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Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form - Michigan
What Is a Michigan Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Michigan Vehicle Bill of Sale is a document created to record a vehicle transfer from a seller to a buyer. The document must contain all information necessary to identify both parties of the transfer and the transferred car, the details of the deal (at a minimum, the date, and price), and signatures of both parties.
Alternate Names:
- Car Bill of Sale;
- Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale.
The State of Michigan has no government-released Bill of Sale form you can use. Download the form through the link below, or use our customizable online template to create a personalized Michigan Vehicle Bill of Sale .
Does a Vehicle Bill of Sale Have to Be Notarized in Michigan?
Michigan does not require a notary public's certification for vehicle sales but it is generally a good idea to have a notary or witness to a sale in order to confirm the transaction has taken place. This can save any potential trouble which might occur should the seller or buyer contest the transaction at a later date.
Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Car in Michigan?
According to state laws, a buyer is obliged to title, register, and plate a newly purchased car within 15 days of the date of sale to avoid a late fee. It is recommended, that both a seller and a buyer should appear in person at the Secretary of State office and bring the following documents:
- Properly assigned title;
- Proof of identification;
- If there is a lien, provide a lien termination statement or ask the lienholder to sign the lien release section.
A Bill of Sale is not required for car registration. However, you are recommended to sign it as proof of vehicle transfer. This proof will be necessary if the seller cannot accompany the buyer to the Secretary of State office to make sure the title is transferred. It is also called a "record of the sale" and must be maintained for at least 18 months after the sale. In this case, the seller is protected from liability for any law violations or damages caused by the buyer as a result of vehicle ownership. To be valid, the record of the sale must contain the following information:
- Make;
- Year;
- Vehicle Identification Number;
- Name, address, and driver license number of the buyer;
- Signature of the buyer.
If you are selling or buying a trailer or mobile home, use the state-released Form TR-207, Bill of Sale for a Trailer, Watercraft, Snowmobile or ORV to record your sale. The sale and purchase of an abandoned car must be documented on Form TR-52L, Abandoned Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale . This form is not available online, and may only be requested from the Michigan Department of State. To request the form, you must be a representative of a towing company, custodian, or police agency and fill outForm TR-52LR, Request for TR-52L Abandoned Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale in full.
How to Get a Title for a Car with a Bill of Sale in Michigan?
If the car title is, lost, stolen, destroyed, or improperly assigned and the buyer cannot contact the seller for the duplicate title, the buyer needs to get one of the following documents:
- Court order awarding ownership of a car.
- Surety bond.
If your car is ten years old or more and costs $2,500 or less, you can self-certify ownership at a Secretary of State office. In any of these cases, the Bill of Sale may be useful to prove the fact of vehicle transfer and to provide the essential details about the car.
Still looking for a particular form? Take a look at these related forms below:
- Form BFS-72, Instructions for Titling an Assembled Vehicle;
- Form TR-11L, Vehicle Title;
- Form B-32, Parental Consent to Sell a Vehicle to a Minor;
- Form TR-13A, Salvage Vehicle Inspection;
- Form TR-121, Uniform Surety Bond − Vehicle;
- Form TR-54, Vehicle Number/Equipment Inspection;
- Form A-226, Vehicle Registration Refund Request.
Download Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form - Michigan
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