How to Get a Bonded Title in Indiana
If you’re holding a vehicle without a clean title in Indiana, a bonded title (also called a surety bond title) is the standard legal remedy. This process lets you establish documented legal ownership even when the original title chain is incomplete, the seller is unreachable, or the title was never issued.
Our downloadable guide walks you through the entire Indiana process — every form, every fee, and every step — so you can complete it yourself without hiring an attorney.
Step-by-step PDF. Instant download. Everything you need for Indiana's bonded title process.
Get the Indiana Guide →
What You Need to Know First — Indiana
Indiana’s process involves filing an ‘Affidavit for Bonded Title’ (Form 1014) with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Indiana requires the vehicle to pass a VIN inspection before the bonded title application is approved.
The Indiana Bonded Title Process
File at any Indiana BMV branch. Indiana’s bond period is 3 years. The BMV will conduct or coordinate the VIN inspection.
Required Surety Bond Amount
Indiana uses a bond formula of 1.5× the vehicle’s appraised value. Your bond premium — the amount you actually pay to a surety company — is typically 1–3% of the bond amount per year. For example, if your vehicle is valued at $10,000 and the bond requirement is 1.5× value ($15,000 bond), you’d pay approximately $150–$450 per year in bond premiums.
The guide includes a step-by-step bond amount calculation worksheet and a list of licensed surety bond companies serving Indiana.
Fees and Costs
Title fees are $15. A $9.50 VIN inspection fee applies. Annual vehicle excise tax is calculated separately at registration.
These figures reflect the most recently published fee schedules. Our guide is updated annually each July to reflect any changes.
Timeline
Most applicants in Indiana complete the bonded title process in approximately 5–8 weeks. The guide includes a checklist and timeline tracker so you know exactly where you are in the process at every step.
What’s in the Indiana Guide?
The PDF includes four sections:
Section 1 — Overview: What a bonded title is, when you need one, and whether Indiana’s bonded title process applies to your situation.
Section 2 — Step-by-Step Process: Every action in the correct order, from gathering documentation through receiving your Indiana bonded title.
Section 3 — Checklist: A single-page checklist you can print and use to track your progress through the process.
Section 4 — Appendix: Direct links to all Indiana DMV forms, fee schedules, surety bond companies, and applicable statutes — verified and current as of the guide’s publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions — Indiana
Do I need an attorney to get a bonded title in Indiana? For most straightforward cases, no. The bonded title process is an administrative procedure designed for self-filing. The guide provides everything you need to complete the application yourself.
Can I drive the vehicle while waiting for my bonded title? In most cases, yes — with a temporary registration or under specific conditions described in Section 2 of the guide. Indiana’s specific rules on this are covered in detail.
What if someone challenges my bonded title later? The surety bond protects against this. If a prior legitimate owner files a claim during the bond period, the bonding company compensates them (up to the bond amount). Your guide explains how to build a strong documentation record that minimizes this risk.
Part of the Bonded Title DIY Guides — All 50 States series. Also available in the Midwest Regional Bundle.