Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Indiana? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Indiana transfers ownership through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (State Form 205) filed at the BMV, but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tickets, tolls, or accidents once the keys change hands. The BMV also accepts it as proof of purchase price.
Indiana requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Indiana?
Not strictly. Ownership transfers through the signed title and the Application for Certificate of Title (State Form 205) at the BMV. But a bill of sale is strongly recommended — the BMV accepts it as proof of the purchase price, and it shows the sale date and that you're no longer liable for the vehicle. Indiana even publishes an official Bill of Sale (State Form 44237).
Does it need to be notarized?
No. Indiana does not require a motor vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, and the title transfer itself needs only the parties' signatures. You can notarize it voluntarily for extra proof, but it is not needed to transfer the title.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must apply for a new title (State Form 205) at the BMV within 45 days of the purchase. Applying after 45 days triggers an administrative late penalty (about $30), so don't wait.
Motor vehicle sales tax
Indiana charges a 7% sales/use tax on the purchase price of the vehicle. If tax wasn't collected at the sale, the buyer pays it to the BMV when applying for the Indiana title.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title (or on Odometer Disclosure Statement State Form 43230 if the title has no space).
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Indiana county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer files State Form 205 at the BMV within 45 days.
Ready to create your Indiana bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Indiana bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Indianabuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Confirm the details with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Indiana bill of sale FAQ
Does an Indiana motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. Indiana does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized, and the title transfer needs only the parties' signatures. The legal transfer happens through the signed title and State Form 205 at the BMV — notarizing is optional and only adds extra proof.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Indiana?
It isn't strictly required to transfer the title (the signed title and State Form 205 handle that), but it's strongly recommended. The BMV accepts it as proof of the purchase price, and it shows the sale date and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Where do I transfer the title in Indiana?
At an Indiana BMV branch (or by mail). The buyer brings the signed title, a completed Application for Certificate of Title (State Form 205), proof of insurance, and payment for the title fee and the 7% sales tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Indiana?
The buyer has 45 days from the date of purchase to apply for the title at the BMV. Applying after 45 days triggers an administrative late penalty (about $30), so don't wait.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Indiana?
7% of the purchase price. If the tax wasn't collected at the sale, the buyer pays it to the BMV when applying for the title. This is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Indiana?
Yes — Indiana doesn't mandate a specific form (though it offers State Form 44237), so a handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it has the key details. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the BMV.
Is this Indiana bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.