Free Indiana Trailer Bill of Sale Form (BMV State Form 44237 PDF)

Q: Do utility trailers have titles in Indiana?

In Indiana, trailers with a declared gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 3,000 pounds must be titled with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) under IC § 9-17-2-1. Trailers with a declared gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less are title-optional and can be registered and plated using this BMV State Form 44237 Bill of Sale.

Q: What is Indiana BMV State Form 44237 for trailers?

State Form 44237 is the official Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Bill of Sale format. It records the complete trailer specifications (make, year, dimensions, empty weight, GVWR, and VIN) and transaction details required to calculate 7.0% Indiana sales/use tax and register the trailer.

Q: Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Indiana?

No. Under Indiana Code § 9-18.1-4-5, license plates in Indiana belong to the seller, not the trailer. The seller must remove their license plate prior to transferring custody. The buyer must register the trailer and obtain their own license plate at an Indiana BMV branch.

Q: How long do you have to register a trailer in Indiana after buying it?

Under Indiana Code § 9-18.1-4-4, an Indiana resident purchasing a trailer has strictly 45 calendar days from the date of purchase to register and license the trailer at an Indiana BMV branch before late registration administrative penalties are assessed.

Q: What is required to register a homemade trailer in Indiana?

To register a homemade trailer without a manufacturer VIN in Indiana, the owner must have a Physical Inspection of a Vehicle or Watercraft (BMV State Form 39530) completed by law enforcement or BMV personnel, submit receipts for component materials, and execute this Bill of Sale to receive a state-assigned Special MVIN.

FORM SBF-IN-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

IC §§ 9-17-2-1, 9-18.1-4-4 & State Form 44237

STATE OF INDIANA STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Utility, Cargo, Boat, Equipment, Livestock & Homemade Trailer Bill of Sale

Compliant with Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) State Form 44237 Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

SECTION A: JURISDICTION & LOCATION OF SALE

State:

Indiana County *:

SECTION B: COMPLETE TRAILER IDENTIFICATION & SPECS

Year Built *

Make / Manufacturer *

Model Name / Number *

Trailer Body Type *

Dimensions (L x W ft)

Number of Axles *

IN Plate # (Plates retained by seller under IC 9-18.1-4-5)

Indiana Statutory Weight Specifications (IC § 9-17-2-1) Note: GVWR > 3,000 lbs requires mandatory Indiana Certificate of Title; ≤ 3,000 lbs is title-optional.

Unladen / Empty Weight (Tare lbs) *

lbs

Carrying Capacity (Payload lbs) *

lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) *

lbs

Trailer Identification Number (17-Digit VIN or BMV Assigned MVIN) *:

SECTION C: IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES (TRANSFEROR & TRANSFEREE)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

IN Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

SECTION D: FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION & PAYMENT TERMS

Total Purchase Price *:

Date of Sale *:

Payment: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift

STATUTORY INDIANA "AS-IS" DISCLAIMER (INDIANA UCC IC 26-1-2-316): This trailer is bargained, sold, and conveyed strictly in "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT. The Seller expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability, roadworthiness, frame structural integrity, axle alignment, wheel bearings, coupler safety, suspension, tires, or electrical wiring. The Buyer acknowledges having had the full opportunity to inspect or mechanically survey the trailer or has knowingly waived this right.

SECTION E: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES & AFFIDAVIT

AFFIRMATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY (IC § 35-44.1-2-1): I hereby affirm under penalties of perjury that the information provided on this bill of sale is true, accurate, and complete, that the Seller is the lawful owner with clear legal authority to transfer title/ownership, and that no undisclosed liens or legal encumbrances exist.

Seller (Transferor) Signature

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

SECTION F: STATE OF INDIANA NOTARY PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT / JURAT

STATE OF INDIANA COUNTY OF:

On this _____ day of ________________, 2026, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared the Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government-issued photo identification to be the person(s) whose name(s) are subscribed to this trailer bill of sale, and acknowledged executing the same for the purposes stated.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here Indiana BMV State Form 44237

FORM SBF-IN-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com IC §§ 9-17-2-1, 9-18.1-4-4 • Indiana BMV State Form 44237 PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Indiana BMV 3-Step Trailer Titling & Registration Guide

Follow Indiana statutory requirements to legally register utility, cargo, equipment, and boat trailers, navigate the 3,000 lbs GVWR titling threshold, and avoid late registration penalties.

Execute Form SBF-IN-TRL

Both parties complete and sign this statutory Bill of Sale (compliant with BMV State Form 44237), documenting the exact sales price, empty tare weight, and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

Verify Titling Threshold & Plates

Under Indiana Code § 9-17-2-1, trailers with a declared GVWR over 3,000 lbs must be titled. Under IC § 9-18.1-4-5, the seller must remove and retain their license plate.

BMV Registration & 45-Day Rule

Within 45 calendar days (IC § 9-18.1-4-4), the buyer visits an Indiana BMV branch with this Bill of Sale, title (if >3,000 lbs), and proof of residency to pay the 7.0% sales tax and obtain license plates.

Statutory Summary

Indiana Trailer Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
3,000 Lbs Titling Threshold	IC § 9-17-2-1	Mandatory >3,000 lbs	Trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWR require an Indiana Certificate of Title; trailers 3,000 lbs or less are title-optional.
BMV State Form 44237 Bill of Sale	IC § 9-17-2-1 / BMV	Essential	Legal proof of transfer and price valuation used to assess 7.0% state sales/use tax and register untitled light trailers.
License Plate Removal Rule	IC § 9-18.1-4-5	Mandatory for Seller	Trailer plates remain the property of the seller and must never be transferred to the buyer on private sales.
45-Day Registration Deadline	IC § 9-18.1-4-4	45 Calendar Days	Buyer must register trailer at the BMV within 45 days of delivery to prevent administrative penalties.
Homemade Trailer Inspection	BMV Form 39530	Homemade Only	Physical VIN inspection by police or BMV to assign a Special MVIN before a homemade trailer can be plated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Indiana Trailer Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Do utility trailers have titles in Indiana?

What is Indiana BMV State Form 44237 for trailers?

Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Indiana?

How long do you have to register a trailer in Indiana after buying it?

What is required to register a homemade trailer in Indiana?