Maryland Vehicle Registration

Registering a Vehicle in Maryland

You must register your vehicle through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).

Below is a quick summary of items to bring when visiting your local Maryland MVA office.

What to bring to the Maryland MVA:

• Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, ID, or passport).
• Proof of Maryland car insurance.
• Required safety safety inspection, if applicable.
• Proof of vehicle ownership (e.g., vehicle title).
• A Bill of Sale (Form VR 181).
• Acceptable form of payment for MD car registration fees and taxes.

Continue reading for more specific details about how to register a vehicle in Maryland.

Registering Vehicles Purchased from a Dealer

When you purchase either a new or used vehicle from a licensed Maryland car dealer, they will handle the registration and titling. Next, your dealer will submit the necessary documents and fees to the MD MVA on your behalf. The MVA will send your registration by mail.

If the dealer does not offer this service, you must register and title your vehicle on your own.

Please visit your local MD MVA office and present the following:

• Proof of identity (e.g., a valid MD driver’s license).
• A completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form VR 005).
• The original title OR Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).
• A completed Bill of Sale (Form VR 181), if applicable.
• Proof of vehicle insurance.
• An Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VR 197).
• A vehicle safety inspection (if the vehicle is used).
• Lienholder information, if applicable.
• Payment for MD car registration fees and taxes.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

In Maryland, you must register and transfer the title of your vehicle within 21 days of the purchase date.

To register your vehicle in person, visit your local Maryland MVA office and present:

• Your Maryland driver’s license.
• A properly assigned vehicle title.
• Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (Form 205).
• A notarized Bill of Sale (Form VR 181).
• Proof of car insurance.
• An Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VR 197).
• A vehicle inspection, if applicable.
• Power of Attorney if someone other than you is signing the titling forms.
• Lien release, if applicable.
• Payment for MD car registration, titling fee and taxes.

MD Vehicle Registration for New Residents

New to Maryland?

The Maryland MVA requires you to apply for a title and vehicle registration within 60 days of establishing residency. If you do not register your vehicle within 60 days, you are not eligible for a tax credit for any titling tax paid in another state, and you risk receiving a citation for an out of state registration.

To register your vehicle visit your local Maryland MVA office and present:

• Your current certificate of title.
  • If you do not have your title, you must send an Out of State Lienholder Letter (Form VR 056) for the lienholder to complete. Once the MVA has received your title you must
    submit:
    • A completed Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (Form 205).
      You must complete this form even if there is not a lien on your vehicle.
• Proof of car insurance.
• A passing Maryland safety inspection certificate.
  • The certificate is only valid for 90 days from the date of inspection.
• A Bill Of Sale, if applicable (if the MVA cannot verify your vehicle’s value).
• Your lease agreement and proof of lease payments, if applicable.
• Power of Attorney, if applicable.
• Payment for MD car registration, fees, and taxes.

You may also send all of the above documents by mail to:

MD Registration for Military Drivers

Maryland military residents who currently reside in the state can register their vehicles as normal. Visit Registering a Vehicle in Maryland above to learn more.

Registration for MD Residents Stationed Outside Maryland

If you are a Maryland resident and stationed outside of the state, you must meet certain criteria to register a vehicle in Maryland.

You must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• On active duty in the U.S. military.
• Currently stationed outside of Maryland.
• Retain a home of record in Maryland.
• You apply for anInspection Waiver when you apply for a Maryland title.

If eligible to register your vehicle either in person or by mail:

• A Maryland Temporary State Inspection Waiver (Form VR 129).
• An Address Certification United State Government Employee (Form VR 102).
• Proof of car insurance.
• An Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (Form 205).
• The original title OR Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).
• Bill Of Sale, if applicable.
• An Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VR 197).
• Lien release, if applicable.
• Payment for MD car registration and title fees.

To register by mail, please mail all of the above to:

Renewing Your Registration in Maryland

You can renew your Maryland vehicle registration online, by mail, by phone, or in person at your local county treasurer’s office.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• The Maryland MVA mails your renewal notices approximately 60 days prior to your registration expiration.
• Most vehicle registration in Maryland renews every 2 years.
• Your renewal notice indicates whether you have any flags that will prevent you from
  completing your renewal. The MVA requires you to resolve the flags before you can renew
  your registration. Flags include:
  • Unpaid parking tickets.
  • A lapse in insurance coverage.
• Even if you did not receive your renewal notice in the mail, you must still renew your
  registration before it expires.

See Maryland Registration Renewals to learn more.

Replace Lost or Damaged Registration

If your Maryland registration cards or tabs are lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for a replacement online, by mail or in person at your local Maryland MVA office.

Online Replacements

To replace your MD registration card online, visit the myMVA online services portal and provide:

• Your vehicle license plate number.
• Your vehicle title number.
• A credit card for the $5 duplicate registration card fee.

Maryland will mail your duplicate registration card to your current address on record with MDOT MVA.

Replace Registration In Person

To replace your Maryland registration card or decals in person, Go to your local MD MVA office Present a completed Application for Substitute Plates/Stickers/Duplicate Registration (Form VR 009) Pay the $5 duplicate registration card fee.

To replace your Maryland registration card by mail, send all of the above to:

Change Your Maryland Car Registration

Name Changes

Before you can make changes to your Maryland registration documents, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Once you complete your name change with SSA, you can update your name with the Maryland MVA. Be sure to notify the MVA within 30 days of your name change.

To change your name on your current Maryland license, you must bring the documents that initiated the change of name to your local Maryland MVA office.

Acceptable documents to prove a name change include a

• Marriage certificate.
• Divorce decree.
• Court-ordered name change.

Please contact your local Maryland MVA office if you have any specific questions.

Update the Name on Your Vehicle Registration

To update the name on your vehicle registration in person at the MD MVA, you must provide:

• Your Maryland driver’s license showing your updated name.
• Legal documents supporting your name change such as a:
  • Marriage license if your name change is due to marriage.
  • Divorce decree.
  • Court-ordered name change document.
• A completed Application for Corrected Title Due to a Name Change (Form VR 448).
• Your current title, which you must surrender.
• Payment for updated documents:
  • $40 duplicate title fee.
  • $5 for the duplicate registration card fee.

To change your name by mail, submit all of the above documents and payment to: