Indiana Vehicle Bill of Sale

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   Indiana has an official form. The Bill Of Sale, State Form 44237 (R6 / 12-24), is the Indiana BMV form, issued under the statutory authority of IC 9-17-2-4.

2. 2

   Notarization is not required. The bill of sale is not required to be notarized or signed under penalties for perjury, and the Indiana certificate-of-title assignment is also not notarized.

3. 3

   Odometer disclosure is on a separate form. Indiana uses the Odometer Disclosure Statement, State Form 43230, when the odometer statement is not completed on the certificate of title or certificate of origin, following the federal baseline under 49 C.F.R. 580. Form 44237 does not itself satisfy the odometer disclosure.

4. 4

   Sales tax is paid on the purchase price at the BMV. For a private sale the sales tax must be paid at a BMV branch when you apply for the Indiana certificate of title, so the price stated on the bill of sale drives the tax.

5. 5

   Title at a BMV branch within 45 days. The certificate of title must be applied for within 45 days after the vehicle is purchased or otherwise acquired, with an administrative penalty after the deadline.

6. 6

   A bill of sale cannot transfer a titled vehicle. A bill of sale cannot be used to transfer ownership of a vehicle that requires a certificate of title by law; the assigned title does that. Form 44237 is alternative proof of ownership only in limited untitled cases.

7. 7

   The title-versus-bill-of-sale rule is the distinctive Indiana feature. Indiana spells out that Form 44237 is supplementary proof of ownership for limited cases, such as vehicles not required to be titled, pre-1990 utility trailers, and vehicles from the federal government, not a substitute for the assigned title.

Indiana Requirements for Bill of Sale

• State Form 44237 and Notarization

  Use the Indiana BMV Bill Of Sale, State Form 44237 (R6 / 12-24), issued under IC 9-17-2-4. The bill of sale is not required to be notarized or signed under penalties for perjury. For a titled vehicle this form does not transfer ownership; the assigned certificate of title does.

• Buyer and Seller Information

  Identify the buyer and the seller by full legal name and address. These details support the bill-of-sale record that accompanies the certificate-of-title application at the BMV.

• Vehicle Description

  Describe the vehicle by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), year, make, model, body type, and color so it can be matched to the certificate of title at transfer.

• Odometer Disclosure on State Form 43230

  Record the odometer reading. Indiana uses the Odometer Disclosure Statement, State Form 43230, when the odometer statement is not completed on the certificate of title or certificate of origin, following the federal statement under 49 C.F.R. 580. Form 44237 does not itself satisfy the odometer disclosure.

• Sale Price and Sales Tax at the BMV

  State the sale price and date. For a private sale the Indiana sales tax must be paid at a BMV branch when you apply for the certificate of title, so the price stated on the bill of sale drives the tax. Confirm the current rate with the Indiana BMV or Department of Revenue.

• A Bill of Sale Cannot Transfer a Titled Vehicle

  A bill of sale cannot be used to transfer ownership of a vehicle that requires a certificate of title by law; the assigned certificate of title does that. Form 44237 is alternative proof of ownership only in limited cases, such as vehicles not required to be titled, pre-1990 utility trailers, and vehicles acquired from the federal government.

• Title at a BMV Branch Within 45 Days

  Apply for the Indiana certificate of title at a BMV branch within 45 days after the vehicle is purchased or otherwise acquired. An administrative penalty applies after the 45-day deadline.

• Bring the Assigned Title and Records

  Bring the assigned certificate of title, the odometer disclosure, and your bill of sale to the BMV branch. Keep a copy of the completed Form 44237 and the title as proof of the transaction.