Michigan Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Michigan costs $15 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,106 in total, with $900 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Michigan title fees
These are the title-related fees in Michigan's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Late title | $15 |
| Plate (new) | $5 |
| Plate (transfer same class) | $10 |
| Plate (transfer higher class) | 10 + proration |
| Plate (transfer lower class) | $15 |
| Plate (transfer family) | $10 |
- Over 15 days after sale
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Michigan
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Michigan car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $900 |
| New plate (if you register it now) | $5 |
| Registration (from MSRP) (if you register it now) | $186 |
| Estimated total | $1,106 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Michigan charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late title $15; plate (new) $5; plate (transfer same class) $10; plate (transfer higher class) 10 + proration; plate (transfer lower class) $15; plate (transfer family) $10.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift to a listed relative | Use tax $0 (Treasury decides) |
|---|---|
| Gift to non-listed person | Taxable |
| Non-family co-owner added at inheritance | 6% tax |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance by heir taking title alone | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Non-family co-owner added at inheritance | 6% tax |
Other cases that change the cost in Michigan
| Ordinary hybrids | No EV surcharge |
|---|
How Michigan works out what you owe
- Dealer: taxable = price - trade-in - rebate
- Private: taxable = greater of price or fair market value (no trade-in)
- Tax = taxable x 6%
- Registration from MSRP bracket + add-ons
- Total = tax + title + registration + plate + EV/PHEV surcharge + passport + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Michigan: www.michigan.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Michigan?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,106.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Michigan?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Michigan charges about $900. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Michigan?
Yes. Late title: $15; Plate (new): $5; Plate (transfer same class): $10; Plate (transfer higher class): 10 + proration; Plate (transfer lower class): $15; Plate (transfer family): $10.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Michigan?
Gift to a listed relative: Use tax $0 (Treasury decides). Gift to non-listed person: Taxable. Non-family co-owner added at inheritance: 6% tax.
What happens to a car title after a death in Michigan?
Inheritance by heir taking title alone: Tax $0. Non-family co-owner added at inheritance: 6% tax.