How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in Maine in 2026
Maine does not provide an online system for vehicle registration cancellation. Cancellation must be completed in writing through a notarized Plate Cancellation Request Form submitted to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch office or by mail to the central office.
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles within the Secretary of State's office maintains authority over all vehicle registration matters statewide, with processing conducted through BMV branch offices located throughout Maine.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Various situations may require terminating your vehicle registration:
- Selling your vehicle through a private sale or a dealership transaction
- Donating your vehicle to a charitable organization or individual
- Moving your permanent residence to a different state
- Disposing of your vehicle at a salvage yard or recycling facility
- Your vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance carrier
- Reporting your vehicle as stolen with no recovery
- Storing your vehicle long-term without maintaining registration
- Canceling insurance coverage with no intention to operate the vehicle
- Transferring ownership through estate settlement after the owner's death
- Returning a leased vehicle to the financing company or dealer
Processing Registration Cancellation
Maine requires a written, notarized request to cancel vehicle registration. Registration holders must submit the official Plate Cancellation Request Form to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles through in-person delivery or mail.
Completing the Plate Cancellation Request
Download and complete the Plate Cancellation Request Form (MVR 60) from the Secretary of State's website.
Form Requirements:
- Registration class code and registration number
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Printed names and signatures of all registrants listed on the registration
- Request date
- Notarization by a notary public or attorney
- Copy of current registration certificate, if available
Notarization Requirement:
All persons listed on the vehicle registration must appear before a notary public or attorney and sign the form under oath. The notary public or attorney must complete the notarization section, including the date, county, state, and notary signature.
In-Person Submission at BMV Branch
After completing and notarizing the form, deliver it to any Maine BMV branch office during regular business hours.
Items to Bring:
- Completed and notarized Plate Cancellation Request Form
- Copy of current registration certificate
- License plates, if surrendering permanently
- Valid identification for all registrants
BMV staff review the form for completeness, process the cancellation, and update the state vehicle registration database. The branch supervisor signs the form confirming the cancellation date.
Mail Submission to Central Office
Completed and notarized Plate Cancellation Request Forms may be submitted by mail to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles central office.
Mailing Address:
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0029
ATTN: Registrations
Materials to Include:
- Completed and notarized Plate Cancellation Request Form (MVR 60)
- Copy of current registration certificate
- License plates, if surrendering permanently
- Return address for correspondence
The central registrations unit processes mail-in cancellations and forwards confirmation documentation to the address on file.
License Plate Return:
Maine statute Title 29-A, §410 authorizes the Secretary of State to require return of registration certificates and license plates upon voluntary surrender. When a registration certificate is suspended, revoked, canceled, or has expired and the owner has no intention of renewing or transferring it within 6 months, the owner shall remove the registration plates and forward them, along with the registration certificate, to the Secretary of State.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
Maine law establishes specific provisions regarding registration fee refunds and credits when canceling vehicle registration before the expiration date.
Refund Qualification Standards
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles evaluates refund and credit requests based on statutory provisions and the timing of cancellation:
- Credits toward registration of another vehicle when transferring ownership
- Unused registration fees when discontinuing vehicle use
- Errors in fee calculation or improper collection
- Administrative mistakes in registration processing
Critical Limitation: Maine law under Title 29-A, §502 explicitly states that no portion of registration fees is refundable. However, the statute provides for credits toward the registration of another vehicle owned by the same registrant or the registrant's surviving spouse. Credits are calculated based on the timing of the original registration within the registration year.
Credit amounts are determined by the registration period:
- For cancellations during the first 8 months of the registration year, the full fee may be credited toward another vehicle registration
- For cancellations during the last 4 months of the registration year, credits are limited to one-half of the original fee
Credit Application Process
Step 1: Complete Registration Cancellation
Submit your Plate Cancellation Request Form as described above. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles cannot process credit requests until the cancellation appears in the state registration system.
Step 2: Register Another Vehicle
When registering your replacement vehicle, inform the BMV staff that you wish to apply a credit from your cancelled registration. Provide documentation of the previous registration, including:
- Cancelled registration number and vehicle identification
- Date of cancellation
- Original registration fee amount
- Current registration certificate or cancellation confirmation
Step 3: Credit Calculation
BMV staff calculate the eligible credit based on when the cancellation occurred within the registration year. Credits apply only to the registration fee portion of the new vehicle registration and cannot be used for excise taxes or other charges.
Step 4: Credit Application to New Registration
The credit reduces the registration fee for your new vehicle. If the new vehicle's registration fee exceeds the credit amount, you pay the difference. If the credit exceeds the new registration fee and both vehicles have the same fee classification, you may reuse the existing license plates by paying an $8 transfer fee.
Governing Laws and Regulations
Vehicle registration cancellation procedures in Maine are established through state statutes and administrative regulations:
- Maine Revised Statute Title 29-A, §410 governs voluntary surrender or cancellation of vehicle registration and authorizes the Secretary of State to require return of registration certificates and plates
- Maine Revised Statute Title 29-A, §502 establishes procedures for transfer and return of registration, addresses refund prohibitions, and defines credit provisions for registration fees
Government Agencies
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029
Phone: (207) 624-9000
Official Website: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Online Services Portal:
Maine BMV Online Services
BMV Branch Office Locations
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles operates branch offices throughout Maine that process vehicle registration cancellations. The following offices serve Maine's major population centers:
BMV - Portland
125 Presumpscot Street, Portland, ME 04103
Phone: (207) 822-6400
Official Website: BMV Portland Office
BMV - Augusta
19 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 287-3330
Official Website: BMV Augusta Office
BMV - Bangor
396 Griffin Road, Suite 202, Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (207) 942-1319
Official Website: BMV Bangor Office
BMV - Lewiston
36 Mollison Way, Suite 1, Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: (207) 753-7750
Official Website: BMV Lewiston Office
BMV - Scarborough
200 Expedition Drive, Suite G, Scarborough, ME 04074
Phone: (207) 883-2596
Official Website: BMV Scarborough Office
BMV - Topsham
125B Main Street, Topsham, ME 04086
Phone: (207) 725-6520
Official Website: BMV Topsham Office
BMV - Kennebunk
63 Portland Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043
Phone: (207) 985-4890
Official Website: BMV Kennebunk Office
BMV - Ellsworth
22 School Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Phone: (207) 667-9363
Official Website: BMV Ellsworth Office
BMV - Rockland
360 Old County Road, Suite 1, Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 596-2255
Official Website: BMV Rockland Office
BMV - Springvale
456 Main Street, Springvale, ME 04083
Phone: (207) 490-1261
Official Website: BMV Springvale Office
