Titling – Deceased Owner

The requirements to re-title a vehicle previously owned by a deceased person vary depending upon your relationship to the deceased owner and how you acquired the vehicle. Four different scenarios are discussed below. You may scroll down to the appropriate situation for you or use one of the links below:

Ownership transfer of vehicle titled in Maryland to a surviving spouse or co-owner
Ownership transfer of vehicle titled in Maryland to a legatee or distributee
Vehicle titled in Maryland, and sold by the estate administrator
Vehicle titled out-of-state, and sold by the estate executor

How do I obtain a new title for a vehicle that is jointly owned and titled in Maryland, whose owner is deceased, when I am the surviving spouse or co-owner?

You can apply for a title (and registration) in person at any of the MVA's full service branch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA's mail in title unit in the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensed tag and title service where they will assist you in applying.

Note: The application for Certificate of Title need not be made until the registration expires.

Typically, the title application documents needed (along with payment for fees) include:

Existing vehicle title – The section on the back of the Maryland title labeled Assignment of Ownership must also be completed and signed. Refer to You've Inherited a Vehicle for information about how to properly complete the title.
Application – You may use the existing vehicle title as the application form by completing the section on the back entitled Application for Title and Registration.
Death certificate – The death certificate or the letter (form VR-278 or VR-264P) sent by the MVA notifying the surviving vehicle owner that the title must be transferred to remove the deceased owner's name can be submitted as long as the surviving spouse (or co-owner) is named on the vehicle’s title.

Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:

Lien release (if applicable) – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you need to submit a lien release. This could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder specifically identifying the vehicle and stating that the lien has been released. With the lien holder’s permission, a surviving spouse or co-owner can transfer the lien instead of having to pay off the loan. You will, however, need a letter from the lien holder.
Application for Maryland Gift Certification – This form must be submitted if you wish to give the vehicle to someone who is related to both you and the deceased owner. You are not required to obtain a new title to the vehicle prior to giving it away.
Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate – A safety inspection of the vehicle is not required in order to register the vehicle if it is being titled in the name of the surviving spouse or co-owner. However, if the surviving spouse or co-owner gives the vehicle to another family member, the inspection could be required.

Note that if you also intend to register the vehicle additional forms are usually needed. Registration requirements vary greatly by the type and intended use of the vehicle. The requirements for most vehicles can be found in Registration – Common Vehicles.

Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle (most cases), your registration card, license plates and expiration stickers can be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.

How do I obtain a new title for a vehicle titled in Maryland that was transferred to me through a deceased person's will and I am not the surviving spouse or co-owner of the vehicle?

Note: The application for Certificate of Title need not be made until the registration expires.

You will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title for your vehicle:

Existing vehicle title – The section on the back of the Maryland title labeled Assignment of Ownership must also be completed and signed. Refer to You've Inherited a Vehicle for information about how to properly complete the title.
Application – You may use the existing vehicle title as the application form by completing the section on the back entitled Application for Title and Registration.
State of Maryland Letters of Administration – The administrator of the deceased owner’s estate will provide this form to you. The form must be stamped with the seal of the register of wills.

Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:

Lien release (if applicable) – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. This could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder specifically identifying the vehicle and stating that the lien has been released.
Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate (if applicable) – This form is required if you plan to also register the vehicle at the same time. However, the vehicle may not need an inspection if you are a spouse, parent or child of the deceased owner. The certificate, if required, is valid for up to 90 days after the inspection.

Your title will be mailed to you regardless of how you apply. If you also register the vehicle, your registration card, license plates and expiration stickers will be provided immediately when you apply in person to the MVA; otherwise, these items also will be mailed to you.

How do I obtain a new title for a vehicle titled in Maryland that was sold to me by the deceased owner's administrator?

Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title for your vehicle:

Existing vehicle title – The section on the back of the Maryland title (form #VR-002) labeled Assignment of Ownership must be properly completed and signed by all Administrators.
Application – Use the existing Maryland Certificate of Title as the application form by completing the section on the back entitled Application for Title and Registration.
State of Maryland Letters of Administration – The administrator of the deceased owner’s estate will provide this form to you. It must be stamped with the seal of the register of wills.
Bill of sale – The executor of the estate must sign the bill of sale and print his or her title next to the signature. If there are two executors, both must sign and print their titles next to their signatures. The buyer must also sign the bill of sale. The bill of sale must be on the MVA's Bill of Sale and notarized when:
- the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
- the purchase price is at least $500 below the book value; and
- the customer wants to base the excise tax calculation on the sale price rather than the book value.

Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:

Lien release (if applicable) – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. This could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder specifically identifying the vehicle and stating that the lien has been released.
Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate (if applicable) – This form is required if you plan to also register the vehicle at the same time (most cases). It is valid for up to 90 days after the inspection.

How do I obtain a new title for a vehicle, currently titled in another state that was acquired by me from the deceased owner's estate?

Typically, you will need to submit the following forms to obtain a title for your vehicle:

Existing vehicle title – The appropriate assignment section on the title must be properly completed and signed.
Application – You must complete the Application for Certificate of Title.
Letters of Administration or other appropriate authorization from the other state – The executor of the deceased owner’s estate will provide this form to you.
Bill of sale – The executor of the estate must sign the bill of sale and print his or her title next to the signature. If there are two executors, both must sign and print their titles next to their signatures. The buyer must also sign the bill of sale. The bill of sale must be on the MVA's Bill of Sale and notarized when:
- the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
- the purchase price is at least $500 below the its book value; and
- the customer wants to base the excise tax calculation on the sale price of the vehicle rather than its book value.

Under certain circumstances, additional information and/or forms may be required:

Lien release (if applicable) – If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against it, you must submit a lien release. You may submit a signed letter of release from the lien holder or you may have the lien holder sign the title, in accordance with the other state’s laws, indicating that the lien has been released.
Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate (if applicable) – This form is required if you plan to also register the vehicle at the same time. It is valid for up to 90 days after the inspection.
Other forms (if applicable) – If the vehicle is unusual, you may need other forms. Refer to infoMVA homepage for more information.

Fees

The fee for titling a vehicle typically includes a title fee, excise tax, and a security interest (lien) filing fee if required.
The fee for registration varies by the type of vehicle, its weight, and/or its intended use. See Fees for Registration Plates for more information.

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
MVA Mail In Title Unit
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
For Telephone questions:
MVA Customer Service Center:
1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired:
1-301-729-4563

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