Michigan Form TR-34, the Secretary of State’s Certification Statement, is a one-page sworn declaration you attach to a title transaction to explain a discrepancy, correct an error, or clarify how you came to own a vehicle. It doesn’t stand alone. It rides along with a title application, correction, or transfer and gives you a place to put in writing what the standard paperwork can’t capture. You sign it as a true statement, and that signature carries legal weight.1Michigan Secretary of State. TR-34 Certification Statement
If your situation is that the original title is missing entirely and you need to title the vehicle without it, the TR-34 is not the form you want. That process runs through the TR-205 Self-Certification of Ownership (for vehicles at least ten years old and worth $2,500 or less) or a TR-121 surety bond for vehicles outside those limits.
When You’d Use a TR-34
The TR-34 is a general-purpose sworn statement that supports a range of titling situations at a Secretary of State branch. Common uses include correcting a name or VIN error on an existing title, explaining a gap in the chain of ownership, documenting an unusual acquisition, or providing context about a missing or damaged title document.
Sometimes a branch clerk will hand you the form during your visit because something about your transaction needs further explanation. Other times, you’ll be told in advance to bring one already filled out. The form is available on the Michigan Secretary of State website and at every branch office.1Michigan Secretary of State. TR-34 Certification Statement
How to Fill Out the TR-34
The form is short, but incomplete submissions get rejected. The top section identifies the vehicle. You’ll need:
- Vehicle year (the manufacturer’s model year)
- Vehicle make (Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, and so on)
- Body style (sedan, coupe, pickup, SUV)
- VIN or HIN. The VIN is typically 17 characters, found on the dashboard near the windshield or on the driver’s-side door jamb. Watercraft use a Hull Identification Number instead.
- Title number, if a Michigan title has already been issued. Leave it blank if no title exists yet.
Below that sits the open-ended field labeled “Please make statement or explain error.” This is the heart of the form. Write your declaration in your own words. If you’re explaining how you acquired the vehicle, give the date, the name of the person or business you got it from, and what happened to the original title. If you’re correcting an error, describe exactly what’s wrong and what the correct information should be. Be specific. Vague explanations slow processing and can send you home to redo the form.2Michigan Secretary of State. TR-34 Certification Statement
A separate field asks for an entity name and job title. Fill that in only if you’re submitting on behalf of a dealership, business, or organization. Individual owners can leave it blank.
At the bottom, print your name, sign, and date. The declaration reads: “I declare the statements I entered on this form are true to the best of my knowledge.” Everything above your signature is a sworn statement to the state.
Where and How to Submit It
You submit the TR-34 in person at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office, alongside the title application, correction, or transfer it supports. Bring a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID. Identification is required for all title transactions.3Michigan Department of State. Title Transfer and Vehicle Registration
The Secretary of State strongly recommends scheduling your visit ahead of time. Walk-ins are accepted, but staff will assign you the next available slot, which could be later that day or the next business day. Appointments can be booked up to six months out through the state’s online scheduling tool or by calling 888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424).4Michigan Department of State. Scheduling an Office Visit
Fees depend on the underlying transaction. Title-related fees at Michigan branches include $15 for a duplicate title, $15 for a title correction, and $16 for a new title after lien payoff.3Michigan Department of State. Title Transfer and Vehicle Registration If ownership is transferring, Michigan also collects a 6% use tax on the vehicle’s retail value at the time of acquisition, including on private-party sales. The tax is collected before the transfer is processed.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 205-179
Titles aren’t printed at the counter. Expect the physical title to arrive by mail at your registered address within about 14 days.6Michigan Department of State. Titles
Penalties for a False Statement
The declaration language on the TR-34 sounds mild. The statute behind it isn’t. Under MCL 257.254, knowingly making a false statement of material fact on a title application or assignment is a felony. Penalties include up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The same statute covers possessing or transferring a vehicle you know or have reason to believe was stolen.7Michigan Courts. Traffic Benchbook – False Statement in Application Those penalties reach any title-related document you sign, the TR-34 included. Write what you know to be true, and no more.