Is a bill of sale required in Michigan?

For most private vehicle sales the signed title is what transfers ownership, and a bill of sale is not strictly demanded at the counter. It is still the single best piece of protection both sides have: it fixes the date, the price, and the as-is condition in writing. Some lenders, insurers, and out-of-state buyers require one.

How long do I have to transfer a Michigan title?

Generally 15 days from the date of sale. After that the Secretary of State adds a late title fee. If you are past the window, bring us what you have — the transfer can still be completed.

What if I bought a vehicle and never got the title?

That is a common and fixable problem. Depending on the circumstances, the route may be a duplicate title signed by the prior owner, an ownership certification application, or a court process. Tell us the details and we will tell you which one fits your facts.

Do the plates go with the car in Michigan?

No. In Michigan the plate belongs to the seller and comes off the vehicle at the sale. The buyer needs their own plate or a temporary permit.

Can I write $1 as the sale price to save on tax?

We will not prepare a document that misstates the price. Michigan calculates use tax on the transaction, and understated prices get reviewed. If this is a genuine gift or a qualifying family transfer, there is a correct way to document it — that is what we do instead.

Can you notarize the documents too?

Yes. We are a mobile and in-office notary, so the bill of sale and any forms needing notarization can be handled in the same appointment.

Do you file it with the Secretary of State for me?

We prepare the packet and give you a checklist of exactly what to hand over and what it will cost. The title application itself is presented by the buyer at the Secretary of State office.

Bill of Sale & Title Transfer

Michigan Bill of Sale & Title Transfer Documents

Buying or selling a vehicle, boat, trailer, or piece of equipment? We prepare the bill of sale and the Secretary of State paperwork so the transfer actually goes through the first time.

Important: Clear Path Document Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and cannot provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Read full disclaimer

Quick Answer

In Michigan, the seller signs the title over to the buyer and the buyer takes the signed title to a Secretary of State office to have a new title issued in their name. The buyer generally has 15 days from the date of sale to transfer the title before a late fee applies. A bill of sale is a separate document recording who sold what, to whom, for how much, and on what date — it is strongly recommended on every private sale and is required by some lenders and insurers even when the state does not demand it. Clear Path prepares the bill of sale and the supporting Secretary of State forms. We review your situation first, then send a written quote — nothing is purchased online, and state title and registration fees are paid directly to the Secretary of State.

Who qualifies for this service?

This document preparation service is a fit for Michigan residents who match the criteria below. If your situation is different, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or whether you should speak with an attorney.

Private-party buyers and sellers of cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and trailers
Boat, personal watercraft, and outboard motor sales
Sales of equipment, livestock, firearms, tools, and other personal property
Family transfers and gift transfers between relatives
Estates transferring a vehicle after a death
Buyers who received a vehicle with no title or a title with a problem on it
Small businesses and dealers who need clean, repeatable sale documents

How the process works

Clear, predictable steps from intake to court-ready paperwork.

Tell us the deal

Use the short form: what is being sold, by whom, to whom, for how much, and whether a title exists.

We review it

We check which Secretary of State forms your situation actually needs before quoting anything.

Written quote

Flat preparation fee, with state title, registration, and tax amounts listed separately.

We prepare the documents

Bill of sale, odometer and title assignment guidance, and any supporting application forms.

Signing

We can notarize at the same appointment if your document needs it.

You file

You take the finished packet to the Secretary of State with a checklist of exactly what to hand them.

What's included

Paperwork we organize for you

Document preparation only. We do not represent you in court.

Michigan bill of sale drafted for your exact transaction

As-is language, odometer statement, and lien/payoff wording where it applies

Guidance on completing the title assignment without voiding the title

Duplicate title and no-title application packets when the title is missing

Boat, trailer, and off-road vehicle transfer paperwork

A written checklist of what to bring to the Secretary of State and what it will cost

Notarization available at the signing appointment

Bring these to your intake

Documents and information you'll need

The current title, if there is one, and the name exactly as printed on it
VIN or hull identification number, year, make, and model
Current odometer reading
Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
Sale price and date of sale
Lien or payoff information if money is still owed on the vehicle
Photo ID for everyone signing

Common mistakes to avoid

Small errors can cost you weeks. Here's what we see most often.

Writing the wrong odometer reading, or leaving the odometer disclosure blank — that alone can stop the transfer.
Crossing out or writing over an error on the title. Corrections on a Michigan title usually void it.
Letting the buyer drive off with an unsigned title 'to be sorted out later.'
Using a sale price of $1 on a real sale — the state can assess use tax on the vehicle's actual value.
Forgetting to remove the plate. In Michigan the plate stays with the seller, not the vehicle.
Missing the 15-day transfer window and getting hit with a late title fee.
No bill of sale at all, so neither side can prove the date, price, or as-is condition later.

Local Michigan considerations

Michigan titles are issued by the Secretary of State, and the buyer normally has 15 days from the date of sale to transfer the title before a late title fee is added. License plates stay with the seller in Michigan — they are not transferred with the vehicle. Use tax is generally calculated on the purchase price, and low-ball sale prices on a real arm's-length sale invite a state review. Certain family transfers qualify for a use-tax exemption when the relationship is documented correctly, which is one of the most common things people get wrong on their own. Boats and watercraft follow a related but separate process through the Secretary of State.

Key Terms

Bill of sale: A written record of a sale showing the parties, the item sold, the price, the date, and the condition it was sold in. It proves the transaction happened; it is not the title itself.
Certificate of title: The state-issued ownership document for a vehicle, boat, or trailer. Ownership changes when the title is properly assigned and a new title is issued.
Odometer disclosure: The mileage statement the seller must make when transferring a vehicle. False or missing mileage statements can invalidate a transfer.
Use tax: The tax Michigan collects at the time of title transfer, generally based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
TR-11L: The Michigan application used to request a duplicate (replacement) certificate of title when the original is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Common Questions

Related resources

Reviewed and updated September 17, 2026 by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.

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