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.  To locate the nearest instant title branch office, click here.

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.