A vehicle's title establishes who owns the vehicle. Each time the owner changes, a new title must be issued. Currently, the Maryland MVA prints a two-part, paper title. The first part, the Maryland Certificate of Title, is mailed to the owner. The second part, the Security Interest Filing (SIF), is printed only when a lien has been filed against the title; it is mailed to the lien holder. The documents included in this section describe the many different titling scenarios that can occur.

Please note that having a title for your vehicle does not permit you to drive it on public roads; you must also register it. The two transactions are usually handled together. Please check the infoMVA registration section for further information.

Common Titling Processes

• New Vehicle Purchased from a Dealer
• Out-of-State Vehicle Moved to MD by Owner
• Out-of-State Vehicle Returned to MD by Owner
• Used Vehicle Purchased from a Dealer
• Used Vehicle Purchased from a Non-Dealer

Unusual Titling Processes

• Buses & Motor Coaches
• Corporation or Partnership Vehicle
• Court Order Affecting Ownership
• Dealer Resale Title
• Deceased Owner
• Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Vehicles
• Gift to a Family Member
• Gray Market or Overseas Vehicles
• Homemade, Two-Stage, or Reconstructed Vehicle
• Limited Speed Vehicles
• Low Speed Vehicle
• Mobile Home and Special Mobile Equipment (SME)
• Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles (ORV)
• Personal Bankruptcy - Sale to New Owner
• Placing a Vehicle into a Trust
• Repossessed Vehicle
• Seized Vehicle
• Titling – Vehicle Acquired from Out of State
• Vehicle Previously Salvaged
• Vehicle Purchased After Lease
• Vehicle Purchased by a Leasing Company
• Vehicle Purchased from a Sheriff's Sale
• Vehicle with a Mechanic's Lien