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Titles

Titles

Title related services

Title transfer and vehicle registration

Title replacement/duplicate

Title correction

All services

Why is a title important?

  • Determines ownership.  
  • When you buy or inherit a vehicle, the title must be transferred into your name to verify the ownership has passed from the previous owner to you. 

Transferring a title after a sale

Deceased owner

  • When a vehicle owner dies: 
    • If the current title is in both your name and the deceased's name with the legend "Full Rights to Survivor" printed on it, all that is needed is the title, copy of the death certificate and identification. 

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    • Probate Court appoints a Personal Representative to administer the deceased’s estate. 
    • Personal Representative assigns the deceased’s title to the new owner.  
    • New owner goes to a Secretary of State office with the following:
      • Original title, signed by the Personal Representative  
      • Copy of the Letter of Authority from the Personal Representative.  
      • Proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance if registering the vehicle. 
      • License or ID 
    • Vehicle may be transferred to the closest next-of-kin using the Certification from the Heir to a Vehicle form. The closest next-of-kin is: 
    • The surviving spouse 
    • If no, spouse, then the deceased’s children.   

    Questions about rights or interest of next-of-kin should be referred to an attorney or probate court. 

  • If there is no surviving spouse, and several closest next-of-kin, all share equal inheritance. 

    • All next-of-kin who don’t want the vehicle must complete a certification statement saying so.  
    • Each next-of-kin taking ownership completes a Certification from the Heir to a Vehicle form. 
    • Present the following at a Secretary of State office: 
    • Original vehicle title if available. 
    • Certified copy of the death certificate. 
    • statement to this effect. 
    • License or ID’s for all next-of-kin that completes the Certification from the Heir to a Vehicle form. 
    • Proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance (if the vehicle will be registered in Michigan) 
    • If they wish, the next-of-kin may add a co-owner at time of titling.
    • If the co-owner is not an immediate family relative of the deceased or is not the spouse of the closest next-of-kin who is inheriting the vehicle, the co-owner Is liable for a 6% sales tax. 

Replacing a lost title

Correcting or converting a vehicle title (Choose tab)

  • Go to a Secretary of State office. 
  • All owners on the title must attend. The following must be presented:
    • Their valid driver's license or state ID.
    • The current title. 
  • Pay the $15 correction fee. 

Note: When adding a name to a title, no tax is due if the person being added is a qualified exempt family member. If the person being added doesn't qualify as exempt, the transaction is partially taxable.

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Title correction

If your name has changed and needs to be corrected on your vehicle title, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following: 

  • Your valid license or ID 
  • Vehicle title 
  • Vehicle registration or license plate number 
  • An official document providing proof of the legal name change (if it has not yet been corrected on your license or ID) 
  • All listed owners on the title must be present and provide their valid license or ID in order to change or correct the title. 
  • The fee for a corrected title is $15. There is no fee to correct vehicle registration.  
     

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Title correction

  • All owners on the title must visit the Secretary of State office and provide:  
  • Driver's license or state ID 
  • Vehicle title 
  • Official document showing proof of your new address if your license or ID address hasn't been updated yet.  
  • $15 correction fee.  
  • No fee to correct the registration. 

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Title correction

After you pay off a loan on a vehicle: 

  • The lienholder’s information won’t automatically clear from your title, unless the lender is enrolled in the Electronic Lien and Title system (ELT). 
  • The lienholder should sign off the title or provide you with a lien termination letter.  
  • Keep the lien release with the title.  
  • You aren’t required to  get a new title after paying off the loan, but you can if preferred for $16 at a Secretary of State office by providing the lien termination notice or title signed by the lienholder. 
  • If you decide not to remove the lienholder from your title, you will need to provide the lien termination notice or title signed by the lienholder when you sell the vehicle and transfer ownership. 
  • If your lien is financed through a bank or financial institution participating in ELT, they will mail you a corrected title after the lien is resolved. 

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Vehicles purchased and titled out-of-state can be converted to a Michigan title by presenting the following at a Secretary of State office: 

  • The out-of-state vehicle title. 
  • Driver’s license or ID. 
  • Michigan No-Fault insurance. 
  • Out-of-state vehicle registration if it was registered in another state. 
  • Lien termination statement or title signed by lienholder. 

