Ohio BMV 3804 Form: Affidavit for Motor Home Conversion – If you have converted a van, truck, or other motor vehicle into a motor home in Ohio, you must update the vehicle’s title and registration to reflect its new classification. The official document required for this process is Ohio Form BMV 3804, titled “Affidavit — Conversion to Motor Home.” This form is issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), and is essential for legally titling and registering your converted vehicle as a motor home under Ohio law.
This guide explains everything U.S. residents—especially Ohio vehicle owners—need to know about Form BMV 3804, including legal requirements, how to complete it, where to submit it, and how to download the official PDF.
What Is Ohio Form BMV 3804?
Form BMV 3804 is an official affidavit used by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle owners complete and sign it (usually before a notary) to certify that their motor vehicle has been permanently converted into a motor home and now meets the statutory definition under Ohio Revised Code.
The form is listed on the official Ohio BMV Documents & Fees page under Titles as “Affidavit Conversion to Motor Home.” County Clerk of Courts title offices across Ohio accept this form when issuing a new title that changes the body type to motor home.
You can download the current official version (revised 3/23) directly from the State of Ohio:
Download Ohio Form BMV 3804 PDF
Legal Definition of a Motor Home in Ohio
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4501.01(Q)(6)(b), a “motor home” is defined as:
“A self-propelled recreational vehicle that has no fifth wheel and is constructed with permanently installed facilities for cold storage, cooking and consuming of food, and for sleeping.”
This definition is critical. Simply adding a mattress or portable cooler does not qualify. The required facilities must be permanently installed and attached to the vehicle.
Form BMV 3804 specifically references this statute and requires the owner to affirm that the necessary equipment has been permanently installed.
Required Equipment for Motor Home Conversion
To qualify for titling and registration as a motor home, the vehicle must have the following permanently installed equipment (as listed on Form BMV 3804):
- Facilities for cold storage of food — Ice box or refrigerator
- Facilities for cooking of food — Range top or oven
- Facilities for consumption of food — Table with seating
- Facilities for sleeping — Bed
The owner must specify the exact equipment installed for cold storage and cooking. These items cannot be temporary or easily removable while the vehicle remains titled as a motor home.
The affidavit also includes a continuing obligation: if any of the required equipment is later removed, the owner must immediately apply to the Clerk of Courts to have the vehicle re-titled properly and then update the registration with the Ohio BMV.
Who Needs to File Form BMV 3804?
You need Form BMV 3804 if you:
- Converted a cargo van, passenger van, truck, or similar vehicle into a motor home
- Want to change the vehicle’s body type on the Ohio Certificate of Title from its previous classification to “motor home”
- Plan to register the vehicle as a motor home (which may affect registration fees and plate type)
Licensed Ohio motor vehicle dealers (under R.C. Chapter 4517) who own or purchase the vehicle are exempt from the notarization requirement under section 4505.063 of the Ohio Revised Code. All other owners must have the affidavit notarized.
How to Complete Ohio Form BMV 3804?
The form is straightforward. Follow these steps carefully:
- Date and Location — Enter the date and the Ohio county where the affidavit is signed.
- Owner Information — Provide your full name and address.
- Vehicle Description — Accurately list:
- Year
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Make
- Model
- Body Type (original)
- Motor Number (if applicable)
- Equipment Affirmation — Check or specify the permanently installed facilities for cold storage, cooking, food consumption, and sleeping.
- Signature — Sign as the owner/affiant and date the form.
- Notarization — Have the form sworn and subscribed before a Notary Public or other authorized officer. The notary completes the acknowledgment section, including commission expiration and seal.
Important: Falsifying the affidavit is punishable by fine and imprisonment under Ohio law. Only complete the form if the conversion truly meets the legal requirements.
Where to Submit Form BMV 3804?
Submit the completed and notarized Form BMV 3804 to your local County Clerk of Courts Title Office (also called Auto Title Division). You will typically need:
- The current Ohio Certificate of Title (or out-of-state title if converting an out-of-state vehicle)
- Completed BMV 3804
- Proof of identity
- Applicable title fees
Once the new title is issued showing the body type as motor home, you can register the vehicle at any Ohio BMV Deputy Registrar license agency or online through official BMV channels where available.
County title offices across Ohio (including Mercer, Lucas, Belmont, Washington, and others) list BMV 3804 among their available title forms, confirming its statewide use.
Benefits of Properly Titling as a Motor Home
Correctly converting and titling your vehicle as a motor home offers several practical advantages:
- Accurate vehicle classification for insurance purposes
- Eligibility for multi-year registration options available to motor homes in Ohio
- Proper plate type and registration fee structure
- Compliance with Ohio law, avoiding potential issues during traffic stops or future sales
- Clear record for buyers if you later sell the converted vehicle
Tips for a Successful Conversion and Filing
- Ensure all required facilities are permanently installed before signing the affidavit.
- Double-check the VIN and vehicle details against the current title to avoid rejection.
- Use the most recent version of the form (currently the 3/23 revision).
- Contact your local Clerk of Courts title office in advance to confirm any additional local requirements or fees.
- Keep a copy of the completed, notarized form for your records.
For the most current official information, always refer to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website and the Ohio Revised Code.
Download the Official Form
Obtain the official, fillable or printable Form BMV 3804 directly from the State of Ohio:
Download Ohio BMV 3804 — Affidavit Conversion to Motor Home (PDF)
You can also find it listed on the official Ohio BMV forms page under Titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form BMV 3804 required for all van conversions in Ohio?
Yes, if you want the vehicle titled and registered as a motor home rather than remaining classified as a van or truck.
Do I need an inspection?
Form BMV 3804 itself is an owner affidavit. However, depending on the nature of the conversion or if the vehicle was previously salvage or self-assembled, additional inspections may apply. Check with your local title office.
Can a licensed dealer skip notarization?
Yes. A motor vehicle dealer licensed under R.C. Chapter 4517 is not required to have the document notarized.
What happens if I remove the equipment later?
You must immediately re-title the vehicle in the proper classification and update the registration with the Ohio BMV.
By properly completing and filing Ohio Form BMV 3804, you ensure your converted motor home is legally recognized, correctly titled, and ready for registration and road use in Ohio and beyond.