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Free Michigan Bill of Sale Template

A Michigan bill of sale records the transfer of ownership of vehicles, boats, trailers, firearms, motorcycles, and other valuable property. While not always legally required, it provides proof of purchase, protects both parties, and may be necessary for registration or title transfers.

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  • Duration 2 min
  • Download as PDF and Word
  • E-sign included

Written by Josh Sainsbury | Attorney-Reviewed by Harvey Barbee, J.D.

How It works?

1

Choose Your Template

Start with the Michigan Bill of Sale template designed for vehicles, boats, trailers, firearms, or motorcycles.

2

Provide Key Information

Enter buyer and seller information, item details (VIN, HIN, or serial number), purchase price, and sale date.

3

Sign and Complete

Both must sign and keep copies. Bring to the Secretary of State (SOS) if needed. Notarization isn’t required but recommended.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is a Michigan Bill of Sale?
  2. When Do You Need a Bill of Sale in Michigan?
  3. Does a Michigan Bill of Sale Have to Be Notarized?
  4. Michigan-Specific Rules & Requirements

What Is a Michigan Bill of Sale?

This document typically includes:

  • Buyer’s and seller’s names and contact details
  • Description of the item sold (make, model, year, VIN/HIN/serial number)
  • Purchase price and date of transfer
  • Signatures of both parties (notarization optional but recommended)

Michigan’s Secretary of State (SOS) does not always require a bill of sale, but it can be useful if a title or registration is missing, or for resolving future disputes.

When Do You Need a Bill of Sale in Michigan?

  • Vehicles: Not required to transfer ownership. The state only recognizes the title as the official proof of ownership. 
  • Boats: Normally requires a title if 20+ feet or with a permanently affixed engine. If the title is missing but still on state records, seller and buyer can sometimes appear together at a branch with proof of hull identification. In practice, a bill of sale may help prove the transfer, but the state expects a title when required.
  • Trailers: If the seller doesn’t have a title, you may use a bill of sale (with year, make, VIN, buyer/seller info, and addresses) as proof of ownership to transfer registration.
  • Firearms: Not legally required, but it can serve as proof of the transaction. In Michigan, all handgun purchases must be reported to local law enforcement within 7 days, and buyers of pistols under 26 inches need a purchase license. State law does not impose a waiting period.
  • Motorcycles: Not required in Michigan. You must transfer the title and register within 15 days of purchase, or pay a $15 late fee. Still, a bill of sale can help prove ownership and support a duplicate title application if the original is missing.

Does a Michigan Bill of Sale Have to Be Notarized?

  • Vehicles: Not required, but recommended.
  • Boats: Not required, but must include signatures of both parties.
  • Trailers: Not required generally, but encouraged for private sales. May be required to prove ownership if the seller does not have a title.
  • Firearms: Not required, but handgun sales must be reported to local police.

Motorcycles: Not required, though notarization adds legal protection.

Michigan-Specific Rules & Requirements

  • Vehicle Registration: You must transfer the title and register within 15 days of purchase. Bring the signed title, proof of No-Fault insurance, and pay the required fees at a Secretary of State office.
  • Insurance Minimums: Requires no-fault auto insurance to register a vehicle. Coverage must include PIP, PPI, and Residual Liability with minimum limits of $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 per accident.
  • Boat Rules: Michigan requires most watercraft to be registered and display a current decal. Renewal can be done online, by mail, at a self-service station, or at a Secretary of State office using the MC number and last four digits of the Hull Identification Number.
  • Trailer Laws: Every trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer operated on Michigan roads must be registered under the vehicle code, unless it falls into a listed exception (like being used only to cross a road, being special mobile equipment, etc.).
  • Firearm Laws: Michigan requires permits and registration for handguns, but not for rifles or shotguns. A CPL is needed to carry a concealed pistol, and all handgun purchases from private sellers require a permit.
  • Motorcycle Rules: Follow the same rules as cars—when sold or transferred, the title must include an odometer disclosure, and tampering with the odometer is a felony.