SOS - Lost Title

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Lost Title

If selling your vehicle and you cannot find its title, you will need to process a duplicate title application at a Secretary of State branch office. All owners shown on the title record must sign the title application and present identification. Your duplicate title will arrive in the mail in 7-10 days. If you need your title sooner, several Secretary of State branch offices provide instant (same-day) title service. There is a $15 duplicate title fee. More information and a list of instant title branch offices is available.

Under certain circumstances, you can sell your vehicle without replacing a lost title if:

the seller and buyer appear together at a Secretary of State branch office with proof of the Vehicle Identification Number (usually the vehicle's current registration will suffice),
there are no liens (bank loans) on the title record, and
a record of the current title is on the Secretary of State's computer system.

NOTE: Your situation may differ. Please check with our Information Center at 1-888-SOS-MICH (1-888-767-6424) to make sure you have all the correct paperwork before going to a branch office.

Owner Out-of-State

Michigan residents who are temporarily out-of-state may obtain a duplicate title by mail. Contact the Department's Out-of-State Resident Services Unit at (517) 322-1473 for assistance.