned certificate of title
III. Abandoned: When you have been given a vehicle or it has been left in your possession and
ownership, but the previous owner has failed, refused or otherwise been able to complete the
transaction by supplying required documents.
IV. Repair garage, storage facility or towing company:
a. When you are the owner of a repair garage or storage facility who is in possession of a
vehicle valued at more than $3,500.00 after deduction of repairs to restore the vehicle to
wholesale value. The vehicle has to have been unclaimed by the owner for more than
fifteen days after notice to reclaim the vehicle.
b. When the repair garage, storage facility or towing company does not have documents
necessary to file an Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Affidavit. If uncertain if this applies, please
request the information for an Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Affidavit.
The Ohio Revised Code sets forth specific procedures to follow in instances other that the four listed
above. Here are some examples of circumstances when Section 4505.10 of the Ohio Revised Code
does not apply:
I. When you are the owner of a repair garage or storage facility in possession of a vehicle valued
less than $3,500.00 after deduction of repairs, where the vehicle has remained unclaimed by the
Fiscal Office
Auto Title Division
| Revised July 24, 2024
owner for more than fifteen days after notice to reclaim the vehicle (ORC 4505.101)
II. When you are the operator of a manufactured home park attempting to remove a tenant’s
manufactured home from the park property (ORC 3733.091 and 1923.12)
III. When you are the pawnbroker seeking forfeiture and title to a motor vehicle that has not been
redeemed by the owner after expiration or breach of the loan secured by that motor vehicle
(ORC 4505.102)
IV. When a motor vehicle, whether a “junk motor vehicle” or not, has been abandoned on private
property owned by you; and you do not want tile to the motor vehicle, but rather simply want it
moved or disposed of (ORC 4513.60 through 4513.65, inclusive)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING A COURT ORDERED MOTOR VEHCILE
CERTIFICATE OF TITILE
This guide for obtaining a court ordered title has been compiled for purposes of example only. It is only
intended to provide a summary and should not be regarded as a complete digest of laws affecting motor
vehicle titles, nor should it be regarded as legally binding on the County of Cuyahoga, the Cuyahoga
County Fiscal Officer, or the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts, none of whom are authorized to provide
legal advice to petitioners. Instead, petitioners are encouraged to consult with private legal counsel.
If you believe that Section 4505.10 of the Ohio Revised Code does apply to your situation, there are
certain steps you will need to take before the court can consider your petition for an Order directing the
title division to issue a motor vehicle certificate of title to you. Please keep in mind that
incomplete/inaccurate paperwork may cause your case to be dismissed. The recommended steps are
outlined within.
You should attach the following documents to your Affidavit as exhibits:
• Copies of the record search report (BMV 2433) you obtained from the BMV
• State Highway Patrol Inspection form (HP 106/HP106F)
• Correspondence and certified mail receipts showing you have tried to contact the current owner
and lien holder (if applicable) in an attempt to secure a properly assigned certificate of title.
• Copies of any additional documentation or evidence you believe necessary to support your claim,
including, for example:
o Any receipt, bill of sale, or cancelled check as evidence of your performance as purchaser
in connection with an incomplete transaction that was not the result of your own failure to
perform.
o Sworn statements of other persons familiar with the circumstances surrounding your
possession of the vehicle.
| Revised July 24, 2024
Step
Where To Go
What Is Needed
Step One:
Lien Holder
Record
Search
Cuyahoga County Auto Title
Division
(216) 443-8900
• Complete lien holder information inquiry for the
vehicle being petitioned at any of our five
Cuyahoga County Auto Title Division offices.
• A $5.00 record search fee will apply for each
title record search.
Step Two:
Vehicle Owner Record Search
(614) 752-7671
www.bmv.ohio.gov
Ohio BMV
Attn: BMV Records
PO Box 16520
Columbus, OH 43216-6520
• Complete BMV 1173 Form and check the box
“Last Known Address” and “Copy of
Record” for the vehicle owner and remit the
form to the BMV using the instructions
provided on the form. The BMV will mail a
BMV 2433 form to you containing the results of
the record search.
• BMV 1173 forms are available online at
www.bmv.ohio.gov or
by calling (614) 752-
7671
• A
$5.00 record search fee will apply for each
title record search.
• Please allow at least 15 business days for
processing.
• Please retain BMV 2433 form to file with your
petition as a necessary exhibit.
Step Three:
Certified Mail
Notifications
www.usps.gov
• Mail a certified letter to the vehicle owner(s)
and lien holder(s) using information provided
by the BMV and Auto Title Division notifying
them of your intention to petition the Court for
Certificate of Title.
• Please retain copies of the letters mailed as
well as the returned certified mail receipts to
file with your petition as a necessary exhibit.
