Ind. Code ch. 9-17-3

Ind. Code ch. 9-17-3
in effect

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-0.5 Repealed

As added by P.L.268-2003, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.221. Repealed by P.L.27-2018, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-0.6 "Transferring party"

Sec. 0.6. As used in this chapter, "transferring party" means a person that: (1) is listed on the certificate of title as the owner of the vehicle; or (2) is acting as an agent of the owner and holds power of attorney for the owner of the vehicle. As added by P.L.27-2018, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-1 Validity of title; renewal

Sec. 1. (a) A certificate of title is valid for as long as the vehicle for which the certificate of title has been issued is owned or held by the person who originally held the certificate of title. (b) A certificate of title does not have to be renewed except as otherwise provided. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-2-1(g) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-2 Duplicate certificate of title; fee

Sec. 2. (a) If a certificate of title: (1) is lost or stolen; (2) is mutilated; (3) is destroyed; or (4) becomes illegible; the person that owns the vehicle or the legal representative or legal successor in interest of the person that owns the vehicle for which the certificate of title was issued, as shown by the records of the bureau, shall apply for and may obtain a duplicate certificate of title. (b) To obtain a duplicate certificate of title under subsection (a), a person must: (1) furnish information satisfactory to the bureau concerning the loss, theft, mutilation, destruction, or illegibility of the certificate of title; and (2) pay the applicable fee under subsection (e) or (f). (c) The word "duplicate" shall be notated on the certificate of title issued under this section. (d) When a duplicate certificate of title is issued, the previous certificate of title becomes void. (e) The fee for a duplicate certificate of title issued before January 1, 2017, for a vehicle other than a watercraft is eight dollars ($8). The fee shall be distributed as follows: (1) One dollar ($1) to the motor vehicle highway account. (2) One dollar ($1) to the highway, road and street fund. (3) Six dollars ($6) to the commission fund. (f) The fee for a duplicate certificate of title issued before January 1, 2017, for a watercraft is fifteen dollars and fifty cents ($15.50). The fee shall be distributed as follows: (1) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund. (2) Two dollars ($2) to the crossroads 2000 fund. (3) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund. (4) Four dollars and seventy-five cents ($4.75) to the commission fund. (5) Seven dollars ($7) to the department of natural resources. (g) The fee for a duplicate certificate of title issued after December 31, 2016, is fifteen dollars ($15). Except as provided in subsection (h), the fee shall be distributed as follows: (1) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund. (2) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the department of natural resources. (3) Three dollars and twenty-five cents ($3.25) to the motor vehicle highway account. (4) Five dollars ($5) to the crossroads 2000 fund. (5) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund. (6) Three dollars and seventy-five cents ($3.75) to the commission fund. (h) After June 30, 2024, when a fee imposed under subsection (g) is collected by the department, instead of depositing three dollars and seventy-five cents ($3.75) into the commission fund as required by subsection (g)(6), the department shall instead deposit one dollar and eighty-eight cents ($1.88) of that amount into the motor carrier regulation fund established by IC 8-2.1-23-1, and the remainder shall be deposited in the commission fund. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-3-9; Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-29-15-1; 9-29-15-1(b); subsection (e) formerly 9-29-4-5.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.125-2012, SEC.79; P.L.198-2016, SEC.222; P.L.256-2017, SEC.104; P.L.27-2018, SEC.6; P.L.205-2025, SEC.53; P.L.152-2026, SEC.90.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-3 Repealed

[Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-2-2(a) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.60-1994, SEC.1; P.L.2-1995, SEC.42; P.L.59-1998, SEC.1; P.L.268-2003, SEC.8; P.L.97-2004, SEC.37; P.L.106-2008, SEC.4; P.L.83-2008, SEC.4; P.L.131-2008, SEC.42; P.L.1-2009, SEC.79. Repealed by P.L.92-2013, SEC.40.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-3.1 Repealed

As added by P.L.60-1994, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.9; P.L.131-2008, SEC.43; P.L.42-2011, SEC.23; P.L.197-2011, SEC.35. Repealed by P.L.92-2013, SEC.41.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-3.2 Transfer statement language for certificate of title applications

