Ohio BMV 5736: Power of Attorney Vehicle Registration Form – The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Form BMV 5736 is the official Power of Attorney document that allows a vehicle owner or purchaser to authorize another person to apply for registration or transfer of registration on their behalf. This form is essential for Ohio residents and new arrivals who cannot appear in person at a deputy registrar license agency.
Issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the current version (BMV 5736 4/25) is a restricted one-page form designed specifically for vehicle registration transactions. It does not cover title transfers (use BMV 3771 for those). Official forms and information are available directly from the Ohio BMV website.
What Is Ohio Form BMV 5736?
Form BMV 5736 grants limited authority to a designated “Person Granted Authority” (PGA) to complete registration or registration transfer applications for listed vehicles. The form is used when the vehicle owner cannot visit a local deputy registrar in person due to distance, schedule conflicts, health reasons, or other circumstances.
Key features include:
- Authorization limited to registration or transfer of registration only
- Space for vehicle details (plate number, year, make, type, color, and serial/VIN number)
- Identification fields for the vehicle owner, any lessee or additional owner, and the authorized person
- Acknowledgment of Ohio financial responsibility (insurance) requirements
- Clerk verification sections for BMV staff
The form is available in English, with official translations in Somali (BMV 5737) and Spanish (BMV 5738) on the BMV forms page.
When Do You Need Form BMV 5736?
Common situations that require this Power of Attorney include:
- Multiple owners where one or more cannot appear in person
- Leased vehicles (lessee or lessor authorization may be needed)
- Owners living out of state or temporarily unavailable
- Business-owned vehicles where an authorized representative handles registration
- New Ohio residents transferring out-of-state registration after obtaining an Ohio title
According to official BMV guidance for new residents, a signed BMV 5736 (or a notarized general power of attorney) is accepted when multiple owners cannot all be present. Note that this form is not required to be notarized, unlike the Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title (BMV 3771).
How to Download the Official Form?
Always download the most current version directly from official Ohio government sources to ensure accuracy and avoid outdated or altered documents.
Official download link: Download Ohio Form BMV 5736 (PDF)
You can also find the form (and language versions) listed under Vehicle Registration forms on the Ohio BMV Documents & Fees page.
How to Complete Form BMV 5736 Step by Step?
Fill out the form clearly in ink or type the information. Incomplete or inaccurate forms may be rejected at the deputy registrar office.
- Vehicle Owner Information — Print the full legal name and current address of the vehicle owner or purchaser.
- Person Granted Authority — Print the full legal name and address of the individual authorized to act on the owner’s behalf.
- Vehicle Details — Enter the plate number (if any), vehicle year, make, type, color, and serial number (VIN) for each vehicle covered. Multiple vehicles can be listed.
- Owner Identification — Provide the vehicle owner’s date of birth, Ohio driver’s license or ID number, Social Security Number (if no Ohio DL/ID), or EIN/TIN for businesses.
- Lease or Joint Ownership — If applicable, complete the lessee or additional owner sections with name, address, DL/ID, SSN, or EIN/TIN.
- Person Granted Authority Identification — List the PGA’s U.S. or Canadian driver’s license/ID number, or SSN if no DL/ID is available.
- Signature and Contact Details — The owner(s) must sign and date the form. Include email address, telephone number, county of residence, and city or township of residence.
- Insurance Acknowledgment — By signing, the owner acknowledges that the vehicle has (or will have) the required financial responsibility coverage and will not be operated without it or used commercially unless properly registered.
The bottom portion of the form can be detached for the owner’s records. The completed form must be attached to the BMV registration application.
Required Supporting Documents
When the authorized person submits the form at a deputy registrar license agency, they typically need:
- Completed and signed BMV 5736
- Ohio Certificate of Title, Memorandum Title, or Electronic Title Receipt
- Proof of identity for the Person Granted Authority (U.S. or Canadian DL/ID preferred)
- Proof of Social Security number or acceptable alternative documents if no DL/ID is available (see BMV Acceptable Documents List forms BMV 2424 or BMV 2430)
- Proof of financial responsibility (insurance)
- Lease agreement if the vehicle is leased
- Any other documents required for the specific registration type (e.g., E-Check certificate in certain counties, weight slips for certain vehicles)
BMV clerks will verify identification documents against the information on the form.
Important Notes and Limitations
- Scope is limited — This form authorizes registration or transfer of registration only. It does not authorize title transfers, lien releases, or other title-related actions.
- No notarization required — Unlike many title-related forms, BMV 5736 does not need to be notarized.
- Financial responsibility — Ohio law requires liability insurance or other acceptable coverage. Operating without it can result in license suspension, reinstatement fees, and other penalties. Details are printed on the form itself.
- False statements — Making false statements on the form is illegal and may result in criminal penalties.
- Dealers — Licensed Ohio motor vehicle dealers have specific rules regarding digital signatures and record-keeping.
Where to Submit the Form?
Take the completed Form BMV 5736 and all supporting documents to any Ohio deputy registrar license agency. Registration services are not handled directly at central BMV offices for most transactions. Some services may also be available through the online portal at OPLATES.com or the Ohio BMV Online Services site, but a Power of Attorney is generally used for in-person transactions when the owner is absent.
For the most current requirements, fees, and office locations, visit the official Ohio BMV website or call the BMV customer service line at (844) 644-6268.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form BMV 5736 the same as a general power of attorney?
No. It is a limited, vehicle-registration-specific form issued by the Ohio BMV. A general or durable power of attorney may be accepted in some cases if notarized, but the official BMV 5736 is preferred and streamlined for registration purposes.
Can one form cover multiple vehicles?
Yes. The form provides space to list more than one vehicle.
Does the authorized person need an Ohio driver’s license?
A U.S. or Canadian driver’s license or ID is preferred. If none is available, a Social Security number supported by acceptable documentation can be used.
Where can I find the Spanish or Somali versions?
They are listed as BMV 5738 (Spanish) and BMV 5737 (Somali) on the official BMV forms page.
Stay Up to Date
Forms and requirements can be updated. Always verify the current version and any additional instructions on the official Ohio Department of Public Safety / Bureau of Motor Vehicles website before submitting. The download link provided above points to the current official PDF hosted by the State of Ohio.
Download the official Ohio Form BMV 5736 Power of Attorney for Vehicle Registration (PDF)