Millions of vehicles, both new and used models, exchange hands every year in the U.S. From car dealers to car buyers, from private party sellers to individual buyers. The cycle repeats itself over and over. According to the latest data from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, 246,2000 new cars were sold in Maryland in 2022 for $22,058 billion in totals car sales. That same year 5.09 million vehicles were registered in the Old Line State.
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Maryland reachesd 68,628 electric vehicle registrations by end of March, 2023
When a vehicle remains longer on the road and switches owners through the years, it’s common for people to lose the accompanying legal paperwork known as the car title. It may be misplaced, lost during a move, stolen, destroyed in a fire, damaged by a flood…you get the point. In the end, you’re left with no vehicle title when it’s time to sell or gift. The car title provides you with proof of ownership and is separate from the registration and license plates.
The five most popular used cars sold in Maryland in 2022, according to iSeeCars are Honda Accord & Civic models, Toyota RAV4 and Camry models, and Ford F-150
Without proof of ownership, it’s obvious you can’t sell, gift, or donate the vehicle. In Maryland, you can request a car title replacement also called a duplicate title. This as long as you are the owner of the vehicle, so your car buyer can’t apply for a title replacement. You must get it first, then assign it to your buyer so they can transfer the title into their name to take legal ownership of the car. If the owner of the vehicle is deceased, and has left a vehicle behind, you must the legal authorization to request a car title replacement. This may include a death certificate, proof you’re an appointed representative, proof of POA, and the like.
SEE ALSO: MARYLAND CAR TITLE TRANSFER-BUYING FROM DECEASED’S ADMINISTRATOR
To apply for a Maryland car title replacement, you must complete form VR-018 named Application For Duplicate Certificate of Title. The form must be accompanied by your driver’s license. You’ll have to state the reason for title replacement such as lost or destroyed. You’ll fill out the car’s VIN, make and model, and home address. You can also choose to apply for a duplicate title online with a company like eTags, where you’ll only be asked a few questions and submit your answers to automatically fill out the right forms and process the paperwork. It’s quick and convenient, as you can do it from your cellphone or computer.