What Is an Indiana Vehicle Bill of Sale?
An Indiana vehicle bill of sale is a document that shows vehicle ownership being transferred from the seller to the buyer. It must contain the following key details:
- Buyer’s name
- Vehicle’s year, make, and model
- Seller’s signature and address
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (only required if you’re using the bill of sale as the primary ownership document)
An Indiana motor vehicle bill of sale can aid with vehicle registration. However, it cannot be used to transfer ownership if the vehicle requires a certificate of title by law. The certificate of title remains the primary ownership document, per the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
According to the Indiana BMV, a bill of sale application must contain a Physical Inspection of the Vehicle (State Form 39530).
When Do I Need a Bill of Sale for a Car in Indiana?
The Indiana BMV states that a buyer and seller can use a bill of sale for a car in Indiana only in the following circumstances:
- A person applies for a certificate of title for a vehicle that does not need to be titled under state law.
- The prior owner was not required to obtain a certificate of title.
- A utility trailer was bought before January 1, 1990.
- An off-road vehicle was bought before January 1, 2010.
- A pop-up trailer was bought before July 1, 2016.
- An abandoned vehicle was sold at auction by a county, town, or city.
- A sheriff’s bill of sale is being used.
- The vehicle was bought from the federal government (must transfer ownership using Standard Form 97).
For out-of-state vehicle sales, the buyer must contact the motor vehicle agency in the state where they bought the vehicle to determine if titling is required. If it’s not required, they may be able to use an Indiana vehicle bill of sale instead.
Even if you’re handling a car sale that doesn’t meet one of these conditions, you can still benefit from having an Indiana BMV bill of sale. This document shows that the car sale occurred and can limit liability in the event of future accidents or tickets.
Does an Indiana Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?
An Indiana motor vehicle bill of sale does not need to be notarized. However, using an Indiana notary acknowledgment form can prove the parties’ identities, preventing fraud and adding authenticity to the document.
Indiana Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample
Below, you can view a sample Indiana vehicle bill of sale to get an idea of how to fill it out. Then, create your own using our guided form. It will be available to download in PDF or Word format for use with the Indiana BMV or safekeeping in your records.
