Titling a Vehicle
A completed certificate of title is evidence of vehicle ownership. In Indiana, all motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, mobile homes, recreational vehicles and recreational trailers must be titled. Indiana residents must title a newly-acquired vehicle within 31 days after the date of purchase.
Within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident, a person must obtain a certificate of title for all vehicles that they own. Indiana residents may title their vehicles at any license branch throughout the state.
Please note that on April 1, 2008, Indiana adopted a seven percent sales tax.
Important information on this page:
Necessary documents to title a vehicle
In order to receive a title for your vehicle, you must complete the following documents:
For new vehicles:
- Application for Certificate of Title - State Form 44049
- Properly assigned Certificate of Origin
- Conforming Odometer Statement (generally found on the Certificate of Origin)
- Proof of sales tax paid (State Form 48842, also known as ST-108, provided by the dealership)
- Vehicle Inspection Number (VIN) Inspection (if the vehicle was not purchased in Indiana)
- Social Security number or Federal Employer Identification number
For used vehicles:
- Application for Certificate of Title - State Form 44049
- Conforming Odometer Statement (generally found on the Certificate of Origin)
- Bill of Sale
- Vehicle Inspection Number (VIN) Inspection (if the vehicle was not purchased in Indiana)
- Social Security number or Federal Employer Identification number
Any vehicle coming into Indiana from another state, including those assigned to an Indiana resident on a manufacturer's certificate of origin, must receive a VIN inspection. This inspection may be done at any Indiana license branch for no charge, or may be completed by a law enforcement officer who may charge up to $5. The officer must fill out an Affidavit of Police Officer/Physical Inspection of an Indiana Resident's Vehicle/Watercraft - State Form 39530 when completing a VIN inspection.
- Download an Application for Certificate of Title - State Form 44049
- Download an Affidavit of Police Officer/Physical Inspection of an Indiana Resident's Vehicle/Watercraft - State Form 39530
Indiana sales tax
State law requires Indiana residents to pay a seven percent sales tax on any newly-purchased vehicle. If a vehicle is purchased from a dealership, the dealer will collect the sales tax. If a vehicle is sold privately, the sales tax must be paid at a license branch when the purchaser titles the vehicle.
Motorists who purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer or individual will receive credit for taxes paid in that other state. If the motorist paid less than seven percent they will need to pay the difference to Indiana.
Some states will allow a person to purchase a vehicle and not pay taxes on it when taking it out of that state. Other states will tax the transaction. Depending on the percentage of tax paid to the other state, the Indiana resident may be charged or credited the difference between the other state's sales tax and Indiana's sales tax.
An out-of-state individual becoming an Indiana resident, who has previously titled and registered the vehicle in another state, is not subject to the Indiana sales tax.
Speed service titles
It usually takes between four and six weeks to deliver a title from the time that the title application is made until the time that it is delivered.
Speed service titles are mailed the next business day. The BMV cannot guarantee an actual delivery date as that varies and is determined by the U.S. Postal Service. One business day after the speed service title application is made, the title may be picked up from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Indianapolis-Midtown license branch - unless the vehicle does not clear the National Motor Title Information System Inquiry. Please call (317) 547-3572 to ensure that a title is available.
An Indiana driver license or ID card is required to pick up a speed service title. Speed service titles not picked up will be mailed the next business day to the address on the title. All speed service titles are assessed an additional $25 fee.
Duplicate titles
A duplicate title may be obtained at any Indiana license branch by providing the vehicle's year, make and VIN number, and an Indiana driver license or ID card. The cost for a duplicate title is $9.
If you are unable to visit an Indiana license branch, you may obtain a duplicate title through the mail. You must print and complete the Application for Certificate of Title - State Form 44049.
When completing an Appliction for Certificate of Title in order to obtain a duplicate title, you do not need to provide information such as selling price, purchase date or odometer reading. The BMV cannot accept the title application if any of these fields are filled out, as it invalidates the application. Required fields include: applicant's name; applicant's Social Security number; vehicle year; vehicle make; VIN number; signature; and date signed. All owners of the vehicle must sign the application.
Once you have completed the application, you should mail the application with a check or money order for $9, payable to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
7421 Heathrow Way
Indianapolis, IN 46241
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