Duplicate / replacement titles
Michigan duplicate title overview
Michigan titles are administered by the Secretary of State (SOS). Dealers usually get involved when a trade‑in arrives without a negotiable title, or when a customer asks for help replacing a lost certificate.
- Confirm whether the titled owner is the customer, your dealership, or a finance company.
- For customer‑owned vehicles, direct the owner to request a duplicate online or at an SOS branch using the Title Replacement / Duplicate service or the appropriate application form (commonly TR‑11L).
- Explain timing: standard duplicate titles are typically mailed within about two weeks, while instant titles can be issued same day at designated branches for an additional fee.
- For dealer‑owned inventory, work through your dealer title process and ensure all liens are properly recorded and released before you retail the unit.
- Document which deals are waiting on duplicate titles and block delivery in your DMS until SOS shows the new title issued.
Common Michigan dealer scenarios
- Auction purchases: coordinate with the auction on who is responsible for ordering the duplicate and track ETA before advertising the car.
- Out‑of‑state buyers: verify their home state will accept a Michigan duplicate mailed directly from SOS and avoid promising exact arrival dates.
- BHPH accounts: have a standard script for customers who lose their titles after payoff so they know how to request a duplicate from SOS.