The questions and answers provided below relate to issuing, renewing, changing and correcting a business license for a Title Service Agent. The processes used in adding and deleting Title Service Representatives are also described. Title Service Representatives are persons who are authorized to assist the Title Service Agent. If you are unsure about the type of license for which you should apply, please refer to the Summary of Dealer Types.

Each of the following procedures is separately discussed below in answer to a commonly asked question. Either scroll down to the appropriate question and answer, or click on the procedure in which you are interested.

• Issuing a New License
• Renewing a License
• Adding a Title Service Representative
• Deleting a Title Service Representative
• Changing Information on the License
• Correcting Information on the License
• Requesting a Duplicate License
• Obtaining MVA Forms
• Going Out of Business

Fees:

• Fee information is available on a separate schedule of fees.

Contact Information:

Procedural Information: How do I obtain a business license from the MVA authorizing me to be a Title Service Agent? 

Contact the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit either by phone or by mail and indicate that you are interested in becoming a Title Service Agent. The unit will send you a packet of forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions that you must take in order to be licensed. You may also obtain needed forms and instructions on the MVA's website (Instructions for Title Service Agents).  Typically, you must submit the following documentation:

• Application for Title Service Agent License– 2 Year License - This form must be fully completed (front and back) and signed and dated by all officers and corporate officers.  Be sure to include the names and addresses of all employees who will assist you as Title Service Representatives.
• Zoning Approval Form- A zoning official from the jurisdiction where your office will be located must sign the form confirming that the property is zoned appropriately for a Title Service Agent's office.
• Surety Bond of Title Service Agent- This form is proof of your insurance coverage. It must include the full name of the Title Service Agent, including any “trading as” name. It also must include the full names and signatures of all officers, partners, and/or owners, exactly as shown on the application. Your bonding company must stamp the form with its Seal of Surety and a representative (usually the company’s lawyer) must sign the form.
• Power of attorney- The company providing the Surety Bond will provide this form.
• Proof of Worker’s Compensation coverage or exemption from coverage requirements - If you have Worker’s Compensation insurance, only information about the policy is required. The information must be recorded on the Application for Title Service Agent’s License- 2 Year License . If you are exempted from having to have Worker’s Compensation coverage, then one of the following sets of documents must be submitted:
  • a copy of your Application for Certificate of Compliance to the Worker’s Compensation Commission and a completed and signed Exclusion Form                            OR
  • a copy of the Certificate of Compliance issued to you by the Worker’s Compensation Commission.
• Criminal background checks- A Maryland criminal background check is required for all officers, partners, owners (licensees) and others who have a financial interest in the dealership. In addition, if any of the licensees or other person with a financial interest in the dealership resides outside of Maryland, or has lived in Maryland for less than 1 year, then their current/former state of residence also must conduct a criminal background check. A background check from a private company will be accepted if the Maryland State Police licenses the company as a Private Investigation Agency. The results of these other state criminal background checks must be submitted.
• Business registration letter- This document can be obtained from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). It verifies that your dealership is licensed to do business in the State of Maryland. All applicants must register with the SDAT, even if they are based in another state. Both corporate and trading names must be registered. You may use the printout that can be obtained from the SDAT website.
• Other forms– Additional forms may be needed depending upon your situation:
  • Insurance Information Form– This form certifies that you have vehicle liability insurance for the vehicles you will be selling and, if required, Worker’s Compensation insurance for your employees.
  • Use and Occupancy Permit– This form is needed if you will be using a trailer as an office or the local zoning board requires that you obtain the Permit.
  • Orientation Request – You are urged to participate in an orientation given by the MVA, but this activity is not required.

As part of the BL&CS review process, an MVA investigator will visit your proposed office location to confirm that it meets all requirements established by State law (Maryland Annotated Code, Transportation Article § 15.105). Once your Title Service Agent License has been approved, the BL&CS will contact you about how to pay for and obtain the License, photo ID cards for you and your employees, and other forms and items needed to operate a Title Service Agent’s office.

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How do I renew my Title Service Agent License and photo ID cards? 

The Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit will mail you a renewal packet about 60 days prior to the expiration date of your licenses. If you do not receive a renewal packet, please contact the BL&CS. 

Complete the Business License Renewal form and submit it to the BL&CS, along with the appropriate fee and, as applicable, the documents listed below. You should submit these items as soon as possible, but no later than 15 workdays prior to your license expiration date. Note that the MVA will assume your Title Service Agent’s business is going out of business if you do not request renewal before your expiration date.

