Last Update: September 16, 2026

Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Maryland

Maryland vehicle registration records may need to be updated after a change in address, a legal name change, an error in the registration or title record, a vehicle purchase, a move into Maryland, or a plate transfer. These functions are handled by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and some changes must be made to both the registration and title records.

Maryland Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

Registration information in Maryland commonly needs attention in the following situations:

• An address is no longer correct on the registration record and must be updated through the MVA’s correction process.
• A legal name has changed, and the title or registration no longer matches the current legal name, requiring the name change title application.
• Vehicle information, owner information, or other record details are incorrect on the title or registration and must be corrected rather than replaced as a duplicate.
• A vehicle has been purchased, titled, or registered in Maryland for the first time under the MVA’s registration guidance or new resident instructions.
• Registration plates are being moved from one vehicle to another when the MVA allows a plate transfer.

Where to File a Maryland Vehicle Registration Change

Maryland does not use county tax collectors or county licensing offices for ordinary registration corrections. Registration and title transactions are handled by the MVA.

This distinction matters because Maryland treats title and registration as connected records. Under Transportation Article § 13-402, the Administration generally may not register or renew a vehicle unless it has issued a certificate of title or received an application for a title.

Maryland Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

Maryland provides an official address update process through the MVA. The MVA states that a change of address must be reported within 30 days, and address changes can generally be made through the license and address update page.

For vehicle records, an address change may be handled:

• online through a myMVA account,
• during another MVA transaction,
• by contacting the MVA, or
• at an MVA self-service kiosk for eligible address updates.

The MVA also states that an address change does not require a new title unless one is specifically requested.

Maryland Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change can affect both the registration record and the certificate of title. Maryland’s correction instructions state that a correction is required when the name shown on a Maryland certificate of title or vehicle registration is incorrect.

For a title record changed because of a legal name change, the MVA uses the Application for Corrected Title Due to a Name Change (VR-448). The form calls for:

• the current title,
• identifying information for the owner and co-owner, if any,
• the current residential and mailing address,
• the Maryland title number and vehicle identification number, and
• documentation supporting the name change.

Correcting Incorrect Information on a Maryland Registration Record

Maryland distinguishes between a correction and a duplicate document request.

If the name or address is incorrect on the registration or title record, the MVA directs the owner to use the correction process rather than request a duplicate title. A duplicate title is for a title that is lost, stolen, damaged, unreadable, never received, or destroyed.

That distinction works as follows:

• Registration or title record incorrect: use the MVA correction process.
• Title lost or damaged, but information is otherwise correct: use the duplicate title procedure.
• Name change affecting the title: use VR-448.
• Title and registration after purchase or transfer: use the Certificate of Title application (VR-005), which the MVA uses for title transactions that often include registration at the same time.

Maryland Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

Maryland identifies the following deadlines and consequences related to vehicle registration changes:

• A vehicle brought into Maryland by a new resident must be titled and registered within 60 days of moving to the state. Missing this deadline can result in loss of the credit for titling tax paid to another state and may lead to a citation for out-of-state registration. This 60-day resident grace period is also reflected in Transportation Article § 13-402.
• A change of address must be reported to the MVA within 30 days.
• The MVA’s VR-448 form states that a driver’s license or identification card must be corrected within 30 days of a legal name change before a corrected title is issued.
• Maryland registration processing requires proof of Maryland vehicle insurance as part of the registration transaction when applicable.
• If required vehicle insurance lapses, Transportation Article § 17-106 provides that the registration is suspended as of the lapse date, not later than 60 days after notice reaches the Administration.
• After notice of a suspension for an insurance lapse, evidence of registration must be surrendered within 48 hours.
• The same statute allows the Administration to assess an uninsured motorist penalty of $200 for 1 to 30 days without required security, plus $7 per day beginning on day 31, up to $3,500 for each violation in a 12-month period.
• The statute also provides an exception from that monetary penalty when the registration plates are returned within 10 days after the insurance lapse and the other statutory conditions are met.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in Maryland?

Maryland vehicle registration and title records are administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), which publishes its statewide fee schedule on the official MVA Fees & Payment Options page. The fees for the record changes described in the article are listed in the table below.

Contact Information

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Phone: (410) 768-7000
Official Website: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration