Michigan Department of State
Vehicle Uniform Surety Bond
Instruction Sheet
1. Before you can title or register a motor vehicle, trailer, trailer coach, watercraft or snowmobile that has
no clearly established record of ownership, you must file a Vehicle Uniform Surety Bond (TR-121) with
the Michigan Department of State along with your title or registration application.
2. The bond’s amount must equal twice the value of the vehicle, watercraft or snowmobile. A bond may
not be needed for Michigan-titled vehicles 10 or more years old valued at $2,500 or less, or for
watercraft or snowmobiles not titled or registered in another state and worth $2,500 or less.
3. The person applying for the title or registration, whether an individual, partnership, firm or corporation,
and a representative of the insurance company or bonding agency must sign the surety bond. Applicants
are named as the “Principal” and must include their complete residence or business address.
4. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs must license the surety company. A
duly authorized agent of the surety company must issue the bond. If the agent is a licensed nonresident
agent, a licensed resident agent must countersign the bond.
5. The effective date of the bond must be no later than the date of application for the title or registration.
6. A surety bond is issued for three years.
TR-121 (04/2013)