SearchSystems Editorial

Reviewed and updated October 21, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read that day from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles' own pages on in.gov, and the official page each fact came from is linked where it appears.

About this guide

Indiana's title establishes the vehicle ownership record, and its paper or electronic format affects how a later sale, lien release, correction, or duplicate request is handled.

In this guide: Begin with the ownership document, not the plate, Apply within the Indiana acquisition deadline, Assemble the application around the actual transaction, Use a bill of sale only for its permitted purpose, Arrange the VIN inspection for an out-of-state vehicle, Separate purchase tax from an ownership relocation, Obtain a release that matches the lien record, Choose the title format with the next transaction in mind, Order a duplicate only when a duplicate is appropriate, Handle ownership changes and unusual records directly, Finish registration and keep a usable transaction record, Frequently Asked Questions

Begin with the ownership document, not the plate

The Indiana vehicle title program requires a certificate of title for vehicles unless a specific legal exemption applies. A registration card identifies a registration transaction; it should not be substituted for the seller's ownership document without an applicable exception. Compare the vehicle identification number on the vehicle with the title before exchanging payment. Review the BMV's purchase-protection guidance for vehicle history, inspection, and recall resources. A title can establish recorded ownership without proving the vehicle is mechanically sound, free of an undisclosed accident, or appropriate for your intended use. Ownership review and a mechanical inspection address different risks in the same purchase.

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Apply within the Indiana acquisition deadline

Indiana's buying and selling instructions require a title application within 45 days after purchasing or otherwise acquiring the vehicle. The BMV fee chart lists a $15 original title charge and a $30 late-title administrative penalty (sources read October 21, 2026). Do not substitute the deadline printed on a dealer's temporary permit for this application deadline. Keep the sale date, delivery date, and filing receipt together. A new resident bringing an already-owned vehicle follows the separate new-resident instructions, so identify whether the transaction is an acquisition by an existing resident or the relocation of an existing ownership record.

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Assemble the application around the actual transaction

The official title forms collection includes State Form 205 for a vehicle title application, odometer documentation, tax forms, and supporting affidavits. Select supporting documents for the facts of the transaction instead of submitting every available form. The seller and purchaser portions of the ownership document need to identify the correct parties and vehicle. When a representative will sign, review the listed limited power-of-attorney form and the particular transaction requirements. Prepare your identity and residence evidence through the branch preparation guide. A missing seller signature or mismatched VIN is a title defect, not something a larger registration payment can cure.

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Use a bill of sale only for its permitted purpose

The BMV bill-of-sale explanation limits when that document can serve as primary ownership evidence. An ordinary sale of a vehicle that must be titled does not become transferable solely because the parties signed a receipt. A bill of sale may support missing purchase-price or sale-date information, but it does not override conflicting information already written on the title. For an error, use the appropriate correction procedure rather than rewriting the sale on a separate page. The distinction matters especially with older trailers, off-road vehicles, government sales, and purchases from jurisdictions that did not require the former owner to obtain a title.

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Arrange the VIN inspection for an out-of-state vehicle

A vehicle coming from another state for Indiana titling requires the identity inspection described on the BMV purchase page. This includes vehicles brought by new residents and relevant manufacturer-origin transactions. BMV branches and certified providers perform the inspection without a state inspection charge; a law enforcement officer may charge up to $5 and completes State Form 39530 (read October 21, 2026). The inspection verifies vehicle identity rather than functioning as a statewide annual safety inspection. Plan how the vehicle will reach the inspecting location, and confirm that the signed inspection identifies the same VIN appearing on the ownership and application documents.

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Separate purchase tax from an ownership relocation

The Department of Revenue vehicle tax guidance identifies Indiana's 7% tax rate, while the BMV purchase page explains where payment is collected. An Indiana dealer ordinarily documents collected tax with ST-108; a private-party purchaser pays applicable tax during the branch title transaction. An Indiana resident buying elsewhere may receive credit for qualifying tax already paid and owe a difference. The BMV distinguishes that purchase from a new resident transferring a previously owned vehicle from the former state of residence. Preserve the actual dealer tax receipt or exemption evidence rather than treating a handwritten statement that tax was handled as sufficient documentation.

