Michigan requires the seller to sign the title document and submit it to the Secretary of State within 10 days of sale, or face a $10 penalty per month

A title transfer in Michigan moves ownership of a vehicle from one person to another through the Secretary of State. The seller signs the back of the title certificate, the buyer completes their section, and one of them files the paperwork with the state. Michigan law requires this to happen within 10 days of the sale date. If neither party files within that window, the state charges the seller $10 per month until the transfer is recorded.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you are buying from a private seller, a dealer, or transferring between family members. Dealers handle their own filings automatically. Private sales and family transfers require the buyer or seller to submit documents in person, by mail, or through an authorized Secretary of State office.

Key Takeaways

  • The seller must sign the back of the title within 10 days of sale, or Michigan charges $10 per month in penalties until the transfer is filed.
  • Private buyers and sellers each need a signed title, proof of sale price, and a completed process for Title form to file with the Secretary of State.
  • You can file in person at any Secretary of State office, by mail to the Lansing headquarters, or through an authorized office in your county.
  • Michigan charges a title transfer fee that varies by vehicle value; the state provides a fee calculator on its website to determine the exact amount.
  • If the title is lost, you must request a duplicate from the Secretary of State before you can transfer ownership to a new buyer.

What documents you need to transfer a title in Michigan

The process for Title (form TR-11) is the core document. You can read it from the Michigan Secretary of State website or pick up a copy at any Secretary of State office. Both the seller and buyer must sign this form. The seller signs to release ownership; the buyer signs to accept it.

You also need the original title certificate, signed by the seller on the back. If the title is a paper document issued before Michigan switched to electronic titles, make sure the signature is in blue or black ink and dated. The buyer's name and address must be printed or written clearly on the front of the title in the space marked for the new owner.

Bring proof of the sale price. This can be a bill of sale, a written receipt, or any document showing how much money changed hands. Michigan uses this to calculate the title transfer fee. If you are transferring a vehicle between family members as a gift, you still need to declare a sale price of $0 on the form, and the state will charge a flat fee instead of a percentage-based one.

If the vehicle has a lien (a loan against it), the lienholder's name appears on the title. The lienholder must sign the title or provide a separate lien release document before the transfer can be completed. Ask your lender for their specific process—some mail releases directly to the Secretary of State, while others give them to you to include with your filing.

How to file the title transfer in person or by mail

The fastest route is to visit a Secretary of State office in person. Bring the signed title, the completed process for Title form, proof of sale price, and your payment. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. The office will process your transfer on the spot and issue a receipt. Processing usually takes a few minutes, though busy offices may have a wait.

If you cannot visit an office, you can mail your documents to the Michigan Secretary of State, Lansing headquarters. Address the envelope to: Secretary of State, Automotive Services Division, 430 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 48918. Include all signed documents, proof of sale price, and a check or money order for the title fee. Mail processing takes two to four weeks. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the new title mailed back to you; otherwise, you can pick it up at a Secretary of State office after processing is complete.

Many counties also operate authorized Secretary of State offices that handle title transfers. These satellite offices have the same authority as the main office and charge no additional fee. Search the Secretary of State website for an authorized office near you. Hours and services vary by location, so call ahead before you go.

Title transfer fees and how Michigan calculates them

Michigan charges a title transfer fee based on the vehicle's sale price. The state uses a sliding scale: the higher the sale price, the higher the fee. For vehicles sold under $20,000, the fee is typically between $15 and $50. For vehicles over $20,000, the fee increases. The Secretary of State website includes a fee calculator where you enter the sale price and it shows you the exact amount due.

If you are transferring a vehicle as a gift (sale price of $0), Michigan charges a flat fee of $15 for the title transfer. This applies whether the vehicle is going to a family member or anyone else.

Some buyers also pay a registration fee at the same time they transfer the title. Registration is separate from the title transfer and covers your license plate and vehicle registration for the year. You can do both in one visit to the Secretary of State office, which saves a second trip.

