Indiana Vehicle Title Transfer

An Indiana title transfer is the BMV process that moves vehicle ownership from one party to another. The Indiana BMV uses Form 44237 (Application for Certificate of Title) for every transfer, charges a flat $15 title fee, and requires the buyer to complete the transfer within 31 days of the assignment date.

Seller responsibilities

The seller's role in an Indiana title transfer:

• Sign the back of the title in the "Seller's Assignment" section.
• Print the buyer's name and address.
• Record the date of sale and the sale price.
• Complete the odometer disclosure if the vehicle is less than 20 model years old.
• Remove the license plate — Indiana plates stay with the seller, not with the vehicle.
• Provide a written bill of sale (good practice, not required by statute) showing the VIN, sale price, and signatures of both parties.

The seller does not file a separate notice with the BMV. The transfer is recorded only when the buyer completes the title application; until then, the BMV record shows the seller as the owner.

Buyer responsibilities

The buyer must complete the title application at any BMV branch within 31 days of the assignment date. Bring:

• The signed-over title from the seller.
• Completed Form 44237 with the buyer's information, the lien holder if financed, and the new title address.
• A bill of sale or completed seller's assignment showing the sale price.
• The buyer's Indiana driver's license or state ID.
• Proof of Indiana auto insurance — see the Indiana car insurance page.
• Payment for the $15 title fee, the registration fee, and 7% sales tax on the purchase price (or the NADA trade-in value, whichever is higher).

The buyer typically also handles the registration on the same visit. If the buyer is keeping a plate from a previous Indiana vehicle, bring the plate, the previous registration, and proof that the previous vehicle has been sold or removed from service.

Lien release

If the seller financed the vehicle, the lien must be released before the buyer can take title. There are two scenarios:

• Lien paid before sale: The lender mails a release letter or notes the release on the title. The seller delivers the title with the lien stamped or signed off.
• Buyer assuming the loan: The buyer's lender files a new lien notice with the BMV. The previous lender's release accompanies the title transfer.

Indiana titles include an electronic lien indicator that the BMV flags during the transfer. A title submitted with an unreleased lien will be returned, and the buyer cannot complete registration until the lien clears.

The 31-day deadline

Indiana law requires the buyer to apply for the new title within 31 days of the assignment date on the back of the title. After 31 days the BMV charges a $30 administrative penalty in addition to the $15 title fee. After 60 days the penalty rises and the buyer may need to provide a notarized affidavit explaining the delay. Driving the vehicle on the seller's expired registration is a separate Class C infraction.

Special transfer situations

The standard Form 44237 applies in most cases, but several situations require extra documentation:

• Inherited vehicle: attach a copy of the death certificate, the will or affidavit of heirship, and any small-estate affidavit (Form 49284 for estates under $50,000).
• Gifted vehicle: note "Gift" as the sale price on Form 44237; sales tax does not apply when the recipient is the spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent.
• Out-of-state title: a VIN inspection at the BMV branch is required before the title can be transferred to Indiana. The branch will check the VIN against the assigned title and any salvage indicator.
• Salvage or rebuilt title: a rebuilt title requires an Indiana State Police inspection and a separate Form 39530-S salvage application.

If the original title is lost or damaged, the seller must first request a duplicate title before any transfer can take place. The duplicate process takes 7 to 14 days and uses the same Form 44237 with the duplicate box checked.