You are legally required to have a certificate of title for your Indiana vehicle; vehicles that require a title include cars, motorcycles, manufactured homes, mini-trucks, off-road vehicles and certain watercraft. If you purchase a vehicle, you have 45 days to obtain the title; if you do not get your title within that timeframe, you will be subject to administrative fines. Our helpful guide offers all the details on fines and fees related to obtaining a car title.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle from a private seller, you are responsible for obtaining a new title, registration and license plate for your new vehicle. You must ensure that the seller has completed the appropriate sections of the title before completing your transaction.
If you need to replace a lost, stolen or destroyed title, you can do so through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) online, by mail or in person. To obtain a salvage title, you must download the application packet and submit it to the BMV directly. If you want to change the name on a title by adding or removing a name, the BMV treats this like a new title application. Salvage vehicle titles are another type of document you may encounter if you are purchasing a vehicle that was wrecked or severely damaged. When requesting this type of document, you must make sure to include the original titles and the appropriate insurance documents, amount other information.