Title transfer and vehicle registration (2024)

Present the original title (photocopies or titles that have been modified, such as crossing out a name, cannot be accepted) with:

• Your signature – All titled owners must sign when the title is transferred. Owners who can’t visit an office to sign the title may appoint an agent to sign on their behalf by completing an Appointment of Agent form.
• 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.
• Statement from loan provider – If there was a loan against the vehicle, provide the lien termination statement or signed title from the financial institution that administered the loan. If there is an active loan on the title, a letter of authorization from the lienholder must be submitted with the title application.
• You also will need to bring your Michigan driver’s license or ID.

Schedule an office visit

Appointment of Agent form

Odometer Mileage Statement

• $15 – Title transfer fee
• $10 to $15 – Plate transfer fee (varies depending on whether the vehicle receiving the plate was bought in a private sale or sold to a family member)
• 6 percent sales tax (not collected for vehicle sales to immediate family members)
• Recreation Passport (optional) - $14 for a one-year vehicle registration; $28 for a two-year vehicle registration; $8 for motorcycle registration

A $15 late fee will be charged if the title isn’t transferred within 15 days of the sale.

Secretary of State offices accept payment by cash, check, money order, or credit or debit card (additional fees apply).

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

Both buyer and seller must have a valid Michigan driver's license or ID. Online title transfer have the following requirements:

• Have an online service account.
• Current Michigan paper title (cannot be an electronic title).
• Vehicle must be a car, minivan, SUV, motorcycle, pickup, or van.
• Must have one individual seller to one individual buyer.
• The vehicle cannot be financed by the buyer.
• Additional eligibility checks will be performed during the transaction to determine if the vehicle is eligible for an online title transfer.

Note: The online title transfer is not an instant process. Once the buyer and seller complete their portion of the transfer, it can take up to 3 days to approve the transfer.

Online title transfer instructions (seller transfer)

Online title transfer instructions (buyer code and buyer transfer)

Before finalizing the online title transfer, the buyer will need to upload the front and back of the Michigan title. Titles that have been modified, such as crossing out a name, cannot be accepted. The following items must be completed on the title:

• Your signature – The titled owner must sign when the title is transferred.
• Seller’s signature – The seller must complete and sign the seller’s portion of the title.
• Odometer disclosure statement – Ensure the odometer reading is accurately recorded on the title.
• Statement from loan provider – If there was a loan against the vehicle, provide the signed lien termination statement or signed title from the financial institution that administered the loan.
  • If a separate lien termination statement was presented with the title, the buyer must upload the statement during the online title transfer.

• $15 – Title transfer fee
• $10 to $15 – Plate transfer fee (varies depending on whether the vehicle receiving the plate was bought in a private sale or sold to a family member)
• 6 percent sales tax (not collected for vehicle sales to immediate family members)
• Recreation Passport (optional) - $14 for a one-year vehicle registration; $28 for a two-year vehicle registration; $8 for motorcycle registration

A $15 late fee will be charged if the title isn’t transferred within 15 days of the sale.

Secretary of State accept online payments by eCheck or credit or debit card (additional fees apply).

Registration 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