The Indiana Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle, known as State Form 205, is the document every Indiana vehicle owner files with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to title a vehicle in their name, which is the step that unlocks license plates and yearly registration. You file it under Indiana Code 9-17, the state law that requires a title before the BMV will register and plate your car. The version in use as of 2026 is revision R13 / 7-25, printed in the top-left corner of the form, so confirm that date before you start.
Getting one box wrong on this form has real cost. The BMV reports that customers complete millions of title and registration transactions each year, and a mismatched name, missing signature, or skipped odometer reading can push your title into a manual review queue that adds weeks to processing. New Indiana residents have only 60 days from establishing residency to title and register an out-of-state vehicle, so a rejected form can also expose you to late penalties.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 Which exact fields on State Form 205 you must complete, line by line
- 🚗 What documents and ID numbers to gather before you open the form
- 💵 The current title fee, registration fees, excise tax, and EV surcharges you will pay
- ✍️ Three full walkthroughs showing real people filling out the form start to finish
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that get a title application rejected and how to dodge them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
State Form 205 is the official BMV application that asks the state to issue a certificate of title in your name. A title proves you legally own the vehicle. Without a title in your name, the BMV will not issue a registration or plates, so this form is the front door to driving your car on Indiana roads.
The form is required by Indiana Code 9-17-2, which says a person who owns a vehicle must apply for a certificate of title. The agency that receives the form is the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The plain-English meaning is simple: the state wants a clear, recorded chain of ownership for every vehicle. If you ignore this law, you cannot register the vehicle, you cannot legally drive it, and you cannot sell it with clean paperwork. For example, Tomas buys a used truck from a neighbor but never titles it, so when he tries to sell it two years later he has no proof he ever owned it and the sale stalls. A common misconception is that a signed-over title from the seller is enough to drive; in truth, you still must apply for a new Indiana title in your own name.
Who must file? Any person titling a vehicle for the first time in Indiana files it. This includes new residents bringing a car from another state, buyers of used vehicles from private sellers, people who inherited a vehicle, and owners adding or removing a co-owner. Dealers usually file Form 205 on your behalf when you buy from a dealership, but private-party buyers and new residents almost always file it themselves. The form covers cars, trucks, motorcycles, and similar motor vehicles; watercraft and certain trailers use different forms.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Missing even one item is the top reason a title sits unprocessed, because the BMV cannot finish a transaction with a gap in the record.
- Your Social Security Number or Federal ID Number. The form demands it under IC 4-1-8-1, and the record cannot be processed without it.
- The properly assigned title or certificate of origin. This is the prior owner’s title signed over to you, or a manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO) for a new car; without it the BMV cannot confirm ownership transfer.
- Your current odometer reading. Federal and state law require an odometer disclosure on transfer, and a blank reading triggers a hold.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You copy this exactly from the dashboard, door jamb, or prior title; one wrong digit links your title to the wrong vehicle.
- Proof of Indiana residency and a valid Indiana ID or driver’s license. The BMV verifies your identity and county for excise tax purposes.
- The purchase date and selling price. These feed the Gross Retail and Use Tax Affidavit at the bottom of the form, which sets your sales tax.
- Lienholder details, if you have a loan. You need the lender’s full name and mailing address so the BMV records the lien correctly.
- A completed VIN inspection (State Form 39530) for out-of-state vehicles. A police officer or BMV official must verify the VIN before the title can issue.
- Payment for fees and taxes. Have a card, check, or cash ready for the title fee, registration fee, excise tax, and any surcharge.
If you skip the SSN, the form is dead on arrival. If you skip the assigned title, the BMV cannot prove you own the car. If you skip the VIN inspection on an out-of-state vehicle, the branch will turn you away at the counter.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the official version of State Form 205 from the BMV title forms page, which hosts the current R13 / 7-25 PDF. Download it, print it, and complete it in blue or black ink, or fill the PDF on a computer before printing. Always pull a fresh copy from the BMV site rather than reusing an old printout, because the agency updates field layouts and revision dates over time.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any Indiana BMV branch. If you buy from a licensed dealer, the dealer normally completes and submits Form 205 for you as part of the sale, so you may never touch the paper yourself. For private-party sales, inheritances, and new-resident transfers, you complete the form and bring it to a branch in person.
