Michigan License Plate Lookup

Michigan license plate has changed over the years. It was green, orange, and olive, but now it is blue and white. Before you buy a car, make sure you run a Michigan license plate lookup.

It helps you to get information about your car. You know who the owner was and how many times it was in an accident. If you change your place and buy a car there, always do a search. For example, you run Alabama license plate lookup if you go to Alabama.

The Michigan Department of State is responsible for the tags. It manufactures 2 million tags yearly. MI is one of the 19 states that do not require a front label.

Table of Contents

Getting Michigan License Plates

The characters must be seven here. But it sometimes differs. It depends on the variety. To order it, you have to visit one of the local SOS offices.

To get it, you have to provide the following documents.

The title application.
An ID and driver’s license.
Proof of vehicle document.

Renewing Process

You have to renew it annually. It expires on the birthday of the owner. But you always receive a notification mail. You will receive it 45 days before it expires. But you have a chance to do it before six months of your expiration date. You have four ways to do your renewal.

Firstly, online renewal:
You can do it if your insurance provider is in Electronic Insurance Verification. For this, you need the number. You have to give a debit card or a credit card for the payment.
Secondly, renew by mail:
As it is mentioned, you receive a notification. And you have to follow all the steps described there.
Thirdly, go to the SOS offices:
In this case, you have to present proof of Michigan no-fault insurance.
Fourthly, renew using a Self-service station:
In this case, you have to present some documents like the number and the VIN. And for the payment, you have to give a debit card or credit card.

The Fees

The fees vary depending on the tag history, model, and year. The record shows whether you are the only owner or there is someone else. Though these mentioned factors are essential, the Suggested Retail Price of the Manufacturer decides the fees.

The costs for Light Trucks Manufactured and passenger vehicles in 1984 and older

Having a percentage of the Suggested Retail Price of the Manufacturer, the amount of money is calculated. This is the base price. So it does not include taxes or other costs.
Each year it has a 10% decrease in annual renewal price. However, it only applies for the first three years of yearly renewal. And after it, the cost remains the same.

Fees for Cars Older than 1984

Here the prices are calculated in another way. The weight of the autos is the decision-making part. If you meet difficulties while calculating the costs, you can contact the assistance by this telephone ( 1-888-767-6424). Assistance from the Department of State Information Center will answer you.

Transferring process

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to do a transmit. However, it sometimes happens. For the transfer, you have to use the SOS office.

But there is also another way to do it. The MI dealership may do it instead of you if you buy an auto from them. While you transfer, you have to provide the documents:

Your MI Driver’s License.
Your current registration.
The title of the auto.

For transfers, you have to pay $10.

Replacing

If your tag is damaged, stolen, or lost, you are eligible to replace it. There is a responsible office for giving the replacement tags in the county. It is the Secretary of State’s office. While replacing it, you have to provide the following documents:

Firstly, you have to provide the number or registration.
Secondly, you have to present your identification number.
Thirdly, you have to pay all the necessary money. For the replacement, you have to pay $5.

Surrendering

A lot of states require returning placards. But Michigan does not have a law for returning it. If you do not want to keep it, you should destroy it. But you know, you better not destroy it, but give for recycling. They do it in order not to have a misuse.

Types

The sorts vary in different states. Here the county has a variety of types. You may find the specialty with its historical, collector, subtypes, and so on.

Specialty

It is very interesting that you have a chance to choose a specialty tag. There are a lot of them, like personalized, historical, collectors in MI. So let’s dig into each of them.

Personalized

There is an opportunity to choose one type among these fours. So let’s see them:

Standard
Mackinac Bridge
Permanent Trailer
Spectacular Peninsulas

Fifteen universities are considered funds. Veterans and military ones are available too. For example, Olympic Education, Water Quality, or Agricultural heritage are considered a specialty. The amount of money is $30. And you have additional regular placard costs.

Historical

The county has had this variety since 1956. This sort is given to antique vehicles. If you want to obtain this sort, you must meet these requirements.

Firstly, you have to be 26 or older.
Secondly, you have to own it only as a collector’s item.
Thirdly, your auto must be used only for events like fairs, parades, and machine shows.

They charge $30. However, it will be valid for ten years.

Collector

This is not considered a machine registration plate. However, you have the opportunity to obtain it. The collector tags are non-profit organizations or university fundraising plates.

Temporary

You have a chance to obtain a temporary placard. If you do not use your means of transportation regularly, it is better to obtain this variety.

You may have a 30-day permit. For it, they charge $20. At the same time, you request a 60-day permit and they charge $30.

Title and Registration

First, let’s see what the title and registration are.

If you have a car, you have to register it, as Michigan law claims. All vehicles have to be enrolled. They have to obtain valid license plates. The enrollment shows the registration of the plate to what vehicle. In order to enroll your vehicle, you have to present the following details:

Show proof of insurance.
Present the previous registration.
Conduct the documents of ownership.

A title is a document. It is given legally. It shows who is the property’s owner. There are some types that have to be enrolled:

Motor vehicles
Trailers (weighing 2.500 pounds or more)
Off-road cabs
Off-road autos
Pick-up campers
Watercraft (20 feet or permanently enclosed)

In case you purchase a used trailer, you have to take the assigned title and do the shift from that trailer to another. You have to obtain a new tag at the moment.

In case you buy a new vehicle or a used one but it weighs less than 2.500 lbs, you must have one of the below-mentioned things.

At first, if it is is new, you have to pick up the Origin Manufacturer Certificate. The retailer’s bill of sale can serve too.
Then, if it is used, you have to pick up a sale bill. It has to consist of the seller’s name, address, vehicle identification number, make, and, of course, year.

How much do you have to pay for titling?

So the price differs, as it is based on the empty weight. Let’s see them:

If it has 0-2,499 lbs, the price is $75.
Then, if has 2,500-9,999lbs, it is $200.
And if it is 10,000lbs and over, you have to pay $300.

For more details contact the SOS. Here are the addresses and the phone number.

The number is +1 888-767-6424.

Waren: 11533 Twelve Mile Rd, Warren, 48093
Detroit: 3046 W Grand Blvd Ste L-650, Detroit, 48202
Livonia: 17176 Farmington Rd, Livonia, 48152
Sterling Heights: 7917 19 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, 48314
Hazel Park: 20809 Dequindre Rd, Hazel Park, 48030
Village of Clarkston: 7090 Sashabaw Rd, 48348
Clinton Twp: 37015 S Gratiot Ave, 48036

Check how can you search a license plate in several states: Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.