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Dearborn, Michigan

Dearborn Farm Equipment Bill of Sale Requirements

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Complete requirements checklist for a farm equipment bill of sale in Dearborn, Michigan (Form TR-52). Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the MI Secretary of State – Dearborn Office.

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against 49 CFR Part 390 — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the MI Secretary of State – Dearborn Office. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Dearborn buyers and sellers always see the current Michigan farm equipment bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

6.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Dearborn Farm Equipment Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid farm equipment bill of sale in Dearborn, Michigan per Form TR-52:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Farm Equipment year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Dearborn: Not Required

Michigan does not require notarization for a farm equipment bill of sale. Michigan does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is the primary transfer document. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Michigan Farm Equipment transfer fees and requirements

In Michigan, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs Based on vehicle list price; varies widely. Farm Equipment sales are subject to 6% use tax on purchase price. Michigan does not require notarization for private-party farm equipment transfers. Michigan does not require emission testing for private-party farm equipment sales.

  • Secretary of State handles title and registration
  • Title transfer must be completed within 15 days
  • Plate transfer allowed between vehicles owned by same person

Official Michigan bill of sale form

The official Michigan bill of sale form is TR-52 (Vehicle Bill of Sale). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all Michigan requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

Michigan sales tax on farm equipment purchases

Michigan has a 6% state sales tax rate. Flat 6% use tax statewide. Private-party farm equipment sales in Michigan are subject to sales tax. Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $15.

Farm Equipment market data and safety information

The most common farm equipment makes in private-party sales are John Deere, Case IH, AGCO, CLAAS, Kubota. Average private-party farm equipment prices range from $5,000–$200,000. Farm equipments average 0.9 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Hydraulic System, Electrical, Safety Guards.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used farm equipment

Before completing a farm equipment bill of sale in Michigan, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect all safety guards and shields — OSHA requires guarding on all PTO and moving parts
  • Check hydraulic system pressure and hose condition
  • Verify operator station controls and emergency shutoff function
  • Test lights and SMV signage for road transport
  • Confirm fire extinguisher is present and current (combine/baler standard)
  • Inspect ladder, platform, and handrails on cab-equipment
  • Test seat-presence switch and ensure safety interlocks are not bypassed
  • Verify pinch-point warning decals are legible and unmodified

Farm Equipment insurance and depreciation in Michigan

Covered under farm policy. Standalone equipment floater policies available for $300–$1,000/year. Well-maintained farm equipment retains value strongly — 50–70% after 10 years for major brands. Peak season for private farm equipment sales is late fall after harvest and late winter before planting, with an average of 50 days on market.

Farm Equipment registration and titling

Farm Equipments are classified as "Farm implement (exempt from standard registration in most states)" for registration purposes. Farm equipment is classified by function (combine, baler, planter, etc.) rather than weight. Oversized equipment may require transport permits for road movement. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to farm equipments.

Farm Equipment title transfer rules

Farm equipment transfers typically rely on a bill of sale as the primary ownership document. Most states do not title farm implements (combines, balers, plows, etc.). Equipment with an engine and self-propulsion capability may have different rules than towed implements. Most states do not issue titles for farm equipment. A bill of sale with the serial number, make, model, year, and detailed description serves as the ownership record. UCC lien searches are recommended for high-value equipment.

Odometer disclosure for farm equipment sales

Farm equipment is exempt from federal odometer disclosure. Engine hours are the standard usage metric and should be documented on the bill of sale.

Required disclosures for farm equipment sales in Michigan

When selling a farm equipment in Michigan, the following disclosures apply:

  • Serial number verification is critical — farm equipment theft is common, and buyers should verify the serial number against the National Equipment Register.
  • Hydraulic, PTO, and electrical system condition should be noted for self-propelled equipment.
  • Lien status — farm equipment is frequently used as collateral for agricultural loans. Verify clear title before purchase.

Michigan bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,419 bill of sale documents for Michigan transactions, with 65 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Where to File — Dearborn Title Office

Office

MI Secretary of State – Dearborn Office

Address

16099 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126

Phone

(888) 767-6424

Hours

Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Additional 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

What to Bring to the MI DMV

  • 1Completed, signed farm equipment bill of sale
  • 2Farm Equipment title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $15.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (6.00% of sale price)

FAQ — Farm Equipment Bill of Sale Requirements in Dearborn

What are the required fields on a farm equipment bill of sale in Dearborn?
A valid farm equipment bill of sale in Dearborn, Michigan must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a farm equipment in Dearborn?
The title transfer fee in Wayne County is $15.00. The farm equipment sales tax rate is 6.00%. Michigan statewide rate 6% — no local vehicle sales tax
Is notarization required for a farm equipment bill of sale in Dearborn?
No. Michigan does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is the primary transfer document.
Where do I file a farm equipment title transfer in Dearborn?
File the title transfer at the MI Secretary of State – Dearborn Office, 16099 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126. Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (888) 767-6424.

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Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA