Transferring a Car Title in Indiana
Steps and fees to transfer a vehicle title in Indiana when you buy, sell or inherit a car, and the deadline to register after moving.
Short answer: The buyer must apply for a certificate of title within 45 days after buying or otherwise acquiring the vehicle, or an administrative penalty is charged; newly acquired vehicles must also be registered within 45 days. Indiana BMV, Buying & Selling a Vehicle; Vehicle Registrations
| Transferring a car title | The buyer must apply for a certificate of title within 45 days after buying or otherwise acquiring the vehicle, or an administrative penalty is charged; newly acquired vehicles must also be registered within 45 days. Before going to a BMV branch, the buyer should make sure the seller has fully completed both the seller and purchaser sections of the title. The seller removes the license plate at the time of sale; the buyer gets a new title, registration and plate. A vehicle from another state must have a VIN inspection (free at a BMV branch, or up to $5 by a law enforcement officer). Registration page: https://secure.in.gov/bmv/registration-plates/vehicle-registrations/ . |
|---|---|
| Registering after you move | New residents with a valid out-of-state license have 60 days to get an Indiana driver's license (surrendering other credentials and passing a vision screening; a knowledge test is required if the license has expired). All vehicles must be registered within 60 days after becoming a resident, and must be titled in Indiana first; out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection. If a lienholder holds the out-of-state title, the branch requests it with a Request for Title (State Form 1014). Registration rule: https://secure.in.gov/bmv/registration-plates/vehicle-registrations/ |
More Indiana car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Indiana
- Driving Without Insurance in Indiana
- SR-22 Insurance in Indiana
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Indiana
- All Indiana car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
How do you transfer a car title in Indiana?
The buyer must apply for a certificate of title within 45 days after buying or otherwise acquiring the vehicle, or an administrative penalty is charged; newly acquired vehicles must also be registered within 45 days. Before going to a BMV branch, the buyer should make sure the seller has fully completed both the seller and purchaser sections of the title. The seller removes the license plate at the time of sale; the buyer gets a new title, registration and plate. A vehicle from another state must have a VIN inspection (free at a BMV branch, or up to $5 by a law enforcement officer).
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Indiana?
New residents with a valid out-of-state license have 60 days to get an Indiana driver's license (surrendering other credentials and passing a vision screening; a knowledge test is required if the license has expired). All vehicles must be registered within 60 days after becoming a resident, and must be titled in Indiana first; out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection. If a lienholder holds the out-of-state title, the branch requests it with a Request for Title (State Form 1014).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.