Registration FAQs

My buddy just bought a brand-new Saturn, and I've got a high-mileage three-year-old Lexus. How come I'm paying so much more than he is to register my ride?

Think sticker shock. Under current Michigan law, that Lexus―when you bought it―was worth a lot more than the Saturn, based on the original manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). Your registration fees have been dropping a bit each year since, but it's still (in the eyes of the Secretary of State) worth more than a new Saturn. For older vehicles (pre-1984), the weight of the vehicle determines the fee.

To help you figure out what you'll pay for a particular vehicle, call the Record Information Unit at (517) 322-1460 or visit a Secretary of State branch office.

My job is taking me out of state for the next five months. How can I renew my registration?

You need to start by calling the Record Information Unit at (517) 322-1460 to determine your renewal fee. Once you know what it's going to cost, photocopy your current registration and send it, with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance and a check or money order made out to the State of Michigan, to:

• Michigan Department of State

• Renewal by Mail Unit

• 7064 Crowner Drive

• Lansing, MI 48980

Provide your temporary out-of-state address if you want your registration receipt and new license plate sticker mailed to you. You can also pay by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Provide your credit card number, credit card expiration date, printed name, signature, and dollar amount.

I'm getting tired of getting dinged to renew my license plate every year on my birthday. Is there a way I can change the date my plate expires?

Sure. Most plates expire on the owner's birthday. When two or more people own a vehicle, any of their birthdays can be used. And if you visit a Secretary of State branch office when your plate is due for renewal, you can request to change the deadline to any date you'd like. The office will calculate what you'll owe for the new expiration date.

I just bought a house across town. I'm just a mile from the old abode―do I still need to change my address on my registration?

Sort of. What you actually need to do is visit a Secretary of State branch office and change the address on your driver license as soon as possible. When you do this, your vehicle registrations will automatically be updated as long as your license number is on them. When you renew, simply cross out your old address and write in your new one. When the registration is processed, it will be updated to reflect your new digs.

I moved to Michigan from another state. I bought my SUV just before I moved and the lienholder is based back there. They're holding the title. How do I register my vehicle?

Assuming your vehicle is currently registered in that state, you can take the out-of-state registration or proof of title to any Secretary of State branch office. As long as you also have proof of Michigan no-fault insurance, Michigan will issue a "Foreign Ownership―Registration Only" registration for the vehicle. You'll get plates, but the vehicle will remain titled in your former state.

My mailbox was knocked down by a snowplow and ended up in a slush puddle. My renewal form was mutilated. Can I get another one sent to me?

Sure, but you don't need one to renew your plates. Just go to a Secretary of State branch office and you can renew your registration there. Bring along your current registration and proof of insurance.

Or, renew by mail. Call the Record Information Unit at (517) 322-1460 to determine your renewal fee. Then photocopy your current registration and send it, with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance and a check or money order made out to the State of Michigan, to:

• Michigan Department of State

• Renewal by Mail Unit

• 7064 Crowner Drive

• Lansing, MI 48980

You can also pay by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Provide your credit card number, credit card expiration date, printed name, signature, and dollar amount.

My friends call me Mooch. I'd like to get a personalized license plate with that on it. How do I do it?

You can choose almost any combination of up to seven numbers and letters for your "vanity plate," as long as they're neither offensive to good taste nor likely to confuse or mislead the public. And you can get a vanity plate for passenger vehicles, motor homes, buses, pickups, vans, hearses, trailers, and trailer coaches. Motorcycles can have only five numbers or letters because of their smaller plates.

Simply visit a Secretary of State branch office to apply for a plate. Approved plates are sent out in about 45 days. You'll pay an extra $30 for the plate when you first apply for it, as well as an extra $15 each year you renew the vanity plate.

Do I need a new license plate for my new car?

You can take the plate from your old car and move it to the new one. Transferring a plate does require a trip to a Secretary of State branch office. Bring your current registration (or your license number), the title for your new vehicle, and $8. You will need to pay additional fees if you're also applying for a new title.

My dog, Gidget, ate my registration. What should I do?

First of all, now you know to keep your registration in a safe place. Secondly, you can obtain a duplicate registration at a Secretary of State branch office for no charge.

My dog, Lola, ate my title. What should I do?

First, take Lola to obedience training. Then, head to a Secretary of State branch office. Complete and sign a duplicate title application and show proper identification. You'll also have to pay the $15 replacement fee, which you can take directly out of Lola's dog-toy allowance.

You'll receive the title in the mail in seven to 10 days. If you can't wait that long, you can pay an extra $5 and receive the new title on the same day. However, you'll need to go to a branch office that offers instant titling services and make sure that you meet the requirements listed at the above link.

If there is another owner listed on the title, that person should also sign the form and come to the office with proper identification. However, if that is not possible, the other owner may complete an Appointment of Agent form, which allows the person named on the form to act as an agent and sign on behalf of the title holder.

In all duplicate title cases, the state advises that you call the Information Center at (888) SOS-MICH before heading to the office, just to make sure that you have the proper paperwork for your situation.

We went off-roading last weekend and when we got home, I noticed my license plate was missing. It either fell off or was stolen. What should I do?

You'll need to get a new plate. You can get one at a Secretary of State branch office. Bring in your registration or your plate number. For $5 you'll get a new plate, a new year tab, and a new registration.

My registration renewal tabs got lost in the mail. What should I do?

Don't worry, these things sometimes happen. Just call (888) SOS-MICH to report that you didn't receive the tabs. They'll look into your situation and give you direction on what to do in your particular case.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

What's the scoop on non-operational vehicles?

There are no free passes for non-operable vehicles. If you place your vehicle in storage and allow the registration to expire, Michigan will slug you with a $10 late fee when you try to re-register it. If you allow it to expire for longer than six months, the SOS will penalize you with a 24-month registration renewal fee.

Re-registering requires no affidavits or proof of storage. Just visit any Secretary of State branch office with your old registration and the ability to pay all applicable fees.