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Obtain a release that matches the lien record

Review the Indiana lien-release requirements before presenting a supposedly clear title. Financial-institution or dealer releases need the prescribed identification and signature information, and an electronic lien must be released electronically. A lender's account balance screenshot is not automatically the required title release. If an out-of-state lender holds the ownership document, the BMV purchase instructions provide State Form 1014 so a branch can request it. A business closure also does not erase its recorded lien; the BMV directs customers to court for the appropriate order when the relevant institution or dealer is no longer operating.

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Choose the title format with the next transaction in mind

Indiana has offered an electronic or paper title choice since July 1, 2025. Under the electronic title instructions, the owner's preference governs when no lien controls the format; an existing lien can make the lender's preference controlling. An electronic title is the state ownership record, not an image the owner prints at home and signs as an original certificate. Eligible transfers to participating Indiana dealers use the designated electronic process. For other transactions requiring a signed paper document, arrange the proper conversion before the buyer arrives. Check the contact preferences on the BMV account so the issuance notification reaches the owner.

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Order a duplicate only when a duplicate is appropriate

The duplicate-title process addresses a lost, damaged, stolen, or unreadable paper title. Issuance of the duplicate voids the previous title, so an old document found later should not be used in a sale. A duplicate cannot change owners or liens and cannot be processed against an electronic title. The electronic-title page instead allows a lien-free electronic record to be converted to paper without an additional conversion charge. These distinctions were checked October 21, 2026. Before paying, identify whether the problem is missing paper, an electronic format preference, an ownership change, or a lien that has not actually been released.

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Handle ownership changes and unusual records directly

Adding or removing a co-owner requires the title amendment procedure and the necessary signatures or legal authority. The registration must also be updated when its owners change. Planning for a beneficiary uses the separate transfer-on-death designation, which has its own signature requirements. Salvage vehicles, missing ownership evidence, altered identification, and other exceptional cases belong under special titling circumstances, often with a Central Office packet. Do not choose an affidavit simply because it appears faster than obtaining a missing title. Each alternative has eligibility conditions and evidence requirements that must match the vehicle and the applicant's actual ownership situation.

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Finish registration and keep a usable transaction record

A newly titled vehicle still needs the appropriate Indiana registration transaction before ordinary road use. Estimate the separate registration and excise charges through the vehicle fee and tax guide, rather than assuming the title fee is the total bill. A customer needing expedited title processing should consult Speed Title instructions; the $25 expedited charge is separate from ordinary title fees and does not excuse an incomplete packet (fee checked October 21, 2026). Retain copies of the assigned ownership document, tax proof, application receipt, and any lender release. Those records make a later correction much easier than trying to reconstruct the sale from messages alone. Before leaving the transaction, verify that the receipt reflects the requested title format and that any outstanding document request has a clear explanation of what BMV still needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can an Indiana buyer use a registration card instead of the seller's required title?
Not for an ordinary transaction requiring a certificate of title; primary ownership evidence must meet the applicable title rules or a documented exception.

What is the difference between replacing paper and printing an Indiana electronic title?
A duplicate replaces an existing paper certificate, while a lien-free electronic title uses the state's conversion process rather than the duplicate transaction.

Will a VIN inspection establish that a used vehicle has no mechanical problems?
The out-of-state titling inspection verifies vehicle identity and should not be treated as a comprehensive mechanical examination.

Can the parties correct a wrong purchase price by writing a different amount on a bill of sale?
The supporting bill of sale cannot override conflicting title information; the BMV provides a separate correction affidavit for title errors.

Does paying off a lender automatically produce an acceptable Indiana lien release?
The lienholder must complete the applicable release process, including electronic release when required, so the ownership record can be updated.

Is the Indiana $15 title charge also the cost of registration?
Registration, excise taxes, applicable local charges, and any other required transaction fees are calculated separately from the ordinary title fee.

About this page

Written by SearchSystems.net from the Indiana BMV pages linked in each section, on in.gov and secure.in.gov, read on October 21, 2026.

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More Indiana BMV guides

The other Indiana BMV guides, 52 of them: