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.
Whatever shape your car is in, Joe's pays cash and tows it free. Here's how we can help:
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.