Detroit, Michigan
How to Fill Out a Detroit Car Bill of Sale
Complete guide for filling out a car bill of sale in Detroit, Michigan (Form TR-52). Includes the exact MI Secretary of State – Detroit Office location, current tax rates, and notarization requirements.
Title Transfer Fee
$15.00
Sales Tax Rate
6.00%
Notarization
Not Required
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Your Detroit Car Bill of Sale
- 1
Enter seller and buyer information
Write full legal names and current addresses exactly as they appear on government-issued IDs. Both buyer and seller must use their full legal names — no nicknames or abbreviations. Errors here cause delays at the MI Secretary of State – Detroit Office.
- 2
Record Car details and VIN
Enter the year, make, model, body style, color, and the 17-character VIN exactly as printed on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or door jamb sticker. The VIN must match the vehicle title exactly. Also enter the current odometer reading — federal law mandates accurate odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 model years old.
- 3
Record sale price, date, and payment method
Write the agreed sale price in both numeral form ($12,500.00) and written form (twelve thousand five hundred dollars). Enter the exact date of the sale — this date triggers the Michigan title transfer requirement. Note payment method: cash, check, or other.
- 4
Both parties sign and date
Both buyer and seller sign and date the completed form. Sign with blue or black ballpoint ink. Michigan does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is the primary transfer document. Print at least two originals — one for each party.
- 5
Submit to the MI Secretary of State – Detroit Office
Bring the signed bill of sale, the vehicle title (signed over on the back), and a valid ID to: 3046 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202. Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (888) 767-6424. You'll pay the title transfer fee of $15.00 and sales tax at 6.00%.
Detroit Title & Registration Office
Office
MI Secretary of State – Detroit Office
Address
3046 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone
(888) 767-6424
Hours
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Special requirements in Wayne County:
- Title transfer at a Secretary of State office within 15 days
- Michigan 6% use tax on private vehicle purchases
- Seller must sign the title and provide odometer reading
- Buyer must obtain Michigan plates at the time of title transfer
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Signing before the notary if notarization is required — the notary must witness the signature
- ✗VIN errors — even one wrong character causes the MI DMV to reject the title transfer
- ✗Leaving the sale price blank or writing "gift" if money changed hands — this triggers audit risk
- ✗Skipping odometer disclosure — federal law requires it for vehicles under 10 years old
- ✗Using correction fluid to fix mistakes — always initial handwritten corrections instead
- ✗Not keeping a copy — both buyer and seller need a signed original
FAQ — Car Bill of Sale in Detroit
- Where do I file a car bill of sale in Detroit?
- File at the MI Secretary of State – Detroit Office, located at 3046 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202. Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (888) 767-6424.
- What is the vehicle title transfer fee in Detroit?
- The title transfer fee in Wayne County is $15.00. Combined sales tax rate: 6.00%. Michigan statewide rate 6% — no local vehicle sales tax
- Does Detroit, Michigan require notarization for a car bill of sale?
- No. Michigan does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is the primary transfer document.
- What form do I use for a car bill of sale in Michigan?
- Michigan uses Form TR-52 for car title transfers. You can download it from the MI Secretary of State – Detroit Office or generate a state-compliant version at BillOfSaleNow.