Last Update: September 16, 2026

Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Maine

Several circumstances may require Maine residents to update their vehicle registration: relocating to a new address, legally changing their name, discovering errors on their registration documents, purchasing a vehicle, or becoming a new state resident. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), which operates under the Maine Department of the Secretary of State, has primary responsibility for vehicle title administration and maintenance of registration records.

Maine Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

Several common situations require updates to vehicle registration records in Maine:

• Address changes — relocating to a new physical address or updating a mailing address
• Legal name changes — when a current legal name no longer matches what appears on registration or title documents
• Registration or title errors — discrepancies or inaccuracies found on either the registration certificate or certificate of title
• Vehicle purchases — when acquiring a new or used vehicle and completing registration and titling procedures
• State residency changes — if relocating to Maine from another state and converting out-of-state registrations and titles to Maine documentation

Where to File a Maine Vehicle Registration Change

Vehicle registrations in Maine are issued at the local municipal office where the vehicle is registered and at a BMV branch office in municipalities that do not issue registrations and in unorganized territory. Excise tax is paid at the municipal office before registration is completed.

Title functions are administered separately at the state level. Title applications are processed through the Division of Title Services of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and may be submitted at a BMV branch office, town hall, or municipal office or mailed to the division.

Maine Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

Maine registration records are maintained by the municipality that issues the registration. An address change within the same town can be completed through the Rapid Renewal online service at renewal, while a move to a different town requires registering in person at the new town or city office, as described in the Rapid Renewal vehicle FAQ.

For personal information held on record by the bureau, an address change may be reported to the BMV by phone or email, since address changes cannot be completed through the online system.

Maine Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

A legal name change should be treated as both a registration matter and a title matter because the owner's name appears on both records. Name corrections on a registration cannot be completed online and require in-person registration at the town or city hall. When the name shown on the certificate of title must be corrected, an application for a corrected title may be filed. Title applications are made on the MVT-2 form, which is available at a BMV branch office, town hall, or municipal office.

Correcting Incorrect Information on a Maine Registration Record

The correction procedure varies depending on which record contains the error. Errors on the registration record—such as a misspelled registrant name—must be corrected through an in-person visit to the town or city hall. For errors on the certificate of title, an application for a corrected title may be submitted. A duplicate title can be obtained in two ways: through the Online Duplicate Title service or by submitting the MVT-8 form.

Maine Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

Several important Maine deadlines affect vehicle registration updates:

• New resident conversions — out-of-state registrations and titles must be converted within 30 days of establishing residency, as detailed in the BMV's passenger vehicle registration guidance
• Document delivery deadline — all documents required for submission to the Secretary of State, including title applications, must be delivered within 30 days; a $50 penalty applies for late delivery
• Liability insurance requirement — proof of liability insurance coverage must be provided to either the municipal agent or the bureau before vehicle registration, as required by 29-A M.R.S. §402
• Rapid Renewal timeframe — online registration renewals through Rapid Renewal can be processed starting 60 days before expiration through 7 months after the expiration date.

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

Maine vehicle registration and title records are administered by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) under the Secretary of State, which publishes statewide title fees on its official pages. The fees for the record changes described in the article are listed in the table below.

Contact Information

Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029
Phone: (207) 624-9000
Official Website: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles