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
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Please note that on April 1, 2008, Indiana adopted a seven percent 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 six 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.

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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 $25.00 fee.

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The quickest way to order a duplicate title is to create a myBMV online account which allows you to access your personal information and conduct a number of transactions.

A duplicate title may also 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 $9.00.

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 $9.00, payable to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
7421 Heathrow Way
Indianapolis, IN 46241

• Download an Application for Certificate of Title - State Form 44049
• Order duplicate titles online by creating a myBMV account
• Still have questions? Send us an email about this subject

The seller should sign off in the appropriate section on the front of the title and fill in the purchaser's information. The odometer information should be completely filled out, as well as the purchase date and selling price fields. The seller of the vehicle should remove the license plate from the vehicle at the time of the transaction. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to obtain valid registration to legally drive the vehicle.

To register and plate this vehicle, the purchaser will need to show proof of ownership and proof of insurance at any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branch. The cost to apply for a new title is $15.00, plus a six percent sales tax based on the purchase price indicated on the front of the title.

At the time of purchase, the buyer should confirm the location and possession of the title. If all initial payments have been made, car dealers and private sellers are required to deliver the title to purchaser within 21 days of the date of the sale.

If a licensed car dealer cannot deliver the title at the time of sale, the dealer is required to provide the purchaser with a 21-day affidavit stating that the dealer will deliver the title for the vehicle within 21 days of the date of sale.

If you do not receive the title within 21 days, you must write the dealer and demand delivery of the title. After receipt of your written demand, the dealer has an additional 10 days to provide the title. If you have not received the title and choose to return the vehicle, the vehicle must be in the same or similar condition as when it was purchased. Upon return, the dealer is required to provide you with a refund of the purchase price, plus tax; finance expenses; insurance expenses; any other amount paid to the dealer.

Dealers have a duty to disclose vehicles with a salvage or rebuilt history. Indiana's salvage law applies to vehicles, motorcycles, semis and recreational vehicles that are no older than seven-model-years from the current model year. If you are buying from a car dealer or a person who sells at least five vehicles a year, the seller has a legal duty to inform you of the previous salvage or rebuilt condition in writing before you purchase the vehicle.

If you are not informed in writing about a purchased vehicle's salvage or rebuilt condition, or if you purchase a vehicle that should have "salvage" or "rebuild" on its title, you may file a lawsuit to recover your actual damages and any attorney fees and costs.

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The seller should sign off in the appropriate section on the front of the title and fill in the purchaser's information. The odometer information should be completely filled out, as well as the purchase date and selling price fields.

If no money was exchanged in the transaction, simply indicate "GIFT" in the purchase price box.

The seller of the vehicle should remove the license plate from the vehicle at the time of the transaction. The seller does not need to return the license plates or registration. However, he or she may be eligible for an excise tax refund. To apply for an excise tax refund, please visit any Indiana license branch.

If all initial payments have been made, car dealers and private sellers are required to deliver the title to purchaser within 21 days of the date of the sale. If a licensed car dealer cannot deliver the title at the time of sale, the dealer or seller is required to provide the purchaser with a 21-day affidavit stating that the dealer will deliver the title for the vehicle within 21 days of the date of sale. If the purchaser has not received the title within 21 days, he or she must write the dealer and demand delivery of the title. After receipt of the written demand, the dealer or seller has an additional 10 days to provide the title.

• Order duplicate titles online by creating a myBMV account
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At the time of purchase, the buyer should confirm the location and possession of the title. If initial payments have been made, car dealers and private sellers are required to deliver the title to purchaser within 21 days of the date of the sale.

If a licensed car dealer cannot deliver the title at the time of sale, the dealer is required to provide the purchaser a 21-day affidavit stating that the dealer will deliver the title for the vehicle within 21 days of the date of sale.

If you do not receive the title within 21 days, you must write the dealer and demand delivery of the title. After receipt of your written demand, the dealer has an additional 10 days to provide the title. If you have not received the title and choose to return the vehicle, the vehicle must be in the same or similar condition as when it was purchased. Upon return, the dealer is required to provide you with a refund of the purchase price, plus tax; finance expenses; insurance expenses; and any other amount paid to the dealer.

• Order duplicate titles online by creating a myBMV account
• Still have questions? Send us an email about this subject

Dealers have a duty to disclose vehicles with a salvage or rebuilt history. Indiana's salvage law applies to vehicles, motorcycles, semis and recreational vehicles that are no older than seven model-years from the current model year. If you are buying from a car dealer or a person who sells at least five vehicles a year, the seller has a legal duty to inform you of the previous salvage or rebuilt condition in writing before you purchase the vehicle.

If you are not informed in writing about a purchased vehicle's salvage or rebuilt condition, or if you purchase a vehicle that should have "salvage" or "rebuild" on its title, you may file a lawsuit to recover your actual damages and any attorney fees and costs.

• Order duplicate titles online by creating a myBMV account
• Still have questions? Send us an email about this subject

If your question was not answered by the information on this webpage, please send us an e-mail.

Remember that by creating a myBMV personal account you may immediately access your personal information as well as a number of services online. Accessing the services provided through your myBMV account is fast, secure and easy to use.

• Order duplicate titles online by creating a myBMV account
• Still have questions? Send us an email about this subject