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The bottom line: To sell a car in Michigan, sign the title over to the buyer and remove your license plates before they drive away. Your liability ends when you either go with the buyer to a Secretary of State office, or keep a record of the sale for at least 18 months.
The buyer registers the title in their name at a Secretary of State branch office, not a DMV. They have 15 days from the sale date before facing a $15 late fee.
If you’ve lost the title, you can apply for a replacement online through your Michigan Secretary of State account, or in person at a branch office. The fee is $15.00, and it takes up to 14 days by mail. Same-day instant title is available at any branch for $20.
Michigan at a glance
- Title required to sell: yes
- Title notarization: not required
- Cost to replace a lost title: $15.00 (mail) or $20 (instant)
- Replacement title processing time: up to 14 days by mail
- Title replacement available online: yes
- Bill of sale: recommended
- Bill of sale notarization: not required
- Emissions testing required to sell: no
- Safety inspection required to sell: no
- License plates: Stay with the seller
- Plate transfer fee (to another vehicle you own): $10
- Buyer’s deadline to register: 15 days from sale date
- Buyer penalty for missing deadline: a $15 late fee
- Seller’s record-keeping requirement: Not required
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Step-by-Step Process for Michigan
Step 1: Prepare Your Michigan Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Properly assigned title – Sign the back of the title in the seller section, including the buyer’s name, sale date, sale price, and odometer reading. This is the document the buyer takes to a Secretary of State branch office.
- Valid Michigan driver’s license or ID – Name must match exactly what appears on the title
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Apply online through your Michigan Secretary of State account, or in person at a branch office using Form TR-11L.
- Fee: $15.00 (mail) or $20 (instant, in person)
- Processing time: up to 14 days by mail
- Online available: yes
- Expedited option: yes
If you don’t have a title at all:
Mostly you can’t sell without one in Michigan, but there’s one specific exception under MCL 257.229.
Watch our 1-minute video on selling a car without a title in Michigan.
The narrow exception:
- Conditions: the seller and buyer both appear in person at a Secretary of State office, the seller proves identity and ownership, and the buyer applies for a new original title in their name
- Seller’s role: no separate seller form required, the buyer applies for an original certificate of title at the SOS office
- Legal authority: MCL 257.229
If your buyer can’t meet you at the Secretary of State office, the fallback is to apply for a duplicate title using Form TR-11L before the sale.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender must release the lien before you can transfer the title. In Michigan, lenders either hold the paper title or release it electronically through the Secretary of State's ELT system.
Contact your lender to request a lien release letter or arrange for the payoff to happen at closing. If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or legally changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change when you visit a Secretary of State branch office.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Michigan, especially in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Older cars and high-mileage vehicles attract strong local interest. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car in good condition.
Best for Newer Cars
-
Offer amount 35% 5/5
-
Process ease 20% 5/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
-
Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
Best for Older Cars
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
- Quote stays valid for 7 days
- Handles all the paperwork too
- Buys cars that are missing keys
- Pays cash or check at pickup
Best for Junk Cars
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
- Assists with replacement titles
- Buys cars stripped for parts
- Driver pays you before loading
- Quote often needs a phone call
Learn more:
Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
Learn more:
Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Michigan Title Transfer
The assignment section is on the back of the Michigan title. Use blue or black ballpoint pen only. Write legibly and do not make any corrections.
Fill in the buyer’s full legal name exactly as it appears on their Michigan driver’s license or state ID. Include their current mailing address, the sale date, and the sale price.
You must also complete the odometer disclosure in the designated section of the title. Michigan requires accurate mileage disclosure for vehicles model year 2011 and newer under 16,000 pounds. If the title doesn’t have space for the odometer reading, use the Form BDVR-108 (Odometer Mileage Statement).
Enter whole numbers only with no tenths. Both you and the buyer must sign and date the odometer section.
Never cross out, use white-out, or try to fix a mistake on the title. Any error makes the title invalid. If you make a mistake, stop and apply for a duplicate title before completing the sale.
Joint ownership rules: If the title shows two owners connected by “AND,” both owners must sign the assignment. If the title shows “OR,” only one owner needs to sign.
Online title transfer option: Michigan offers online transfers through the Secretary of State portal for eligible transactions. Both parties must have Michigan driver’s licenses, the title must be a physical paper title (not electronic), and the sale must be between one individual seller and one individual buyer with no buyer financing. Processing takes up to 3 business days.
The buyer must take the signed title to a Secretary of State branch office within 15 days of the sale. If they miss this deadline, they’ll pay a $15 late fee.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Michigan. It’s still smart protection for you, especially since Michigan has no specific release of liability form. It also serves as the “record of sale” that protects you under Michigan law.
Bill of sale: recommended
State form: Generic (no state form)
Notarization: not required
You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes. Include the vehicle year, make, model, VIN, odometer reading, sale price, sale date, and both parties’ names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and signatures.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Michigan License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Michigan, plates stay with the seller, not the car. You have two options:
Transferring your plate costs $10 at the Secretary of State office. If you destroy the plate, cut or bend it so it cannot be reused.
One exception: If you’re selling to an immediate family member, the plate can stay on the vehicle. They can keep using it without going through a transfer.
Plate handling at a glance:
- Plates stay: with the seller
- Plate transfer fee: $10 (when moving your plate to another vehicle you own)
- Family member sale exception: plate may stay on the vehicle
- Does plate surrender release liability: no
How will the buyer drive home without plates?
Michigan lets the buyer drive the vehicle home without plates for up to 3 days from the date of sale. They must drive directly to their home or first place of storage, and they must have the assigned title and proof of insurance in the car. They cannot use your old plates.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car at a Secretary of State branch office.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Protect Yourself From Liability
Michigan does not require a state release of liability form, but Michigan law (MCL 257.240) protects you from liability only if you do one of two things: go with the buyer to a Secretary of State office, or keep a record of the sale for at least 18 months.
