The Indiana DMV bill of sale for a motor vehicle, trailer, or boat is a required agreement under various circumstances when it comes to transferring the title. For instance, if a title can’t be acquired, then a bill of sale must be performed and signed in the presence of a notary public. The form requires that both the buyer and seller participate in providing certain personal information, vehicle descriptions, and signatures, thus creating a tangible record of an exchange. It is encouraged to store a copy of the document in your files in case you need to refer to the contract with regards to tax matters or liability issues.
How to Register a Vehicle
In the state of Indiana, you have the option of registering your vehicle online (if the vehicle was bought within 60 days of the current date) or in-person (mandatory if the vehicle was purchased more than 60 days from the current date). To apply for registration online, you must first mail a completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form 205) to a BMV near you. Once approved, you will need to visit the MyBMV online registration portal and sign up for an online account (unless you already have an existing profile). Some required items needed for online registration include:
- The vehicle’s title issued in the state of Indiana
- Have your Indiana driver’s license number on hand.
- A credit or debit card for any registration related fees.
If you have exceeded the 60-day limit, stop by a BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) location near you with the materials listed below:
- A notarized bill of sale (if a title could not be obtained).
- The title signed over to the new owner.
- An Indiana State issued driver’s license.
- Proof of auto insurance coverage.
- Payment for the process (prices may differ depending on various factors).
How to Register a Vessel
The State of Indiana enforces that in order to operate a vessel propelled by a motor or sail on state waterways it must be actively registered and titled by an authoritative agency. When purchasing a new watercraft, whether it may be from a dealer or private individual, it must be registered and titled within a 45 day period from the date of sale. Vessels that fall under the category of exceptions to this requirement are:
- Lifeboats
- Federally-owned or state-owned watercraft.
- Boats registered with an alternate state or country, being utilized for an amount of time not to exceed 60 continuous days, that is owned by an individual that resides out-of-state.
- Vessels to be docked upon the Indiana division of Lake Michigan not to exceed a total of 180 days on location.
To acquire proper registration and title, visit your local Indiana BMV facility with the following pertinent materials:
- A filled Indiana Application for Certificate of Watercraft Title (Form 38529).
- Sufficient evidence of vessel ownership such as:
- A manufacturer’s certificate of origin.
- An executed Bill of Sale.
- A properly reassigned title complete with the previous owner’s signature.
- In the case you cannot furnish any of the above documents, you can fill-out and endorse an Indiana Watercraft Ownership Affidavit (Form 55100).
- An Indiana Physical Inspection of a Vehicle or Watercraft (Form 39530) completed by an authorized Indiana BMV employee or police officer.
- Proof that state tax has been paid on the vessel:
- If Indiana State tax has not yet been paid, payment can be compensated upon registration at an Indiana BMV office.
- If the tax has been previously paid, you may submit an Indiana Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax Paid on the Purchase of a Motor Vehicle or Watercraft (Form 48842).
- In the case that the vessel is exempt from paying sales tax, fill out and hand in an Indiana Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax Exemption for the Purchase of a Motor Vehicle or Watercraft (Form 48841).
- Should your vessel not be issued a standard hull identification number you will need to retrieve the following to furnish along with your application materials:
- A completed Indiana Application for Special Identification Number of Vehicle or Watercraft (Form 12907).
- A clear photograph of the side view of the exterior of the actual vessel.
- A social security card, w-2 form, or previous pay stub complete with listed full name and security number.
- A valid Indiana driver’s license or ID with an up-to-date address or proof of residency as required found in the Real ID Documentation Checklist.
- Payment for all mandated registration fees.
How to Write
Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF.
Step 2 – Vehicle or Watercraft Information – Supply the form with the following vehicle/watercraft details:
- Vehicle or Hull Identification Number
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Registration Number (If applicable, watercraft only)
Step 3 – Sale Information – Insert the two required sale inquiries:
- Purchase Price
- Date of Sale (mm/dd/yyyy)
Step 4 – Seller(s) Information and Signature(s) – Seller(s) must read the above statement basically affirming that they hereby sell, transfer and convey all rights for the above vehicle/watercraft to the purchaser in consideration of the sale payment amount. While also certifying that the vehicle/watercraft is not subject to any liens that are the responsibility of the seller. Seller swears or affirms that the information they have entered on this form is correct and understand that making a false statement may constitute the crime of perjury. If the seller concurs, they must then provide the following:
- Signature(s) of Seller(s)
- Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
- Printed Name(s) of Seller(s) (last, first, middle initial, or company name)
- Address of Seller(s) (number and street)
- City
- State
- ZIP Code
Step 5 – Buyer(s) Information and Signature(s) – Buyer(s) must agree to the declaration stating that they swear or affirm that the information entered on this form is correct and understand that making a false statement may constitute the crime of perjury. If they accept, they must fill in the required fields mentioned below:
- Signature(s) of Buyer(s)
- Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
- Printed Name(s) of Buyer(s) (last, first, middle initial, or company name)
- Address of Seller(s) (number and street)
- City
- State
- ZIP Code