Buying, selling, or leasing

If purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, you – as the buyer – and the seller are responsible for handling all required documents to transfer ownership of the vehicle. To transfer ownership of a vehicle you purchased in a private sale, you will need:

• The original vehicle title with: 
  • Complete and accurate odometer reading or mileage statement
  • Seller’s portion completed
  • Seller’s signature
• Proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance
• Valid driver’s license or ID (for both the buyer and the seller)

As soon as you purchase the vehicle, you will need to transfer the title within 15 days at a Secretary of State office. It is strongly recommended that you and the seller visit a Secretary of State office together to complete this step. 

If you don’t plan to complete the title transfer with the seller at a Secretary of State office:

• Ensure that the seller has completed the seller’s portion of the title correctly and provided their signature and an accurate odometer disclosure statement.
• Check that there isn’t a lien against the vehicle. If there is, the seller will need to provide their lien termination statement or the title signed by the financial institution the loan is through. 

At your visit, you will be issued a license plate, vehicle registration, and tab after paying all title and registration fees and payment for 6% sales tax. If you’d like to transfer a license plate from a vehicle you already own to your new vehicle, you may do so at the time of your visit. 
Once issued, immediately put your tab and license plate on your vehicle.
Your corrected title will be mailed to you or, if there’s a loan against the vehicle, your lienholder after your visit. If your lienholder is enrolled in the Electronic Lien and Title System (ELT), an electronic copy will be stored with the lienholder and the Michigan Department of State.

Schedule an office visit

Title transfer 

Plate transfer