Sec. 3.2. (a) When a certificate of title is available and a vehicle is sold or transferred to a person other than a dealer licensed under IC 9-32, the transferring party shall fill in all blanks on the certificate of title relating to buyer information, including the sale price. (b) The failure of the transferring party to fill in all buyer information is a Class B infraction. As added by P.L.131-2008, SEC.44. Amended by P.L.125-2012, SEC.80; P.L.158-2013, SEC.137; P.L.217-2014, SEC.14; P.L.226-2014(ts), SEC.14; P.L.198-2016, SEC.223; P.L.27-2018, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-3.4 Sale or transfer of ownership of vehicle; requirements to transfer certificate of title

Sec. 3.4. (a) If a vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued is sold or if the ownership of the vehicle is transferred in any manner other than by a transfer on death conveyance under section 9 of this chapter, the transferring party must do the following: (1) Endorse the certificate of title by assigning the certificate of title with warranty of title, in a form approved by the bureau, with a statement describing all liens or encumbrances on the vehicle. (2) Deliver or transmit the certificate of title to the purchaser or transferee at the time of the sale or delivery to the purchaser or transferee of the vehicle, if the purchaser or transferee has made all agreed upon initial payments for the vehicle, including delivery of a trade-in vehicle without hidden or undisclosed statutory liens. (3) Unless the vehicle is being sold or transferred to a dealer licensed under IC 9-32, complete all information concerning the purchase on the certificate of title, including, but not limited to: (A) the name and address of the purchaser; and (B) the sale price of the vehicle. (b) If a vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued by another state is sold or delivered, the transferring party must deliver or transmit to the purchaser or receiver of the vehicle a proper certificate of title with an assignment of the certificate of title in a form prescribed by the bureau. (c) The original certificate of title and all assignments and subsequent reissues of the certificate of title shall be retained by the bureau and appropriately classified and indexed in the most convenient manner to trace title to the vehicle described in the certificate of title. (d) A person who violates subsection (a)(1) or (a)(3) commits a Class B infraction. (e) After a person delivers or transmits a certificate of title to a purchaser or transferee under subsection (a)(2), the person may deliver the certificate of registration of the vehicle to the bureau under IC 9-18.1-4-6 to have the transfer of ownership of the vehicle indicated in the records of the bureau. As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.23. Amended by P.L.217-2014, SEC.15; P.L.226-2014(ts), SEC.14; P.L.3-2017, SEC.1; P.L.27-2018, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-3.5 Buyback vehicles; certificate of title

Sec. 3.5. (a) This section applies to a vehicle for which a certificate of title is required to be obtained under IC 24-5-13.5-12. (b) The bureau shall do the following: (1) For a subsequent request for a new certificate of title for a buyback vehicle, whether titled in Indiana or any other state, cause the words "Manufacturer Buyback ─ Disclosure on File" to appear on the new certificate of title. (2) Maintain a listing of all reported buyback vehicles in accordance with this section, maintain a record of the disclosure document required by IC 24-5-13.5-10(b)(3), and allow access to the listing and disclosure document upon written application. As added by P.L.65-1992, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.1-1993, SEC.53; P.L.118-1993, SEC.1; P.L.1-1994, SEC.39; P.L.27-2018, SEC.9; P.L.211-2023, SEC.22.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-4 Members of armed forces; transfer of title; procedure

Sec. 4. (a) A certificate of title for a vehicle held by an Indiana resident who is serving in the armed forces of the United States may be transferred by the Indiana resident to another person if the Indiana resident authorizes the transfer by a letter signed by the Indiana resident. The letter must be accompanied by proof that the Indiana resident is actively serving in the armed forces of the United States and is outside Indiana. (b) When the bureau receives the letter and proof described in subsection (a), the bureau may make the transfer to the person named in the letter. (c) Whenever a transfer described in subsection (a) is made, the letter: (1) must be attached to the certificate of title being transferred; and (2) becomes a permanent record of the bureau. (d) The bureau shall use reasonable diligence in determining if the signature of the person that signed the letter described in subsection (a) authorizing the transfer is the signature of the person. (e) If the bureau is satisfied that the signature is the signature of the person that owns the vehicle described in the certificate of title, the bureau shall issue an appropriate certificate of title over the signature of the bureau and sealed with the seal of the bureau to the person named in the letter. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-2-2(b).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.125-2012, SEC.81; P.L.262-2013, SEC.24; P.L.198-2016, SEC.224.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-5 Sale or transfer of vehicle under court order or by law

