Indiana — quick answer
In Indiana, a bill of sale is situational for a private vehicle sale and notarization is not required. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is State Form 44237. Ownership is transferred through the Indiana BMV via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in Indiana?
Situational. A bill of sale (State Form 44237) is valid as ownership proof only in limited non-titled cases; titled vehicles transfer by the assigned title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a BMV branch.
Does a Indiana bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. The Indiana bill of sale is not required to be notarized.
Witness requirements
No. Indiana does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Indiana
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a BMV branch.
- 3Register with the Indiana BMV.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Bill of Sale (State Form 44237). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Indiana BMV page.
Official Indiana sources
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Indiana bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Indiana for each item type — the generator applies the Indiana notary and witness rules automatically:
Indiana bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Indiana?
In Indiana, a separate bill of sale is situational. A bill of sale (State Form 44237) is valid as ownership proof only in limited non-titled cases; titled vehicles transfer by the assigned title.
Does a Indiana bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. The Indiana bill of sale is not required to be notarized.
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Indiana?
No. Indiana does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Indiana?
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a BMV branch. Titling and registration in Indiana are handled by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.