If the title is held by out-of-state lienholder, also provide one of the following: 

  • Photocopy or fax of your out-of-state title 
  • Memo title 
  • Recently validated title application 
  • Vehicle record printed on the issuing state's Department of Motor Vehicles letterhead verifying the vehicle is titled in that state 
  • The Secretary of State will issue you a Foreign Ownership-Registration Only registration, also known as a memo registration, for your vehicle.  
  • A Michigan title is not issued in this case, and the out-of-state title remains the ownership document.

All listed owners on the title must be present and provide their valid license or ID to change or correct the title. 
 

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Information for new Michigan residents

    • Salvage title is issued for a vehicle that has become a "distressed vehicle". A vehicle becomes "distressed" when one or more major component parts have been wrecked, destroyed, damaged, stolen, or are missing to the extent that the total estimated damage is from 75% to less than 91% of its pre-damaged cash value.  
    • The vehicle owner's insurance company will determine the amount of damage to the vehicle. 
    • A regular vehicle title is replaced with a salvage title.  
    • Salvage and rebuilt titles are either orange or a gray-and-yellow color 
    • The titles list the vehicle's color and non-salvageable major component parts.  
    • A vehicle with a salvage title cannot be plated or used on public roads until it is recertified by a salvage vehicle inspector and retitled.  

      Applying for a salvage title 

      You, your insurance provider, or a dealership may apply for a salvage title for a vehicle, motorcycle, trailer coach, or titled trailer by providing the following: 

    • Completed Michigan Salvage or Scrap Title Application
    • Proof of vehicle ownership (i.e.: title) 
    • Certification from an insurance provider verifying the vehicle damage 
    • A check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan for the $15 title application fee

    Submit the required documents and payment by visiting a Secretary of State office or mail the required them to: 

    Michigan Department of State 
    Internal Services Section 
    7064 Crowner Drive
    Lansing, MI 48918

    Michigan Salvage or Scrap Title Application

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    • Issued to a vehicle that has one or more major components that have been wrecked, destroyed, damaged, stolen, or missing to the extent that the total estimated cost of repair (parts and labor) for the vehicle is 91% or more of its pre-damaged value. 
    • Examples of major component parts: bumpers, fenders, transmission, engine, hood, doors, frame, tailgate, body.  
    • Michigan scrap title is red and has the wording "Scrap Title" at the top, 
    • After a scrap title is issued, the vehicle may be used only for parts or scrap metal. It can’t be registered and used on the road.
    • If you’re selling an older model vehicle for scrap, you can write the word(s) “scrap” or “junk” on the original vehicle title, which will ensure the vehicle can’t be titled or put back on the road again.  

      Applying for a scrap title 

      You, your insurance provider, or a dealership may apply for a scrap title for a vehicle, motorcycle, trailer coach, or titled trailer by providing the following:
    • Completed Michigan Salvage or Scrap Title Application 
    • Proof of vehicle ownership (i.e. title) 
    • Certification from an insurance provider verifying the vehicle damage 
    • Check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan for the $15 title application fee 

      Submit the required documents and payment by visiting at a Secretary of State office or mail to: 

      Michigan Department of State 
      Internal Services Section 
      7064 Crowner Drive 
      Lansing, MI 48918 
       

    Michigan Salvage or Scrap Title Application

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  • After a vehicle titled with a salvage title has been repaired or rebuilt, it can be titled and registered for road use again if it has passed an inspection by a specially trained law enforcement officer called a salvage vehicle inspector.  

    Application for inspection 

    Before scheduling an inspection with a certified salvage inspector, complete the Application for Salvage Vehicle Inspection form TR-13A with a licensed mechanic.  

    Inspection 

    • At the inspection, provide the assigned title or bills of sale for parts used in rebuilding the vehicle. 
    • During the inspection, salvage vehicle inspection officer will complete a Salvage Vehicle Recertification form TR-13B. The inspection will verify ownership of the repair parts used and compliance with all Michigan Vehicle Code equipment and safety requirements.
    • Upon passing inspection, the officer will issue you the completed and signed Salvage Vehicle Recertification form.  

