“The purchaser or transferee, unless the person is a licensed dealer, shall present or cause to be presented the certificate of title and registration certificate if plates are being transferred to another vehicle, assigned as provided in [the Michigan Vehicle Code], to the secretary of state accompanied by the fees as provided by law, whereupon a new certificate of title and registration certificate shall be issued to the assignee.” MCL 257.234(1). “The certificate of title shall be mailed or delivered to the owner or another person the owner may direct in a separate instrument in a form the secretary of state shall prescribe.” Id.
“Unless the transfer is made and the fee paid within 15 days, the vehicle is considered to be without registration, the secretary of state may repossess the license plates, and transfer of the vehicle ownership may be effected and a valid registration acquired thereafter only upon payment of a transfer fee of $15.00 in addition to the fee provided for in [MCL 257.8061].” MCL 257.234(3).
MCL 257.901(2) provides for:
•imprisonment for not more than 90 days; or
•fine of not more than $100; or
•both.
1 “Until October 1, 2027, an applicant for a certificate of title required by [the Michigan Vehicle Code] or an applicant for a duplicate of a certificate of title shall accompany the application with a fee of $10.00.” MCL 257.806(1). “The secretary of state shall collect a $3.00 service fee . . . for each title issued[.]” Id. “In addition to paying the fees required by [MCL 257.806(1)], until December 31, 2027, each person that applies for a certificate of title . . . under [the Michigan Vehicle Code] shall pay a tire disposal surcharge of $1.50 for each certificate of title or duplicate of a certificate of title that person receives.” MCL 257.806(3).