Maryland Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Maryland costs $200 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,295.50 in total, with $975 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Maryland title fees
These are the title-related fees in Maryland's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $200 |
|---|---|
| Title rental | $100 |
| Title duplicate | $40 |
| Title corrected | $80 |
| Late title penalty per day | $7 |
| Late title penalty max | $420 |
- Effective 2026-10-01; applies when a resident does not title within 60 days
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Maryland
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Maryland car tax calculator:
| Title | $200 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $975 |
| Registration (1 year) (if you register it now) | $120.50 |
| Estimated total | $1,295.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Maryland charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: late title penalty per day $7; late title penalty max $420.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Family gift (VR-103) | Excise $0; typically requires prior Maryland title |
|---|---|
| Inheritance by immediate family | Excise $0 (confirm with MVA) |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance by immediate family | Excise $0 (confirm with MVA) |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Maryland
| New resident within 60 days, vehicle 7+ model years old | Flat $41.60 |
|---|---|
| New resident within 60 days, vehicle 6 or fewer model years | Pay difference after out-of-state credit |
| Moved more than 60 days ago | Full excise |
| Tax paid elsewhere | Credit against excise |
| Resident re-titling a vehicle in Maryland by 2026-12-31 | Excise tax exempt (MVA legislative update effective 2026-10-01; confirm eligibility with MVA) |
| Trade-in (dealer sale) | Trade-in allowance is deducted from the price; tax is $0 if it equals or exceeds the price. Manufacturer rebates are not deducted. |
How Maryland works out what you owe
- Taxable = dealer certified price (incl. processing charge) less trade-in allowance (dealer sales), or MVA valuation; minimum $640; $0 if the trade-in covers the price
- Tax = taxable x 6.5% (3.5% rental)
- Registration = annual fee by weight x years
- Total = tax + title + registration + ZEV surcharge + emissions + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Maryland: mva.maryland.gov, regs.maryland.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Maryland?
The title fee is $200. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,295.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Maryland?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Maryland charges about $975. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Maryland?
Yes. Late title penalty per day: $7; Late title penalty max: $420.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Maryland?
Family gift (VR-103): Excise $0; typically requires prior Maryland title. Inheritance by immediate family: Excise $0 (confirm with MVA).
What happens to a car title after a death in Maryland?
Inheritance by immediate family: Excise $0 (confirm with MVA).