Michigan Motor Vehicle (DMV) Bill of Sale Form

The Michigan DMV bill of sale form is a useful tool in terms of generating physical evidence containing transaction details specific to the sale of a motor vehicle. Information such as the sale price, date, and seller/buyer names are all transcribed to the form. Although ownership can only be transferred through the title, a bill of sale works as a backup in the event of possible contention.

How to Register a Vehicle

You have 15 days to register your vehicle from the time of sale and are allowed to legally operate the vehicle without plates for the first 3 days (the signed-over title acts as sufficient proof in case you get pulled over). The secretary of state encourages the buyer and seller involved in a private sale to both appear to an SOS office together to avoid any glitches in the registration process. If the new owner cannot register in person, they must have a designated agent appear with a valid Power of Attorney form (Form TR-128) and photocopy of their ID. Remember to bring the following paperwork to a Secretary of State location near you:

• Must present the original title signed over to you from the previous proprietor. The title must contain:
  • Current Mileage (if there is no room to record an odometer reading, the buyer and seller must complete and sign an Odometer Mileage Statement – Form BVDR-108)
  • Signatures from Both Parties
  • If the vehicle contains an active lien, the lienholder must sign the title.
  • VIN Number

  How to Write

  Step 1 – Download in Adobe PDF.

  Step 2 – Vehicle Description – The Michigan bill of sale form requires you to provide the following vehicle information:

  • Make
  • Model
  • Year
  • Style
  • Color
  • VIN#
  • Odometer reading
  • Seller registration #
  • The seller must select either “Yes” or “No” to whether or not they previously filed an application for title of the vehicle being sold.

  Step 3 – Both Parties Info/Sale Info – Insert the information that corresponds with each field listed below:

  • Seller’s Full Name
  • Address
  • City State
  • Buyer’s Full Name
  • Address
  • City
  • State
  • Sum (in dollars) of the total sales price (E.G. $10,500)
  • If the vehicle is being gifted, the box below must be checked and the relationship between the parties noted in the space provided.

  Step 4 – Signing – Seller and buyer must sign on the indicated line and provide the current date.

  Step 5 – Copy for Records – As you may have noticed, there is a matching form below the initial one. Fill out and sign the second form as you did the first and tear at the instructed line. You may now retain a copy for your records.