You may request a duplicate Certificate of Title (title) if your original title has been lost, destroyed, altered, or mutilated. You may also request a duplicate title if the lien on the vehicle has been paid-off, or if the title has been assigned to the wrong owner(s). Finally, if you are returning to Maryland from another jurisdiction, you may be issued a duplicate title if your vehicle had been previously titled in Maryland in the same name(s) as the out of state title.
What should I do if my title contains incorrect information?
If your title contains incorrect information, you need to request that your title be 'corrected.' The Real ID Act requires that all Personal Identifying Information (PII) must be placed on the actual Driver License, Identification Card or Permit. Therefore, any name changes must be done through the Driver License System (DLS) prior to document changes. Once the DLS system is updated, a corrected title may be applied for. An 
Application for Corrected Title Due to a Name Change, form VR-448 will need to be completed.
How do I request a duplicate Certificate of Title?
- Online through the MVA's website at mva.maryland.gov. Duplicate titles ordered online may be mailed to an alternate address at the owner's request, except company owned vehicles. The mailing instructions are provided in the online application.
- At a KIOSK located in all full service and Express Service MVA's. Duplicate titles ordered from a KIOSK may be mailed to an alternate address at the owner's request, except company owned vehicles. The instructions are on the KIOSK application.
- At a tag and title service licensed by the MVA. You will need to submit a copy of your valid state issued identification and complete an Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title (VR-018)
- In person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. The request must include a completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title that has been signed by all vehicle owners, and the original title if it is available (e.g. the title is altered or mutilated). A copy of the owner(s) valid driver's license or state issued ID must accompany the application. The duplicate title will be mailed to the address on record with the MVA.
May someone other than the vehicle owner obtain a duplicate certificate of title?
Yes, under certain circumstances, the representative of a vehicle owner may obtain the duplicate title. However, the representative may need one of the following documents and the representative will need to present their state issued ID:
- Letters of Administration – authorizes a representative of a deceased owner to act on behalf of the owner, which would include obtaining a duplicate title for the vehicle.
- Death certificate – certifies the death of the owner and allows the co-owner of a vehicle to obtain a duplicate title without having both owners’ signatures on the Application For Duplicate Certificate Of Title.
- Trustee appointment order – is issued by the court authorizing a trustee to act on behalf of a trust, which would include obtaining a duplicate title for the vehicle.
- Power of Attorney (VR-470) - authorizes a representative of the owner(s) to apply for a duplicate title. A copy of the registered owner(s) state issued identification must accompany the Power of Attorney and the person submitting must present their state issued identification. However, the duplicate title will be mailed to the vehicle owner.
What should I do if I never received my original title, or if I requested a duplicate title and never received it?
If your original or duplicate title was processed and returned to the Administration, you may submit a completed Certification of Non-Receipt of Original/Duplicate Title Certificate form (VR-091) by mail to the MVA. A title will be issued at no charge. If your title was not returned to the Administration and your request for a title was made within the last 90 days, you may submit the Certification of Non-Receipt of Original/Duplicate Title Certificate for review by supervision. A charge may apply. Requests made after 90 days will require you to apply for a duplicate title and pay the $20.00 fee.
Fees:
- There is a fee for requesting a duplicate certificate of title.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
MVA
Title File Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
For telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center: 1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired: 1-301-729-4563
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