Overview
That $30 sits on top of whatever else is due at the same visit: the 7% sales tax and your registration total (base fee, $15 infrastructure fee, excise tax, and any county wheel tax). Because Indiana routes everything through the same BMV branch - there's no separate county tax office - a late title transfer means paying the full bill at once, penalty included. Use the calculator to see what you owe if you're already behind.
01 - Official fees
Indiana title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $15.00 | |
| Deadline to title the vehicle | 45 days | from date of purchase |
| Late title administrative penalty | $30.00 | flat, one-time, not per month |
| Sales tax (due at the same visit) | 7% | of price minus trade-in |
| Registration (due at the same visit) | varies | base fee + excise tax + county wheel tax |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Indiana
- 1
Get the title signed over by the seller - Indiana accepts a properly completed assignment on the title itself.
- 2
Complete a bill of sale (BMV Form 44237) showing the price and date, and an Application for Certificate of Title (Form 205).
- 3
Bring the title, bill of sale, proof of Indiana insurance, and ID to any BMV branch within 45 days.
- 4
Pay the $15 title fee plus 7% sales tax and registration in the same transaction.
- 5
If you're past 45 days, the $30 late penalty is added automatically - it can't be waived at the counter.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Indiana vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Indiana title transfer FAQ
How much does an Indiana title transfer cost?
The title itself is $15. Budget for the full visit though: 7% sales tax on the purchase (or fair market value on suspiciously low private sales) plus registration - base fee, excise tax, infrastructure fee, and any county wheel tax - since the BMV collects everything together.
What exactly happens if I'm late?
A single flat $30 administrative penalty applies once you're past the 45-day deadline - it doesn't compound or grow the longer you wait, unlike some states' escalating late fees. It's added on top of the title fee, sales tax, and registration you'd owe regardless.
Can I transfer an Indiana title online?
No - new-owner title transfers require an in-person visit to a BMV branch so staff can review the physical title and any lien. Only registration renewals, not first-time title transfers, are available through myBMV.com.
What if the seller never gave me a title?
If the vehicle's fair market value is $5,000 or less under NADA clean or average retail value, Indiana allows an Affidavit of Ownership title application instead of a traditional title - the BMV branch can walk you through the packet.
Do gifted or inherited vehicles have the same 45-day deadline?
Yes - the 45-day window and $30 late penalty apply regardless of whether the vehicle was purchased, gifted, or inherited. What changes for gifts and inherited vehicles is the sales tax, not the title deadline.
Is the seller liable for anything after the sale?
Once you've signed over the title and handed over the vehicle, Indiana doesn't require a separate seller notification form the way Texas does - keeping a signed, dated bill of sale is the seller's main protection if the buyer delays the transfer.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.