Michigan title transfer fees and where to pay them

Michigan charges $15 for a standard title transfer when you buy or receive a vehicle. This is the base fee you pay to the Secretary of State, either in person at a branch office or by mail. The fee does not change based on the vehicle's value or age.

You also pay a $20 registration fee at the same time — this is separate from the title transfer and covers your vehicle registration for the year. Together, title and registration cost $35 before any local taxes or fees your county may add.

If you are transferring a title between two people in Michigan (a private sale, a gift, or an inheritance), you still pay the $15 title fee. The person whose name will appear on the new title is the one who pays it. You can pay at any Secretary of State office, by mail to the Lansing office, or through an authorized branch like a AAA office if you are a member.

Key Takeaways

  • The Michigan Secretary of State charges $15 to transfer a title, plus a $20 registration fee, for a total of $35 before local taxes.
  • You pay the title fee once per transfer, not annually — registration renews yearly but title transfer is a one-time cost when ownership changes.
  • County and local governments may add their own fees on top of the state fee, so the total cost varies by location.
  • You can pay in person at a Secretary of State office, by mail, or through an authorized agent like AAA, and the fee is the same regardless of method.

Additional fees that may explore depending on your situation

If you are buying a vehicle from a dealer, the dealer often handles the title transfer for you and may charge a documentation or processing fee — this is separate from the state fee and varies by dealer. Ask the dealer upfront what they charge for title work.

Some Michigan counties add a county transfer tax on top of the state fee. This tax is based on the sale price of the vehicle and is not the same everywhere. For example, some counties charge a percentage of the sale price, while others charge a flat fee. You can contact your county clerk's office to find out what applies in your area.

If you need a duplicate title (because yours is lost or damaged), Michigan charges $10 for a duplicate. If you need the title expedited — meaning processed faster than the standard timeline — there is an additional rush fee, though standard processing usually takes two to three weeks by mail.

What documents you need to transfer a title

To transfer a title in Michigan, you need the current title certificate signed by the previous owner, a completed process for Title (Form TR-11), and proof of your identity. If you are buying from a private seller, make sure they sign the back of the title in the correct spot — the Secretary of State website shows exactly where.

You also need proof of Michigan insurance before the title can be transferred. This can be a declaration page from your insurance company or a binder showing coverage. The insurance company name and policy number must be on the document.

If the vehicle has a lien (meaning a bank or lender owns it until you pay off a loan), the lienholder's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer the title to yourself until the lien is released. The lender will send a release document once the loan is paid off, and you include that with your transfer paperwork.

How to transfer a title by mail versus in person

You can mail your title transfer to the Michigan Secretary of State office in Lansing. Send the signed title, the completed TR-11 form, a copy of your insurance proof, and a check or money order for $35 (or the total amount including any county fees). Mail it to the address on the Secretary of State website. Processing takes two to three weeks, and you receive your new title by mail.

If you go in person to a Secretary of State office, you bring the same documents and pay the fee at the counter. You can walk out with a temporary registration document the same day, though your official title arrives by mail later. In-person visits are faster if you need to drive the vehicle when ready and do not want to wait for mail processing.

Some Secretary of State offices are busier than others. You can check wait times on the Michigan Secretary of State website before you go, or you can make an appointment online in some locations to skip the line.

Title transfers for inherited vehicles or gifts

If you inherit a vehicle, you still pay the $15 title transfer fee. You will need the current title, a completed TR-11 form, proof of insurance, and documentation of the inheritance — usually a copy of the will or a probate court document showing you are the new owner. The process is the same as a regular transfer.

If someone gives you a vehicle as a gift, the title transfer fee is still $15. The person giving you the vehicle signs the title over to you, and you submit it with your TR-11 form and insurance proof. Some people worry that a gift will trigger a tax, but Michigan does not charge sales tax on gifts — only on purchases. However, your county may still add a transfer fee, so check with your county clerk.

Transferring a title from out of state

If you move to Michigan with a vehicle registered in another state, you must transfer the title to Michigan within 30 days. The fee is still $15 for the title transfer plus $20 for registration. You need your out-of-state title, the TR-11 form, proof of Michigan insurance, and a passing emissions test (required for most vehicles in Michigan).

Some states have different title formats or requirements, so if your out-of-state title is missing information or looks unusual, contact the Secretary of State office before you go in. They can tell you whether your title is acceptable or whether you need a certified copy from your previous state.

Timeline and what to expect after you pay

If you transfer your title in person, you receive a temporary registration document on the spot that lets you drive the vehicle legally while your official title is being processed. Your new title arrives by mail in two to three weeks. If you transfer by mail, the timeline is the same — two to three weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your paperwork.

Once your new title arrives, it will have your name on it as the registered owner. Keep it in a safe place. You will need it if you sell the vehicle later, refinance a loan, or transfer the title again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to transfer my title if I buy a used car from a dealer?

Yes. The dealer may handle the paperwork for you as part of the sale, but the title must be transferred to your name at the Secretary of State. The dealer will tell you whether they are doing this or whether you need to do it yourself. Either way, the $15 state fee applies.

What if the previous owner will not sign the title?

You cannot transfer a title without the previous owner's signature on the back. If the seller refuses to sign, you do not have a legal transfer of ownership. Contact the Secretary of State office or a lawyer before you hand over money — this is a serious problem that prevents you from registering the vehicle.

Can I transfer a title online?

Michigan does not currently offer online title transfers. You must go in person to a Secretary of State office or mail your paperwork. Some dealers and AAA offices can submit paperwork on your behalf, but you still cannot do it entirely online yourself.

What happens if I lose my title after I transfer it?

You can request a duplicate title from the Secretary of State for $10. You will need proof of identity and ownership. A duplicate title is a legal replacement and works the same way as the original.

Does the $15 fee cover registration too?

No. The $15 is for the title transfer only. Registration is a separate $20 fee. Together they cost $35 before any county or local fees. Registration covers your vehicle for one year and must be renewed annually, but the title transfer is a one-time fee when ownership changes.