Top What is a Title Transfer?

The title is the legal document that proves you own your vehicle. It may include the names of other owners, as well as any current lienholders. When the vehicle’s ownership―or any names on the title―changes, a title transfer must take place. The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) doesn’t require the title transfer to occur within a certain time period, but it’s always safest to handle it as soon as possible.

The following situations require title transfers:

• Buying or selling a vehicle

• Removing lien information

• Family transfers

• Gifting a vehicle

• Donating a vehicle

• Inheriting a vehicle

• Making a name change

Top Selling a Vehicle

Buyers often spend time researching vehicles before making a decision. You can help when you provide a Vehicle History Report (VHR). Not only will a VHR give the buyer information about the vehicle’s past, but it may also help the buyer feel more confident in the vehicle and the sale.

When you and the buyer are ready to transfer the title:

1. Deal with any lien information or requirements before you start adding signatures to the title. This may include contacting your lienholder for further instructions, or submitting a lien release to the MVA.
2. Complete, sign, and date the title as the “seller.” Completing the title includes recording the correct odometer reading. If the title doesn’t include a space, complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
3. Have the buyer complete, date, and sign the title as the “buyer.”
4. Complete a Bill of Sale with the buyer. You must have the Bill of Sale notarized if the vehicle is less than seven years old, the book value is $500 more than the purchase price, and the buyer wishes to pay the excise tax based on the sale price and not the book value.
5. Give the title to the buyer so he can complete the title transfer with the MVA.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

If you buy a new car at a dealership, the dealer will handle the title transfer.

Before you get to that point, however, consider {new car} browsing new cars online} for the best deal.

Used Cars

A vehicle is an important purchase. Not only must it serve your needs, but it must also fit your budget. Make sure you browse affordable vehicles, and request a VHR before you make a decision.

Once you have an idea of how much your vehicle is going to cost, look for an auto finance option that will help you pay for the vehicle and leave you with enough to purchase an affordable car insurance policy.

When you’re ready to transfer the title from the seller:

1. Have the seller complete, sign, and date the title.
2. Before you also complete, sign, and date the title, make sure the seller properly records the odometer reading. If the title doesn’t have a space, complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
3. Complete a Bill of Sale with the seller. Remember you must have the Bill of Sale notarized if the vehicle is less than seven years old, the book value is $500 more than the purchase price, and you want to pay the excise tax based on the sale price and not the book value.
4. Make sure you obtain the title from the seller before you leave.
5. Visit your local MVA office or tag and title agent with the title and above documents, as well as:
   • A completed Application for Certificate of Title, if the title is originally from another state.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • A Certificate of Inspection, if possible (see below).
   • Proof the vehicle passed the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) test, if applicable (see below).
   • The titling fee of $50.
   • The excise tax, which is based on purchase price, mileage, and age.

Alternatively, you can mail the requirements to:

• MVA Mail-In Title Unit

• 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE

• Glen Burnie, MD 21062

NOTE ON INSPECTIONS: The MVA requires you to have the vehicle inspected for safety before you title and register it. If you’re unable to have it inspected before you register it, you can apply for a 30-Day Temporary Registration when you title it.

The MVA also requires vehicle owners in certain counties to have their vehicles’ emissions tested under the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP). Learn more at Smog & Emission Checks.

Top Removing a Lien

You can remove your lienholder from your current title once you pay off your car loan. Expect to take these steps:

1. Make sure the MVA has a letter from the lienholder or a Notice of Security Interest Filing (not available online) on record. You may need to contact your lienholder or the MVA for details about your situation.
2. Visit your MVA office or tag and title agent with the title and applicable fees, or mail everything to:


• MVA Mail-In Title Unit
• 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
• Glen Burnie, MD 21062

Top Transferring to Family

If a person transfers vehicle ownership to an immediate family member, the family member doesn’t have to pay an excise tax.

The MVA recognizes and extensive list of family members as “immediate”:

• Grandparents

• Grandchildren

• Parents (including step)

• Spouses

• Children (including natural, adopted, and step)

• Siblings (including natural and half)

• In-laws (including mother, father, son, and daughter)

• Aunts and uncles who are 65 or older (as long as the title goes to a niece or nephew, and not vice versa)

As long as the vehicle is titled in Maryland, the family members can begin the transfer:

1. The former owner must handle any lien requirements first. This may include having the lienholder send a letter of approval to the MVA.
2. If the current title includes lien information, but the lien is satisfied, the former owner must provide a Notice of Security Interest Filing or a letter from the lienholder including all information about the lien, the debtor, and the vehicle.
3. The former owner must complete, sign, and date the title as the “seller.” This includes:
   • Recording the correct odometer reading, or completing an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
   • Recording “gift” for the purchase price.
4. The new owner must complete, sign, and date the title.
5. Both parties must complete an Application for Maryland Gift Certification. (A transfer involving an aunt or uncle also requires a Certified Statement.)
6. The new owner must visit his MVA office or tag and title agent with the above documents and:
   • Proof of the relationship if the two last names are different.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • The $50 titling fee.

