Titling a Vehicle in Maryland: 5 FAQ's

Hey there, friends! As you may already be aware, here at eTags, we specialize in automotive titles and tags. Meaning, if you’ve just bought a vehicle, are gifting or selling a vehicle, need to transfer a title, replace a title, add or remove a name from a title, renew your registration or sticker, or obtain new registration, we can help. We can lend a hand with other things too, but these are just an example of where our expertise lies.

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And because these tasks are our main focus (and what we love to do) we like to occasionally present our friends with some basic, but indispensable knowledge that can really come in handy. Today, we are honing in some essentials when it comes to titling a vehicle in the state of Maryland. Below you will find a super helpful list of our most frequently asked questions, and their answers, of course. Ready? Let’s go!

I just moved to Maryland – do I have to switch the out-of-state title for a local title?

Yes. When moving to Maryland, the state gives you a grace period of sixty (60) days in which to switch over from your car’s previous title to a local one. It’s good to get the change done within this time period, as beyond sixty days, you will no longer be eligible for a tax credit (fees you already paid in your last state which render you exempt from paying them again in MD) and may even incur a citation for the delay.

Do I need to have my seller’s title in order to get my own title?

You sure do. In fact, without an assigned title, the vehicle does not yet belong to you. Proof of ownership is mandatory – both the seller’s and yours, once the document has been signed over to you. If the seller is not in possession of a title, they must order a duplicate from the BMV. You can find the application form here.

Fun fact #1: if you were once a Maryland resident with a titled and registered car in MD, then you moved to another state and switched your title and registration to your new residence, but then moved back to Maryland…. Instead of applying for a new title, you can actually access the original MD title by applying for a duplicate title and giving up your out-of-state document. Whew!
Fun fact #2: If you plan on registering your new vehicle at the same time as you are titling it, you will be asked to provide proof of liability insurance. For a full list of Maryland’s automobile insurance requirements, take a look here.

Is there a special form I need to fill out to obtain a new Maryland title?

It depends. If the vehicle you purchased has a title issued in the state of Maryland, then the title document itself acts as an application form. You will need to complete the section on the title labeled, “Application for Title and Registration.” If, on the other hand, you’ve purchased a car that has a title from another state, you will need to fill out a separate application form. You can find that document here.

Please note: regardless of whether the seller is in possession of a Maryland title or a title from a different state, the seller must sign over ownership to you on the title itself.

Am I required to have a bill of sale?

Yep. A bill of sale should include the year, make, model, body style, and VIN of the vehicle. It also must list the date of sale and the purchase price and be signed by both the seller and the buyer. For the MVA’s official bill of sale document, click here.

In some cases, the bill of sale will need to be notarized. Some of these instances include:

If the vehicle is younger than seven years old
If the purchaser bought the vehicle for at least less than $500 below market value
If the purchaser wants to base excise tax on the selling price rather than the market value

Am I allowed to transfer my vehicle (and therefore my title) as a gift?

Yes, but there are conditions. Basically, the state of Maryland only allows vehicles to be gifted to family members. The certificate of title must be signed over by you (as the “seller) to the receiver (acting as “buyer) just as it would during a normal sale between two people. You will have to complete and submit this Gift Certification form.

The full list of acceptable family members are included on the form, and if the giftee happens to have a last name that is different from yours, you will need to provide proof of your relationship.

It’s good to note that while you can transfer a title and vehicle, the giftee will have to register the car in their own name. Meaning, you are not permitted to transfer license plates between people (even family). The only exception to this rule is between spouses, parents, and children.

And there you have them, folks: The five most commonly asked questions about titling a vehicle in the state of Maryland. We hope this list of FAQ’s and the accompanying links have been helpful. Remember, that whatever your tag and title needs in Maryland, you can always reach out to us for a friendly hand.

Simply head over to our homepage, choose Maryland as your state from our drop-down menu, select the service you require, and you’re just a few, short steps away from success. Your options will include: