The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office doesn’t require a Bill of Sale Form when you buy or sell a vehicle. Instead, the seller has to assign the vehicle’s Certificate of title to the buyer. However a Bill of Sale Form is a very useful document to keep a record of the vehicle transfer for yourself.
To assign the title, the seller needs to update the title with an accurate odometer reading from the vehicle, the selling date, and the selling price. Once that information is complete, the seller just signs the title, collects the asked price, and the sale is complete.
A Bill of Sale Form is useful to document your sale or purchase for tax purposes or as a receipt, so it is a good idea to make one. The Bill of Sale form should include these information about the transaction:
- The vehicle description and identification number (VIN).
- The vehicle’s final sale price.
- Names and details of the buyer and seller.
- The county where you sold or bought the vehicle.
Michigan Bill of Sale Form
Click here to download and print a generic Michigan Bill of Sale Form.
Michigan Law requires disclosure of the actual odometer reading at the time of transfer or assignment of the vehicle’s title. Also the seller must indicate if that reading is actual mileage, not actual mileage, or exceeds the maximum limit of the odometer (usually over 99,999 miles). This disclosure is not required if the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 16,000 pounds, is not self-propelled, or is 10 years old or older (MCL 257.233a).
Federal Law also requires sellers to state the odometer mileage when transferring ownership. Failure to complete a mileage disclosure or providing false information may make the seller liable for damages and fines and/or imprisonment according to the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act of 1972, Public Law 92-513.
Within 15 days of buying a vehicle, the buyer must title it in his name at a Secretary of State branch office. Failure to transfer the title within that time will result in a $15 late fee. At the time of titling, a $15 title transfer fee will be collected as well as 6% use tax. Sales to father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, grandparents, grandchildren, stepfather, stepmother, stepchild, stepsister, stepbrother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent-in-law, grandchild-in-law, legal ward, or legal guardian of the previous owner are tax-exempt.
More about Vehicle Titling in Michigan
Individuals who need to obtain a title may process an application at any Secretary of State branch office. Title applications require proof of vehicle ownership and proper identification. Individuals who have lost an existing Michigan title and need to obtain a replacement title immediately can take advantage of instant title service at several branch offices. In addition to the $15 title fee, there is a $5 instant title fee for this service.
The vehicle owner must appear in person for instant title service. The owner cannot appoint an agent for an instant title transaction. If there are two owners of a vehicle, both owners must appear in person for instant title service. For duplicate title transactions when there are two owners on the title record, only one owner needs to appear and sign the title application. An appointment of agent is not needed from the other owner. Both owner names will appear on the duplicate title.
For this purpose locate here the nearest instant title office.
If you cannot find the title of your vehicle, you may request a replacement title online through Michigan Online Services. The cost is $15 and an extra $5 fee for instant title service, and your title will be mailed to you within 14 days. Replacement titles can only be issued to the owner listed on the title document. If you have submitted a change of address within the last 10 days or have an appointment of agent or power of attorney designation, you will need to visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a replacement title.
How to fill out the Michigan Bill of Sale Form
This generic Michigan Bill of Sale Form is composed of three sections. Below you’ll learn how to fill out this form:
Section 1
The first section contains the vehicle information. Here you are required to fill out the Make, Model, Year, Style (Body type), Color, VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. Next fill out the Odometer Reading at the time of transfer (use only digits, no tenths) and the seller registration number. Lastly answer if you previously filed an application for title of this vehicle:
Section 2
In the second section you have to fill out first the Seller information. This means to write the full name of the seller. The name must be PRINTED. So this means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Then fill out seller’s street address, seller’s city and state. Further you will need to fill out the Buyer information. Fill out the full name of the buyer. The buyer’s name must be PRINTED. This means also to use only Capital Letters to write BUYER’S NAME. Additionally fill out buyer’s street address, buyer’s city and state. After these details you will have to write the sum of the transfer price of the vehicle or the word GIFT. Next indicate if this vehicle was a gift and indicate also the relationship with the buyer (e.g. parent, spouse, friend):
Section 3
The third section represents the seller’s statement about the details contained in this generic Bill of Sale. Finally fill out seller’s signature and signing date:
Note that you can fill out this Bill of Sale form by hand. However don’t forget to use a pen and not a pencil! If you are filling out this form on your device (phone, tablet, computer) this form is a fillable PDF that works best with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
View more about the Department of State of Michigan
For more information go to The Department of State of Michigan.
The Department of State is the oldest department of Michigan state government and is administered by the secretary of state. Elected to a four-year term, the secretary of state is a member of the executive branch of government. The secretary of state has constitutional as well as statutory duties. The department collects nearly $2 billion in revenue each year. These funds are distributed between the Michigan Transportation Fund and the General Fund. Also these funds are used for a variety of other purposes as required by law.
The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office is committed to delivering modern, efficient, cost-effective and convenient services. Furthermore these services are achieved with innovation, technology, and the energy, vision and experience of valuable team members.