Welcome to Ohio! We are excited you are moving here. You’re going to love it. 
Within 30 days of establishing residency, you are responsible for transferring your out-of-state driver license or ID card, vehicle title, and vehicle registration to Ohio.
You are considered an Ohio resident once you do one of the following:
- Take a job,
- Sign a lease,
- Buy a home, or
- Enroll children in school
To obtain an Ohio driver’s license you need to do the following (within 30 days of establishing residency!)
Step 1: Gather acceptable documents to bring with you to the agency.
These documents need to prove your current legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, citizenship or legal presence in the United States, and Ohio residential address.
Types of acceptable documents include your birth certificate, United States passport, W2 and more. It’s a very good idea to consult this list of acceptable documents from the Ohio BMV to make sure you have the correct pieces of information BEFORE attempting to get your new license. There’s nothing more frustrating than going to the DMV and realizing that you do not have all of your required documents! Don’t let that happen to you.
PLEASE NOTE: You need TWO documents from list to prove your Ohio residency.
Step 2: Present your unexpired out-of-state driver license and acceptable documents at any Deputy Registrar license agency. Click here to find a list of locations.
Step 3: Complete the vision screening test at the agency.
Step 4: Obtain auto insurance by a company who is licensed to do business in Ohio.
Ohio law requires that you have the following MINIMUM insurance coverage for all registered vehicles:
$25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
AND
$50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people
AND
$25,000 for property damage.
As insurance advisors, we believe that state minimums are too low. If you become a client of The Agent, we will ensure that you are actually protected. State minimums don’t cover it. If you register your vehicle in Ohio but do not cover the vehicle with the proper policy, you will face huge consequences including losing your license (on the first offense!) and paying fines.
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Get the proper OH insurance before you register your vehicle (and let us help you do it!).
Step 5: Title your vehicle in Ohio.
Before you can register your vehicle and obtain license plates in Ohio, you need to transfer your out-of-state title to Ohio by visiting any County Clerk of Courts Title Office.
Step 6: Register your vehicle and acquire license plates.
After titling your vehicle in Ohio, you’ll need to register the vehicle by visiting any Deputy Registrar license agency and presenting the following items:
- Ohio Certificate of Title, Memorandum Title, or Electronic Title Receipt
- Ohio driver license, Ohio ID card, or proof of Social Security number
- Tax ID number – if the vehicle is titled in a business name
- Lease agreement and power of attorney documents – if the vehicle is leased
- E-Check certificate – if registering in a county that requires E-Check
- A signed, notarized power of attorney or a Power of Attorney for Ohio Vehicle Registration (BMV 5736) – if your vehicle has multiple owners and any cannot be present
We know that getting your ducks in a row during a big move can be confusing and overwhelming. We’d love to help you take home insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance (or any other coverage you might need) off of your plate. Contact us today to get a quote! We’re excited to have you in Ohio!
Helpful Links:
Moving Resources from the OH BMV