Information for lenders financing vehicles in Maryland
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If you are a lender financing a vehicle in Maryland, you must record your security interest (lien) with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
What is a security interest (lien)?
A security interest, also called a lien, gives a lender legal rights in a vehicle until the loan is paid in full.
When you record a lien:
- The lien is listed on the vehicle’s title
- The MVA issues a Security Interest Filing (SIF) instead of a paper title to the vehicle owner
The SIF shows that your lien is properly recorded.
How to place a lien on a Maryland vehicle
Follow these steps to record your security interest.
How to Place a Lien on a Maryland Vehicle
-
Gather required documents
To record a lien, the following must be submitted to the MVA:
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title - PDF - 195.16 KB
- Proper assignment of the title (if transferring ownership)
- Your name and address listed as lienholder
- Required title fees
Make sure your lienholder information is accurate. Errors may delay processing.
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Submit the application
The title application may be submitted by:
- The dealer
- The vehicle owner
- A licensed tag and title service
Once processed, the MVA will:
- Record the lien
- Issue a Security Interest Filing (SIF) to the lienholder
Important notes for lenders
- Maryland is an electronic title state for lien filings when applicable.
- The vehicle owner will not receive a paper title while a lien is active.
- The SIF serves as proof of your recorded security interest.
Releasing a lien
When the loan is paid in full, you must properly release the lien in accordance with Maryland law. Failure to release a satisfied lien may result in penalties.
Questions? We can help.
Contact us if you have questions or need more information.