An Indiana motor vehicle bill of sale (Form 44237) serves as a legal document in which a buyer and seller of a vehicle agree to the transactional terms, including the sale price and the vehicle’s condition at the time of purchase. A bill of sale is required upon the private transfer of a vehicle’s title from the previous owner to the new one. Once successfully executed, the new buyer may register the vehicle under their name through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 43230) – Required in order to ensure there exist no odometer discrepancies.
Signing Requirements – Both the buyer and seller must sign. No notary or witnesses acknowledgment required.
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Registering a Vehicle
Indiana residents must register all newly-obtained and unregistered vehicles within forty-five (45) days after the date the vehicle was purchased or acquired; a new resident of the state shall have sixty (60) days to register their vehicle. Registrations must be renewed once a year and expire based on a last-name system. Most vehicle owners will be able to renew their registration through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ online services.
Where to Register
Indiana residents may register their vehicle in-person at one of the many Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branches. A vehicle can also be registered online through the MyBMV portal, and in which case, documents ship out in twenty-one (21) business days.
All vehicles purchased over sixty (60) days are not applicable for online services.
Required Documents
- Bill of Sale;
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 43230);
- Original Certificate of Title (see: how to transfer a title);
- Application for Certificate of Title (Form 205);
- Valid Indiana Driver’s License;
- Approved Vehicle Inspection (applicable only for out-of-state vehicles);
- Titling & Registration Fees (rates may vary);
- Proof of Insurance, including:
- Bodily injury (per person): $25,000.
- Bodily injury (per accident – multiple people injured): $50,000.
- Property damage (per accident): $25,000.
- Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney, if and when an agent shall represent the vehicle owner in any titling and registration matters.