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Title transfer and vehicle registration

Title transfer and vehicle registration

How can I title and register a vehicle?

Online

One person to one person only

Check online requirements

By mail

Unavailable for this transaction

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Self-service station

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Office visit

Complete your business in an average of 20 minutes

Schedule an office visit

What do I need to title and register a vehicle in a Secretary of State office? (Choose tab)

Title 

  • Original title filled out and signed by the purchasers and sellers.  
  • Seller’s signature – The seller must complete and sign the seller’s portion of the title if they don’t plan to visit a Secretary of State office with you. 
  • Odometer disclosure statement – Ensure the odometer reading is accurately recorded on the title. If space is not provided on the title, complete and submit an Odometer Mileage Statement.
  • Lien termination – If there was a loan on the vehicle, provide the lien termination. The termination can be any of the following: 
    • Completion of the termination statement on the title.  
    • The lienholder's dated and signed “paid” stamp on the title. 
    • Separate lien termination statement signed by the lienholder. it must include the VIN. 
    • Letter signed by the lienholder on their company letterhead listing the VIN and stating the lien is terminated. 
    • Original finance contract issued by the lienholder marked or stamped “paid” and signed by the lienholder.
  • Add a lien – record the lienholder information the “Secured Party” line either on the MCO or on the face of the title or provide it on a separate document such as the TR-11L title application or a letter from the lienholder.  

 

Schedule an office visit

Appointment of Agent form

Odometer Mileage Statement

  • $15 title transfer fee 
  • $10 to $15 Plate transfer
  • 6 percent sales tax 
  • Optional Recreation Passport park pass. $14 for a one-year vehicle registration; $28 for a two-year vehicle registration; $7 for motorcycle registration 
  • $15 late fee if the title isn’t transferred within 15 days of the sale. 

Registration fee calculator

Plate transfer

You must provide proof of a valid Michigan No-Fault insurance policy to register your vehicle in Michigan.

Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance

What do I need to title and register a vehicle through an online title transfer? (Choose tab)

Eligibility requirements:  

  • Both buyer and seller must have valid Michigan driver's license or ID. 
  • Both must have an online service account. 
  • Must have one individual seller to one individual buyer. 
  • Michigan paper title; cannot be an electronic title. 
  • Vehicle must be a car, minivan, SUV, motorcycle, pickup, or van. 
  • Vehicle cannot be financed by the buyer. 
  • Additional checks will be performed during the transaction to determine if the vehicle is eligible. 
  • Pay title and registration fees 
  • Michigan No-Fault insurance 
  • After the buyer and seller complete the online transfer, it can take up to 3 days for the Secretary of State to approve it. 

Online title transfer instructions (seller transfer)

Online title transfer instructions (buyer code and buyer transfer)

 

Instructions:  

  • Seller follows the Online title transfer instructions (seller transfer) 
  • Buyer follows the Online title transfer instructions (buyer code and buyer transfer) 
  • The buyer will upload the front and back of the filled-out Michigan title. The following must be filled out on the title before uploading: 
  • Purchaser’s signature and purchaser information.  
  • Seller must complete and sign the seller’s portion of the title. 
  • Seller completes the odometer disclosure statement on the title.  
  • Lien termination if there was a loan. Termination can be:   
  • Completion of the termination statement on the title.  
  • The lienholder's dated and signed “paid” stamp on the title. 
  • Separate lien termination statement signed by the lienholder. it must include the VIN. 
  • Letter signed by the lienholder on their company letterhead listing the VIN and stating the lien is terminated. 
  • Original finance contract issued by the lienholder marked or stamped “paid” and signed by the lienholder. 
    • If a separate lien termination statement was presented with the title, the buyer must upload the statement during the online title transfer. 
  • If adding a lien, record the lienholder information the “Secured Party” line on the face of the title.  
  • $15 title transfer fee 
  • $10 to $15 Plate transfer fee
  • 6 percent sales tax 
  • Optional Recreation Passport park pass. $14 for a one-year vehicle registration; $28 for a two-year vehicle registration; $7 for motorcycle registration 
  • $15 late fee if the title isn’t transferred within 15 days of the sale. 
  • To get a new plate, use the Registration fee calculator to calculate the registration fee. To transfer a plate you already have, use the Plate transfer fee calculator. Review the Plate transfer service page for more information about transferring a plate. 
  • Pay online by eCheck or credit or debit card. 
     

Registration fee calculator

Plate transfer fee calculator

Plate transfer

You must provide proof of a valid Michigan No-Fault insurance policy to register your vehicle in Michigan.

If purchasing a new plate or transferring and renewing an existing plate, the buyer must upload Michigan No-Fault during the online title transfer.

Note: If a new plate is purchased, a 60-day permit will be available to print after the online title transferred is approved.


Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance

Before buying a used vehicle

Protect yourself against fraud and unsafe vehicles by using the National Motor Vehicle Information Title System (NMVTIS) vehicle history reports.

NMVTIS is an electronic system that provides consumers with valuable information about a vehicle's condition and history. Prior to purchasing a vehicle, NMVTIS allows consumers to find information on the vehicle's title, most recent odometer reading, brand history, and, in some cases, historical theft data. Only Approved NMVTIS Data Providers are authorized to display the NMVTIS logo and sell a vehicle history report using NMVTIS data to consumers (individual or commercial).

How to obtain a vehicle history report

To search NMVTIS to find important vehicle condition and history information, please select an Approved NMVTIS Data Provider (listed on the DOJ Web site). To understand what information will be included in a NMVTIS vehicle history report, please read the NMVTIS Consumer Access Product Disclaimer and Understanding a NMVTIS Vehicle History Report.

A vehicle history report which contains NMVTIS information from an Approved NMVTIS Data Provider is different from other vehicle history reports. It draws on data from NMVTIS, the only vehicle history database in the nation to which all states, insurance carriers, and junk and salvage yards are required by federal law to report.

Why use NMVTIS

NMVTIS is designed to protect consumers from fraud and unsafe vehicles and to keep stolen vehicles from being resold. Used car buyers can benefit from taking advantage of all vehicle history report services available and may want to consider an independent inspection before purchasing a used vehicle.

Created by the Anti Car Theft Act, NMVTIS is required to include data from all state motor vehicle agencies, including brand information that describes a vehicle’s prior use and condition and the latest odometer reading. NMVTIS is the only vehicle history database in the nation to which all states, insurance carriers, and junk and salvage yards are required by federal law to report. Federal law also requires all insurance companies and all junk and salvage yards in the United States to report their salvage and total loss vehicles to NMVTIS. Because of this, NMVTIS can help car buyers detect fraud and know if a car has been totaled or determined to be salvage or junk, before they buy a car.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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