If there is a change in the ownership of a dealer, the dealer must notify the Auto Dealer Services Division. The procedure for doing so varies according to the business type and is outlined below.
Sole Proprietorship
If the dealership is owned by a sole proprietorship and there is a change in ownership, the owner currently on the license must submit a completed a Ceasing Business Affidavit, notifying the Division that the dealer will be going out of business. The affidavit must be signed by the owner and notarized. Please list the name of dealership, address, and the seven digit dealer number on the affidavit. The current dealer must submit the affidavit and return the current dealer license and all permanent dealer license plates and interim plates, along with registrations, to the Auto Dealer Services Division in-person or by mail to the following address:
Office of the Indiana Secretary of State
Auto Dealer Services Division
302 W. Washington St.
Room E-111
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The new owners must submit a new License Application with the documents identified in the License Application section.
Partnership
If the dealership is owned by partners and there is a change in partnership, the dealer must submit a completed Adding or Removing an Owner, Officer, or Partner form stating the changes in ownership.
If a partner is being removed from the license, submit a completed Adding or Removing an Owner, Officer, or Partner identifying which partner is being removed or added to the license. The form must be signed by all partners, including the partner being removed, and be notarized.
If there has been a complete change in ownership and all partners currently on the license are being removed from the license, the partners currently on the license must submit a completed Ceasing Business Affidavit, notifying the Division that the dealer will be going out of business. The new owners must submit a new license application with the documents identified in the section.
Corporation/LLC/LLP
If the dealership is owned by a corporation, LLC, or LLP and there is a change regarding the owners or officers listed on the license, the dealer must submit a completed Adding or Removing an Owner, Officer, or Partner form stating the changes in ownership. The form must be signed by all partners, including the partner being removed, and be notarized.
If there has been a complete change in ownership, the dealer must submit a completed Ceasing Business Affidavit, notifying the Division that the dealer will be going out of business. The new owners must submit a new License Application with the documents identified in the license application section.