Michigan License Plate Lookup

Free Michigan License Plate Lookup

Search your Michigan license plate and get a free complete vehicle history report including: salvage status, theft or accident records, recalls and more!

VinCheck.info‘s Michigan license plate lookup service allows individuals to find information about a vehicle. It is a type of reverse license plate search that can provide information such as the vehicle’s make and model, past ownership, title information, liens, odometer reading, salvage records and other details. All you need is a Michigan license plate number. This service can be helpful in a variety of situations, such as when someone is planning to buy a used car.

A vehicle history report from VinCheck.info contains:

  • Market Value
  • Vehicle Specifications
  • Equipment Details
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Safety Rating
  • Inspection Checklist
  • Current Warranty and recalls
  • Auto Insurance
  • NMVTIS Vehicle History Report
    • title history
    • brand history
    • salvage or total loss history
    • odometer reading

You can also visit the Michigan Department of State and request for information about Michigan-registered cars. For inquiries, visit the FAQs page. Contact the agency at 888-767-6424 or visit the Contact page for further assistance.

Michigan License Plates & Placards

Michigan License PlateA Michigan license plate is a metal or plastic plate that is affixed to the rear of a motor vehicle. It is issued by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office and serves as identification for the vehicle and includes a series of letters and numbers that are unique to the vehicle and registered owner. In the state of Michigan, all motor vehicles must be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. When you buy a vehicle, you have 15 days to register and title your vehicle from the date of purchase. If your stay is temporary, you may opt for either temporary permits: (1) the 30-day permit, (2) and the 60-day permit. Michigan plate’s serial format contains three letters and four numerical digits. Many populous states have formats similar to Michigan’s. In addition, Michigan issues only a single rear license plate for each car.

A replacement plate for a lost or stolen Michigan license plate costs $5. It can be acquired from any Michigan Secretary of State office. Provide documents about registration and identification to process request.

Types of Michigan License Plates

There are seven (7) types of plate being issued in the state of Michigan.

  1. Fundraising License Plates
  2. Personalized License Plates
  3. Historical Plates
  4. Special Organization Plates
  5. Veteran / Military Service Plates
  6. Standard Plates
  7. Collector License Plates

Be sure to check out the requirements for each plate as they may vary.

Transferring of License Plates in Michigan

A license plate transfer can be processed in a Secretary of State office. To process a plate transfer, you need your current registration, your title to the vehicle in which the plate will be transferred to, and your payment of $8 for the transfer fee. Additional fees might be required for a plate transfer involving two different vehicle types.

Titling Requirements and Procedure in Michigan

The applicant must title the vehicle within two weeks of becoming the new owner. An application through a proxy is not allowed, so the owner must appear in person when requesting a car title. If a car has a shared ownership, all owners must be present at the office where the titling process is being held. For duplicate requests, only the presence of a single owner is required.

The applicant is advised to apply for a vehicle title on time, or within the time frame allowed by the state, to avoid being penalized. Be sure to bring the necessary documents, such as ownership and identification papers, when you apply for a title. Prepare a budget for the fees that will be asked for during the title application. Usually, a six percent use tax is charged when a car is applied for titling. However, exemptions may be granted if the sale has been made between or among relatives.

For those who want to speed up the titling process, a select number of offices can be visited for their instant titling services. Applicants on tight schedules may also conduct their application through the online platform, ExpressSOS. Replacement can be requested in either medium as well. Wait for your title to be delivered within two weeks after submitting your request. To learn more about the state’s policies regarding vehicle titles, visit the Title and Registration page.

More Resources for Michigan Drivers:

Buying a used car in Michigan?  Don’t make a costly mistake. Run a Free License Plate Lookup for your Michigan-registered vehicle!

  1. Check for accidents. Every year, approximately 6.0 million automobile accidents are reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  2. Check for title brands. Flood, hail-damage, and salvage titles are examples of critical title brands.
  3. Check for special purpose designations, including taxi-use, rental-use, or police-use.
  4. Check for thefts. Lookup a VIN to check for an active theft or previously recovered theft record.

Run a Free Michigan License Plate Lookup to uncover the full-story of your Michigan-registered vehicle.

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