Michigan § 257.253 - Report of stolen vehicle; filing; transferring certificate of title; record of stolen or abandoned vehicles not reported or recovered; availability; reports by other states of stolen and recovered vehicles; abandoned vehicle; notification of owner and lienholder.
Full text of Michigan Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.253 — Report of stolen vehicle; filing; transferring certificate of title; record of stolen or abandoned vehicles not reported or recovered; availability; reports by other states of stolen and recovered vehicles; abandoned vehicle; notification of owner and lienholder., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 257.253. Report of stolen vehicle; filing; transferring certificate of title; record of stolen or abandoned vehicles not reported or recovered; availability; reports by other states of stolen and recovered vehicles; abandoned vehicle; notification of owner and lienholder.
The secretary of state, upon receiving a report of a stolen vehicle, shall file the report with the records of the secretary of state and shall not transfer the certificate of title of the vehicle to a person other than the owner's insurance company until officially notified that the vehicle has been recovered.
The secretary of state shall maintain a record of all vehicles stolen or abandoned that have not been reported as recovered and make the record available to every sheriff, the director of the department of state police, and all police departments. The record shall also be made available to proper officials in every state.
It shall be the duty of the secretary of state to file reports of stolen and recovered motor vehicles reported by other states.
In the case of abandoned vehicles, the secretary of state shall check the sheriff's report immediately with the stolen car report file and notify the owner, and the last known lienholder, if any, as shown by the record, by registered mail, that the car is now an abandoned car and held in custody by the officer.
Source: official Michigan text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan § 257.253
What does Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.253 cover?
Section 257.253 ("Report of stolen vehicle; filing; transferring certificate of title; record of stolen or abandoned vehicles not reported or recovered; availability; reports by other states of stolen and recovered vehicles; abandoned vehicle; notification of owner and lienholder.") is part of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the codified statutory law of Michigan. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Michigan § 257.253?
A common citation format is "Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.253" (Michigan). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Michigan law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Michigan official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
How does Michigan § 257.253 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Michigan can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Michigan.