Lost, damaged, or never received your Indiana title? You still have legal ways to sell. Here's how it works in 2026, based on official Indiana rules — plus the fastest way to just get a cash offer.
Indiana (through the BMV) gives you unusually good options when a title is missing — including two paths that skip the surety bond entirely, which is great for older and junk cars. Here's how it works.
File State Form 205 (Duplicate Title Application) — online via myBMV, at a branch/kiosk, or by mail. The fee is $15 (add $25 for a speed title). Then sign the title over to your buyer.
If you can't get the title from the seller and the vehicle is worth $5,000 or less (NADA value), Indiana lets you title it through the Affidavit of Ownership application packet — no surety bond required.
For a lost/faulty title or an abandoned vehicle you're sending to scrap, you can get a Certificate of Authority – Disposal of a Motor Vehicle (State Form 55018) from the BMV and hand it to the salvage recycler — letting you dispose of the car without a title at all.
Tell us the year and condition — we'll tell you exactly what's needed and make a real cash offer, with free towing at pickup.
Get My Free Offer →The quick reference for signing your car over the right way in Indiana.
Three things worth confirming before you hand over the keys.
Running or not, title or no title — get a real cash offer in about two minutes, with free towing.
Get My Free Offer →This guide is general information based on Indiana rules current as of 2026, not legal advice. Requirements can change and situations vary — confirm details with the official state source (official Indiana DMV page) before acting.