The state site provides an example of a gifted vehicle’s title.

The new owner may want to register the vehicle during the same trip. Check Car Registration for further details about the registration process, including additional fees and inspection requirements.

For more information about family transfers, visit the state’s page on the subject.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

Unless the two parties involved in the title transfer are immediate family members (see above), the new owner must pay the excise tax.

Once you’ve received a vehicle as a gift, and the vehicle is already titled in Maryland, you can begin the transfer process:

1. Make sure the gifter takes care of any applicable lien requirements. This may include:
   • Presenting you with a Notice of Security Interest Filing.
   • Presenting you with a letter from the lienholder that includes all information about the lien, the former owner, and the vehicle.
   • Having the lienholder send a letter of approval to the MVA.
2. Make sure the former owner properly completes the title before he signs and dates it. Completing the title includes recording the correct odometer reading (or providing an Odometer Disclosure Statement) and printing “gift” for the purchase price.
3. Complete, sign, and date the title yourself.
4. Visit your MVA office or tag and title agent with the above documents and:
   • Proof of insurance.
   • If possible, a Certificate of Inspection (see below).
   • If applicable, Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) test information (see below).
   • The titling fee of $50.
   • The excise tax, which is based on purchase price, mileage, and age.

Check out the state’s example of a gifted vehicle’s title.

NOTE ON INSPECTIONS: You can register the vehicle during the same trip; however, you’ll need to determine your emissions and safety inspections requirements. Visit Car Registration for further details about inspections, as well as additional registration fees.

For more information about gifted vehicles, visit the state’s page on the subject.

Top Donating a Vehicle

For information about the steps to donate a vehicle, including authorized charities to choose from, visit our section on vehicle donation.

And because vehicle donation and tax deductions cross paths come tax season, don’t forget to seek help from a tax attorney.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

The MVA thoroughly covers several situations you may find yourself in when you inherit a vehicle. They include:

• Titles with surviving spouses or co-owners.

• Titles with legatees or distributes.

• In-state titles with estate administrators.

• Out-of-state titles with estate executors.

Because of the different scenarios, it may be safest to solicit the help of a probate attorney before beginning. However, you can at least expect to take these general steps:

1. Gather the following documents:
   • The current title.
   • A completed Application for Certificate of Title, if the title is from out of state.
   • The death certificate, if you’re the surviving spouse or co-owner already on the title.
   • A Letters of Administration from the estate administrator, if you’re not already on the title.
   • Lien release information, if applicable.
   • A completed Application for Maryland Gift Certification, if you plan to give the vehicle to another family member.
   • A Safety Inspection Certificate, if you’re someone other than the surviving spouse or co-owner.
   • A Bill of Sale, if you purchased the vehicle from the estate administrator.
2. Visit your MVA office or tag and title agent with the above applicable documents, properly completed, and:
   • The $50 titling fee.
   • The appropriate excise tax.
   • The $20 security interest recording fee, if applicable.

You can register the vehicle during the same visit to title it, but make sure you’re clear on the registration requirements, which include additional fees and proof of insurance.

The state provides a detailed outline about each step specific to your situation, as well as the helpful You’ve Inherited a Vehicle page.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Locate the title and any documents that support your correct or changed name.
2. Complete an Application for Maryland Change of Address and/or Name.
3. Present these documents and the $50 title correction fee at your MVA office or tag and title agent, or mail them to:
   • MVA Mail-In Title Unit
   • 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
   • Glen Burnie, MD 21062

NOTE: Additional steps and fees may apply when you update your registration.

Sometimes you need important documents like birth certificates and divorce decrees to prove your legal name. Fortunately, you can obtain duplicates of these vital records when you need them.

Please refer to Changing Your Name for more information.

Deleting a Name

1. Both parties must sign the title as the “seller.”
2. The person remaining on the title must sign as the “buyer” and complete the rest of the information.
3. The remaining owner must present the title and the correction fee of $50 to his MVA office or tag and title agent, or mail it to:
   • MVA Mail-In Title Unit
   • 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
   • Glen Burnie, MD 21062

Adding a Name

1. The current owner must sign the title as the “seller.”
2. Both parties must sign the title as the “buyer” and properly complete the rest of the title.
3. Both parties must present the title and $50 title correction fee to their MVA office or title and tag agent, or mail it to:
   • MVA Mail-In Title Unit
   • 6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
   • Glen Burnie, MD 21062

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