Free Michigan Bill of Sale Template
Free, editable, and written for Michigan. Opens in Word, Pages, or Google Docs.
Quick Answer
Do you need a bill of sale in Michigan?
A bill of sale is a written record that ownership of personal property passed from a seller to a buyer for a stated price on a stated date. In Michigan the signed title is what actually transfers a vehicle, and the buyer must apply to transfer the title at a Secretary of State office, generally within 15 days of the sale, paying title fees and 6 percent use tax unless an exemption applies. A bill of sale is still worth having: it documents the price, the as-is condition, and the date responsibility shifted. For most vehicles under 20 model years old, a federal odometer disclosure is also required at transfer. This free template is a generic starting point, not legal advice.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.
What this document does
- A short receipt-style document proving who sold what, to whom, for how much, and when.
- Used for vehicles, trailers, boats, ATVs, equipment, livestock, furniture, and general personal property.
- It usually includes an 'as is, where is' statement so the buyer accepts the item in its current condition.
What Michigan requires
- For a vehicle, the signed Michigan certificate of title transfers ownership. The buyer generally must transfer the title at a Secretary of State office within 15 days of the sale.
- Michigan charges 6 percent use tax on vehicle transfers unless a statutory exemption applies, such as certain transfers between qualifying family members.
- Federal law requires an odometer disclosure at transfer for most vehicles under 20 model years old; the disclosure is normally made on the title itself.
- A vehicle sold by a private party is generally sold as-is, with no implied warranty, unless the seller states otherwise in writing.
- Sellers should keep a copy and consider filing the appropriate notification so they are not tied to the vehicle after the sale.
- Boats, trailers, snowmobiles, and ORVs each have their own Michigan titling or registration rules — check the Secretary of State or DNR requirements for the item you are selling.
How to sign and deliver it
- Seller and buyer both sign and date. List every co-owner shown on the title.
- A notary is not generally required for a Michigan bill of sale, but notarizing costs little and removes later arguments about signatures.
- The buyer keeps the original; the seller keeps a copy along with a photo of the signed title.
- For a vehicle, the buyer takes the signed title, the bill of sale, and proof of Michigan no-fault insurance to a Secretary of State office.
Mistakes people make
- Leaving the buyer's name blank on the title, which is illegal 'title jumping'.
- Not recording the odometer reading at the time of sale.
- Writing a false, lower price to reduce use tax.
- Forgetting the VIN, hull number, or serial number that identifies the item.
- Both parties failing to keep a signed copy.
- Assuming the bill of sale alone transfers a titled vehicle. It does not.
Frequently asked questions
Keep reading
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.