Title Transfers

A certificate of title acts as evidence that you own a vehicle. If you are the proud owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semi trailer, mobile home, recreational vehicle, or recreational trailer in Indiana, you must have it titled.

Also, if you own a moped with a 2.0 brake horsepower rating and an engine capacity over 50 cc, it's considered a motorcycle, and you'll have to obtain a title for it.

You'll need to title your vehicle within 31 days of purchasing it. If you've recently moved to Indiana, you'll have 60 days to title your vehicles. Failure to observe either rule will result in a $21 fine.

All titles are obtained from state Bureau of Motor Vehicles license agencies. You may go to any branch to apply for your title.

Liens on a Title

If there is a lien on your vehicle, such as when you borrow money to buy it, the license branch will request your title from the lien holder. You must provide lien holder (usually the lender) information.

Titling New Vehicles in Indiana

If you purchased a new vehicle, bring the following to the agency:

• Title Application

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO)

• Odometer statement (usually on the MCO)

• Proof of sales tax paid (Form ST108 from dealer)

• Social Security number verification

If you purchased your new vehicle outside of Indiana, you'll also need to have a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection completed.

These inspections are done for free at the license agency. Or, a police officer may charge you up to $5 to do the same, using State Form 39530 (you may download the form and give it to the officer).

Titling Used Vehicles in Indiana

If you bought a used vehicle, then you'll need to bring the following:

• Properly assigned certificate of title (showing seller signed title over to you)

• Odometer statement (usually on the title)

• Bill of sale

• Verification of Social Security number

If you purchased your used vehicle outside of Indiana, you'll also need to have a VIN inspection completed. The inspections are done for free at the license agency. Or, a police officer may charge you up to $5 to do the inspection, using State Form 39530 (you may download the form to give to the officer).

Titles or MCOs do not need to be notarized if they are signed under penalty of perjury. However, the state may require that certain out-of-state titles be notarized.

Generally, you will receive your Indiana title in the mail anywhere from one to four weeks from the application date. New motor vehicle and most duplicate titles are usually available within seven to 10 days.

Title Ownership and Driver's Licenses

Don't worry. You don't need to have a driver's license to hold a vehicle title.

Gifts

To indicate that you are taking the title of a vehicle as a result of a gift, simply flip over the title. On the back side, you'll see a space used for the purchase price. Write "gift" in that spot.

Title Transfer in the Event of Death

To transfer a title following the death of the title owner, complete an Affidavit for Transfer of Certificate of Title for a Vehicle/Watercraft. Then bring it, the title, and a copy of the death certificate with you to a license agency.

Name Change

To change your name on a title, complete either a Personal Name Change Affidavit or a One-and-the-Same-Person Affidavit, whichever fits your situation. Then, take the form to a license agency.

Adding or Deleting a Person from a Title

Adding a name to a title means that both the current title holder and the person whose name is to be added must sign the title application. (Or an attorney representing one of the parties may sign the application, after an affidavit or power of attorney form has been filed.)

Another option is to have the new party sign a notarized affidavit allowing the name to be added. The title owner will also need to sign the form.

Deleting a name means that both the current title holder and the person whose name is being removed must sign off on the transaction. The party whose name is being removed may file an affidavit or power of attorney form allowing their attorney to sign the title for them.

Fees

Most titles (including corrected titles) will cost $15. Salvage and duplicate tiles cost $9.

Taxes

If you bought your vehicle from an Indiana dealer, you will pay the dealer a 6% sales tax based on the vehicle's purchase price. If you bought from a private individual, the same sales tax will be collected by the license branch.

If you bought it from an out-of-state dealer or private individual and you paid less than 6% for your tax, you will need to pay the difference to the state at the license branch.