• Rider to the Surety Bond of Title Service Agent– This is required only if changes in your Surety Bond have been made.
• Power of Attorney- This form is required only when a rider or a new Surety Bond is submitted.
• Explanation of MVA administrative actions– If any administrative actions have been taken or are pending against you as a title service, you will be asked to submit a written statement.
• Notice of criminal convictions– If any owners, officers, or persons with a financial interest in your dealership have been convicted of a criminal offense, you will be asked to submit a written statement explaining the situation.

Once your renewal request has been approved, the BL&CS will mail a new Title Service Agent License and photo authorization form(s) for ID cards to you.

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How do I obtain the MVA’s authorization to add a Title Service Representative?

Contact the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit either by phone or by mail and indicate that you are interested in adding a new Title Service Representative to your business. The unit will send you a packet of forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions that you must take in order to add the representative. Typically, you must submit the following documentation:

• Application– this form must be fully completed and signed.
• Criminal background check - A Maryland criminal background check of the new Title Service Representative is required. In addition, if the representative resides outside of Maryland, or has lived in Maryland for less than 1 year, then his current/former state of residence also must conduct a criminal background check. A background check from a private company will be accepted if the Maryland State Police licenses the company as a Private Investigation Agency. The results of the other state criminal background check must be submitted.
• Other forms– Additional forms may be needed depending upon your situation:

Once your request to add a Title Service Representative has been approved, the BL&CS will send you the Photo Authorization form(s) which is used to request an ID card from any MVA's full-service offices or MVA's express offices. 

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How do I obtain the MVA's authorization to delete a Title Service Representative?

Contact the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit either by phone or by mail and indicate that you are interested in deleting a Title Service Representative from your business.  The unit will send you a packet of forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions that you must take in order to delete the representative.Typically, you must submit the following documentation:

• Application– this form must be fully completed and signed.
• Title Service Representative’s ID card – The identification card issued to the representative must be returned with the application.

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What do I have to do if the name or address of my Title Service Agent's office  has changed, or if there has been a change in the officers associated with the dealership?

Maryland law requires that you report all changes affecting your Title Service Agent License to the MVA within 30 days after the change occurs. If the change occurs during your license renewal period, you may indicate the change on the Business License Renewal form that will be sent to you prior to the license expiration date. Otherwise, contact the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit either by phone or by mail to report the changes. 

The BL&CS will send you a packet of forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions that you must take in order to request the change. The documents required vary by the type of change involved.

Once your change request has been approved, the BL&CS will mail you a new Title Service Agent License and/or photo authorization form(s), if applicable.

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How do I correct errors in the information that appears on my Title Service License and/or photo ID cards?

Contact the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit as soon as possible, either by phone or by mail, and report the corrections needed. The unit will send you the forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions, if any, that you must take in order to request the corrections. Once your correction request has been approved, the BL&CS will mail you a New Title Service Agent License and/or photo authorization form, if these items needed correction. Some corrections will not require the reprinting of any documents (e.g., your office phone number).

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How do I obtain a duplicate Title Service License and/or photo ID card?

Contact the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit. The unit will send you a packet of forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions, if any, that you must take in order to obtain the duplicate. Typically, you must submit the following documentation:

• Letter of request– the letter must be on your business letterhead and state that you wish to receive a duplicate license and/or photo ID card.

The BL&CS will mail or hand you the photo authorization form which is used to request an ID card. You will receive the duplicate Title Service Agent License by mail.

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How do I obtain MVA forms for use in my dealership?

You may obtain a variety of forms needed to operate your dealership from the MVA’s Warehouse. The forms should be ordered in advance. The request may be submitted by email or fax and must be on company letterhead and include the following information:

• Company address
• Phone number
• Contact person
• Dealer license number
• Form number requesting
• Form title
• Quantity requested
• Pick up or delivery

If you will be picking up your request, please indicate the date and time for the pick up. The deliveries will be made by UPS and will not be made to P.O. boxes. 

If the forms are not available when you place the order, the MVA Warehouse will notify you as to when they will be available. You will not have to resubmit the order. It will be filled when the forms are available.

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What do I have to do if I am going out of business?

If your Title Service Agent business is forced out of business, the Business Licensing and Consumer Services (BL&CS) Unit will contact you. Otherwise, contact the BL&CS either by phone or by mail and indicate that you are going out of business.  The BL&CS will advise you which materials must be returned to the MVA.  Typically, you must return the following items:

• Title Service Agent License(existing) - This document is often referred to as a “wall license”.
• Photo ID cards– all ID cards held by you and your employees must be returned.
• All MVA forms– any unused forms held by you must be returned.