Ohio Form BMV 2436 — Next of Kin/Emergency Contact Information – Ohio Form BMV 2436 is the official brochure and form used by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) for the Next of Kin (N.O.K.) / Emergency Contact Information program. This free, voluntary service lets Ohio residents with a driver’s license, temporary permit, or state ID card add up to two emergency contacts to their BMV record. Law enforcement can access the information if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident or emergency and cannot communicate.
The current version of the form is BMV 2436 (6/24). It helps ensure loved ones are notified quickly in critical situations. Parents of children with Ohio ID cards are especially encouraged to participate so contacts are available if a child becomes lost or missing.
What Is the Ohio Next of Kin Program?
The Ohio Next of Kin database was created so that designated contacts can be reached when a person holding an Ohio driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, motorcycle endorsement, or state identification card is seriously injured, rendered unconscious, or dies in a motor vehicle accident or other emergency and cannot communicate.
Information is stored in a secure database accessible only to Ohio BMV employees and criminal justice agencies. It is not a public record under Ohio law. The program is authorized by Ohio Revised Code Section 4501.81 and implemented under Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4501:1-1-40.
You may list up to two contacts. Checking a box on the form also allows the designated person(s) to share your up-to-date medical information with emergency medical professionals if you cannot communicate.
Who Can Participate and Who Can Be Listed as a Contact?
Anyone who holds a valid Ohio driver’s license, temporary permit, or state ID card may enroll. There is no fee.
- If you are 18 or older, your contact may be a relative, friend, co-worker, or any other person you choose.
- If you are under 18 (and not emancipated), your primary contact must be a parent, legal guardian, or custodian. A second contact may be someone else.
- Parents of children under 15 who have an Ohio ID card are encouraged to add contacts for use if the child is lost, reported missing, or involved in an emergency.
- Military contacts with APO or FPO addresses are accepted.
You must submit the information yourself. The BMV will not enter or change data except upon your electronic or written application.
Key Features of Form BMV 2436 and the Program
- Completely free to add, change, or remove information.
- Secure database available to law enforcement 24/7 (except during system emergencies).
- Option to authorize medical information sharing with first responders and medical professionals.
- Ability to add, change, or remove contacts at any time.
- At least one phone number (with area code) or address is required for each contact to process the form.
The BMV is not responsible for errors in the information you provide or for failure to keep it current. Under Ohio law, neither the BMV nor law enforcement incurs liability if contact cannot be made with a designated person.
How to Submit Ohio Form BMV 2436 or Register Online?
You have three convenient options:
- Online (recommended for speed) — Visit the official Ohio BMV website at bmv.ohio.gov and use BMV Online Services to register or update Next of Kin / Emergency Contact information.
- In person — Take the completed form or request assistance at any local Deputy Registrar license agency in Ohio.
- By mail — Complete the form and mail it to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Verification Services
Document Management
P.O. Box 16520
Columbus, OH 43216-6520
Once information is on file, you can change or remove it using any of the same methods. Incomplete forms will not be processed and will not be returned for correction.
Download Official Ohio Form BMV 2436
Download the current official PDF (version BMV 2436 6/24) directly from the State of Ohio:
Download Ohio Form BMV 2436 — Next of Kin/Emergency Contact Information (PDF)
The form includes sections to select Add, Change, or Remove; your personal information and Ohio driver license or ID number (required); Contact #1 and optional Contact #2 details (name, relationship, phone numbers, address); the medical information authorization checkbox; and your signature and date.
Why You Should Complete Form BMV 2436 Today?
Emergencies leave little time for searching phone contacts or family records. Having designated next-of-kin information on file with the Ohio BMV gives law enforcement a reliable, immediate way to notify the people you choose. Updating the information after moves, changes in relationships, or new phone numbers keeps the record useful.
Parents of minor children with Ohio IDs gain an extra layer of protection. Adults gain peace of mind that the right people will be contacted if they cannot speak for themselves.
For the most current details, always refer to the official Ohio BMV website (bmv.ohio.gov) and the form itself. You can also contact the Ohio BMV at (844) 644-6268 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or use the chat feature on their site.
Completing Ohio Form BMV 2436 takes only a few minutes and costs nothing. It is one of the simplest steps Ohio residents can take to help protect themselves and their loved ones in an emergency.