How To Transfer a Car Title in Indiana 2026
Under Indiana Code Title 9, Article 17, all Indiana residents are required to obtain a certificate of title for every motor vehicle they own. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) administers the title transfer process statewide, and the purchaser bears primary responsibility for initiating the application. A new certificate of title must be applied for within 45 days of acquiring the vehicle. The transfer obligation applies to all qualifying transactions, including private sales, dealer purchases, gifted vehicles, and transfers through inheritance.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Indiana
All documentation listed below must be fully completed and submitted at the time of the application. Applicants are advised to review each item in advance of visiting a BMV branch to prevent delays in processing.
| Document | Description | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | Original title with both seller and purchaser sections completed in full | All transfers |
| State Form 205 – Application for Certificate of Title | Official BMV application required to issue a new Indiana certificate of title | All transfers |
| Valid Indiana-Issued Identification | Indiana driver's license or state-issued photo identification card | All applicants |
| Odometer Disclosure Statement – State Form 43230 | Written mileage disclosure required by federal and state law upon transfer of ownership | Vehicles fewer than 20 years old |
| Proof of Sales Tax Payment | ST-108 Certificate issued by dealer, or direct payment at the branch for private-party sales | All purchases (certain exemptions apply) |
| Lien Release Documentation | Lienholder endorsement on title, official lien release letter, or electronic lien release via the BMV E-lien system | Required when a prior lien exists |
| Limited Power of Attorney – State Form 1940 | Permits a designated individual to execute the title transaction on behalf of the vehicle owner | When the owner is unable to appear in person |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Indiana
Step 1: Confirm All Existing Liens Have Been Released
Before initiating a title transfer, the seller must verify that all liens recorded against the vehicle have been formally discharged. Indiana law requires that a lienholder's interest be fully released before ownership may be conveyed to another party. Depending on the type of lienholder, the lien may be released through an endorsement in the designated section of the certificate of title, a written lien release letter on institutional letterhead, or an electronic submission through the BMV's E-lien system.
Step 2: Complete the Title Assignment Section
The seller is responsible for accurately completing the assignment section on the certificate of title before the transfer of ownership. All vehicle owners listed on the existing title must sign and print their names in the seller section. The following information must be entered in full:
- Date of sale
- Sale price
- Purchaser's full legal name and current address
- Seller's signature(s) and printed name(s)
- Odometer reading at the time of transfer (where required)
Omissions or errors in this section may require the submission of an affidavit and can delay the issuance of the new title.
Step 3: Download and Complete State Form 205
The purchaser must obtain and fully complete the Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (State Form 205) before appearing at a BMV branch. This form collects the vehicle's ownership, identification number, and lienholder information necessary to issue the new title. Partial submissions will not be accepted; every required field must be completed before filing.
Step 4: Submit the Application at an Indiana BMV Branch
The purchaser must appear in person at any Indiana BMV branch to submit the completed application and supporting documentation. Upon arrival, the applicant must:
- Present the completed certificate of title and State Form 205
- Submit valid government-issued photo identification
- Provide proof of Indiana automobile insurance if registering the vehicle concurrently
- Pay all applicable title fees, registration fees, and taxes
Step 5: Pay All Applicable Fees and Sales Tax
Payment in full is required at the time the application is submitted. The table below reflects the standard fee schedule as of January 2026:
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Title Fee | $15.00 | Required for all title issuance |
| Speed Title (Expedited Processing) | $25.00 | Optional; requested at the time of filing |
| Administrative Penalty — Late Title | $30.00 | Assessed on applications submitted after the 45-day deadline |
| Passenger Vehicle Annual Registration Fee | $21.35 | Additional excise tax applies based on vehicle value |
| Sales Tax on Vehicle Purchase Price | 7% | Applies to private-party purchases; collected at the branch |
For vehicles purchased through a licensed Indiana dealership, the dealer collects sales tax directly and issues an ST-108 Certificate as proof of payment. For all private-party sales, the applicable Indiana gross retail tax at the rate of 7% of the vehicle's purchase price must be remitted at the BMV branch upon title application. Transfers between qualifying immediate family members may be exempt from sales tax under applicable Indiana statutes.
Step 6: Select Paper or Electronic Title Format
Since July 2025, Indiana vehicle owners may elect to receive their certificate of title in either paper or electronic format. The Electronic Titles program provides benefits that include a reduced dependence on physical documentation, a lower risk of title fraud, and expedited notification of title issuance. Customers will be asked to declare their format preference during the title transaction at the branch. If a lien is recorded on the vehicle, the lienholder's format preference takes precedence and governs the title format until the lien is released.
Step 7: Receive the New Certificate of Title
Following the submission of a complete application and full payment of all required fees, the BMV will process and issue the new certificate of title. Paper titles are typically mailed to the address on file within 21 calendar days of the application date. Owners who selected electronic title will receive notification of issuance by email or postcard, as determined by their communication preferences on file with the BMV. Customers requiring faster delivery may opt for a speed title by paying the applicable expedited processing fee of $25.00 at the time of filing. A transaction receipt will be provided at the branch upon submission.
Contact Information
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
100 North Senate Avenue, 4th Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (888) 692-6841
Official Website: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
