Michigan charges a flat fee to transfer a car title, plus a few smaller costs that depend on your situation
When you buy or sell a car in Michigan, the Secretary of State charges $15 to transfer the title into your name. This is the main fee. You will also pay a $20 title search fee if the seller does not provide a clear title history, and you may owe a $5 fee if you need a duplicate title or a corrected one. If you are financing the car, your lender may charge their own recording fee to place a lien on the title — this is separate from the state fee and varies by lender.
The $15 transfer fee covers the cost of the Secretary of State processing your process and issuing a new title in your name. It does not change based on the car's value, age, or condition. You pay it once per transfer, whether you are buying from a dealer or a private seller.
Beyond the Secretary of State fees, you will also owe vehicle registration fees to your county, which are based on the car's weight and age. Registration is separate from title transfer, but both must be completed before you can legally drive the car. Many people handle both at the same time at their local Secretary of State office or an authorized branch.
Key Takeaways
- The Michigan Secretary of State charges $15 to transfer a title into your name, regardless of the vehicle's value.
- A $20 title search fee applies if the seller cannot provide proof of a clear title history.
- If you finance the car, your lender will charge a separate fee to record their lien on the title.
- You must also pay county registration fees based on the vehicle's weight and age, which are handled at the same time as title transfer.
- Both title transfer and registration must be completed before you can legally drive the vehicle in Michigan.
When you pay the $15 title transfer fee
You pay the $15 fee when you submit your title transfer process to the Secretary of State. This happens after you have signed the title over from the seller and gathered the required documents — usually the signed title, proof of insurance, and your identification. You can submit the process in person at a Secretary of State office, by mail, or through an authorized branch office.
If you are buying from a dealer, the dealer often handles the title transfer on your behalf and includes the $15 fee in the total cost of the sale. If you are buying from a private seller, you typically pay the fee yourself when you go to the Secretary of State to register the vehicle.
The fee is non-refundable. Once you have submitted the process and paid, you cannot get the money back even if you change your mind about the purchase.
The $20 title search fee and when it applies
Michigan charges an additional $20 if you need the Secretary of State to search for the title history because the seller did not provide one. This search confirms that the title is clear — meaning no liens, judgments, or other claims are attached to it — and that the seller actually owns the vehicle.
If the seller gives you a signed title document showing they own the car, you do not need a title search. The $20 fee only applies when the title is missing, damaged, or the seller cannot locate it. In those cases, the Secretary of State will search their records to reconstruct the title history before issuing a new one.
A title search can take longer than a standard transfer — sometimes several weeks — because the Secretary of State has to verify ownership through their database. During this time, you cannot legally drive the vehicle, even if you have paid for it.
Lender fees for recording a lien on the title
If you are financing the car through a bank, credit union, or other lender, that lender will charge a fee to record their lien on the title. A lien is a legal claim the lender places on the vehicle to find the loan. The lender's fee is separate from the $15 state transfer fee and is not set by Michigan — each lender decides their own amount.
Some lenders charge $25 to $75 to record a lien, though this varies. The lender will tell you the exact amount before you sign the loan agreement. This fee is usually added to your loan balance, so you pay it over time as part of your monthly payments rather than upfront.
The lender sends the lien information directly to the Secretary of State, so you do not have to handle this separately. It happens automatically as part of the title transfer process.
County registration fees based on vehicle weight and age
After you transfer the title, you must register the vehicle with your county. Michigan registration fees are based on two things: the vehicle's weight and how old it is. A newer, heavier vehicle will cost more to register than an older, lighter one.
The exact amount depends on your specific county and the vehicle's details. You can find your county's registration fee schedule on the Secretary of State website, or ask at your local Secretary of State office. Registration fees typically range from $100 to $300 per year for most vehicles, but this is not a fixed amount across the state.
You pay the registration fee at the same time you pay the title transfer fee, usually in one transaction. The registration is valid for one year from the date you complete it, and you will need to renew it annually.
How to pay these fees
You can pay title transfer and registration fees in person at any Secretary of State office, at an authorized branch office, or by mail. If you pay in person, most offices accept cash, check, and debit or credit card. If you mail your process, you must include a check or money order — do not send cash through the mail.
Some Secretary of State offices allow you to pay online before you visit in person, which can speed up the process. Check your local office's website to see if this option is available in your area.
If a dealer is handling the transfer for you, they will collect all fees as part of the sale and submit everything to the Secretary of State on your behalf. You will see the fees listed on your purchase agreement or bill of sale.
What happens if you do not transfer the title
Driving a vehicle without a title transfer in your name is illegal in Michigan. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited for not having proper registration and proof of ownership. You also have no legal protection if the car is damaged, stolen, or involved in an accident — the title still belongs to the previous owner.
Insurance companies will not cover a vehicle you do not legally own, so you cannot get a policy in your name until the title is transferred. This means you cannot legally drive the car at all, even to the Secretary of State office to complete the transfer.
The title transfer must be completed within 15 days of purchase in Michigan. If you miss this important date, you may face late fees or penalties when you finally do transfer it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title online in Michigan?
You cannot complete the entire transfer online, but you can start the process and pay fees online through the Secretary of State website before visiting an office in person. Some authorized branch offices also allow you to submit documents by mail or drop-off, which can reduce time spent in the office.
What if the seller owes money on the car?
If the seller still owes money to a lender, that lender's lien will appear on the title. The lender must release the lien before the title can be transferred to you. This usually happens at closing when the seller pays off the loan with the sale proceeds. Do not complete the purchase until the lien is released and the title is clear.
Do I have to pay the title transfer fee if I inherit a car?
Inherited vehicles follow different rules. You will need to provide a death certificate and proof of inheritance, and the fee may be waived or reduced depending on your relationship to the deceased. Contact your local Secretary of State office for the specific process and any fees that explore.
What if I buy a car out of state and bring it to Michigan?
You must transfer the out-of-state title to a Michigan title within 15 days of moving to the state. You will pay the $15 transfer fee plus Michigan registration fees. Bring the out-of-state title, proof of insurance, and identification to a Secretary of State office to complete the transfer.
Can I get a refund if I return the car?
The $15 title transfer fee is non-refundable once paid. If you return the car to the dealer under a return policy, the dealer may refund the purchase price, but the state fee does not come back. Check your purchase agreement to see what fees are refundable if you exercise a return option.