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New Michigan residents

  • New Michigan residents must schedule a visit to go to a Secretary of State office to apply for a Michigan driver’s license (or ID), vehicle title, and registration as soon as they establish residency in this state. There is no grace period provided in Michigan law.

    For a driver’s license, you will need to bring all required documents, take a vision test, and have your photo taken. A written test isn’t required. You can save time at the office by completing the pre-application online when you schedule your visit.

    For your vehicle, you will need to bring all required ownership documents and proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance.

    The Michigan Vehicle Code defines “resident” as “every person who resides in this state and establishes that he or she is legally present in the United States.”

  • Take your out-of-state identification card and documentation of a valid Social Security number, U.S. citizenship or legal presence if not a U.S. citizen, identity and Michigan residency to a Secretary of State office. A state ID costs $10. This fee is waived for applicants who are age 65 or older or who are legally blind regardless of their age.

    Schedule an office visit

  • Under Michigan law, the Secretary of State is prohibited from issuing an original driver's license or state identification card to anyone who is not a legal resident of the state. If you have recently moved to Michigan and have a valid driver's license or state identification card from another state, these can be used in the interim until sufficient residency documents are established. Once residency is established, please visit a Secretary of State office immediately to apply for a Michigan driver's license or state ID.

    Schedule an office visit

  • You can register to vote for federal, state and local elections by visiting your county, city or township clerk's office, at a voter registration drive, online at Michigan.gov/Vote, by mail, or at a Secretary of State self-service station. Eligible citizens will be registered to vote automatically anytime they complete a Michigan driver's license or ID transaction at a Secretary of State office, unless they opt-out. In addition, the Department of Human Services offers voter registration services to their clients. Military recruitment centers also provide voter registration services

    Michigan Voter Application

  • To convert an out-of-state title to a Michigan title, you will need to present your out-of-state title, proof of Michigan no-fault  insurance and proof of identity at a Secretary of State office.  If more than one vehicle owner is named on the out-of-state title, all owners must appear at the branch office when the application for a Michigan title is made. An appointment-of-agent form must be presented if one of the owners cannot attend. This will allow the other owner to sign on behalf of the absent person.

    If your out-of-state title is being held by a lien holder, you may take your out-of-state registration (expired less than 90 days) or proof of the out-of-state title to any branch office along with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance for the vehicle. Michigan will issue a "FOREIGN OWNERSHIP-REGISTRATION ONLY" registration for the vehicle. This will allow the State of Michigan to issue license plates without converting the out-of-state title to a Michigan title. 

    Schedule an office visit