Indiana residents are required to obtain an Indiana certificate of title for all watercraft (unless specifically exempt from registration).
You must apply for a certificate of title within 45 days after the date of purchase or an administrative penalty will be charged.
New Indiana Residents
If you are a new Indiana resident, you must apply for a certificate of title within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident or an administrative penalty will be charged.
If you are an out-of-state resident, you must apply for a certificate of title for a watercraft operated, used, stored or docked in Indiana for 60 consecutive days or more during a calendar year (unless specifically exempt from registration).
The following watercraft title exemptions were removed from Indiana law effective July 1, 2016, and a watercraft meeting the following criteria must be titled prior to applying for a registration:
Effective January 1, 2021, the following watercraft title exemptions were removed from Indiana law and must be titled prior to applying for a registration:
A person who owns a boat that was exempt from the title requirements before July 1, 2016 or January 1, 2021 is not required to apply for a certificate of title prior to selling the boat. The seller must provide a bill of sale to the purchaser.
If you are unable to establish ownership through any one of the available BMV title application processes, you must obtain a court order. Once you have received the court order, you may apply for a certificate of title through the BMV. The Court Order Title Application Packet provides a detailed list of the documents required to be submitted with the application. Prior to submitting each application, verify that all required information is included. Download the Court Order Title Application Packet If the watercraft is from out-of-state, you must complete a VIN inspection report and include State Form 39530 - Physical Inspection of a Vehicle or Watercraft.
A marina operator may sell a watercraft that has been left without permission at the marina for more than six months and recover the operator’s reasonable maintenance, repair, dockage, storage, and other charges. Upon fulfilling the statutory obligations contained in IC 32-34-10, the marina operator may complete an Affidavit of Sale– Abandoned Watercraft - State Form 50634 to assign ownership to a purchaser without a certificate of title. The Abandoned Watercraft Title Application Packet provides a detailed list of the documents required to be submitted with the application. Prior to submitting each application, verify that all required information is included. Download the Abandoned Watercraft Title Application Packet
Title and registration applications for municipal corporations, including law enforcement, must be processed by the BMV Central Office. The Watercraft Used for Official Business Title and Registration Application provides a detailed list of the documents required to be submitted with the application. Prior to submitting each application, verify that all required information is included. Download the Watercraft Used for Official Business Title and Registration Application Packet
All watercraft in Indiana must have a hull identification number (HIN) stamped or attached to the watercraft if operated on Indiana waterways. If the watercraft does not have an HIN, is assembled, or the HIN is changed, then an Application for Special Identification Number – Vehicle or Watercraft – State Form 12907 must be completed. Applications for a special identification number are processed by the BMV Central Office. The Special Identification Number – HIN Watercraft Application Packet provides a detailed list of the documents required to be submitted with the application for title. Prior to submitting each application, verify that all required information is included. Download the Special Identification Number – HIN Watercraft Application Packet
For information on Indiana boating laws see the Handbook of Indiana Boating Laws and Responsibilities located on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is responsible for titling and registering off-road vehicles (ORVs) and snowmobiles operated in Indiana. Please use the links in the accordions below to learn more about titles, vehicle identification numbers, registrations, and registration fees for your ORV or snowmobile.
If your current ORV or snowmobile is registered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and your registration is lost, destroyed, or needs a change in personal information, visit a BMV branch to apply for a new registration.
The following vehicle types are not considered off-road vehicles:
A “snowmobile” is defined as a motor driven vehicle designed for travel primarily on snow or ice; and of a type that uses sled type runners or skis, an endless belt tread, or any combination of these or other similar means of contact with the surface upon which the vehicle is operated.
To apply for a certificate of registration, you must provide proof of ownership. If you do not have a certificate of title, you may complete and affirm ownership on an Off-Road Vehicle / Snowmobile Ownership Affidavit – State Form 52827 if you meet any of the following criteria:
The BMV issues a certificate of registration and two decals for each ORV and snowmobile registration. The certificate of registration must accompany the ORV or snowmobile and be made available for inspection upon demand by a police officer. The decals contain the ORV’s or snowmobile’s registration number and expiration date and must be attached on the forward half of the ORV or snowmobile.
ORV and snowmobile registrations must be renewed every three years on or before your scheduled expiration date.
Ordering Information
An application for a new, renew or duplicate registration for an ORV or snowmobile may be purchased at any BMV branch.
You will receive your Certificate of Registration and decal within 14 days.
Operation of ORVs and Snowmobiles
Operation of properly registered ORVs and snowmobiles is permitted on Indiana public property where authorized by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), roadways where authorized by the county highway department, and on private property with the consent of the landowner.
Operation of an ORV or snowmobile on a highway is not permitted.
Download the Affidavit of Ownership Vehicle Title Application Packet
Download the Court Order Title Application Packet
An ORV purchased before 1/1/2010 is not required to be titled but may be voluntarily titled upon request of the owner.
If you are a new Indiana resident and your ORV was purchased before 1/1/2010, you must title the ORV within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident to avoid an administrative penalty.
Snowmobiles
A snowmobile is not required to be titled but may be voluntarily titled upon request of the owner.
If a certificate of title cannot be provided as proof of ownership, you may complete and affirm ownership on an Off-Road Vehicle / Snowmobile Ownership Affidavit – State Form 52827.
Voluntary Titling
If you purchased an ORV or snowmobile that was voluntarily titled in Indiana by the seller, and the issue date on the certificate of title is after 6/30/2016, the seller must provide you with the title, and you (the purchaser) must either:
A “Motorized Non-Resident DNR ORV Permit” may be purchased through the DNR if the ORV or snowmobile is from another state, is not registered in that state, is owned by a non-resident of Indiana, and will only be operated on designated trails and properties owned or managed by the DNR. If the operator obtains a “Motorized Non-Resident DNR ORV Permit” through the DNR, a certificate of registration issued by the BMV is not required unless the ORV/snowmobile will be operated outside of the designated DNR locations.
Many states do not register ORVs or snowmobiles. Location permits which are placed on the vehicles, may be provided, but they are typically not specific to that vehicle and do not contain an assigned registration number. DNR does not accept these permits as a valid registration in Indiana.
Out of the four surrounding states (Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio), only Ohio issues registrations for ORVs and snowmobiles. Therefore, residents of Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan must obtain an Indiana registration or “Motorized Non-Resident DNR ORV Permit” in order to operate the vehicle in Indiana. On day one of use in Indiana, the non-resident must have a valid certificate of registration issued by the BMV or a “Motorized Non-Resident DNR ORV Permit” issued by the DNR.
For more information on “Motorized Non-Resident DNR ORV Permits” issued by the DNR, refer to the DNR website.
All ORVs and snowmobiles operated on public roadways in Indiana must have a vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on or attached to the vehicle. If the ORV or snowmobile does not have a VIN, is assembled, or the VIN is changed, then an Application for Special Identification Number – Vehicle or Watercraft – State Form 12907 must be completed. Applications for a special identification number are processed by the BMV Central Office. The Special Identification Number – MVIN Vehicle Application Packet provides a detailed list of the documents required to be submitted with the application for title. Prior to submitting each application, verify that all required information is included. Download the Special Identification Number – MVIN Vehicle Application Packet
