There are many reasons to obtain a copy of your car title, including buying, selling, or donating your vehicle. You will also need your vehicle title if you are donating it to a charity, or if you move out of state and need to register it with your new state. You can do this on your own, but there can be many steps to the process, and it can get tricky at times. Missing information, confusion on which forms to use and how to fill them out, and difficulties obtaining the lien release can cause delays and frustrate you in the process. If you do want to take this on, then follow the steps we outlined below; if not, CarTitles.com is here to help.
You will need to complete the necessary paperwork, including the following:
Maryland requires vehicle registration within 60 days for new residents. There are also several fees associated with the vehicle title recovery process:
In Maryland, your lender is required to initiate the lien release within five business days of the loan payoff. You may need to request that they initiate this if they do not do so automatically. Assuming your lender uses the electronic lien service (ELS), they will send the release electronically and you will be notified by the MVA (Maryland Vehicle Administration). If your lender has gone out of business, you may need to get a court order if you cannot locate an agent of the former company.
Though the process of obtaining your car title is meant to be straightforward, it is not always without its challenges. There are lots of things that can delay or prevent your progress, from missing details to unreachable lienholders. If you get stuck, rest assured CarTitles.com can help. We simplify the process with our easy-to-follow packets and instructions. No matter what your title needs are, from replacing damaged car titles to transferring a deceased owner car title, we have experts ready to assist.
If you’re ready to simplify your car title recovery process, or if you want to schedule a consultation, click the link below.
To register your vehicle in Maryland, you will need a valid safety inspection, your out-of-state title, and a completed Form VR-005. New residents have 60 days to complete the registration. Maryland’s fee for the registration is approximately $135, plus an excise tax of 6.5% of the fair market value or purchase price (whichever is higher).
You can replace your lost car title by submitting Form VR-018 to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) or online through the myMVA Online Services portal. The MVA will mail you the replacement title; there is a $40 fee for this.
Replacement car titles can be requested through the myMVA Online Services portal, at a tag and title agency, or by mail. You will need to complete Form VR-018 and pay the $40 fee. Generally, you can expect your replacement title in 7-10 business days; you may get faster service through a tag and title agency.
To transfer a vehicle title from a deceased owner, you will need the original title, a certified death certificate, Form VR-005, and Letters of Administration. You will submit all of this documentation to the MVA. If you are a surviving spouse or are listed on the title as a co-owner, then the death certificate and title are sufficient. The fee for this process is typically $100 for the title, as well as any applicable registration fees and excise taxes. However, specifics may vary; if you would like to work with our team to complete this process, please contact us.
You will need to complete Form VR-018 and provide your driver’s license. You can complete the process through your local MVA office, online at myMVA.com, at a local MVA kiosk, or through a tag and title service.
Yes! At CarTitles.com, we specialize in helping our customers with all of their car title recovery needs. We can streamline what is often a confusing process, particularly with tricky cases like lien release requests, deceased owner car title transfers, and court-ordered title needs.
When you pay off a car loan, your lender has five business days to initiate the lien release, which removes their information on your title. Most lenders will use the electronic system to notify the MVA, who will in turn send you the final documentation. If you do not hear from the MVA in a reasonable amount of time, contact your lender first. If you cannot reach your lender, you may need to file a court order to have their information removed. We can help with this—reach out to our team if you want assistance.
