How to Transfer Car Title After Divorce in Michigan

Your divorce decree awarded you the car, but the title still shows both names. In Michigan, a judge's order doesn't automatically transfer vehicle ownership — you and your ex must physically sign the title and present it at a Secretary of State (SOS) branch office.

Until the title is in your name only, you can't sell the vehicle, trade it in, or fully insure it without complications.

What You Need at the Secretary of State

Both owners listed on the current title must either appear in person or provide a signed Appointment of Agent form. Bring:

• Original vehicle title (not a copy)
• Current vehicle registration
• Certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce showing the vehicle was awarded to you
• Valid photo ID for both parties (or Appointment of Agent if one can't attend)
• Transfer fee: $15 for standard mail delivery (arrives within 14 days) or $20 for an instant title printed at the counter

Sales Tax Exemption

Vehicle transfers pursuant to a Michigan divorce decree are exempt from the state's 6% use tax. Without the exemption, transferring a vehicle valued at $20,000 would cost $1,200 in tax — so this matters.

To claim the exemption, present your certified Judgment of Divorce at the SOS counter. The clerk applies the exemption at the time of transfer. If you don't bring the certified decree, you'll be charged the full tax and need to file for a refund later (a much more complicated process).

What If Your Ex Won't Cooperate?

If your former spouse refuses to sign the title or appear at the SOS:

1. Appointment of Agent form — if they'll sign this remotely, you can complete the transfer without them present
2. Court-ordered title transfer — file a Motion to Enforce your divorce decree with the Circuit Court. The judge can order the Secretary of State to process the transfer without the non-compliant party's signature
3. Bonded title — as a last resort, Michigan allows you to obtain a surety bond and apply for a bonded title, though this process is expensive and slow

Don't drive on expired registration while waiting. Renew the registration in both names if needed — you can still transfer the title later.

Insurance Updates Are Mandatory

Once the title transfer is complete, immediately update your auto insurance:

If you were on a joint policy: You need your own individual policy. Contact your insurer (or shop for a new one) and establish coverage solely in your name for the transferred vehicle.

Michigan's no-fault insurance system requires every registered vehicle to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), property protection, and residual liability coverage. Driving without coverage — even briefly during the transition between policies — exposes you to serious legal and financial liability.

Rate changes after divorce: Your premium will be recalculated based on your individual driving history, credit score, and vehicle garaging address. If you moved to a different zip code after the divorce, your rates may increase or decrease significantly depending on the area's claims history.

Timing and Sequencing

If you're also changing your name, handle the title transfer at the same SOS visit where you update your driver's license. This combines two trips into one and ensures your new title matches your new legal name from the start.

The recommended sequence:

1. Update Social Security (Form SS-5) — wait 24-48 hours
2. Visit SOS: update driver's license + transfer vehicle title in one appointment
3. Update auto insurance with new name, new title, and new individual policy

Leased Vehicles

If the vehicle is leased (not owned), the process is different. The leasing company owns the title, not you. Contact the lessor to request a lease transfer or buyout. Most leasing companies require the assuming party to independently qualify based on credit and income, similar to a loan assumption.

Vehicles With Outstanding Loans

If there's still a loan on the vehicle, the lien holder's name appears on the title alongside the owners. Transferring the title doesn't transfer the loan obligation. The process:

1. If both names are on the loan: The acquiring spouse must refinance the auto loan in their name only. The lender won't release the departing spouse from the note just because a judge assigned the vehicle to one party.

2. If only one name is on the loan: The title transfer is simpler since the loan obligation already belongs to one person. Complete the SOS title transfer as described above.

3. If the departing spouse has the loan but isn't keeping the car: This is the most complicated scenario. The acquiring spouse must either refinance the loan in their name or the original borrower remains liable. Some lenders will allow a loan assumption with independent credit qualification.

Multiple Vehicles

If your decree awards each spouse one or more vehicles, handle all transfers at the same SOS visit when possible. Bring the titles, registrations, and judgment for each vehicle. Pay the per-vehicle transfer fee ($15-$20 each).

For families with three or more vehicles, coordinate scheduling — both parties need to be present (or provide Appointment of Agent forms) for each title that has joint names.

Protecting Yourself During the Transition

Until the title is formally transferred into your name only:

• Don't let your registration or insurance lapse, even if your ex was previously handling payments
• Keep documentation that you're the court-assigned owner in the vehicle (a photocopy of the relevant decree page) in case of traffic stops
• Don't make modifications or major repairs to a vehicle still titled jointly — disputes about vehicle value can resurface if the title transfer is contested

The Michigan After-Divorce Checklist includes the complete vehicle transfer workflow — SOS document requirements, insurance transition steps, and coordination with the name change sequence.

See more Michigan guides →