Renew your Indiana registration online, by mail, or in person at a BMV branch

Indiana sends you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your registration expires. You can renew using that notice and your vehicle's current registration card, without visiting a branch. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offers three paths: online through the BMV website, by mail using the renewal notice, or in person at any BMV branch. Online renewal is fastest and costs nothing extra — you pay only the registration fee itself, which varies by vehicle weight and type.

You do not need an inspection sticker in Indiana, and you do not need to bring the vehicle itself. If you have moved, changed your name, or added a lienholder since your last registration, you will need to handle those changes during renewal — some can be done online, others require a branch visit or notarized paperwork.

Key Takeaways

  • The BMV mails renewal notices 30 to 60 days before expiration; check your mailbox or create an online account to see your renewal date.
  • Online renewal through the BMV website takes 10 minutes and is available until midnight on your expiration date.
  • Mail renewal uses the notice the BMV sends you; allow 7 to 10 business days for processing after the BMV receives it.
  • In-person renewal at a BMV branch takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on wait time and handles address changes or other updates on the spot.
  • Registration fees depend on your vehicle's gross weight rating and type (passenger car, truck, motorcycle, RV); the BMV website shows your exact fee before you pay.

Renewing online through the BMV website

Go to in.gov/bmv and select "Renew Registration" from the homepage. You will need your current registration card and your driver's license number. The system will ask for your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or the vehicle owner's Social Security number.

The BMV website shows your registration fee before you complete payment. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. Once you pay, the system generates a temporary registration document you can print or save to your phone — this is valid when ready and covers you until your permanent registration card arrives by mail, usually within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal is open until midnight on your expiration date. If you renew after midnight on the expiration date, your registration is technically expired and you cannot legally drive the vehicle until the new card arrives. If you miss the important date, you must renew in person at a BMV branch or by mail, and you may owe a late fee.

Renewing by mail with your renewal notice

The renewal notice the BMV mails you includes a return envelope and payment instructions. Fill out the notice, sign it, and include a check or money order for the registration fee. Do not send cash. Mail it to the address printed on the notice.

The BMV processes mail renewals in the order they are received. Allow 7 to 10 business days after the BMV receives your envelope for your new registration card to arrive. If you are close to your expiration date, mail renewal is riskier than online or in-person renewal because delays in mail delivery or BMV processing can leave you with an expired registration.

If your renewal notice does not arrive or you have lost it, you can still renew by mail — call the BMV at 317-615-8601 to request a replacement notice, or visit a branch in person.

Renewing in person at a BMV branch

Bring your current registration card, your driver's license, and proof of a current vehicle inspection if your vehicle requires one (most do not in Indiana). Walk-in service is available at all BMV branches, though wait times vary by location and time of day. You can also schedule an appointment online at in.gov/bmv to skip the walk-in line.

The branch staff will verify your information, collect your registration fee, and issue your new registration card on the spot. In-person renewal takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is. This is the fastest way to get a physical registration card in your hands the same day, and it is the only option if you need to update your address, change the vehicle owner's name, or add or remove a lienholder.

Find your nearest BMV branch and its hours at in.gov/bmv. Some branches have longer hours or weekend appointments. If you cannot visit during regular hours, many branches offer evening or Saturday appointments that you can book online.

What to do if your address or vehicle ownership has changed

If you have moved since your last registration, you must update your address during renewal. Online renewal will not let you change your address — you must renew in person at a BMV branch or by mail with a notarized form. Bring your current registration card, your driver's license showing your new address, and proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.

If the vehicle owner's name has changed (for example, after marriage or divorce), or if you are adding or removing a lienholder, you must visit a BMV branch in person. Bring the current registration card, your driver's license, and a notarized title or a court order if the name change is due to a legal proceeding. The branch will update your registration and issue a new card.

If you have a lien on the vehicle (for example, from a car loan), the lienholder's name appears on your registration. When the loan is paid off, contact your lender to request a lien release, then bring that release to a BMV branch to remove the lienholder from your registration.

Registration fees and what affects the cost

Indiana registration fees are based on your vehicle's gross weight rating (the maximum weight the vehicle can safely carry, including passengers and cargo) and the vehicle type. A passenger car typically costs less than a truck or SUV of the same weight. The BMV website has a fee calculator — enter your vehicle's VIN or gross weight rating, and it will show your exact fee.

Fees do not change based on how long you have owned the vehicle or how many miles it has. If you own multiple vehicles, each one has its own registration and fee. Personalized license plates cost extra and are renewed separately.

If you renew late (after your expiration date), Indiana charges a late fee in addition to the regular registration fee. The amount varies, so renewing on time saves money. If your registration has been expired for more than 60 days, you may need to renew in person at a BMV branch rather than online.

Tracking your renewal and handling delays

After you renew online or in person, you can check the status of your new registration card at in.gov/bmv by logging into your account. The system will tell you whether your card has been mailed and an estimated arrival date. If you renewed by mail, the BMV website may not show status updates until the card is in the mail.

If your new registration card does not arrive within 14 business days of renewal, contact the BMV at 317-615-8601. Have your confirmation number or receipt ready. The BMV can reissue a card or investigate whether it was lost in the mail.

If your registration expires before your new card arrives and you need to drive the vehicle, the temporary registration document from online renewal is valid for 30 days. If you renewed by mail or in person, ask for a temporary registration receipt at the time of renewal — this covers you until your permanent card arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if it has already expired?

Yes, but you cannot renew online if your registration has been expired for more than 60 days. You must renew in person at a BMV branch or by mail. You will owe a late fee in addition to the regular registration fee. Bring your expired registration card and driver's license to the branch.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You do not need the renewal notice to renew online or in person. Online, use your registration card and driver's license number. In person, bring your registration card and driver's license to any BMV branch. If you want to renew by mail, call 317-615-8601 to request a replacement notice.

Do I need to have my vehicle inspected to renew registration?

Most vehicles in Indiana do not require an inspection sticker for registration renewal. Vehicles registered in certain counties or with specific equipment may need one. The BMV website will tell you whether your vehicle needs an inspection when you start the online renewal process.

How long does my temporary registration last?

A temporary registration from online renewal is valid for 30 days. If you renew in person, the branch will issue a temporary receipt valid until your permanent card arrives. Do not drive the vehicle after the temporary registration expires — you must have the permanent card or renew again.

Can I renew someone else's vehicle registration?

Online renewal requires the vehicle owner's information. In person, someone else can renew on your behalf if they bring a notarized power of attorney or your written permission along with your registration card and driver's license. Call the BMV at 317-615-8601 to confirm what paperwork is needed before you visit a branch.