Sterling Heights, Michigan
How to Fill Out a Sterling Heights Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale
Complete guide for filling out a personal watercraft bill of sale in Sterling Heights, Michigan (Form TR-52). Includes the exact MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights Personal Watercraft 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 – Sterling Heights Office.
- 2
Record Personal Watercraft 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.
- 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. Print at least two originals — one for each party.
- 5
Submit to the MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights Office
Bring the signed bill of sale, the vehicle title (signed over on the back), and a valid ID to: 33575 Schoenherr Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. 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%.
Sterling Heights Title & Registration Office
Office
MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights Office
Address
33575 Schoenherr Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Phone
(888) 767-6424
Hours
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Special requirements in Macomb County:
- Title transfer at SOS within 15 days
- 6% use tax at title transfer
- Seller must sign title and provide odometer disclosure
- Both parties should retain a bill of sale copy
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
- ✗Using correction fluid to fix mistakes — always initial handwritten corrections instead
- ✗Not keeping a copy — both buyer and seller need a signed original
FAQ — Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale in Sterling Heights
- Where do I file a personal watercraft bill of sale in Sterling Heights?
- File at the MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights Office, located at 33575 Schoenherr Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (888) 767-6424.
- What is the vehicle title transfer fee in Sterling Heights?
- The title transfer fee in Macomb County is $15.00. Combined sales tax rate: 6.00%. Michigan statewide rate 6%
- Does Sterling Heights, Michigan require notarization for a personal watercraft bill of sale?
- No. Michigan does not require notarization.
- What form do I use for a personal watercraft bill of sale in Michigan?
- Michigan uses Form TR-52 for personal watercraft title transfers. You can download it from the MI Secretary of State – Sterling Heights Office or generate a state-compliant version at BillOfSaleNow.