What You Need to Do to Transfer a Car Title in Pennsylvania

To transfer a car title in Pennsylvania, you fill out Form MV-4 (process for Certificate of Title), gather documents proving ownership and identity, and submit them to your county's notary public or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The process takes about two weeks if you mail it in, or you can complete it in person at a notary's office the same day. You will need the signed title from the seller, proof of your identity, and proof that you own the vehicle — usually a bill of sale or purchase agreement.

Pennsylvania requires the title transfer to happen through a notary, not directly at a DMV office. This is different from many other states. The notary verifies your identity and the seller's signature, then sends your paperwork to PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), which issues the new title in your name.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use Form MV-4 and have the seller sign the title in front of a notary public; the notary cannot notarize a signature that was already signed before you arrived.
  • Bring a government-issued photo ID, the signed title from the seller, and a bill of sale or purchase agreement showing the sale price to the notary's office.
  • The notary charges a fee (usually $10 to $25) to witness the signatures and submit your paperwork to PennDOT.
  • Processing takes about two weeks by mail; if you need the title faster, some notaries offer expedited service for an additional fee.
  • If the seller cannot sign in front of the notary, you will need a power of attorney document signed by the seller and notarized separately.

Documents You Must Bring to the Notary

The notary will ask for the original title signed by the seller. The seller must sign the title in front of the notary — a title that was already signed before you arrived cannot be notarized. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from PennDOT using Form MV-4ST before you meet with the notary.

You also need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). The notary verifies your identity before witnessing any signatures. Bring a bill of sale or purchase agreement that shows the sale price; PennDOT uses this to calculate the transfer tax. If you received the vehicle as a gift, bring a gift affidavit instead, which you can obtain from the notary or read from the PennDOT website.

If the title has a lien (meaning a bank or lender owns it until you pay off a loan), the lienholder must sign the title as well. Some lienholders will sign the title and mail it to you; others require you to pick it up in person. Check with your lender before you go to the notary.

How to Find a Notary Public in Pennsylvania

Notaries are available at banks, credit unions, law offices, and UPS stores throughout Pennsylvania. Many do not charge a fee if you are a customer; others charge $10 to $25 per transaction. Call ahead to confirm they handle car title transfers, because not all notaries are familiar with the process.

You can search for notaries near you on the Pennsylvania Department of State website under "Find a Notary Public." Enter your county or zip code to see a list of notaries in your area, including their phone numbers and addresses. Some notaries offer evening or weekend hours if you cannot visit during business hours.

The Transfer Tax and Registration Fee

Pennsylvania charges a transfer tax based on the sale price of the vehicle. The tax rate is 6 percent of the purchase price, with a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $60. If you received the vehicle as a gift, you pay a flat $1 tax. The notary collects this tax when you submit your paperwork and sends it to PennDOT along with your title process.

You will also need to register the vehicle in your name. Registration costs depend on the vehicle's weight and age. The notary can provide a registration form (MV-44) and tell you the exact fee for your vehicle. Some notaries collect the registration fee at the same time as the title transfer; others require you to pay it separately when you receive your registration documents.

What Happens After You Submit Your Paperwork

After the notary submits your paperwork to PennDOT, processing usually takes about two weeks. You will receive your new title and registration documents by mail at the address you provided on Form MV-4. During this time, you can drive the vehicle with a temporary registration receipt that the notary gives you.

If you need the title faster, some notaries offer expedited processing for an additional fee, usually $15 to $30. Expedited titles typically arrive within 5 to 7 business days. Ask the notary about this option when you call to schedule your appointment.

If you do not receive your title within three weeks, contact PennDOT's title section at 717-787-2171. Have your process number ready (the notary gives you a receipt with this number). PennDOT can tell you whether your paperwork was received and when your title should arrive.

Special Situations: Out-of-State Titles and Salvage Vehicles

If you are transferring a title from another state, you follow the same process with Form MV-4, but you must also provide your out-of-state title. PennDOT will issue a Pennsylvania title in your name. Some states require you to get a release of lien from the previous lienholder before you can transfer the title out of state; check with the state where the vehicle was last registered if you are unsure.

Salvage titles (issued for vehicles that have been declared a total loss by an insurance company) require additional inspection and documentation. You cannot straightforward transfer a salvage title to a new owner in Pennsylvania without having the vehicle inspected by a PennDOT-approved inspector. If you are buying a salvage vehicle, ask the seller whether they have already had it inspected, or plan to have an inspection done before you meet with the notary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a title if the seller is not available to sign in front of the notary?

No, the seller must sign the title in front of the notary. If the seller cannot be present, they can sign a power of attorney document that authorizes you to sign on their behalf. The power of attorney must be notarized by a notary in the seller's state before you take it to your Pennsylvania notary. This adds time and cost to the process.

What if the title has two owners listed and only one of them is signing?

Both owners must sign the title unless one owner has a power of attorney from the other. If the title says "and" between the names, both must sign. If it says "or," only one needs to sign. The notary will tell you which applies to your title.

Do I need to transfer the title before I can register the vehicle?

You can do both at the same time through the notary. The notary submits Form MV-4 (title transfer) and Form MV-44 (registration) together to PennDOT. You do not need to wait for the title to arrive before registering the vehicle.

What if I bought the vehicle from a private seller and there is no bill of sale?

You can create a bill of sale yourself or ask the seller to write one. It should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the names and signatures of both the buyer and seller. The notary can provide a template if you need one. Without a bill of sale, PennDOT may contact you to verify the sale price for tax purposes.

How long can I drive with a temporary registration before the permanent title arrives?

The temporary registration receipt the notary gives you is valid for 30 days. Your permanent registration documents should arrive within two to three weeks. If they do not, contact PennDOT before the temporary registration expires.