How does a lien holder title a vehicle after repossessing it?

You, the lien holder, must have physical possession of the repossessed vehicle and have a connection to Maryland in order to receive a Maryland title.  This means that you either must have an office in Maryland or the repossessed vehicle must be currently title in Maryland.

If you have a Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) for the vehicle, you may apply for the new title by submitting the following:

• Maryland Security Interest Filing(SIF) - Be sure to complete the two sections on the back entitled Certification of Repossession and Application for Title and Registration.
• Repo/Condition report – The report must state the vehicle’s year, make and vehicle identification number (VIN), and the vehicle’s mileage at the time or repossession.
• Copy of the signed contract (if applicable) – If you, the lien holder, are not a bonafide lending institution, a copy of your contract with the vehicle owner must be submitted.  The following are not considered bonafide lending institutions: a dealer; a company managing a profit sharing plan; an employer providing a payroll withholding arrangement; and an individual holding a personal note. The contract must include the model, year and VIN of the vehicle, name of the secured party and name of debtor, amount of lien, date of lien, amount and due date of re-payment/payment schedule, as well as the repossession language and signature of the original owner.

If you do not have a Maryland SIF (i.e., vehicle is titled in another state), or the SIF cannot be properly completed, you may apply for the new title by submitting the following:

• Application for Certificate o​f Title
• Certificate of Repossession
• Repo/Condition report – The report must state the vehicle’s year, make and vehicle identification number (VIN), and the vehicle’s mileage at the time of repossession.
• Documentation from other state (if applicable)- If the vehicle is currently titled in another state, you must comply with the other state’s requirements related to repossessing a vehicle and then submit the documents provided to you by that state.
• Copy of the signed contract (if applicable) – If you, the lien holder, do not have the Security Interest Filing for the vehicle, or if the lien is recorded by anyone other than a bonafide lending institution, a copy of the contract between the lien holder and original owner must be submitted.  The following are not considered bonafide lending institutions: a dealer; a company managing a profit sharing plan; an employer providing a payroll withholding arrangement; or an individual holding a personal note. The contract must include the model, year and VIN of the vehicle, name of the secured party and name of debtor, amount of lien, date of lien, amount and due date of re-payment/payment schedule, as well as the repossession language and signature of the original owner.

Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle, additional forms are usually needed.  Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle.  The requirements for most vehicles can be found in Registration – Common Vehicles.  If your vehicle is unusual, access the infoMVA homepage to find the applicable registration description.

Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply.  If you also register the vehicle (most cases), your registration card, license plates and expiration date stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.

How do I title a vehicle after purchasing it from a lien holder who repossessed the vehicle from the original owner?

You must have physical possession of the vehicle and be a Maryland resident in order to receive a Maryland title for a repossessed vehicle. You may apply for the new title by submitting the following:

• Maryland Security Interest Filing – Be sure that the top 3 sections on the back have been properly completed by you and the lien holder who repossessed the vehicle. The sections are entitled Certification of Repossession, Assignment of Ownership, and Application for Title and Registration, respectively.
• Proof of Purchase Price – This should be a bill of sale signed by both you and the seller (lien holder) and must include the vehicle's year, make, vehicle identification number (VIN) and purchase price. The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
  • the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
  • the purchase price is at least $500 below the its book value; and
  • you want to base the excise tax calculation (6% of the vehicle’s value) on the sale price rather than the book value.
• Repo/Condition report – The report must state the vehicle’s year, make and vehicle identification number (VIN), and the vehicle’s mileage at the time or repossession.
• Documentation from other state (if applicable) - If the vehicle is titled in another state, you must submit the documents provided by that state to the lien holder.
• Copy of the signed contract (if applicable) – If the lien holder does not have a Security Interest Filing for the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle is titled in another state), or if the lien holder from whom you bought the vehicle is not a bonafide lending institution, a copy of the lien holder’s contract with the vehicle’s original owner must be submitted. The following types of lien holders are not considered bonafide lending institutions: a dealer; a company managing a profit sharing plan; an employer providing a payroll withholding arrangement; and an individual holding a personal note. The contract must include the model, year and VIN of the vehicle, name of the secured party and name of debtor, amount of lien, date of lien, amount and due date of re-payment/payment schedule, as well as the repossession language and signature of the original owner.
• Maryland Safety Inspection – This Maryland State Police form is needed for used vehicles that are being registered (most cases). It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued unless you bought the vehicle from a Maryland dealer. Then the certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the inspection date or when the odometer reading advances 1,000 miles from the reading at the time of inspection, whichever comes first.

Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle (most cases) additional forms are usually needed.Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle. The requirements for most vehicles can be found in Registration – Common Vehicles.  If your vehicle is unusual, access the infoMVA homepage to find the applicable registration description.

Note: On July 1, 2015 all businesses wishing to title a vehicle will be required to show proof of the legal existence of the business.  The business will be given a number with a "Z" to identify

it.

Fees:

• The fee for titling a vehicle typically includes a title fee, excise tax, and a security interest (lien) filing fee if required.
• The fee for registration varies by the type of vehicle and/or its intended use.  See Fees for Registration Plates for more information.

Contact Information:

MVA
Mail in Title 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