      Applying for a rebuilt title 

      After passing inspection, bring the following with you to a Secretary of State office:
    • The salvage title 
    • Completed Application for Salvage Vehicle Inspection form TR-13A and a Completed Salvage Vehicle Recertification form TR-13B as assigned by a salvage vehicle inspector. 
    • Michigan No-Fault insurance for the vehicle 
    • Driver’s license or state ID 
    • $15 title application fee, plus any additional registration fees 
    • You will be issued a new title with the legend “REBUILT SALVAGE”. This will alert future owners that the vehicle was once classified as “totaled” by an insurance company under a previous owner.  

    Application for a Salvage Vehicle Inspection

  • Assembled vehicle are:

    • Built from new or used materials and parts by someone not recognized as a manufacturer.
    • Altered or modified to the extent that it no longer reflects its original manufacturer configuration.
    • Has the body unit replaced with a different style body unit from another vehicle, altering the vehicle's original configuration.
    • Has replaced the body unit (passenger body or pickup truck cab) with an identical style body unit that doesn’t alter the vehicle's original configuration is retitled as a reconstructed vehicle.
    • Assembled from a kit designed for on-road use (often called "kit cars"), even if a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin is provided.

    Golf carts can't be registered as on-road vehicles. However, if the vehicle manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) indicates the vehicle meets federal regulations for on-road use, the vehicle may be titled as a low-speed vehicle and registered with a passenger license plate (similar to cars and trucks).

    Obtaining an assembled vehicle title

    1. To obtain an assembled vehicle title, you will need:

    • Ownership documents for all vehicles or major component parts used in assembling the vehicle. This includes:
    • Titles
    • Assigned ownership documents (Example: Release of Abandoned Vehicle notice from police department)
    • Original bills of sale
    • The following parts must be accounted for in the ownership documents presented:
      • Motor vehicles: Engine, transmission, body parts (doors, front, rear clips) and frame, including axles
      • Motorcycles: Engine, frame, front end assembly including the fork, wheels, and seat
      • Titled trailers or trailer coaches: Running gear (frame, axle, and wheels) 

    2. A certification statement summarizing the vehicle’s assembly that includes:

    • A description of the vehicle and its parts
    • The name of the person who assembled the vehicle
    • When and where the vehicle was assembled or reconstructed
    • Any special information about the vehicle to assist the Michigan Department of State investigator 

    3. A Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection completed by a Michigan police officer.

    • The inspection will verify the vehicle has all equipment required for on-road registration. 
    • Completion of the inspection form by law enforcement doesn’t qualify the vehicle for a title or registration. Michigan Department of State regulation agents conduct a final inspection of the vehicle before placement of the assembled VIN sticker. 

    4. Payment

    • A new vehicle information number (VIN) will be assigned to your vehicle for $10. When applying for your assembled vehicle title, tax is due on all parts, unless it was paid at time of purchase.
    • A Regulatory Monitoring Division agent will contact you to schedule the final inspection appointment and vehicle inspection location. Upon passing the final inspection, the agent will place the assigned VIN sticker on the vehicle. The new title will be mailed.

    NOTE: Assembled vehicles aren’t eligible for temporary registrations

    Converting an ORV and ATV to on-road use

    • Before an off-road vehicle or an all-terrain vehicle can be used on public roads, it must pass the full equipment and safety inspection as defined on the Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection form.
    • Be aware that a receipt is required confirming that the installed windshield is U.S. Department of Transportation certified and is laminated glass. A polycarbonate or Plexi-glass windshield isn’t acceptable.
    • Also, the parking brake must be mechanical, and not hydraulic. Mechanical brake calipers activated by a hand lever and cable assembly can be bought from aftermarket vendors.

    Instructions for Titling an Assembled Vehicle

    Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection form

    • Brands are placed on titles of vehicles that will be used or have been used as police vehicles, taxis, and municipal vehicles.  
    • Flood damaged vehicles and rebuilt vehicles are also branded.  
    • Once entered, these brands stay on all future titles. 
    • Titles with these brands are colored either orange or gray-and-yellow

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)