Where to renew your Indiana registration

You can renew your Indiana vehicle registration at your county clerk's office, online through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website, or by mail. The online option is the fastest if your vehicle qualifies — most do, unless you have a commercial plate, a salvage title, or certain other restrictions. The BMV website lets you renew up to 180 days before your registration expires.

If you go in person, find your county clerk's office location on the Indiana BMV website. Each county has at least one office, and larger counties have multiple locations. You can also renew by mail by sending your renewal notice, payment, and a completed process to your county clerk's office — the address is on your renewal notice.

Online renewal takes minutes and you receive your new registration sticker by mail within one to two weeks. In-person renewal is usually completed the same day. Mail renewal typically takes two to three weeks from the time your county clerk receives it.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana lets you renew online, in person at your county clerk's office, or by mail, and online is the fastest option for most vehicles.
  • You need your current registration card, vehicle identification number (VIN), and payment — the renewal notice tells you the exact fee.
  • You can renew up to 180 days before your registration expires, so you do not have to wait until the last month.
  • If your vehicle has a lien, your lienholder may need to sign off, so check your renewal notice or contact your county clerk before you pay.
  • Renewing online or by mail means your new sticker arrives by mail, so plan ahead if you need it by a specific date.

What you need to renew

You need your current registration card, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and payment. Your renewal notice — the form mailed to you by your county clerk — lists the exact renewal fee for your vehicle. Fees vary based on vehicle weight, type, and age. You do not need an inspection or emissions test to renew registration in Indiana unless your vehicle is flagged for one, which is rare.

If your vehicle has a lienholder (a bank or finance company that holds the title), your renewal notice will tell you whether the lienholder must sign off. Some lienholders do; others do not. Check your renewal notice or call your county clerk's office before you pay to avoid delays.

If you are renewing online, you will enter your VIN and the last four digits of your vehicle identification number or your driver's license number to verify your identity. If you are renewing in person or by mail, bring your registration card and a valid ID.

Online renewal through the BMV website

Go to the Indiana BMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current registration card and your VIN. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the renewal fee. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Once you complete the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number.

Your new registration sticker will be mailed to the address on file with the BMV. If your address has changed, update it before you renew or contact your county clerk to change it after. The sticker usually arrives within one to two weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods.

Online renewal is not available if your vehicle has a commercial plate, a salvage or reconstructed title, or if your registration has been suspended. If the online system will not let you renew, you will need to go in person or renew by mail.

In-person renewal at your county clerk's office

Bring your current registration card, a valid ID, and payment to your county clerk's office. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card — accepted payment methods vary by county, so call ahead if you want to confirm. The clerk will process your renewal on the spot and give you a temporary registration document. Your new sticker will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.

Wait times at county clerk's offices vary widely depending on the location and time of day. Some offices are busier on certain days of the week or during certain hours. If you want to avoid a long wait, call your county clerk's office and ask when they are least busy, or check whether they offer online scheduling.

If you have a lienholder, bring proof that they have signed off, or ask the clerk whether you need it before you go. Some counties can process the renewal without it; others cannot.

Renewing by mail

Your renewal notice includes a mail-in form and instructions. Fill out the form, include your payment, and mail it to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash — pay by check or money order. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person renewal because of postal delays and processing time. Plan for two to three weeks from the time your county clerk receives your envelope. If your registration expires before your new sticker arrives, you can print a temporary registration from the BMV website or contact your county clerk for a temporary document.

If your county clerk receives your renewal after your registration has already expired, they will still process it, but you should not drive with an expired registration. Contact your county clerk when ready if your renewal does not arrive within three weeks of mailing it.

What happens if your registration expires

Driving with an expired registration is a violation in Indiana. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can receive a citation. The penalty is a fine, and the amount depends on how long your registration has been expired. You can still renew after expiration — there is no grace period, but you can renew when ready and the new registration will be valid from the date you renew.

If your registration expired and you need to drive before your new sticker arrives, contact your county clerk's office. Some offices can issue a temporary registration document that is valid for a short period while you wait for your new sticker. You can also print a temporary registration from the BMV website if you have already renewed online.

If you did not receive your renewal notice in the mail, contact your county clerk's office. They can look up your vehicle and tell you when your registration expires. You can renew even without the notice — you just need your VIN and payment.

Changing your address or vehicle information

If you have moved since your last registration, update your address before you renew or at the time you renew. When you renew online, the system will ask whether your address is current. If you renew in person, tell the clerk about the address change. If you renew by mail, write your new address on the form.

If you need to change other information — such as the registered owner's name, the vehicle's title status, or the lienholder — you may need to handle that separately from renewal. Contact your county clerk's office to find out what forms you need and whether you can make those changes at the same time as renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my license plate is damaged or missing?

Yes, you can renew your registration. When you renew, you can request a replacement plate at the same time. There is usually an additional fee for a replacement plate. Ask your county clerk or the BMV website for the current fee and whether you can request it during online renewal or only in person.

What if I sold my vehicle but the new owner has not registered it yet?

You should not renew a registration for a vehicle you no longer own. Contact your county clerk's office to report the sale and have the registration cancelled. If the new owner does not register the vehicle, you may still receive notices or be held responsible for violations, so document the sale in writing and keep a copy.

Do I need to renew my registration if I have a temporary tag?

A temporary tag is not a registration renewal. Once your temporary tag expires, you must have a permanent registration and sticker on your vehicle. Renew your registration before the temporary tag expires so your permanent sticker arrives in time.

How much does registration renewal cost in Indiana?

The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's weight, type, and age. Your renewal notice shows the exact fee for your vehicle. Fees range but are typically between $20 and $100 for standard passenger vehicles. Trucks, commercial vehicles, and older vehicles may have different fees. Check your renewal notice or the BMV website for your specific fee.

Can I renew online if I have a lienholder?

You can renew online if your lienholder does not require a signature. Your renewal notice will tell you whether a signature is required. If it is, you will need to renew in person or by mail and provide proof of the lienholder's sign-off. Contact your lienholder or your county clerk if you are unsure.