• Please allow 30 days from the date of mailing
for appropriate parties to respond.
Step Four:
Obtain OSHP
Inspection Receipt
Deputy Registrar Office
(614) 752-7671
www.bmv.ohio.gov
• Visit your local deputy registrar office to
purchase an OSHP Inspection Receipt
(HP105)
• The cost for the OSHP Inspection Receipt is
$53.50.
• Visit www.bmv.ohio.gov or call (614) 752-7671
for your nearest deputy registrar location.
| Revised July 24, 2024
Step Five:
OSHP Inspection
(614) 644-1667
www.statepatrol
.ohio.gov
• To schedule your OSHP Inspection contact the
Ohio State Highway Patrol at (614) 644-1667.
• Be sure to inform OSHP that you need to
obtain an HP106 form for a court ordered title.
• Bring your vehicle, inspection receipt (HP105)
and any supporting documentation of
ownership/possession to the inspection station
on the day of your inspection. A VIN check will
be performed by OSHP to determine whether
the vehicle was stolen and/or if any brandings
exist on the vehicle.
• Please retain the HP106 form you are
provided by the OSHP. This document will be
required as necessary evidence in your
petition to the court.
Step Six:
Filing Your Petition to the Court
of
Common Pleas
Cuyahoga County Court of Common
Pleas
Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
• Bring your original Petition for Court Order,
Affidavit in Support of the Petition, and your
evidence, to be filed as a miscellaneous case.
• Add all possible interested parties who may
have a claim to the title, such as any title
holders and lien holders that you identified
through your BMV Vehicle Owner Record
Search (BMV 2433) and your OSHP
Inspection (106).
• If a lien was identified on the vehicle, please
inform the clerk so the lien can be properly
addressed in the petition and judgment entry.
• If the vehicle is an unrecovered, stolen vehicle,
the proposed Court order must state that the
BMV is instructed to lift all holds on the title
long enough to transfer the title to the
petitioner.
• A filing fee of $250.00 will need to be paid at
the time of filing your petition.
| Revised July 24, 2024
Step Seven:
Notification by the Clerk of Courts
Cuyahoga County Court of Common
Pleas
Justice Center
1200 Ontario Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
• Your petition will be assigned as a case to a
judge. Ultimately, the judge must sign the
order granting your petition before the
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department Auto
Title Division may issue a Certificate of Title.
• The judge may hold case management
conferences and request more information be
provided. This is at the judge’s discretion.
You may receive notices in the mail from the
Clerk of Courts. You may also keep track of
your case on the Cuyahoga County Clerk of
Courts Docket website:
https://cpdocket.cp.cuyahogacounty.us/Search
.aspx
• If you need legal assistance, contact an
attorney, the Court Resource Center, or Legal
Aid of Cleveland.
• After approval or denial by a Judge, you will be
contacted by the Clerk of Courts Office.
• If the order was approved, the Judge will sign,
and you can pick up a certified copy at the
Clerk of Courts Office.
• There is a $1.00 per page charge for the
certified copy.
Step Eight:
Obtaining Certificate
of Title
Cuyahoga County Auto Title
Division
(216) 443-8900
• Take the certified copy of the order to any
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department Auto
Title Division for issuance of a Certificate of
Title.
• You will be responsible for title fees and any
sales tax (if applicable) associated with the
transaction.
Additional Documentation and Reference Material
Attached you will find the forms and reference materials needed to complete the steps of the court
ordered title process. These forms as well as supporting evidence will need to be submitted with the
Petition for Court Order to Issue Certificate of Title. The required petition must be filed within 60 days of
the vehicle inspection.
Forms and materials attached include:
• Locations of BMV Deputy Registrar License Agencies in Cuyahoga County
• Ohio State Highway Patrol Inspection Sites
• Ohio State Highway Patrol Inspection Request
• Application for Order to Issue Certificate of Title
• Order to Issue Certificate of Title
• Petitioner Affidavit Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title
| Revised July 24, 2024
| Revised July 24, 2024
OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL INSPECTION SITES
BUCYRUS DISTRICT
1653 Marion Rd
Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419)-563-0272
**CLEVELAND DISTRICT**
5225 W. 140
th
St.