The simplest protection is to keep a copy of your signed title and a bill of sale together for 18 months. If the buyer never registers the car or it gets abandoned, this record is what proves you legally transferred the vehicle and stops you from being held responsible.
Filing requirement: Not required
Required record: None required (record of sale)
Penalty for not keeping records: there is no specific penalty, but the title record stays in your name until the buyer transfers it
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Michigan Sale Checklist
Before the Sale
At the Sale
After the Sale
Michigan Secretary of State Resources
State Resources:
- Michigan Secretary of State
- Find a branch office near you at michigan.gov/sos/locations
Phone Support:
- 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424)
Michigan Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $15.00 (mail) or $20 (instant) | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
Not sure about selling privately? Compare instant offers from multiple buyers to see what your car is worth today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my car in Michigan without a title?
Mostly no. Michigan requires a title to legally transfer ownership.
The one exception is under MCL 257.229: the seller and buyer both appear in person at a Secretary of State office, the seller proves identity and ownership, and the buyer applies for a new original title in their name.
If your title is lost, apply for a replacement using Form TR-11L.
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 15 days from the sale date to visit a Secretary of State branch office and complete the title transfer. If the deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, it moves to the next business day.
Missing the deadline costs them a $15 late fee. Make sure your buyer knows about this deadline since it’s shorter than many other states.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Michigan?
Title notarization in Michigan: not required. In Michigan, the title assignment itself never needs a notary.
Just sign in blue or black ink, exactly as your name appears on the title. Both you and the buyer sign the assignment section on the back.
When is a bill of sale required in Michigan?
Bill of sale in Michigan: recommended. There is no state-issued form, so a generic document works fine. Notarization: not required.
It’s still a good idea to create one. A bill of sale doubles as the record of sale that protects you from post-sale liability under Michigan law (MCL 257.240).
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Michigan?
Yes, but you need to coordinate the lien release with your lender first. In Michigan, lenders either hold the paper title or release it electronically through the Secretary of State's ELT system.
Contact your lender to get a payoff statement and arrange for the title to be released to you before or at the time of sale. If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
My car was inherited. What additional Michigan forms do I need?
It depends on whether the estate went through probate. For smaller estates that don’t require full probate, Michigan allows the Certification from the Heir to a Vehicle form when the total value of all vehicles is under $25,000.
To complete it, bring the affidavit and the original title to a Secretary of State branch office to transfer the title into your name first. Once the title is in your name, you can sell it like any other vehicle.
My car was a gift. What additional Michigan forms do I need?
In Michigan, no separate gift tax form is required. To complete the transfer, use the standard title transfer process; no use tax is owed when transferring to a qualifying immediate family member.
Documentation showing the family relationship may be requested by the Department of Treasury, but no separate gift form filing is required upfront.
Both my spouse and I are on the Michigan title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the title reads. If both names are connected by “AND,” both of you must sign the assignment section for the sale to be valid.
If both names are connected by “OR,” only one owner needs to sign. Check the title carefully before the buyer shows up, since missing a signature means starting the process over.
What if I make a mistake on the Michigan title?
Don’t try to fix it with white-out or cross-outs. Any correction makes the title invalid in Michigan, even a single crossed-out letter.
You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form TR-11L. The fee is $15.00 (mail) or $20 for same-day service.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Michigan require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same. Sign the title over, remove your plates, and give the buyer the signed title along with a bill of sale and any maintenance records.
The buyer will need to handle registration in their home state after completing any required Michigan title transfer steps.
Note that the online transfer option is only available if both parties have Michigan driver’s licenses, so an out-of-state buyer will need to visit a Secretary of State branch office in person.
Do Michigan license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Michigan license plates stay with the seller. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
You can transfer them to another vehicle you own, or destroy them. The plate transfer fee is $10 at the Secretary of State office.
If you’re selling to an immediate family member, the plate can stay on the vehicle.
Otherwise, the buyer must get new plates when they register the car at a Secretary of State branch office within 15 days.
How do I release myself from liability after selling my car in Michigan?
Michigan does not have a state release of liability form, but Michigan law (MCL 257.240) does require you to do one of two things to be released from liability: go with the buyer to a Secretary of State office to confirm the title transfer, or keep a record of the sale for at least 18 months.
The record must include the buyer’s name, address, driver’s license number, signature, the purchase price, and the sale date. A signed bill of sale plus a copy of the assigned title covers all of this.
If you don’t do either, there is no specific penalty, but the title record stays in your name until the buyer transfers it.
Article Update History
This article was reviewed against the Michigan Secretary of State's official vehicle transfer requirements and fee schedule.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"a Secretary of State branch office" Accessed May 3, 2026
Where to Submit Duplicate Title Application
"online through your Michigan Secretary of State account, or in person at a branch office" Accessed May 3, 2026
"yes" Accessed May 3, 2026
"recommended" Accessed May 3, 2026
"$10" Accessed May 3, 2026
Release of Liability Filing Deadline
"Not required" Accessed May 3, 2026
Duplicate Title Application Form
"Form TR-11L" Accessed May 3, 2026
Sell Without Title: Legal Authority
"MCL 257.229" Accessed May 3, 2026
Separate Odometer Disclosure Form
"Form BDVR-108 (Odometer Mileage Statement)" Accessed May 3, 2026
"Generic (no state form)" Accessed May 3, 2026
Inherited Vehicle Title Transfer Form
"Certification from the Heir to a Vehicle form" Accessed May 3, 2026
Inherited Vehicle Form Requirements
"bring the affidavit and the original title to a Secretary of State branch office to transfer the title into your name first" Accessed May 3, 2026