Michigan Motorcycle Bill of Sale

A motorcycle bill of sale form is one of the many documents useful to transfer a motorcycle’s title and registration from the previous owner to the new owner in the state of Michigan.

What Is a Michigan Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?

Overall, a motorcycle bill of sale outlines all the relevant details regarding the private purchase and sale of a motorcycle between individuals.

That includes not only the purchase price but also the motorcycle’s condition at the time of sale, as well as any additional terms agreed to by the buyer and the seller.

Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Michigan?

The Michigan Department of State does require motorcycles to be registered and titled in order to be legally operated on public roads in Michigan.

Registration must be completed within 15 days of the purchase date. 

A motorcycle bill of sale form is not required but may be used to prove ownership if the motorcycle does not have a certificate of title.

It also acts as a record of the transfer of ownership and helps protect the buyer and seller if any questions regarding ownership arise later on.

Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Michigan?

You may need a bill of sale to register a motorcycle in Michigan if there is no original certificate of title.

It is also useful if the title is lost and you need to apply for a duplicate. 

To title and register a motorcycle, you need to provide the following:

• An Odometer Mileage Statement
• The original Certificate of Title for the motorcycle, signed by the seller
• A copy of a valid Michigan driver’s license for both the buyer and seller
• A fully completed Application for a Michigan Vehicle Title (if the motorcycle is being purchased by someone from another state)
• Proof that all registration fees have been paid
• Proof that your insurance policy meets all minimum coverage requirements pertaining to personal injury protection, property protection, and any residual bodily injury or property damage liability that may occur should the motorcycle be involved in a car accident

Note that it is always recommended that you submit photocopies of all documents because the originals will not be returned to you.

Once all the necessary documents are compiled and the forms are filled out, registration must be completed in person at any Michigan Secretary of State Office location that is convenient.

Schedule an office visit online and both the buyer and the seller are highly recommended to be present together during the visit.

How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Michigan?

Transferring ownership of a motorcycle in Michigan requires a signed title, an odometer disclosure statement, and a statement from the provider of any loan against the motorcycle (if applicable).

Transferring a title in the state of Michigan requires you to schedule an office visit ahead of time, which you can do online.

The Michigan.gov website estimates that the visit will take roughly 20 minutes.

Can I Transfer Motorcycle Title With a Bill of Sale Only?

You cannot transfer the title of a motorcycle in Michigan with only a bill of sale, per the Michigan Department of State.

Does a Michigan Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?

A motorcycle bill of sale does not need to be notarized but it’s a good idea to have a notary acknowledgment to confirm the validity of the signatures on the document.

Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Michigan

When buying or selling a motorcycle in Michigan, there are a number of important steps you’ll want to take to help things proceed as smoothly as possible.

Step 1 – Meeting With the Potential Buyer

When you’re buying or selling something as valuable as a motorcycle, the first thing you want to do is have an in-person meeting with the other party.

The buyer needs to be able to confirm that your motorcycle matches any description that you may have previously provided, for example, especially when it comes to condition.

As a seller, one also needs to be able to confirm that the other party is legitimately serious about moving forward.

Step 2 – Negotiate the Terms of the Transaction

Once both parties are satisfied, they can then begin to outline the terms of the transaction in earnest.

Discuss how much money the motorcycle is being sold for based on the value in your area.

They’ll also go into more detail about when and where the transfer of ownership will occur.

How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Michigan

Writing a Michigan motorcycle bill of sale is a straightforward process, as long as you make sure that all key pieces of information are fully included.

Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information

The first part of the Michigan motorcycle bill of sale that should be filled out is the  “The Parties” section. Here, you’ll include the full legal name, mailing address, and contact information of both the buyer and the seller. 

Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information

Then, you can move on to filling out information about the motorcycle. The bill of sale includes space to specify the make, model, body type, year, color, current odometer reading, and vehicle identification number (VIN).

Step 3 – Fill in Information About the Exchange

Finally, you’ll include all relevant information pertaining to the sale transaction itself including the purchase price and method of payment.

Summary

In an effort to protect both the buyer and seller from potential future issues, as well as to register and legally operate a motorcycle within the state, a Michigan motorcycle bill of sale is always an essential document to take into account.

To find out more information, or to help make things significantly easier by using our motorcycle bill of sale template instructions.

Michigan Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample

Below is an example of a Michigan motorcycle bill of sale form.