What happens if you miss the 10-day important date

If the seller does not file the title transfer within 10 days of the sale, Michigan charges a $10 penalty per month until the transfer is recorded. This penalty accrues to the seller's record, not the buyer's. The seller remains the legal owner on state records until the transfer is filed, which means they are liable for any tickets, tolls, or violations the vehicle incurs after the sale.

The penalty does not prevent you from filing late. You can file the transfer at any time, even years after the sale. When you do, you will owe the $10 monthly penalty for each month that passed since the sale date. If you sold the vehicle 12 months ago and are filing now, you owe $120 in penalties plus the title transfer fee.

If you are the buyer and the seller has not filed, you can file the transfer yourself. Bring the signed title, the process for Title form, and proof of sale price to a Secretary of State office. The state will process it under your name. You will not pay the seller's penalty; only the seller owes that charge.

Transferring a title when the original is lost or damaged

If the title certificate is lost, torn, or illegible, you must request a duplicate before you can transfer ownership. Contact the Michigan Secretary of State and request a duplicate title using form TR-12. You can submit this form in person, by mail, or online through the Secretary of State website. The fee for a duplicate title is typically $15 to $20.

Processing a duplicate title takes one to two weeks by mail. If you need it faster, visit a Secretary of State office in person and request expedited processing. Some offices can issue a duplicate on the same day if you provide proof of ownership (registration, insurance card, or previous title documents).

Once you have the duplicate title, follow the standard transfer process: have the seller sign the back, complete the process for Title form, and file with the Secretary of State along with proof of sale price and the transfer fee.

Special cases: dealer sales, family transfers, and out-of-state purchases

If you buy a vehicle from a Michigan dealer, the dealer handles the title transfer filing for you. You do not need to visit the Secretary of State. The dealer will collect the title transfer fee and registration fee at the time of sale and file everything within the required timeframe. You will receive your new title and registration in the mail within two to four weeks.

If you are transferring a vehicle to a family member as a gift, the process is the same as a private sale, except the sale price is $0. You still need a signed title, the process for Title form, and proof that the transfer is a gift (a written statement from the seller is sufficient). The title transfer fee is a flat $15 instead of a percentage-based fee.

If you bought a vehicle out of state and are registering it in Michigan for the first time, you need the out-of-state title, proof of sale, and your Michigan driver's license or ID. The Secretary of State will issue a Michigan title in exchange. If the out-of-state title is not available or is held by a lienholder, contact the Secretary of State for guidance on how to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a title if the seller is deceased?

No, not directly. The title must be transferred through the deceased person's estate. Contact the probate court in the county where the person died to begin the estate process. Once the estate is settled and a personal representative is appointed, that person can sign the title on behalf of the deceased owner. You will need court documents proving the appointment.

What if there are two names on the title and only one person wants to transfer it?

Both owners must sign the title for the transfer to be valid. If one owner refuses or cannot be located, you cannot complete the transfer. If the owners are divorced or separated, you may need a court order. Contact the Secretary of State for guidance on your specific situation.

Do I need a bill of sale if I have a signed title?

A bill of sale is not required by Michigan law, but it is useful proof of the sale price and date. The Secretary of State only needs proof of the sale price to calculate the transfer fee. A bill of sale, receipt, or any written record of the transaction works. If you do not have written proof, you can declare the sale price on the process for Title form, though having documentation protects both buyer and seller.

How long does it take to get the new title after I file?

If you file in person at a Secretary of State office, you receive a receipt when ready and can pick up the new title within a few days. If you file by mail, processing takes two to four weeks. The new title is mailed to the address you provide on the process for Title form, or you can pick it up at a Secretary of State office after the state notifies you it is ready.

What if the vehicle has a lien and I am buying it?

The lienholder's name appears on the title. Before the transfer can be completed, the lienholder must release the lien. Ask the seller to contact their lender and request a lien release. The lender will either mail it to you directly or give it to the seller to include with the title transfer documents. Do not complete the purchase until you have the lien release in hand.