Sec. 5. (a) Whenever a vehicle for which a certificate of title is required by this article is sold or transferred: (1) under an order or a process of an Indiana court; (2) under any provision of an Indiana statute; or (3) by operation of law; the person that obtains the vehicle may obtain a certificate of title for the vehicle by filing an application for the certificate of title with the bureau and attaching to the application written evidence showing the order, process, statute, or operation under which the person obtained ownership of the vehicle. (b) The bureau shall use due diligence to ascertain that the sale was in conformity with the order, process, statute, or operation under which the sale or transfer occurred. The order, process, statute, or operation may substitute for proof of ownership under IC 9-17-2-4, but the applicant must comply with IC 9-17 to receive a certificate of title. (c) An order or a process of an Indiana court described in subsection (a) must include the: (1) year of manufacture of; (2) make and model of; (3) vehicle identification number of; and (4) name and address of the person that is entitled to; the vehicle. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-4-46.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.125-2012, SEC.82; P.L.198-2016, SEC.225; P.L.256-2017, SEC.105.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-6 Cancellation of record of certificate of title

Sec. 6. If the bureau: (1) determines that a certificate of title is issued in error; or (2) receives notification from another state or country that a certificate of title for a vehicle that was issued by the bureau has been surrendered by the person that owns the vehicle in conformity with the laws of the other state or country; the bureau may cancel the record of certificate of title in Indiana. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-3-10.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.61-1998, SEC.1; P.L.125-2012, SEC.83; P.L.198-2016, SEC.226.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-7 Violation of chapter; penalties

Sec. 7. (a) This section does not apply to section 5 of this chapter. (b) Except as provided in sections 3.2(b) and 3.4(d) of this chapter, a person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citations: 9-1-2-2(a) part; 9-1-2-5 part; 9-1-3-11 part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.131-2008, SEC.45; P.L.92-2013, SEC.42; P.L.262-2013, SEC.25; P.L.158-2013, SEC.138; P.L.217-2014, SEC.16; P.L.226-2014(ts), SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-8 Determination of previous title

Sec. 8. The bureau shall enable the owner of a motor vehicle titled in Indiana to determine: (1) whether that motor vehicle has previously been titled in Indiana; and (2) if the motor vehicle has previously been titled in Indiana, whether the title was issued as a salvage title under IC 9-22-3. As added by P.L.61-1998, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.125-2012, SEC.84; P.L.262-2013, SEC.26; P.L.216-2014, SEC.31.

Ind. Code § 9-17-3-9 Transfer on death conveyance; requirements

Sec. 9. (a) The owner or owners of a vehicle may create an interest in the vehicle that is transferrable on the death of the owner or owners by obtaining a certificate of title conveying the interest in the vehicle to one (1) or more persons as transfer on death beneficiaries. (b) Subject to subsection (e), an interest in a vehicle transferred under this section vests upon the death of the owner or owners. (c) A certificate of title that is: (1) worded in substance as "A.B. transfers on death to C.D." or "A.B. and C.D. transfer on death to E.F."; and (2) signed by the owner or owners; is a good and sufficient conveyance on the death of the owner or owners to the transferee or transferees. (d) A certificate of title obtained under this section is not required to be: (1) supported by consideration; or (2) delivered or transmitted to the named transfer on death beneficiary or beneficiaries; to be effective. (e) Upon the death of the owner or owners conveying an interest in a vehicle in a certificate of title obtained under this section, the interest in the vehicle is transferred to each beneficiary who is described by either of the following: (1) The beneficiary: (A) is named in the certificate; and (B) survives the transferor. (2) The beneficiary: (A) survives the transferor; and (B) is entitled to an interest in the vehicle under IC 32-17-14-22 following the death of a beneficiary who: (i) is named in the certificate; and (ii) did not survive the transferor. (f) A certificate of title designating a transfer on death beneficiary is not testamentary. (g) In general, IC 32-17-14 applies to a certificate of title designating a transfer on death beneficiary. However, a particular provision of IC 32-17-14 does not apply if it is inconsistent with the requirements of this section or IC 9-17-2-2(b). As added by P.L.83-2008, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.143-2009, SEC.3; P.L.6-2010, SEC.4; P.L.36-2011, SEC.1; P.L.81-2015, SEC.2; P.L.79-2017, SEC.60; P.L.27-2018, SEC.10.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026