Once a vehicle owner has passed away, the process for transferring the car title of the deceased person varies. Answer the following question(s) to find the correct process for your situation.
If you are a Maine resident:
- Do you have a Maine title?
- Yes - You may go to question 2.
- No - You will need to complete an MVT-8 to obtain a duplicate title. You may go to question 2.
- If the vehicle has an out of state title:
- Step 1: You must title the vehicle in your name in its home state.
- Step 2: Once the vehicle is titled in your name, you may then proceed to title it in Maine.
- If the vehicle has an out of state title:
- Is there an active LIEN on the vehicle?
- Yes - You will need to contact the lien holder to resolve who is taking over the loan. You may go to question 3.
- No - You may go to question 3.
- What is your relationship to the deceased's vehicle? Choose only One (1).
- If you are the Surviving Spouse, then download the Surviving Spouse instruction document in the right side bar.
- If you are a Personal Representative, then download the Personal Representative instruction document in the right side bar.
- If you are a Joint Owner, then download the Joint Owner instruction document in the right side bar.
- If you are a Surviving Common Owner, then download the Surviving Common Owner instruction document in the right side bar.
- If you are an Heir of the deceased, then download the Heir instruction document in the right side bar. (Maine Resident Only)
If you are NOT a Maine resident:
- Do you have a Maine title?
- Yes - You will need to continue the titling process with YOUR state.
- No - You will need to complete an MVT-8 to obtain a duplicate title before titling the vehicle in YOUR state.
- Is there an active LIEN on the vehicle?
- Yes - You will need to contact the lien holder to resolve who is taking over the loan. Then continue the titling the vehicle in YOUR state.
- No - You may continue the titling process with YOUR state.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Below is our contact information!
Division of Title Services
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0029
You can reach us via phone: 207-624-9000, ext. 52138
Be prepared to provide the following information:
CTA # or Title # or VIN
Your name and address.
Brief description of the problem you need help with.
You can also reach us via email: titles.bmv@maine.gov
Provide the following information in your email:
Subject Line
CTA # or Title # or VIN
Email Body
Your name
Contact information - current address, email, phone number
Brief description of the problem you need help with.
Responses
Please allow 1-3 business days for a response.
Please reply to emails sent in response to your question, DO NOT send a new email concerning the same question.