Applying for Car Registration in Indiana

Completing the Indiana vehicle registration application process is one of the first steps you must take after purchasing, acquiring or inheriting a new or used vehicle from a private seller or licensed dealership. However, the steps you must take to register your newly acquired vehicle will vary depending on whether you have already applied for a new Indiana certificate of title or not.

To obtain DMV registration credentials after applying for a certificate of title, for instance, you may apply online or at a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) kiosk.

If you have not already applied for a new certificate of title or if you purchased the vehicle more than 60 days prior, you must register the automobile in person at a local BMV branch. To learn more about car registration requirements and the steps you must take to register a newly acquired car, truck or SUV, review the information below.

Obtaining Vehicle Registration Records in Indiana

To obtain DMV car registration credentials for your newly acquired vehicle, you must complete the application process in person at a local branch of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, online by logging into your myBMV account or by visiting a BMV Connect kiosk in your area. If you purchased a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer, however, you may also choose to submit your registration application by mail.

While the Indiana BMV allows you to register a newly acquired vehicle in several different ways, you can only apply online, by mail or by kiosk if you meet the bureau’s requirements. To learn more about these application methods, review the sections below or download our helpful car registration guide.

Online

To apply for IN auto registration credentials after you have already applied for a certificate of title, you may choose to submit your application online. However, you must be able to login to your existing myBMV account, or you must create a new online profile.

To create a new account, you must provide your driver’s license number, the last four digits of your SSN and a five-digit zip code. With an existing account, you can also learn to renew your car registration online in the future.

If you prefer to obtain new vehicle registration credentials in person, or if you cannot provide this application information, you must visit a local BMV branch to submit your request.

In Person

To obtain a new car registration and titling credentials after purchasing a vehicle from a private party, or to register an automobile that you acquired more than 60 days prior, you must visit a BMV branch to submit your application materials in person.

During your office visit, you will typically need to register and title the vehicle at the same time, present proof of automobile ownership and submit a completed Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle.

When titling and registering a newly acquired vehicle, you must also provide the BMV office with several other important documents, including proof of your Indiana address and evidence of your Social Security Number (SSN). You must also pay vehicle registration fees and taxes before leaving the office. However, specific requirements and fee amounts may vary depending on your situation.

By Kiosk

“Where can I apply for a car registration near me if I wish to use a BMV kiosk?” you may wonder. If you purchased your vehicle within the previous 60 days and have already applied for an Indiana certificate of title, you may register your newly acquired automobile by visiting a local BMV Connect kiosk. To find a kiosk near you, you may perform a search under the BMV’s website.

By Mail

You may pay car registration fees and taxes by mail if you purchase an automobile from an out-of-state dealership. To do so, you must complete an Indiana Vehicle and Watercraft Title Application Packet before mailing your registration credentials to the BMV’s Central Office in Indianapolis.

Before doing this, however, you will need to make sure your address is up to date with the BMV. If it is not, you will need to learn to perform a change of address before applying for a new title and registration.

For more information on the car registration application process, download our guide.