As a new resident of Maryland you must register your vehicle within 60 days of moving to Maryland. If you delay beyond 60 days, you will not be eligible for a tax credit for any titling tax paid in another state, and you may be subject to a citation for an out of state registration.
Please Note: If an owner of a vehicle originally titled in Maryland obtains a title for the vehicle in another state in the same name, and returns to Maryland, it may be registered by surrendering the foreign title and securing a
Duplicate Maryland Title. There is a
fee for a duplicate title.
Titling Your Vehicle
You can apply for a Maryland title, and registration, in person at any of the MVA's full service
branch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA’s Out-of-State Title Unit, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21062, or go to an MVA licensed
tag and title service where they will assist you in applying.
Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title for your vehicle:
-
Proof of ownership – This is the vehicle’s existing title that identifies you as the owner. If there is a lien against your out-of-state title:
-
Make an appointment to visit MDOT MVA.
- If you do not have the title document or certificate, the MVA will provide you with a letter (form #VR-056) to send to your lien holder requesting the title(s) be sent to the MVA.
Note: Please have the following information for the letter: Name of vehicle owner, MD address, phone number, VIN number, year, make of vehicle, lien holder's name, lien holder's address, lien holder's fax number, state where currently registered/titled and lien account number.
- Upon receipt of the title document(s), the MVA will write or call you to inform you that we have received the title(s). We will inform you of the excise tax due and ask you to send your completed
Application for Certificate of Title (form #VR-005), the MD Safety Inspection Certificate, and payment (check or money order made payable to the MVA) to the MVA. The check should include payment for the following:
- Application form
– The
Application for Certificate of Title (form #VR-005) can be used to apply for both the vehicle’s title and registration. Be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland’s
minimum liability insurance requirements.
-
Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate
- This Maryland State Police form certifies that your vehicle meets Maryland safety standards. It is valid for up to 90 days from the date issued.
-
Certificate of inspection
A Safety Inspection is required for all used cars, trucks, tractors, trailers, motorcycles, special equipment, and class "B" for hire vehicles being titled and registered in Maryland. They must be inspected by a licensed Maryland inspection station, such as automobile dealers, service stations and specialized automobile service centers. A certificate of inspection issued by the inspection station within the previous 90 days of the vehicle titling must accompany the Application for Title. To avoid delay, compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) entered on the inspection certificate with the VIN on the vehicle plus the vehicle ownership documents to make certain they agree. Altered inspection certificates will not be accepted.
Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:
- Proof of vehicle’s value – If the vehicle’s value cannot be identified by the MVA, you may need to submit a bill of sale. For leased vehicles, a lease agreement may also be acceptable.
- Lease agreement and proof of monthly lease payments (leased vehicles only) – If you have paid or are paying excise tax to another state through your lease payments, the documents may be needed to determine the amount of excise tax credit you may receive.
-
Lien information – If you borrowed money to buy the vehicle, lien information may need to be recorded on the application. The MVA form entitled
Security Interest Filing (form #VR-217) must be used if a second lien is placed against the title.
- Lien release – If your title indicates that a lien exists, you must make arrangements with the lien holder to pay off the loan (lien) or the MVA will file the lien against your new title (i.e., transfer the lien).
- Power of attorney (VR-470)-– If someone other than you, the new owner, is signing the titling forms, this document is required. 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.
Excise Tax Credit
- If you qualify for the tax credit by titling in MD within 60 days of residency, vehicle(s) titled in a state with a tax rate equal to or higher than Maryland's 6% tax rate will cost $100.
- If the vehicle is registered in a state that imposes no tax or you have been a resident over 60 days, the tax will be assessed at 6% of the value of the vehicle.
- If you qualify for the tax credit by titling in MD within 60 days, vehicles from a state with a lower tax rate than Maryland's 6% will be taxed at the rate of the difference between the two states. Example: MD 6%, VA 4%, the difference is a 2% tax rate. Minimum tax - $100. When the value of the vehicle is less than $2,000, the 6% rate will apply. Click here for the
State Tax Rate Chart.
- Active-duty military members or active duty members who return to the State from active-duty, and whose vehicle is currently titled in their name, are exempt from paying the Maryland excise tax. Proof of active-duty status (DD-214 or military orders in the owner’s name) is required to be submitted to the MVA.
- Lease agreement and proof of monthly lease payments (leased vehicles only) – If you have paid or are paying excise tax to another state through your lease payments, documentation is needed to determine the amount of excise tax credit you may receive.
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.
Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle, your registration card, license plates and expiration stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.
If the vehicle has been recently purchased, the 6% excise tax is based on the greater of the total purchase price verified by a notarized
MVA Bill of Sale (form VR-181), signed by both the buyer(s) and the seller(s) in which the actual price paid for the vehicle is stated or $640. In other cases, the total purchase price or the valuation shown in a national publication of used car values adopted for use by the Administration will be used to establish the tax. There is an addition or subtraction for high or low mileage. On vehicles seven years old and older, the tax is based on the greater of the purchase price or the minimum book value of $640.
Driver Licensing Information is also available for new Maryland residents.
Start your Title and Registration here…
Streamline your MDOT MVA visit! Begin your title and registration transaction online - add vehicle owners, your insurance information, and get an estimate of fees - all before stepping foot inside a branch office. Print your confirmation with barcode and bring it with you to reduce your transaction time.
