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

Unavailable

Self-service station

Unavailable for this transaction

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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)

Original title
Title and registration fees
Michigan No-Fault insurance

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)

Online title transfer requirements
Michigan title
Title and registration fees
Michigan No-Fault insurance

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. See Plate transfer 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

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

I'm buying a vehicle from a dealer, do I handle the title transfer and vehicle registration process?

Most dealerships will handle the title transfer and vehicle registration process for you.
Do I need a plate to drive a vehicle home that I just bought?
You can drive the vehicle without a plate for three days from the date of sale.

You must drive it directly to the first place of storage, usually your home.

You must have the properly assigned title and proof of insurance with you.

Do not use the seller's license plate on the vehicle while driving it home. The seller keeps their license plate.
Who needs to go to the Secretary of State office to transfer a title?
Anyone whose name will be listed as an owner.

It is recommended that the seller go with the buyer.

If you can’t go in person, you can appoint an agent or power of attorney to handle the transaction on your behalf.

Appointment of Agent form.
How are title and registration fees determined?

Title transfer and registration fees are set by state law.

License plate fees for 1984 or newer model year passenger vehicles and light trucks are calculated using a percentage of the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) at the time the vehicle is first titled. This is also known as the base price. It is then reduced by a percentage of that registration fee for the following three years. Under the present law, no further reduction is provided.

If the vehicle is older than 1984, the fee is based on the weight of the vehicle. You may contact our Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) and someone will help you figure the fee for your particular vehicle, or visit a Secretary of State branch office for assistance.

Use the registration fee calculator to calculate your vehicle registration fee. Use the plate transfer fee calculator to calculate the cost of transferring a license plate.

Registration fee calculator

Plate transfer fee calculator
How soon do I need to transfer the title and get a license plate?
You have 15 days to transfer the title after the date of the sale.

$15 late fee will be assessed if you transfer the title more than 15 days after the sale.

Schedule an office visit
Are relatives tax exempt when transferring a vehicle to a family member?
No tax is due if you purchase or acquire a vehicle from an immediate family member. Immediate family is a:

Spouse

Parent, natural or adoptive.

Brother or sister includes half-brother and half-sister.

Child, natural or adopted.

Father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchild-in-law

Stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister, or stepchild. For tax purposes, a step-relationship ends after divorce.

Grandparent or grandchild

Legal ward, or legally appointed guardian with a certified letter of guardianship.
Can I transfer a title with an active loan against it?
Paper Michigan title requires the lien to be terminated or a letter of authorization from the lienholder approving the transfer with the title application.

Electronic titles cannot be transferred until the lien is released. Contact your lienholder for assistance.

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