Out-of-State Title Transfer

The MD Out-of-State Title Transfer tool is for customers who have moved from another state to Maryland and are ready to title and register their vehicle in Maryland.

Under Maryland law, anyone moving to Maryland must register their vehicle within 60 days, typically counted from the date you obtain your Maryland driver’s license. This is especially important for owners of vehicles less than 7 years old. You may qualify for Maryland’s prepaid tax credit program, but only if you title your vehicle within 60 days of becoming a Maryland resident. If you wait longer than 60 days and your vehicle is under 7 years old, your tax will be calculated based on the market value of the car.

You can title your vehicle in Maryland using either your out‑of‑state title or your out‑of‑state registration, depending on what you have. If you’re holding the original title—whether the loan is paid off or you still have a lien—bring that original title with you to the MVA. But here’s the catch: if your car is paid off, you must use the actual title. If your out‑of‑state title is electronic or your lienholder still has it, just bring your out‑of‑state registration instead so you can get your Maryland tags and registration.

This tool is smart enough to understand you. So this tool works for customers with either a paid‑off loan or an active loan. Based on the answers you give, it figures out your exact situation and tells you the specific documents and fees you’ll need.

Yes. Any vehicle being titled in Maryland for the first time must pass a Maryland safety inspection. If the vehicle was previously titled in Maryland under your name and you’re bringing it back to the state, the safety inspection requirement may be waived. In this situation, make sure to tell the MVA agent that you’re returning to Maryland so they charge you the correct title fee, which is lower than the standard $200.

Yes. You are eligible for 30-day temporary registration and tags, allowing you time to complete the Maryland safety inspection.

You must provide Maryland auto insurance to the MVA when obtaining your Maryland registration and license plates.

Yes, you may add or remove a co-owner from your title. However, Maryland gift transfer rules are not available for out-of-state title transfers, and you may be required to pay excise tax. For vehicles less than 7 years old where you’re adding or removing an owner, the MVA calculates the excise tax based on the vehicle’s book value. In that situation, you’ll need to provide a notarized bill of sale to minimize your tax.

Yes. Maryland law requires vehicles to display both front and rear license plates of your vehicle.

Yes. The Maryland MVA issues your license plates and registration over the counter. Your new Maryland title will be mailed to the address you provide.

A ‘Hold Title’ simply means your Maryland title is being held by the MVA. If you title and register your vehicle using your out‑of‑state registration because your lienholder still has the title, the MVA will issue your tags and registration, but they will not issue the Maryland title yet. As the vehicle owner, it’s your responsibility to have your lienholder mail the title to the MVA so the hold can be released. While your Maryland title is on hold, your registration can only be issued for up to one year. That means the MVA must receive your out‑of‑state title within that year. If they don’t receive it, you won’t be able to renew your registration until the title arrives.