Indiana Vehicle Title Transfer

Quick Answer

When a vehicle changes owners in Indiana, the buyer must apply for a new certificate of title. For most private sales, the seller completes the seller section of the title, and the buyer takes the assigned title and any required documents to the Indiana BMV. Newly acquired vehicles generally must be titled and registered within 45 days to avoid penalties

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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The Indiana BMV handles vehicle title transfers, new titles, duplicate titles, liens, registrations, and title corrections.

Official website: Indiana BMV Vehicle Titles

What You Need to Transfer a Vehicle Title

For a typical private-party vehicle purchase, bring:

The original title properly assigned by the seller
Buyer and seller information completed on the title
Odometer information when required
Proof of identification
Payment for title fees, taxes, registration, and plates
A lien release if a lien appears on the title but has been paid

Additional forms may be required when information is missing from the title or the transfer involves an unusual situation. Indiana provides separate forms for title applications, bills of sale, odometer disclosures, liens, and ownership affidavits.

→ View Indiana Title Forms

Buying a Vehicle From a Private Seller

Seller Responsibilities

The seller should:

Complete the seller section of the certificate of title
Enter the buyer’s name and information accurately
Record the sale date and purchase price
Complete the odometer disclosure when required
Sign the title exactly as the owner’s name appears
Provide a lien release when applicable

Do not accept a title with blank purchaser information. This can create problems when the buyer applies for the new title.

Buyer Responsibilities

The buyer should:

Review the title before paying for the vehicle
Confirm the vehicle identification number matches the vehicle
Make sure all listed owners have signed
Check for unresolved liens
Apply for a new Indiana title
Register the vehicle and obtain a plate when needed

→ View Buying and Selling Requirements

Buying From an Indiana Dealer

Indiana dealers usually submit the title paperwork for the buyer. The dealer should provide temporary registration or other documentation allowing the vehicle to be driven while the permanent title and registration are processed.

Ask the dealer:

Whether the title application has already been submitted
Whether taxes and registration fees were included
How and when the permanent registration will arrive
Whether the title will be issued electronically or on paper

Indiana now allows qualifying titles to be issued electronically or as paper titles.

Transferring an Out-of-State Title to Indiana

An out-of-state title transfer may require:

Completed title application
Original out-of-state title or other proof of ownership
Purchase agreement or bill of sale
Odometer disclosure when required
Vehicle identification number inspection
Proof of Indiana address
Payment of title fees and applicable taxes

New Indiana residents generally have 60 days to apply for Indiana titles for vehicles they own. A vehicle identification number inspection is normally required for an out-of-state vehicle.

→ View New Indiana Resident BMV Guide

Title Transfer Deadline

Indiana residents who acquire an unregistered vehicle generally must title and register it within 45 days of the purchase or acquisition date. A late title application may result in an administrative penalty.

Do not wait for a temporary permit to expire before beginning the title process.

Vehicle Title Fees

The standard Indiana fee to issue, duplicate, or replace a vehicle title is currently $15. The optional speed-title fee is an additional $25, and a late title application may carry a $30 administrative penalty. Taxes, registration charges, plate fees, and card-processing fees may also apply.

→ View the Current BMV Fee Chart

Sales Tax

Indiana vehicle purchases may be subject to state sales or use tax. Dealer purchases usually include the tax in the transaction. For a private sale or an out-of-state purchase, the BMV may collect tax when the new title is processed unless documentation shows that the tax was already paid or the transaction qualifies for an exemption.

Bring documentation showing:

Purchase price
Sales tax already paid
Trade-in credit, when applicable
Any claimed tax exemption

If the Seller Cannot Find the Title

The titled owner normally must obtain a replacement title before completing the sale. Indiana allows eligible owners to request a duplicate title through myBMV, at certain service providers, or by mail.

A duplicate title currently costs $15, with an optional additional fee for speed-title service.

→ View Duplicate Title Information

If There Is a Lien on the Title

A lien indicates that a lender or other party may still have a financial interest in the vehicle.

Before purchasing:

Confirm whether the lien has been paid
Request an official lien release
Verify that the seller has the authority to transfer ownership
Do not rely only on a verbal promise that the lien will be removed later

A title transfer may be delayed until the lien information is properly resolved.

Adding or Removing an Owner

Removing a person from an Indiana vehicle title is treated as a title change. The owner being removed generally completes the seller information, and the remaining owner is shown as the purchaser. If the owner cannot sign and no valid power of attorney is available, a court order may be required.

Marriage, divorce, inheritance, trusts, and business ownership may require additional documentation.

Before You Go

✔ Make sure every required owner has signed the title.

✔ Check the vehicle identification number on the title against the vehicle.

✔ Verify that the buyer’s name is entered correctly.

✔ Bring a lien release when the title lists a paid-off lender.

✔ Confirm current BMV fees and accepted payment methods.

✔ Make copies or take clear photos of the signed title and bill of sale.

Local Tips

Review the title completely before going to the Lafayette BMV; missing signatures can prevent the transfer.
Avoid writing over mistakes or using correction fluid on the title. Ask the BMV what correction documentation is required.
Keep a signed bill of sale even when the purchase information appears on the title.
A BMV appointment may reduce your wait, but check the branch’s current service options first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer an Indiana vehicle title online?

Some title-related services are available through myBMV, but many ownership transfers still require documents to be submitted through a branch, dealer, service provider, or by mail. The available method depends on the type of transfer.

Do both the buyer and seller have to go to the BMV?

Usually not. The seller generally completes and signs the title, and the buyer submits the title-transfer application. Complicated situations may require additional signatures or documentation.

Is a bill of sale required?

The assigned title is normally the main ownership document, but a bill of sale can provide important proof of the sale date, price, buyer, and seller. Certain transfers may require one.

Can I drive the vehicle before transferring the title?

You must have legal registration, plates, insurance, or an appropriate temporary permit before driving. Buying a vehicle does not automatically authorize it to be driven with the seller’s plate.

What happens if I miss the 45-day deadline?

The BMV may assess a late-title administrative penalty, and you may also encounter registration or plate problems.

What if the title has an error?

Do not alter the title without guidance. Depending on the mistake, the BMV may require an affidavit, title correction form, replacement title, or another supporting document.

Summary

An Indiana vehicle title transfer establishes the new legal owner of a vehicle. Before applying, make sure the title is correctly assigned, all owners have signed, the vehicle identification number is accurate, and any lien has been released. Buyers should complete the title and registration process within the required deadline and verify current fees and documentation directly with the Indiana BMV.

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