VIN inspection · Ohio

Getting your VIN inspected in Ohio

Ohio lets a private inspector do this, so you can hire somebody instead of asking the police for a favor.

Who Ohio allows

  • Deputy registrar license agency
  • Clerk of Courts title office
  • Participating licensed Ohio dealership

Start hereDeputy registrar license agency

When you book

Tell them the form is Montana's and that they'll be completing Section 2 of it. A dealer or mechanic who does VIN verifications for Ohio will recognize the job.

Ohio does NOT use notaries for VIN verification. Do not cite BMV 3787 - that form is for Ohio residents living out of state.

Wondering whether Ohio can title the vehicle itself? Read the Ohio guide.

What happens at the inspection

Whoever does it fills in Section 2 of Montana form MV20 by hand, in ink, standing at the vehicle, and signs it. You collect one document showing their name and department or license, take four photos, and mail the original back to us with the return label from your packet and one Forever stamp.

Read the step-by-step, including what not to let them write on.

Checked against Ohio's own form or titling page on 2026-08-26. If the rules have moved since, tell us and we'll correct it the same week.

All 50 states

$20 opens your case and buys the prepared form. The $279 balance is charged only once your Montana title has been issued and is in our hands.