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Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids Golf Cart Bill of Sale Requirements

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

Complete requirements checklist for a golf cart bill of sale in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Form TR-52). Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the MI Secretary of State – Grand Rapids 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 – Grand Rapids Office. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Grand Rapids buyers and sellers always see the current Michigan golf cart bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

6.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Grand Rapids Golf Cart Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid golf cart bill of sale in Grand Rapids, 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
  • Golf Cart year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Grand Rapids: Not Required

Michigan does not require notarization for a golf cart bill of sale. Michigan does not require notarization. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Michigan Golf Cart transfer fees and requirements

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

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

Golf Cart market data and safety information

The most common golf cart makes in private-party sales are Club Car, E-Z-GO, Yamaha, Star EV, Garia. Average private-party golf cart prices range from $2,000–$15,000. Golf carts average 0.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Electrical, Brakes, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used golf cart

Before completing a golf cart bill of sale in Michigan, verify these safety items:

  • Test all batteries — battery pack replacement is the biggest expense ($1,000–$3,000)
  • Check controller and speed sensor for erratic operation
  • Verify street-legal equipment if LSV-classified (lights, mirrors, seatbelts, VIN)
  • Test brake system — golf carts often sit unused and brakes can seize
  • Confirm DOT-approved windshield is present on LSV-classified carts
  • Verify 17-character VIN is present and matches title (LSV requirement)
  • Test horn and reverse-warning beeper function
  • Inspect lap belts and mounting points on all seating positions (LSV)

Golf Cart insurance and depreciation in Michigan

Golf cart insurance is $100–$300/year. Required if operated on public roads as an LSV. Electric golf carts depreciate slowly — 20–30% over 5 years — but battery condition is the key value driver. Peak season for private golf cart sales is spring for golf communities, year-round in retirement areas (fl, az, sc), with an average of 30 days on market.

Golf Cart registration and titling

Golf Carts are classified as "Low-speed vehicle (LSV) if street-legal; otherwise unregistered recreational equipment" for registration purposes. LSVs must not exceed 25 mph on level ground. Modifications increasing speed above 25 mph may reclassify the vehicle. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to golf carts.

Golf Cart title transfer rules

Golf cart title and registration requirements vary widely. Some states classify golf carts as low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and require title, registration, and insurance. Others do not title golf carts at all. A bill of sale is often the only transfer record. LSV-classified golf carts receive standard vehicle titles. Non-LSV golf carts may not be eligible for a title. A bill of sale with the serial number is the primary transfer document for untitled carts.

Odometer disclosure for golf cart sales

Golf carts are exempt from federal odometer disclosure. Golf carts typically do not have odometers.

  • Applicable law: 49 CFR 571.500 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for Low-Speed Vehicles

Required disclosures for golf cart sales in Michigan

When selling a golf cart in Michigan, the following disclosures apply:

  • LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle) classification requires specific safety equipment: headlights, taillights, mirrors, seatbelts, and a 17-digit VIN.
  • Battery condition and age are the primary value drivers for electric golf carts and should be documented.
  • Street-legal status — confirm whether the cart meets state LSV requirements if the buyer plans to drive on public roads.

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 — Grand Rapids Title Office

Office

MI Secretary of State – Grand Rapids Office

Address

38 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Phone

(888) 767-6424

Hours

Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Additional requirements in Kent County:

  • Title transfer at SOS within 15 days
  • 6% use tax at title transfer
  • Seller must sign title assignment
  • Buyer obtains plates at time of transfer

What to Bring to the MI DMV

  • 1Completed, signed golf cart bill of sale
  • 2Golf Cart 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 — Golf Cart Bill of Sale Requirements in Grand Rapids

What are the required fields on a golf cart bill of sale in Grand Rapids?
A valid golf cart bill of sale in Grand Rapids, 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 golf cart in Grand Rapids?
The title transfer fee in Kent County is $15.00. The golf cart sales tax rate is 6.00%. Michigan statewide rate 6%
Is notarization required for a golf cart bill of sale in Grand Rapids?
No. Michigan does not require notarization.
Where do I file a golf cart title transfer in Grand Rapids?
File the title transfer at the MI Secretary of State – Grand Rapids Office, 38 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (888) 767-6424.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

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