Many simple transactions can also start through the myBMV online portal, where you manage registration and renewals after the title is in your name. A common misconception is that you can title a brand-new private purchase fully online; in practice, first-time titling of a private or out-of-state vehicle still requires an in-person branch visit because the BMV must inspect documents and, for out-of-state cars, verify the VIN.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out State Form 205 Line by Line
Complete each section in order. The form groups fields into applicant identity, vehicle details, lien information, and the tax affidavit. Use the exact box names printed on the form.
Title Format Preference (Electronic or Paper)
This box asks whether you want your title delivered as a digital electronic record or as a printed paper document. Mark only one option: Electronic or Paper. For example, Priya checks the Electronic box because she has a car loan and her lender holds an electronic lien anyway.
If you make no selection, the BMV issues an electronic title by default under IC 9-17-2-4(d). A nuance: if you plan to sell the car soon to a private buyer, a paper title can be easier to sign over at the kitchen table. A common mistake is checking both boxes, which forces a clerk to call you for clarification and delays issuance. A frequent misconception is that an electronic title is somehow “less official”; in truth, an electronic title carries the same legal weight as paper under Indiana law.
Social Security Number / Federal Identification Number
This field asks for the tax ID tied to the person or business taking title. Enter your nine-digit SSN with no dashes if you are an individual, or your Federal Employer Identification Number if a business owns the vehicle. For example, David Okoye writes his SSN as 123456789 in a clean, unbroken string.
Disclosure here is mandatory, not optional, under IC 4-1-8-1. A nuance: when two people co-own a vehicle, the BMV may ask for both owners’ numbers, so have your co-owner’s SSN ready. The most common mistake is transposing two digits, which makes your title fail an identity cross-check and lands it in manual review. A widespread misconception is that you can leave this blank for privacy; in reality, the record cannot be processed at all without it.
Name of Applicant
This field asks for the full legal name of the person who will own the vehicle. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card and Indiana ID, last name spelled correctly, with no nicknames. For example, Margaret Ellen Foster writes her name in full rather than Maggie Foster.
The BMV cross-checks this name against your identity record, so a mismatch triggers a processing hold. A nuance: if two people co-own, list both names and connect them with the word and or or, because and requires both signatures to sell while or lets either owner sign. A common mistake is using a married name that does not yet match your updated Social Security record, which stalls the title. A misconception is that the name on the bill of sale controls; the name that matters is the one on your government ID.
Residence Address (Number and Street), City, State, ZIP Code
This block asks where you actually live, because your county sets your excise tax and any local wheel tax. Enter your physical street address, city, IN for state, and your five-digit ZIP code. For example, Margaret writes 742 Oak Ridge Dr, Bloomington, IN, 47403.
Your county of residence drives the county and municipal excise taxes you owe, so accuracy here changes your bill. A nuance: if you get mail at a P.O. Box, you still must list your physical residence address here, and you can add the P.O. Box only as a special mailing address elsewhere. A common mistake is entering an old out-of-state address, which makes the BMV charge the wrong county tax or reject the residency claim. A misconception is that the address only affects mail; in truth, it directly sets how much tax you pay.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This field asks for the unique 17-character code that identifies your specific vehicle. Copy it exactly from the prior title, the dashboard plate, or the driver-side door jamb, matching every letter and number. For example, David enters 1HGCM82633A004352 with no spaces.
The VIN is the anchor of the entire title record, so one wrong character ties your ownership to the wrong vehicle. A nuance: for an out-of-state vehicle, a police officer or BMV official must physically verify this VIN on State Form 39530 before the title issues. A common mistake is confusing the number zero with the letter O, which creates a mismatch the BMV cannot reconcile. A misconception is that the VIN on your insurance card is good enough; always copy it from the vehicle or title, because insurance records can carry typos.
Vehicle Year, Make, Model, and Type
This group asks for the basic facts that describe your vehicle. Enter the model year as four digits, the manufacturer as the Make, the Model name, and the body Type such as passenger car or truck. For example, Priya writes 2019, Toyota, Camry, Passenger.
These fields must match the assigned title and the VIN decode, because the BMV compares them. A nuance: the model year is not the year you bought the car, so a 2019 Camry bought in 2026 is still 2019. A common mistake is entering the trim level instead of the model, which can confuse the record. A misconception is that “type” means engine size; it actually means the vehicle class the state uses to set fees.
Odometer
This field asks for the vehicle’s current mileage at the time of transfer. Enter the full number shown on the odometer, with no commas, and note whether it reflects actual mileage. For example, David enters 87421 for his Accord.
Odometer disclosure is required by law on a transfer, so a blank or rounded number invites scrutiny. A nuance: if the odometer has rolled past its mechanical limit or is broken, you mark the matching status box rather than guessing a number. A common mistake is writing miles the seller “said” the car had instead of the reading on the dash, which can be treated as a false statement. A misconception is that odometer reporting only matters for newer cars; the disclosure requirement applies broadly to most vehicles being transferred.
Former Title Number and Purchase Date
This pair asks for the prior title’s number and the date you bought the vehicle. Copy the Former Title Number from the assigned title document, and enter the Purchase Date in mm/dd/yyyy format. For example, Margaret writes the prior Indiana title number from the back of the signed title and 03/18/2026 as her purchase date.
These fields link your new title to the chain of ownership and start the clock on your filing deadline. A nuance: for a brand-new car with a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, there is no former title number, so you leave it blank and rely on the MCO. A common mistake is using the date you signed paperwork at the BMV instead of the actual sale date, which can misstate your filing timeline. A misconception is that the purchase date is cosmetic; it actually affects late-fee exposure and tax timing.
Lien (Y/N) and Holder of First Lien
This section asks whether a lender has a financial claim on the vehicle and, if so, who holds it. Mark Y for yes or N for no in the Lien (Y/N) box, then enter the Holder of First Lien name and mailing address if you financed the car. For example, Priya marks Y and writes Hoosier Auto Credit Union, 500 Finance Way, Indianapolis, IN, 46204.
Recording the lien protects the lender’s interest and is required when you owe money on the vehicle. A nuance: if your lender uses Electronic Lien and Title, you enter the lender’s ELT identification number, and the title stays electronic until the loan is paid. A common mistake is marking N when a loan exists, which can void the lien recording and create a dispute with your lender. A misconception is that listing the lienholder means the bank owns your car; the lien is only a security interest, and you remain the titled owner.
Holder of Second Lien
This field captures a second lender when a vehicle carries more than one loan or encumbrance. Enter the second lienholder’s name, mailing address, and ELT number if one applies; otherwise leave it blank. For example, most private buyers like David leave this entire block empty because they have only one loan or none.
Second liens are uncommon for everyday cars but matter for refinanced or cross-collateralized vehicles. A nuance: the order of liens controls who gets paid first if the vehicle is repossessed, so a second lienholder sits behind the first. A common mistake is listing a co-signer here as if they were a lender, which is wrong because a co-signer is not a lienholder. A misconception is that any unused lien box should be filled with N/A; leave it blank instead, since stray marks can confuse scanning.
Gross Retail and Use Tax Affidavit
This bottom section certifies the sales or use tax owed on your purchase. Enter the Selling Price, subtract any Trade-In / Discount, show the Amount Subject to Tax, and the Amount of Tax at Indiana’s 7 percent rate, or mark Exempt with an Exemption Code if a legal exemption applies. For example, David writes a Selling Price of $9,000, no trade-in, $9,000 subject to tax, and $630.00 in tax.
Indiana charges 7 percent sales or use tax on most vehicle purchases, and this affidavit is how you declare and pay it. A nuance: a trade-in reduces the taxable amount, so a $15,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in is taxed on only $10,000. A common mistake is understating the selling price to lower the tax, which is tax fraud and can trigger an audit and penalties. A misconception is that private-party sales are tax-free; in fact, use tax still applies even when you buy from a neighbor.
Applicant Signature, Printed Name, and Date
This block is where you swear the information is true and legally adopt the application. Sign in the Applicant Signature line, print your name on the Printed Name line, and enter the Date in mm/dd/yyyy format. For example, Margaret signs, prints Margaret Ellen Foster, and dates it 03/19/2026.
Your signature certifies the form under penalty of perjury, so a false statement here can be a crime. A nuance: if the vehicle is co-owned with and, both owners must sign on the two signature lines, while or ownership needs only one. A common mistake is leaving the form unsigned, which is an automatic rejection because an unsigned application is legally incomplete. A misconception is that a typed name counts as a signature; the BMV needs an actual handwritten signature on the paper form.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are the three most common ways people file Form 205, each followed from start to finish.
