Bill of Sale Requirements in Michigan

Michigan's Secretary of State doesn't require a bill of sale when buying or selling a vehicle. Instead, a seller assigns the vehicle's title to the buyer.

To assign a title, a seller needs to update the title with an accurate odometer reading from the vehicle, the selling date, and the selling price. Once that information is complete, the seller simply signs the title, collects the funds, and voila, the sale is complete. You can read our page on title transfers in Michigan for more information on how to complete the transaction.

What is a Michigan Bill of Sale?

You may still want a bill of sale to commemorate your purchase or sale for tax purposes, as a receipt for your files (which could be helpful if you move to a state requiring a bill of sale), or as protection against legal issues down the line. Your bill of sale generally includes information about the transaction, such as:

  • A vehicle description and vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Warranty information.
  • The vehicle's final sale price.
  • Names of the buyer and seller.
  • The county and state where you bought or sold the vehicle.

Generic Bill of Sale

A bill of sale can be useful even in a state without a bill of sale requirement.

To assist you in creating this handy document, we provide a printable bill of sale form.

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