Brook Park, OH 44142
Phone: (216) 265-1677
FINDLAY DISTRICT
8210 County Rd 140, Suite D
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone : (419)-423-2957
MASSILLON DISTRICT
8730 Lake Rd.
Seville, OH 44273
Phone: (330)-769-5089
WARREN DISTRICT
3424 Parkman Rd.
Southington, OH 44470
Phone: (330)-898-2894
• Inspections may be scheduled online
• For questions please call an inspection location
• For more information about salvage inspections please see the Salvage Inspection Brochure on the
Ohio State Highway Patrol’s website –
• ht
tp://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov
| Revised July 24, 2024
Fiscal Office
Auto Title Division
OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL INSPECTION REQUEST
TO: The Ohio State Highway Patrol
District Inspection Station
FROM: Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office
Auto Title Division
Date: _________________
Customer Name: __________________________________________________________
VIN: ____________________________________________________________________
The above-named customer has requested a certificate of title through the State of Ohio. The
customer does not have the proper documentation or evidence for us to issue a title. Therefore, we
have recommended that this customer apply to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for a
court order to obtain a vehicle title.
You are hereby requested to complete a physical inspection of the subject vehicle upon presentation
of the receipt/proof of payment of the inspection fee.
If you have questions, please contact one of the Title Offices below.
Deputy Clerk: _______________________________________________________________
Deputy Clerk Signature: _______________________________________________________
| Revised July 24, 2024
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
Applicant’s Name
Case Number:
Address
APPLICATION FOR ORDER
TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
VEHICLE OWNER AND/ OR LIENHOLDER
I
, _____________________________________, being duly sworn according to law, make the following
(Applicant’s name)
Statements:
____________________________________________________________________________________
(How did you obtain the vehicle?)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you purchased the vehicle, list date of transaction, who did you buy it from and how much did you pay? ATTACH COPY OF RECEIPT, CHECK OR
OTHER PROOF OF TRANSACTION)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Did you obtain a record check by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles? ATTACH COPY OF THE RESULTS.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(State why you do not have a title. ATTACH COPY OF CERTIFIED LETTER SENT TO PREVIOUS OWNER, WITH RETURN RECEIPT, ASKING
FOR THE TITLE.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Did you request a title through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles? ATTACH COPY OF LETTER FROM BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES.)
I hereby respectfully make application for the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department to issue a Certificate of Title to me
for the described vehicle
Sworn to and subscribed before me on
(Date)
______________________________________________
(Notary Public, State of Ohio)
Re: Certificate of Title For:
MAKE ______________________
YEAR ______________________
MODEL ____________________
VIN ________________________
______________________________
Applicant’s Signature
__________________________________________
Applicant’s Name (Printed)
__________________________________________
Address (1)
__________________________________________
Address (2)
__________________________________________
Home Phone #
__________________________________________
Cell Phone #
__________________________________________
Email Address
2079 E. Ninth Street 3-200 | Cleveland, OH 44115 | 216-443-8900 | www.cuyahogacounty.us
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO
JOURNAL ENTRY
Applicant’s Name
Case Number:
Address (1)
Address (2)
ORDER TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE
Home Phone
OF TITLE
Cell Phone
Email Address
On this day, this matter came before the court to be heard ex parte upon the Affidavit and Application of
the above applicant for an order authorizing the issuance of a Certificate of Title for the vehicle
described in the Affidavit.
The Court, being fully advised, finds that the Application is well taken, and the Certificate of Title should
be issued to the above applicant as requested.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Department issue a Certificate of Title
for the vehicle described in the Affidavit and Application, to the Applicant, and set forth above.
Witness my hand this day of
Judge’s Signature
Re: Certificate of Title For:
MAKE ______________________
YEAR ______________________
MODEL ____________________
VIN ________________________
2079 E. Ninth Street 3-200 | Cleveland, OH 44115 | 216-443-8900 | www.cuyahogacounty.us
STATE OF OHIO
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
AFFIDAVIT CERTIFICATE OF MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE
_________________________________________
PETITIONER
Now comes the Petitioner, as stated above, in the State of Ohio, County of Cuyahoga, being duly sworn,
deposes and says that:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(state the facts of how you obtained the vehicle, motorcycle, or watercraft. List dates of transaction, who
you bought it from, previous title owner, costs, the value of the vehicle, make, model, VIN, year of the
vehicle. Attach a copy of receipt, check or other proof of transaction, copy of certified letter to previous
owner, return receipt requested, result of BMV record search, and insufficient evidence letters from Fiscal
Department and BMV.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Witness whereof he/she has hereto set his hand and seal,
_______________________________________
Petitioner’s Signature
_______________________________________
Address
_______________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
_______________________________________
Phone
2079 E. Ninth Street 3-200 | Cleveland, OH 44115 | 216-443-8900 | www.cuyahogacounty.us
I, ________________________________, a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, hereby
certify that ___________________________ personally known to me to be the affiant in the foregoing
affidavit, personally appeared before me this day and having been by me duly sworn deposes and says
that the facts set forth in the above affidavit are true and correct.
Witness my hand and official seal this ___________ day of ____________________, _______________.
My Commission Expires: _______/______/______ ________________________________
Notary Public
(Seal)