Scenario 1: New Indiana Resident Titling an Out-of-State Car
Carlos Mendez just moved from Ohio to Fort Wayne with a paid-off 2018 Honda CR-V and must title and register it within 60 days.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Title Format Preference | Paper |
| SSN / Federal ID | 987654321 |
| Name of Applicant | Carlos Mendez |
| Residence Address | 1820 Maple St, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802 |
| Vehicle Identification Number | 2HKRW2H58JH600123 |
| Vehicle Year / Make / Model / Type | 2018 / Honda / CR-V / Passenger |
| Odometer | 64210 |
| Lien (Y/N) | N |
| Gross Retail and Use Tax Affidavit | Out-of-state purchase, prior tax credit noted |
| Applicant Signature / Date | Carlos Mendez / 04/02/2026 |
Carlos also brings his Ohio title and a completed VIN inspection on Form 39530 because his vehicle came from another state.
Scenario 2: First-Time Buyer of a Used Car From a Private Seller
Aisha Bello buys a 2015 Ford Focus from a neighbor in Indianapolis for $6,500 with no loan.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Title Format Preference | Electronic |
| SSN / Federal ID | 456123789 |
| Name of Applicant | Aisha Bello |
| Residence Address | 3300 College Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46205 |
| Vehicle Identification Number | 1FADP3F22FL300456 |
| Vehicle Year / Make / Model / Type | 2015 / Ford / Focus / Passenger |
| Odometer | 98765 |
| Lien (Y/N) | N |
| Gross Retail and Use Tax Affidavit | Selling price $6,500, tax $455.00 |
| Applicant Signature / Date | Aisha Bello / 05/10/2026 |
Aisha brings the title the seller signed over to her, plus her Indiana driver’s license and payment for fees and tax.
Scenario 3: Buyer Financing a Vehicle With a Lien
Priya Nair finances a 2019 Toyota Camry through a credit union in Bloomington.
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| Title Format Preference | Electronic |
| SSN / Federal ID | 321654987 |
| Name of Applicant | Priya Nair |
| Residence Address | 742 Oak Ridge Dr, Bloomington, IN, 47403 |
| Vehicle Identification Number | 4T1B11HK5KU700789 |
| Vehicle Year / Make / Model / Type | 2019 / Toyota / Camry / Passenger |
| Odometer | 41200 |
| Lien (Y/N) | Y — Hoosier Auto Credit Union |
| Gross Retail and Use Tax Affidavit | Selling price $18,000, trade-in $3,000, tax $1,050.00 |
| Applicant Signature / Date | Priya Nair / 05/22/2026 |
Priya’s title is held electronically through her lender until she pays off the loan.
How to File the Completed Form
Indiana offers several ways to submit your title and registration, and the right channel depends on whether this is a first-time title or a renewal. For each channel, keep your receipt as proof of filing.
- In person at a BMV branch. Bring the completed Form 205, your assigned title or MCO, your ID, the VIN inspection for out-of-state cars, and payment. Find your branch through the BMV branch locator, pay by cash, check, or card, and walk out with a registration receipt the same day in most cases.
- By mail. Mail the form and supporting documents to the address printed on the form, the Indiana BMV in Indianapolis. Pay by check or money order, expect several weeks for processing, and keep a copy of everything you send.
- At a BMV Connect kiosk. Use a self-service kiosk for registration renewals after the title is in your name, paying by card and printing your receipt on the spot.
- Online through myBMV. Use the myBMV portal to renew registration and manage plates, paying by card and saving the digital confirmation.
First-time titling of a private or out-of-state vehicle generally must happen in person or by mail because the BMV must review original documents.
What Happens After You File
Once the BMV accepts your application, it records your ownership and issues a certificate of title, either electronic by default or paper if you selected it. If everything matches, a same-day branch visit usually produces your registration and plate right away, while mailed applications take longer to clear.
If a field is wrong or missing, the BMV places your application in a manual review queue and may contact you for a correction, which adds days or weeks. For example, Carlos forgets to attach his VIN inspection and gets a notice asking him to return with Form 39530 before the title can issue. Once issued, your registration must be renewed each year, and your annual excise tax is due at each renewal.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Leaving the SSN blank stops processing because the record cannot move without it.
- Entering one wrong VIN character links your title to the wrong vehicle and forces a redo.
- Using a nickname instead of your legal name triggers an identity mismatch hold.
- Marking N on the lien box when you have a loan can void the lender’s recorded interest.
