This blank truck bill of sale template for Michigan contains the following sections:
Seller Info
Name, address, phone, email
Buyer Info
Name, address, phone, email
Vehicle Details
Year, make, model, color, body
VIN & Odometer
17-digit VIN, current mileage
Sale Terms
Price, payment method, date
Disclosures
As-is status, known defects
Signatures
Buyer/seller lines with date
Notarization
Notary block if state requires
How to Fill Out This Template
1Print the blank template on US Letter paper
2Enter the truck details exactly as they appear on the title
3Record the odometer reading at the time of sale
4Agree on the sale price and fill in the payment terms
5Both parties sign and date in the presence of each other
6File the completed form with your local Michigan DMV within the required timeframe
Tip: Our online generator pre-fills Michigan-specific requirements so you don’t miss any required fields.
Out-of-state sale — What You Need to Know
The buyer and seller are in different states, or the vehicle is currently registered in a different state than where the buyer will register it. This can trigger additional inspections and title-reissuing requirements.
Seller guidance
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
Buyer guidance
You will need to re-title the vehicle in your home state after purchase. Bring the signed out-of-state title, the bill of sale, and any required inspection certificates to your local DMV. Many states require a state-certified VIN verification and an odometer disclosure statement to process an out-of-state title.
Legal note (Michigan-specific)
MI requires a physical inspection of out-of-state vehicles if the title shows a salvage, rebuilt, or non-repairable brand. The out-of-state title is surrendered at the Secretary of State. MI charges 6% use tax on the purchase price.
Out-of-state sale checklist
Confirm the original title is signed and notarized if required by the seller's state
Obtain a state VIN verification form if required in the buyer's state
Complete odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form (49 CFR Part 580)
Gather emissions or safety inspection certificates if required in the buyer's state
File for title transfer in the buyer's home state within the permitted timeframe
Verify title for damage brands — inspection required if branded
Surrender out-of-state title at MI Secretary of State
Pay 6% use tax at Secretary of State office
Transfer title within 15 days of establishing MI residency
Truck Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
4 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$8,000–$55,000
Odometer Disclosure
Required
Safety checkpoints for truck buyers
Inspect frame for rust — trucks used in salt-belt states often have hidden corrosion
Check 4WD/AWD transfer case engagement and operation
Verify towing package wiring and hitch receiver condition
Test tailgate mechanism and bed liner condition
Confirm trailer brake controller integration if equipped
Verify backup camera and parking sensors function correctly
Test tow/haul mode and check transmission cooler condition
Inspect cab corners and rocker panels for hidden rust
Common recall categories
Power TrainFuel SystemSteeringStructureElectrical
On average, each truck model has approximately 3.8 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Michigan Tax & Fee Summary
State Sales Tax Rate
6%
Title Transfer Fee
$15
Private Party Exempt
No
Flat 6% use tax statewide
Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases
Before signing your out-of-state sale bill of sale in Ellensburg, run a NHTSA recall check on the specific year and model. Recent-model trucks with the most open recalls:
Model + year
NHTSA recalls
Top categories
2019 Ram 1500
29
Air Bags, Electrical System, Steering
2021 Ford F-150
27
Power Train, Visibility, Electrical System
2022 Ford F-150
22
Exterior Lighting, Power Train, Electrical System
2022 Ram 1500
15
Back Over Prevention, Air Bags, Visibility
2021 Ram 1500
14
Back Over Prevention, Air Bags, Service Brakes
Run a NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase — open recalls are the seller’s responsibility to disclose under federal law, and unresolved campaigns are a routine negotiating point on the out-of-state sale sale price.
Ellensburg Out-of-state sale truck template — when to file
Michigan requires title transfer within 15 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For out-of-state sale transactions specifically, file at Michigan DMV – Ellensburg (Visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos to find the nearest Ellensburg office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (verify hours with local office). Miss the 15-day window and Michigan typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Ellensburg bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $15.00 title transfer fee plus 6% sales tax on the purchase price.
Template reminder. Whether you keep your template as a blank template you fill in by hand, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Michigan DMV – Ellensburg; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.
Frequently asked questions
What out-of-state sale documents do I need for a truck sale in Ellensburg, Michigan?
For a out-of-state sale truck transaction in Ellensburg, you need: Confirm the original title is signed and notarized if required by the seller's state; Obtain a state VIN verification form if required in the buyer's state; Complete odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form (49 CFR Part 580); Gather emissions or safety inspection certificates if required in the buyer's state; File for title transfer in the buyer's home state within the permitted timeframe; Verify title for damage brands — inspection required if branded; Surrender out-of-state title at MI Secretary of State; Pay 6% use tax at Secretary of State office; Transfer title within 15 days of establishing MI residency.
What is the sales tax on a truck private sale in Ellensburg, Michigan?
The Michigan state sales tax rate is 6%. Flat 6% use tax statewide. Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases
Do I need to notarize a truck bill of sale in Michigan?
Check with your local Michigan DMV office for notarization requirements. Requirements can vary by county.
What are common recalls for a truck?
Common recall categories for trucks include: Power Train, Fuel System, Steering, Structure, Electrical. On average, each truck model has approximately 3.8 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov before completing a sale.
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