How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Michigan?

$15 title transfer fee; $16 if there is a loan on the vehicle (out-of-state-residents page). Plate transfer fee $10 to $15.

What is the deadline to transfer a car title in Michigan?

Transfer the title within 15 days of the sale; a $15 late fee will be charged if the title isn't transferred within 15 days of the sale.

Does Michigan require an odometer disclosure when transferring a title?

Ensure the odometer reading is accurately recorded on the title. If space is not provided on the title, complete and submit an Odometer Mileage Statement.

What happens to a lien when transferring a car title in Michigan?

If there was a loan against the vehicle, provide the lien termination statement or signed title from the financial institution that administered the loan. If there is an active loan on the title, a letter of authorization from the lienholder must be submitted with the title application.

How to Transfer a Car Title in Michigan

The Michigan transfer in one table

Step	Michigan rule
Title transfer fee	$15 title transfer fee; $16 if there is a loan on the vehicle (out-of-state-residents page). Plate transfer fee $10 to $15. 6% sales tax (not collected for sales to immediate family members).
Deadline and late penalty	Transfer the title within 15 days of the sale; a $15 late fee will be charged if the title isn't transferred within 15 days of the sale.
Application form	Application for Michigan Vehicle Title; Odometer Mileage Statement (if space is not provided on the title); Appointment of Agent form (owners who cannot visit an office to sign); Special Mailer of Certificate for Title form (mail transactions where the title goes to a different address)
Odometer	Ensure the odometer reading is accurately recorded on the title. If space is not provided on the title, complete and submit an Odometer Mileage Statement. The original title submitted by mail must include a complete and accurate odometer mileage reading.
Lien	If there was a loan against the vehicle, provide the lien termination statement or signed title from the financial institution that administered the loan. If there is an active loan on the title, a letter of authorization from the lienholder must be submitted with the title application. A statement from the loan provider is required if there has been a loan or lien against the vehicle (out-of-state/mail process).

What makes Michigan different

No conflict between the two opened pages: both state the $15 fee ($16 with a loan is stated only on the out-of-state-residents page).

The transfer, step by step

Buyer steps:

Present the original title (photocopies or modified titles cannot be accepted) with all titled owners' signatures, the seller's signature/completed seller's portion, odometer disclosure, and loan-provider statement if applicable; bring Michigan driver's license or ID.
Provide proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance to register; pay title/registration fees and 6% sales tax.
If titling by mail or through an agent while out of state: submit the original title with accurate odometer reading, seller signature and completed/signed purchaser's section, completed/signed Application for Michigan Vehicle Title, proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance, loan-provider statement if there was a loan/lien, and payment; agent transactions additionally require Appointment of Agent form and a photo/copy of the Michigan driver's license.

Seller steps:

Complete and sign the seller's portion of the title if not visiting a Secretary of State office with the buyer; all titled owners must sign when the title is transferred.
Provide an accurate odometer disclosure on the title (or Odometer Mileage Statement if no space is provided).
If there was a loan, provide the lien termination statement or signed title from the financial institution; if the loan is active, a lienholder letter of authorization must accompany the title application.

Check the requirements before you go

Run your state through the Title Transfer Requirements Checker: pick your state and see the fee, the deadline, the forms, and the odometer rule as the official pages state them. Then compare how the other states do it in the Car Title Transfer by State directory.

Coming from another state

No out-of-state-title conversion procedure was stated on the pages opened. What the opened out-of-state-residents page does state is the reverse situation: a Michigan resident who purchases a vehicle while temporarily out of state may title/register in Michigan by appointing an agent or by mail, submitting the original vehicle title (with odometer reading, seller signature, completed purchaser's section), Application for Michigan Vehicle Title, insurance proof, loan-provider statement if applicable, and payment.

Renewing is not transferring

If the owner is staying the same and only the registration needs renewing, see Vehicle Registration Renewal in Michigan for deadlines, grace periods, and late fees.

Transferring a title somewhere else

See Transferring a title in Massachusetts.

See Transferring a title in Minnesota.

For all states side by side, see the Car Title Transfer by State directory.

Source

Facts verified 2026-10-29.

This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to your state motor vehicle agency. Not carried on this page: Any procedure for converting an out-of-state title to a Michigan title, none stated on pages opened; no secondary procedure carried.