What is an Indiana Bill of Sale?
An Indiana Bill of Sale is a legal document that records the transfer of a vehicle or other personal property from a seller to a buyer in Indiana. It documents the agreed sale price, describes the item being sold, and includes the signatures of both parties.
Indiana's official form is State Form 44237, issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). A bill of sale can only be used as proof of vehicle ownership in limited circumstances — for example, when the vehicle was not legally required to have a title, or when purchased from the federal government. For standard vehicle sales, the signed certificate of title is the primary ownership document. The buyer must apply for an Indiana certificate of title within 45 days of purchase.
What is an Indiana Bill of Sale used for?
An Indiana bill of sale is used to formally document the transfer of personal property and protect both parties in a private sale. Specifically, it is used to:
- Document the transfer of personal property (vehicle, boat, firearm, equipment, or other items) from seller to buyer
- Establish the agreed purchase price on record — Indiana BMV uses this to calculate applicable sales tax, use tax, or registration fees when the buyer applies for a new title
- Protect the seller from future liability related to the property after the sale date
- Give the buyer proof of ownership pending receipt of a new title
- Serve as evidence in any dispute about the terms, price, or condition of the item at the time of sale
- Support insurance documentation — the buyer can present the bill of sale to their insurer as proof of acquisition and value
How to write a Bill of Sale in Indiana
To create a valid Indiana Bill of Sale, follow these steps:
- 1
Download Indiana BMV State Form 44237 (Bill of Sale) from the Indiana BMV website, or prepare a document with all required fields.
- 2
Fill in the buyer's full legal name and current address.
- 3
Enter the vehicle description: year, make, model, and VIN (required if the bill of sale is used as the primary ownership document).
- 4
Record the agreed sale price and the date of the transaction.
- 5
The seller signs the bill of sale and provides their address.
- 6
Keep signed copies for both buyer and seller.
- 7
If using the bill of sale as the primary ownership document, a Physical Inspection (State Form 39530) is also required.
- 8
The buyer must apply for an Indiana certificate of title within 45 days of the purchase date.
What information should an Indiana Bill of Sale include?
An Indiana Bill of Sale should include the following information:
- Full legal names and current addresses of buyer and seller
- Vehicle description: year, make, model, color, and body type
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed sale price
- Date of the transaction
- Signatures of both buyer and seller
- Optional: payment method (cash, check, etc.), "as-is" clause, or lien release information
Is a Bill of Sale required in Indiana?
In Indiana, a bill of sale can only be used as proof of vehicle ownership in limited circumstances — for example, when the vehicle is not legally required to have a title (such as certain older vehicles, off-road vehicles, or trailers), or when the vehicle was purchased from the federal government.
For most private vehicle sales, the signed certificate of title is the required ownership document and a bill of sale serves as a supporting record. The bill of sale is also useful for documenting the sale price and date when the certificate of title does not contain this information. The buyer must apply for an Indiana certificate of title within 45 days of the purchase date.
Does an Indiana Bill of Sale need to be notarized?
No. Indiana does not require notarization for a vehicle bill of sale. The Indiana BMV accepts a signed bill of sale (State Form 44237 or equivalent) without a notary stamp.
Similarly, the signatures on the back of the vehicle certificate of title in the assignment area do not need to be notarized. If a bill of sale is being used as the primary ownership document, a Physical Inspection of a Vehicle or Watercraft (State Form 39530) is required, but even in that case, the bill of sale itself does not need to be notarized.
How long is an Indiana Bill of Sale valid?
An Indiana Bill of Sale does not expire. Once signed by both parties, it serves as a permanent legal record of the transaction.
For vehicle title purposes, it is most relevant during the 45-day window after purchase — the buyer must apply for an Indiana certificate of title within this period. Once the new title is issued, the bill of sale continues to serve as documentation of the original sale, including the purchase price and date.
Where can I get a blank Indiana Bill of Sale?
The official Indiana Bill of Sale form (State Form 44237) is available free of charge from the Indiana BMV website or at any Indiana BMV office.
You can also use PDF Guru to fill out your Indiana Bill of Sale online. Our editor lets you complete all required fields, add your electronic signature, and download the finished document as a PDF — no printing or scanning required.
How to sign an Indiana Bill of Sale online
PDF Guru makes it easy to sign your Indiana Bill of Sale online without printing or scanning. Once you have completed all required fields in the form, use the Sign tool in the editor. You can draw your signature with a mouse or trackpad, type your name, or upload a saved signature image. Position the signature in the designated field for the seller — if both parties are signing digitally, the buyer can do the same before the final download.
When your signatures are in place, click Done to download the completed PDF to your device. Electronic signatures are generally accepted for private-party bill of sale transactions in Indiana. If you plan to submit the bill of sale to the Indiana BMV as part of a title transfer, confirm in advance whether an original ink signature is required.



