The lienholder of a repossessed vehicle may apply for a certificate of title for the last vehicle owner according to BMV record. If the owner is an Indiana resident and did not apply for a certificate of title, then the lienholder must present a Court Order.
If multiple lienholders are recorded on the title, the first lienholder can repossess the vehicle without proof of lien release from the other lienholders recorded. However, the subsequent lienholder(s) must have proof of lien release from the first lienholder in order to repossess the vehicle.
If the original lienholder assigned the lien to a financial institution that repossessed the vehicle, then the financial institution must obtain an assignment document from the original lienholder indicating the assignment of the lien or present the properly executed Indiana title indicating the assignment of the lienholder’s interest.
The lienholder may not sell a repossessed vehicle until after properly obtaining a certificate of title in the lienholder’s name.
Title Application Requirements
- Certificate of Title with lien recorded
- The lien must not be released on the title.
- If the repossession is from a dealer who is the last title holder, a copy of the UCC Financing Statement filed with the Secretary of State from the lienholder is required in lieu of a title document.
- Application for Certificate of Title For a Vehicle – State Form 205
- Certificate of Repossession – State Form 39738
- Form must be completed in its entirety.
- Odometer Disclosure Statement – State Form 43230 or other conforming odometer statement
- The odometer statement must be completed by the lienholder applying for title and reflect the current odometer brand with the vehicle’s current mileage.
- Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax Exemption (ST108E) – State Form 48841 (Exemption 10)
- Power of Attorney, if applicable
- Mobile Home Permit – State Form 7878 completed by the County Treasurer (manufactured homes only)
- Physical Inspection of a Vehicle or Watercraft – State Form 39530 or Vehicle History Report, if applicable.
Out-Of-State Title Repossessions
If the physical out-of-state title is available, the lienholder of a repossessed vehicle may apply for a certificate of title by providing the documents outlined above.
If the physical out-of-state title is not available or the previous state did not issue a certificate of title (e.g., E-titling state, consumer held states, etc.), the lienholder must provide verification of lien from the current state of title. An out-of-state verification of lien includes, but is not limited to, a title record, a lien filing, or a lien receipt. It must indicate that the lien was filed with an official (government) entity, be on an approved application or form, and at minimum, reflect the following information:
- Lienholder name and address
- Date the lien came into effect
- Enough supporting documentation to properly identify the vehicle and the last registered owner.