How to Transfer a Car Title in Maryland

Do you want to transfer your car title in Maryland but you don’t know where to start? It may seem intimidating to transfer a title, but if you have the right guidance and information, it can be very simple. We’ll give you complete guidance as well as requirements for changing ownership and tips on how to go about transferring a car’s title in Maryland. Understanding the entire process is crucial for a smooth changeover of ownership.

How To Transfer A Vehicle Title In Maryland

The title document is the most important thing when it comes to vehicle transfers. The document serves as proof of ownership of the vehicle and should have been given to the current owner of the vehicle when they acquired it. Often, the title is called a “Certificate of Title,” and contains necessary information about the car, its current holder, and sometimes, past ones. Transfers can be in the form of a transaction, gift, donation, or inheritance; however, the title transfer must be done in the right manner.

Documentation Needed

All transactions need a title signed by both the current owner and the next one. If the initial title isn’t found, the vehicle’s current owner can get another title from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). New mileage records also have to be on titles. However, no data about this will make it necessary for the current owner to complete an odometer disclosure statement.

Additional receipts, such as a bill of sale, may also be required when selling a car. Also, sellers should give purchasers inspection papers that are valid within 90 days. In turn, new owners will have to produce proof that their vehicle insurance policies are in force and valid.

What Is a Title?

The car title is an invaluable legal paper that confirms that you own a vehicle. The information includes: 

• Year produced 
• Make, Model and Trim Level (e.g., Ford Taurus LX) 
• Type (e.g., sedan, SUV, pickup truck, etc.) 
• VIN number
• Vehicle weight
• Passenger capacity
• Status (new/used/salvage)
• Odometer reading 

This page also lists the present owner’s name and address, as well as specifications about the automobile under discussion. A provision is made for recording the buyer’s personal details once they acquire a new car. This comprehensive documentation helps ascertain the true ownership of a vehicle accurately.

Who Can You Transfer Your Car Ownership To?

Your car can be gifted to a spouse, parents, in-laws, stepchildren, adopted or half-siblings, and children, among other immediate family members. However, the vehicle must be paid in full before you can transfer its title to a member of your family. You are required to indicate “gift” in the space for the purchase price. In order for there to be a successful transfer, Form VR-005 and VR-103, otherwise known as Maryland gift certification, have to be completed.

Following this transfer, your Maryland MVA license plates must be returned. Once registered, your relative will receive two new license plates. When transferring a car title to an aunt or uncle, you should pay taxes on the car, provided they are below 65 years of age. There is a 6% excise tax based on the value of the automobile in Maryland. When gifting a vehicle, the receiver doesn’t have to pay the tax unless they are an “aunt/uncle.”

Filling Out Applications

Selling a car often leads to the new owner seeking another title. After submitting their application and it being approved by the MVA, it goes through the mail to reach the new owner.

However, if the vehicle is being given as a gift, the parties involved may decide to transfer an existing title. This process still needs to be processed through MVA, but instead of submitting a new title application, the recipient would probably submit a gift certification application.

New Registration

Even though someone is already a car owner, this does not give them a legal license to drive on Maryland roads without registering it first. Since proof of insurance, such as safety inspection and insurance documents, are mandatory for both registration and the title transfer processes, people can usually complete these two processes at once. New owners can choose to go directly into any MVA office that handles registration in case dealerships do not register vehicles on behalf of its customers.

Fees

The cost of transferring car ownership in Maryland includes $100 for the title. Moreover, the registration fee ranges between $135 and $187, depending on the vehicle’s weight.

Family Ties Proof

In situations where both parties involved share the same last name, such as a father and son, there is an inherent assumption of familial ties. This means that additional proof or documentation to establish their relationship may not be necessary, as the common last name serves as an indicator of their connection.

Conversely, when individuals have different last names, it can complicate the process of proving familial ties, especially in instances like a daughter changing her last name upon marriage. In such cases, the father would need to provide tangible evidence of their relationship, which can be in the form of a birth certificate clearly showing parentage or documentation from an adoption if relevant.

Legal documents such as divorce decrees, civil union certificates, or marriage licenses can also corroborate proof of family ties. These records not only demonstrate the existence of familial relationships but also help establish the legal status of individuals within a family unit. By presenting these documents, individuals can validate their connections and eligibility for certain rights or benefits that require proof of family ties.

Maryland Gift Certification Form VR-103

You and your relative should sign the VR-103 form, which is also referred to as the Maryland state gift certificate. This form has details about the car title, such as the title number, the model and make of the vehicle, VIN, and the relationship between the parties. If you’re an uncle or aunt aged 65 years and above intending to gift or transfer your car title to a niece or nephew, then you will have to complete form VR-299 instead.

Vehicle Inspections Before You Give It Away

If you’re not a parent or spouse but are giving your vehicle as a gift to a family member, it will require a safety inspection and smog check. Upon successfully passing these inspections, certificates that are mandatory for titling purposes will be issued. Finally, one must note that the Maryland safety inspection certificate expires within ninety days only.

Title Transfer and Registration in Maryland

You should know that the entire process of transferring a vehicle’s title can be done online using the MVA website. This way, one does not have to go through the hassle of visiting an MVA office, thereby saving time and effort. After filling out the details, one will be required to pay fees online and then have their new titles and tags sent directly to them at their home address or any other preferred location.

Your family member will also need car insurance to register their newly acquired vehicle. Regardless, before moving forward with registration, they must first obtain coverage that meets Maryland requirements. Once they secure auto insurance, they can apply for a new registration and license plate using the certificate of title and registration application.

Lastly, if you’re the donor, ensure that you remove your tags from the car and send them back to MVA. Failing to do this may lead to fines. In essence, returning the license plates so that they reach MVA on time will guarantee that you have discharged your responsibilities as the previous owner of the car.

Bottom Line

Learning how to transfer a car title to a family member in Maryland can be an easy process when following the necessary steps and providing the required documentation. By ensuring that all paperwork is completed accurately and meets the state’s requirements, both the seller and the buyer can smoothly navigate the title transfer process. With attention to detail and adherence to Maryland’s regulations, transferring a car title can be made easy and hassle-free for all parties involved. And remember – if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Titlelo!