New Michigan residents

If you plan to drive, you will need to apply for a license, and your license will act as legal identification. ID isn't required by the state, but is generally required by employers, retailers, and to access certain services.

Information about licenses and IDs

While most transactions can be completed online, by mail, and at self-service stations, some still must be completed in person at a Secretary of State office, including:

• Applying for a first-time standard or enhanced driver’s license or ID
• Converting a license or ID to a REAL ID-compliant credential
• Correcting a name, gender designation, commercial endorsement or designation, or other information
• Title transactions
• Registering a vehicle for the first time
• Every 12 years to renew credential, take a new photo, and complete a vision test (drivers only)
• To renew your license or ID in person ahead of your 21st birthday (any time up to six months ahead of your 21st birthday).

You can register to vote at your local clerk’s office through Election Day. You must be a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days prior to the election, a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old when you will vote, and not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.

If it is an Election Day, after registering to vote, you can vote with an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office or visit your polling place.
When registering, you must show proof of your address. The document must include your name and current address, and can be a digital copy. Acceptable documents include:

• Michigan license or ID
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck or government check
• Other government document

Take your out-of-state registration (expired less than 90 days) or proof of the out-of-state title to any Secretary of State branch office along with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance for the vehicle.  Proof of your out-of-state title can be a fax copy or photocopy of the title, a memo title, a recently validated title application, or a vehicle record printed on the issuing state's Department of Motor Vehicles letterhead verifying the vehicle is titled in that state.

Michigan will issue a "FOREIGN OWNERSHIP-REGISTRATION ONLY" registration for the vehicle. A Michigan title is not issued. The out-of-state title remains the ownership document.

Michigan law requires that all vehicles must have proof of valid Michigan No-Fault insurance coverage to be registered or renewed in Michigan. The Michigan Department of State isn't able to accept proof of valid out-of-state insurance coverage in lieu of Michigan No-Fault insurance.