Michigan charges a flat fee to transfer a vehicle title, plus a small processing fee
When you buy or sell a car in Michigan, the Secretary of State charges $15 to transfer the title into the new owner's name. If you're transferring the title by mail, there's an additional $3 processing fee. If you go in person to a Secretary of State office, you pay only the $15 fee—no processing charge.
These are the state fees only. Your total cost depends on whether you're doing this in person or by mail, and whether you need to add a lienholder (like a bank that financed the car). You'll also need to budget for the vehicle registration fee, which is separate from the title transfer.
The title transfer itself doesn't include registration. You must handle both transactions to legally own and drive the car in Michigan.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan's title transfer fee is $15 in person at a Secretary of State office, or $15 plus $3 if you mail the documents.
- You must transfer the title and register the vehicle separately—the title transfer fee does not cover registration.
- If a bank or lender holds a lien on the car, you'll need their signature on the title process, which may delay the process.
- You can transfer a title in person at any Secretary of State branch office, or by mail to the Lansing headquarters.
Transferring a title in person versus by mail
Going in person to a Secretary of State office costs $15 and takes about 30 minutes if you have all documents ready. You'll need the signed title (the back of the current registration), a bill of sale, proof of Michigan residency, and a valid ID. The office processes your paperwork on the spot and you leave with a receipt.
Mailing your title transfer to the Secretary of State headquarters in Lansing costs $15 plus $3 ($18 total). You send the same documents by mail, and processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Mail your packet to: Michigan Secretary of State, Lansing, MI 48918. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and what you're requesting.
The in-person route is faster and costs $3 less, but requires a trip to an office during business hours. The mail route works if you live far from an office or prefer not to go in person, but you'll wait longer and pay slightly more.
What documents you need to transfer the title
The seller must sign the back of the current title (also called the registration certificate). This is the document that came with the car when it was first registered. If the title is lost, the seller can request a duplicate from the Secretary of State for $20 before the transfer happens.
You'll also need a bill of sale, which is a straightforward written record of the sale. Michigan doesn't have an official form, but you can write one yourself or use a template. It should include the seller's name and signature, the buyer's name, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, and the date. Both buyer and seller should keep a copy.
Bring proof you live in Michigan—a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement works. You'll also need a valid driver's license or state ID. If the car has a lien (the seller still owes money to a bank), the lender must sign the title too, which means coordinating with them before you submit anything.
When a lender or lienholder is involved
If the seller still owes money on the car, a bank or credit union holds a lien on the title. The lender's name appears on the title document. You cannot transfer the title without the lender's signature and approval.
The seller must contact their lender and ask them to sign the title release. Some lenders will sign the title in person; others mail it to the seller or require the seller to pick it up. This step can add several days to the process, so the seller should start this as soon as they decide to sell.
Once the lender signs, the title comes to you with the lien released. You then submit it to the Secretary of State along with your other documents. The $15 fee covers the transfer whether or not a lien was involved.
Registration is a separate fee and process
Transferring the title and registering the vehicle are two different transactions with two different fees. The $15 title transfer fee does not include registration. In Michigan, vehicle registration costs vary based on the vehicle's age, weight, and type.
You must register the vehicle within 10 days of buying it. You can do this at the same Secretary of State office where you transfer the title, or by mail at the same time. Registration fees typically range from $100 to $300 for a standard passenger car, but the exact amount depends on your specific vehicle. The Secretary of State website has a fee calculator where you enter your vehicle details and it shows the registration cost.
Some people transfer the title and register in one visit or one mailing. Others do them separately. Either way, you're paying two separate fees: one for the title transfer and one for registration.
How to find a Secretary of State office near you
Michigan has Secretary of State branch offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you on the Michigan Secretary of State website. Search by city or county, and the site shows hours, address, and phone number. Many offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours vary by location.
Some offices are busier than others. If you're going in person, calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you a trip. You can also ask if they have any documents you should bring beyond the standard ones, since some offices have local preferences.
If you can't reach an office by phone, the Secretary of State website has a contact form. Response times vary, but email is useful if you have questions before you go.
What happens after you submit your title transfer
If you transfer in person, you get a receipt when ready. That receipt is proof the Secretary of State received your paperwork. Keep it until you receive your new title in the mail, which usually arrives within 2 to 4 weeks.
If you mail your transfer, you won't get a receipt until the Secretary of State processes it. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Once they process it, they mail your new title to the address you provided on the process. You should receive it within 3 to 4 weeks of mailing.
If you don't receive your new title within the expected timeframe, contact the Secretary of State to check the status. Have your receipt or process number ready. If there's an error on the title (wrong name, wrong VIN), you can request a correction by mail or in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register the car before the title transfer is complete?
No. You must have the title transferred into your name first, then register it. The Secretary of State won't register a vehicle in your name if you don't own the title. This is why coordinating both transactions—either in one visit or one mailing—makes sense.
What if the seller lost the title?
The seller can request a duplicate title from the Secretary of State for $20. This takes about the same time as a regular title transfer. The seller should do this before the sale closes so you can transfer it into your name without delay.
Do I need to notarize the bill of sale?
Michigan does not require a notarized bill of sale for a private car sale. A handwritten or typed bill of sale signed by both buyer and seller is enough. Some people choose to notarize it anyway for extra protection, but it's not required by law.
What if I buy a car from a dealer instead of a private seller?
Dealers handle the title transfer for you as part of the sale. You still pay the $15 state fee, but the dealer submits all paperwork to the Secretary of State. You'll receive your new title in the mail. Ask the dealer what fee they charge for this service—it's separate from the state fee and varies by dealer.
Can I transfer a title if I'm not a Michigan resident?
If you're buying a car in Michigan but live out of state, you can transfer the title by mail. You'll need to show an out-of-state address on your process. However, you must register the vehicle in Michigan if you plan to drive it here regularly. Out-of-state registration rules are complex, so contact the Secretary of State to understand your situation.