Lost Titles in MD

[snapshotmd]

I see lots of people trying to sell trailers and boats with no titles. I know that in Maryland, the trailer must be titled and registered to be driven on the highways.

Is there any way to title a trailer when the original title has been lost. I'm trying to buy a trailer boat combo at a great price but the trailer title is gone. Trailer is in PA now.

 

[mfgniagara]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

Not all states title trailers, or boats for that matter.
PA only more recently started to title boats but all trailers have titles.
NJ requires a title for boats over 12' but doesn't title trailers unless they weigh over 2500lbs empty.
DE doesn't have boat titles but like PA titles all trailers.
Some states didn't make titles mandatory until later years as well. NJ didn't start titling boats until the 1980's. I had all sorts of problems trying to sell my 1980 Bass boat about 10 years ago since when I bought it new there was no title, only a registration, which I let expire about 15 years ago. They wanted me to pay out over $100 just to get a title for it so I could sell it. That wasn't going to happen.

I would bet that the trailer your looking at either came from another state without titles or the owner has had it longer than the current title requirement has been in effect. In NJ, you only get a registration card for a trailer, trailers are sold with a notarized bill of sale and the old registration card. If you lose the registration card, you lose any proof of ownership or paper trail on that trailer.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

I bought my previous boat in Jersey back in 2001. You will need the registration document and bill of sale to submit as proof of ownership.

 

[gbb]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

I got my tags from Maine, all you need is a bill of sale. Did it all through e-mail and fax. Got a 5 year tag for around$70.00
You can look it up, MBI trailers. Now I have 2 trailers with Maine tags

 

[snapshotmd]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

Is the registration card and notarized bill of sale also good for the TRAILER?

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

PM me. I went through the same issue and found a way around it.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

I got my tags from Maine, all you need is a bill of sale. Did it all through e-mail and fax. Got a 5 year tag for around$70.00
You can look it up, MBI trailers. Now I have 2 trailers with Maine tags

Say what, now????

 

[sje0123]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

I also went thru Maine. Very painless process. A 5yr tag is actually $120 w/ tax. All you need is a Bill of Sale (no notarization required). Maine does not title trailers. They just register them. There is also no inspection needed. I priced out a TT&R & insp in MD and it was around $300-$400. Maine was $120 all in. Tags showed up 10 days after initial email via USPS. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

As a Pennsylvania resident, you have 60 days to transfer titles and registrations to PA. Most Police Officers are not concerned with trailer registrations but there is always that one that is looking for something to do

 

[sje0123]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

In MD you have 30. There's a work around. While you maintain residence in MD and would normally need to transfer to MD you don't need to. You sign over power of attorney for them to sign paperwork for you. Essentially the trailer maintains residence (billing address) in Maine. 100% legal and no issues w/ law. The company I went thru registers 300,000 trailers in Maine from all 50 states.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it. But I'd be somewhat leary of that situation. You signed over power of attorney to a trailer company in Maine and the legal address of the trailer is now in Maine but you have possession of the trailer with a legal residence in Maryland?

 

[sje0123]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

Power of Attorney for the sole purpose of signing paperwork. Keep in mind the trailer is not titled to them or by them. You hold possession of the title.

Read the FAQ's:

http://www.mainetrailerregistrations.com/

I know several people who have done it for years.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

But there is no title.....remember?

 

[sje0123]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

but there is a bill of sale Either way, no risk, way cheaper, etc, etc.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

but there is a bill of sale Either way, no risk, way cheaper, etc, etc.

I'm with ya'

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Lost Titles in MD

Have you checked online with Maryland to see what the regulations are? Or, contacted the DMV for instructions? This is not an isolated case--but something that comes up daily.

Our State of Alabama doesn't title any trailer unless the trailer and tow vehicle exceed 12,500 lbs. weight. They just collect 2.5% sales taxes and a $28 boat licensing fee, as there are no (ad valorem) personal property taxes on boats. There's also no titling of boats or motors, and all financing is secured with a UCC-1 Financing Statement filed @ $20 with the Secretary of State. Though the state is broke, they're not wise to the revenue ways of states "up north." Our sales taxes are very inexpensive, thank Goodness. The quality of Alabama's inland boating is absolutely incredible, too.