What a Michigan bill of sale is and why you need one
A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a car to someone else, or that someone sold a car to you. In Michigan, it documents the date of the sale, the vehicle details, the price paid, and the names and signatures of both the buyer and seller. The state does not require a bill of sale to transfer ownership — that happens through the title document at the Secretary of State — but a bill of sale protects both parties by creating proof of the transaction.
If you are the seller, a bill of sale shows you no longer own the vehicle and are not responsible for anything that happens to it after the sale. If you are the buyer, it proves you paid for the car and when. Without one, disputes can arise about who owns the vehicle, whether the sale actually happened, or what price was agreed to. Many lenders and insurance companies also ask for a bill of sale when you finance or insure a used car.
Key Takeaways
- A bill of sale is a written record of a car sale that protects both buyer and seller, though Michigan does not legally require one to transfer ownership.
- You can use Michigan's official form (Form TR-11) or write your own bill of sale as long as it includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), sale price, date, and signatures of both parties.
- The buyer uses the bill of sale along with the title to register the vehicle at a Secretary of State office within 15 days of purchase.
- Keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records; the seller should keep one copy and the buyer should keep another.
Michigan's official bill of sale form
Michigan provides a standard form called Form TR-11, available on the Secretary of State website. This form includes all the fields the state recognizes and is accepted by lenders, insurance companies, and the Secretary of State office. You can read it as a PDF, print it, and fill it out by hand or on your computer before printing.
The form asks for the seller's name and address, the buyer's name and address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the make and model, the year, the odometer reading, the sale price, the date of sale, and the signatures of both the buyer and the seller. Some versions of the form also ask whether the sale included a warranty or was sold as-is. Using the official form removes any question about whether you have included the right information.
What information must be on the bill of sale
Whether you use Form TR-11 or write your own bill of sale, certain details must appear on the document. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is the most important — it is the unique code that identifies that specific car and appears on the title. Include the year, make, and model of the vehicle. Write down the odometer reading at the time of sale; this is required by federal law and helps prevent odometer fraud.
Add the sale price in dollars and cents. Include the full legal names of both the buyer and the seller, along with their addresses. Write the date the sale took place. Both the buyer and the seller must sign and date the bill of sale in front of each other or have their signatures notarized, though notarization is not required by Michigan law. If the sale included any warranty or if the car is sold as-is, state that clearly on the document.
Do not leave blanks or use "to be determined" for any of these fields. If a detail is not yet known at the time of signing, do not sign the bill of sale until it is. A blank bill of sale can lead to disputes or fraud.
How to fill out and sign the bill of sale
Print the form or your written bill of sale and fill in all required information in black or blue ink. Write clearly so that the Secretary of State office and insurance companies can read the VIN, names, and price without confusion. If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line, write the correction above it, and have both parties initial the change. Do not use white-out or tape over errors.
Both the buyer and the seller should sign the document in the presence of each other. The signature shows that both parties agree to the information on the form and that the sale actually took place. Each person should sign their own name, not print it. Write the date next to the signature. If either party is uncomfortable signing in person, you can have the signatures notarized at a bank, credit union, or notary public office — this adds a layer of proof but is not required by Michigan.
Make at least two copies of the completed and signed bill of sale before either party leaves. The seller keeps one copy, the buyer keeps one copy, and if there is a lender involved, the lender may request a copy as well. Do not give the original to anyone; both parties should keep certified copies.
What the buyer does with the bill of sale
After you buy a car in Michigan, you have 15 days to register it with the Secretary of State. Bring the bill of sale along with the title (signed by the seller), proof of insurance, and a completed process for title and registration. The Secretary of State will use the bill of sale to confirm the sale price and the vehicle details, then issue a new title in your name.
If you are financing the car, your lender will ask for a copy of the bill of sale as part of the loan paperwork. If you are insuring the car, your insurance company will ask for a copy to confirm the purchase price and date. Keep your copy of the signed bill of sale in a safe place — you may need it years later if you sell the car, file an insurance claim, or need to prove when you bought the vehicle.
What the seller should do after the sale
After you sell a car in Michigan, sign the title over to the buyer and give them the bill of sale. You do not need to notify the Secretary of State that you no longer own the vehicle — the buyer will do that when they register it. However, you should keep a copy of the signed bill of sale for your records to prove you sold the car and are no longer responsible for it.
If the buyer does not register the car within 15 days and something happens to it — an accident, a parking ticket, or a traffic violation — the registration may still be in your name. Having a signed bill of sale protects you by showing the Secretary of State that you transferred ownership on a specific date. If there is a dispute later, the bill of sale is your proof of the transaction.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not leave the sale price blank or write "cash" instead of an amount. The Secretary of State and insurance companies need the actual dollar figure. Do not sign a bill of sale before all the information is filled in, and do not let the other party take the original — each of you should keep a copy.
Do not assume that signing a bill of sale transfers the title. The title is a separate document issued by the Secretary of State. The bill of sale is proof that the sale happened; the title transfer is the legal change of ownership. Both must happen for the buyer to become the legal owner. If you are the buyer and the seller refuses to sign the title over to you, the bill of sale alone does not give you ownership rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan require a notary on a bill of sale?
No, Michigan does not require a notary. Both parties can sign in front of each other without a notary present. However, having a notary sign off on the signatures adds proof that both parties actually signed the document, which can be useful if there is a dispute later.
What if I lost the bill of sale after I bought the car?
Contact the seller and ask for another signed copy. If the seller will not provide one, you can request a duplicate title from the Secretary of State, which will show the date you registered the vehicle. The registration date serves as proof of purchase, though it is not the same as a bill of sale.
Can I use a bill of sale from another state?
You can use any bill of sale as long as it includes the required information: VIN, sale price, date, and signatures of both parties. However, using Michigan's Form TR-11 is simpler because the Secretary of State office already knows the format and will process it faster.
Do I need a bill of sale if I am buying from a dealer?
No. Licensed dealers in Michigan provide a buyer's order or sales contract instead, which serves the same purpose. The dealer handles the title transfer and registration for you. A bill of sale is mainly used for private sales between individuals.
What if the buyer and seller disagree on the sale price later?
The bill of sale is the written record of what was agreed to. If both parties signed it, that price is what was documented at the time of sale. If there is a dispute, the signed bill of sale is the evidence of the agreement. This is why it is important to make sure the price is correct before signing.