- Forgetting to sign makes the entire application legally incomplete and rejected.
- Skipping the odometer reading violates disclosure rules and stalls the title.
- Understating the selling price to lower tax is fraud and can lead to penalties.
- Listing an old out-of-state address charges the wrong county tax.
- Omitting the VIN inspection for an out-of-state vehicle gets you turned away at the counter.
- Checking both Electronic and Paper forces a clerk call and delays your title.
- Writing the BMV visit date as the purchase date misstates your filing timeline.
- Missing the new-resident deadline exposes you to late fees and penalties.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do print in blue or black ink, because the BMV scans the form and faint marks fail to read.
- Do copy the VIN straight from the vehicle, since insurance cards can carry typos.
- Do bring your assigned title, as the BMV cannot prove ownership without it.
- Do confirm the R13 / 7-25 revision date, so you use the current layout.
- Do keep your receipt, because it is your only proof of timely filing.
- Do title within 60 days as a new resident, to avoid late penalties.
Don’ts
- Don’t guess the odometer reading, because a false number can be a crime.
- Don’t list a co-signer as a lienholder, since they are not the same thing.
- Don’t write N/A in unused lien boxes, as stray marks confuse scanning.
- Don’t reuse an old downloaded form, because layouts and revision dates change.
- Don’t understate the price, since the BMV can audit the tax affidavit.
- Don’t leave the county address blank, because it sets your excise tax.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Using a Dealer or Service |
|---|---|
| Saves money, because you pay no third-party fee | Saves time, since the dealer handles the paperwork for you |
| Gives you full control over accuracy of each field | Reduces errors, because experienced staff know the boxes |
| Builds your understanding of the title process | Handles the tax affidavit math for you |
| Lets you choose your title format and plate options directly | Often submits same-day at the point of sale |
| Avoids relying on someone else’s schedule | Useful for complex liens or trade-ins you find confusing |
Filing on your own works well for a clean private purchase, while professional help shines when liens, trade-ins, or out-of-state titles add complexity.
FAQs
Do I need to title my car before I can register it in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana requires a certificate of title in your name before the BMV issues registration and plates, so titling always comes first under IC 9-17.
Do I have to provide my Social Security Number on Form 205?
Yes. Disclosure is mandatory under IC 4-1-8-1, and the BMV cannot process your title application without it.
Do new residents face a deadline to title an out-of-state vehicle?
Yes. New Indiana residents generally must title and register within 60 days of establishing residency to avoid late penalties.
Do I write my legal name or my nickname in the Name of Applicant box?
No. Never use a nickname; enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your ID to avoid an identity mismatch hold.
Do I leave the Former Title Number blank for a brand-new car?
Yes. A new vehicle uses a manufacturer’s certificate of origin instead, so the former title number field stays empty.
Do I mark Y in the Lien box if I financed the car?
Yes. Mark Y and list the lienholder’s name and address whenever a lender has a claim on the vehicle.
Do I owe sales tax when I buy from a private seller?
Yes. Use tax still applies to private-party purchases, and you declare it on the Gross Retail and Use Tax Affidavit.
Do I need a VIN inspection for a car from another state?
Yes. An out-of-state vehicle requires a completed VIN inspection on State Form 39530 before the title can issue.
Do I enter the purchase date or the BMV visit date in the Purchase Date box?
No. Do not use the BMV visit date; enter the actual date you bought the vehicle in mm/dd/yyyy format.
Do I have to choose between an electronic and paper title?
Yes. You select one option, and if you make no choice the BMV issues an electronic title by default.
Do both owners sign when a vehicle is co-owned?
Yes. If the names are joined by and, both co-owners must sign; or ownership needs only one signature.
Do electric and hybrid vehicles pay an extra fee at registration?
Yes. Indiana charges a supplemental EV and hybrid registration fee at first registration and at every renewal under its 2017 road-funding law.
Do I have to file Form 205 in person, or can I do it fully online?
No. First-time titling of a private or out-of-state vehicle generally requires an in-person branch visit so the BMV can review original documents.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Court-Ordered Vehicle Title Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Indiana BMV Application for Duplicate Title + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Indiana BMV Bill of Sale (State Form 44237) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Indiana BMV Certificate of Title (State Form 205) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Indiana BMV Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 43230) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Iowa DOT Application for Certificate of Title (411007) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs