Michigan Vehicle Paperwork Checklists
Michigan vehicle titles and registrations are administered by the Secretary of State. Michigan maintains physical branch offices and online services for most vehicle transactions.
Official Motor Vehicle Agency
Michigan Secretary of State — Vehicle Services
Vehicle paperwork tasks in Michigan
Select a task to see the full checklist with required documents, forms, fees, and official links.
Sell a Car Privately
Documents and steps the seller needs to complete a private-party vehicle sale.
Buy a Used Car from a Private Seller
Documents and steps the buyer needs when purchasing a used vehicle privately.
Transfer a Vehicle Title
Complete checklist for transferring a vehicle title between parties.
Replace a Lost Vehicle Title
How to apply for a duplicate title when the original is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Register an Out-of-State Vehicle
Steps to register a vehicle that was titled or registered in another state.
How vehicle paperwork works in Michigan
Michigan buyers must apply for a new title at a Secretary of State branch office within 15 days of purchase — a relatively short window. License plates stay with the seller. Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland County residents need an Enhanced Vehicle Inspection (emissions test) before registration. Michigan SOS handles both title and registration in one visit.
Michigan tools & calculators
Free, browser-only utilities for Michigan vehicle paperwork. No data leaves your device.
Title transfer cost calculator
Estimate the title fee, registration, and sales tax for a Michigan title transfer.
Registration cost calculator
See typical Michigan initial registration cost by vehicle type and weight.
Michigan bill of sale generator
Fill in a Michigan-aware vehicle bill of sale, then print or download. Runs entirely in your browser.
Common vehicle documents in Michigan
- ✓Current vehicle title
- ✓Government-issued photo ID
- ✓Proof of insurance
- ✓Bill of sale (recommended)
- ✓Odometer disclosure statement
- ✓Lien release (if applicable)
- ✓Payment for fees
Exact requirements depend on the transaction type. Use the task pages above for specific checklists.
Official sources
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01