Handling a loved one's vehicle and ID after death

We understand this is a difficult time. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is here to help you take care of important vehicle and identification matters after the death of a loved one—clearly, respectfully, and with as little stress as possible.

Below you’ll find the steps to take regarding the deceased person’s driver’s license or ID card, and what to do if a vehicle needs to be kept, transferred, or sold.

How the MVA is notified

When a death certificate for a Maryland resident is filed, the Maryland Department of Health notifies the MVA electronically. The MVA matches that information against its records and updates the person's record accordingly. This helps protect their identity and prevent fraud.

What to do with the driver’s license or ID 

Please return or destroy the deceased person’s Maryland driver’s license or MVA identification card as soon as possible to help prevent identity fraud.

You can return it:

• In person at any MVA branch office, or
• By mail to the Administrative Adjudication Division (AAD)

Include the individual’s date of death.

Selling or transferring a vehicle 

The steps you need to take depend on if the deceased had a will, how the vehicle was titled, and what you plan to do with it. The law requires certain steps to protect the rights of heirs. If you’re unsure of your legal standing, it may help to speak with an attorney or contact the Register of Wills in the county where the deceased lived. They can help you find out what documents you need to obtain the Legal Heir Certification or Letters of Administration.

Is there a will?

If you present a letter of administration or testamentary to complete the transfer of ownership for a vehicle, we must see the original. A copy of the original will be made and then returned. The original letter, issued by the Register of Wills, will have a raised seal. See sample below.

• If the person died before January 1, 1998, the Register of Wills will issue a legal heir certification or letters of administration. These may be used to change the ownership of a vehicle from a deceased person.
• If the person died after January 1, 1998, only the letters of administration will be issued from the Register of Wills.

If you are the surviving owner of a jointly owned vehicle

Keeping the vehicle

1. Apply for a new title before the current registration expires. You can start the process online with myMVA.

2. Complete the Assignment of Ownership and Application for Title and Registration on the back of the title. See example below:

   

3. If there is a lien, complete the lien information on the back of the title, or provide a lien release or authorization letter from the lienholder.
4. Bring a certified copy of the death certificate or the MVA letter you received and the registration card. If needed, also provide Letters of Administration and Bill of Sale (VR-181) - PDF - 94.13 KB.

If the transfer is between spouses or between parent and child, you may be able to transfer the existing tags. Otherwise, new tags are required.

No Maryland safety inspection is required when keeping the vehicle.

Transferring to an immediate family member

The family member needs to make an appointment to bring the following to the MVA:

• The title, with Assignment of Ownership completed
• A certified copy of the death certificate or MVA letter
• A gift certification form (VR-103) - PDF - 381.82 KB
• A lien release (if applicable)
• Proof of relationship if last names are different

No safety inspection is required if the transfer is between parent and child, spouses, or surviving joint owners.

Selling or giving the vehicle to someone else

The buyer must needs to make an appointment to bring the following to the MVA to register the vehicle:

• The title, with Assignment of Ownership completed
• A certified copy of the death certificate or MVA letter you received
• A lien release (if applicable)

A Maryland safety inspection is required for used vehicles being sold or transferred.

If the vehicle was owned only by the deceased

Contact the Register of Wills in the county where the deceased lived to confirm you have the proper documents before visiting the MVA. 

• Only the original letters of testamentary or administration are accepted. These must have the raised seal from the Register of Wills.
• The original documents will be copied and returned to you.

If you are a legal heir, legatee, or distributee

To transfer the vehicle, complete the Assignment of Ownership on the title and bring the original letters of administration to your titling appointment. Make sure the administrator’s full name and address are provided. See example of title below:

For reference:

• A legal heir inherits under law (often a relative)
• A legatee is named in the will
• A distributee is entitled to share in the estate

If needed, complete Application for Exemption from Estate Administration to Transfer a Decedent’s Vehicle (VR-481) - PDF - 131.04 KB to complete a transfer of the vehicle. 

If you are the executor or administrator of the estate

To sell the vehicle:

1. Complete the Assignment of Ownership on the title. Fill in the buyer’s full name, address, and purchase price. See below for example of title:

   

2. If there is a lien, provide a lien release or a letter authorizing the sale from the lienholder. If there is no lien, write "none" in the lien section.
3. Present the original letters of testamentary or administration with the title
4. New tags must be purchased, regardless of how the transfer of ownership is made, unless the vehicle is purchased by a spouse, parent or child of the deceased owner. 
5. A Maryland safety inspection must be completed and sent electronically by the inspection station.

If the vehicle is sold to you by an estate administrator or executor, titled in Maryland or another state

1. Apply for a new title before the current registration expires. You can start the process online with myMVA.
2. Complete the Assignment of Ownership and Application for Title and Registration on the back of the title.
3. Bring Letters of Administration from the State of Maryland or other appropriate authorization from the state it was titled. The executor or administrator of the estate will provide this to you.
4. All estate administrators/executors and buyers must sign and notarize a Bill of Sale (VR-181) - PDF - 94.13 KB.
5. If there is a lien, list the lien on the title, or provide a lien release or authorization letter from the lienholder.
6. If you intend to register the vehicle, different requirements are also needed, like new tags and a Maryland Safety Inspection. The Title and Registration pre-app on myMVA will walk you through what else is needed.

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 stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA and most MVA licensed tag and title services; otherwise, these items will also be mailed to you. 

Excise tax and title fee

The excise tax is typically 6.5% of the fair market value or purchase price of the vehicle. Visit the Fees & Payment Options page for more information on title fees.

• Please note: When a vehicle is titled in Maryland in the joint names of spouses, one spouse is deceased, and the ownership is being transferred to the surviving spouse, the title fee is exempt. The Application for Exemption from Estate Administration to Transfer a Decedent’s Vehicle (VR-481) - PDF - 131.04 KB must be submitted for no more than 2 vehicles. 
• If a deceased person’s Maryland-titled vehicle is transferred to a surviving spouse, joint owner, legal heir, legatee, or distributee, no excise tax is due.