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The bottom line: To sell a car privately in Pennsylvania, the seller's signature on the title must be notarized or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent at a notary public, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer. This is one of the few states that requires title notarization for private sales.
Plates stay with the seller, not with the car. Pennsylvania has no separate release of liability form, so returning your plates to PennDOT is what notifies them the car is sold.
If you’ve lost the title, a duplicate costs $72 from PennDOT using Form MV-38O.
Pennsylvania at a glance
- Where title transfers happen: notary public, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer that is an authorized PennDOT agent
- Title notarization: required
- Bill of sale: recommended
- License plates: stay with the seller
- Plate transfer fee: $11
- Release of liability form: None required (plate surrender)
- Buyer registration deadline: 20 days from sale date
- Duplicate title: $72 using Form MV-38O
- Sell without title: allowed for salvage vehicles under 75 Pa.C.S. Sections 1162 and 1163 (transfer of salvage vehicle without title to a licensed salvor or scrap metal processor)
- Emissions inspection: annual emissions inspection required for vehicle registration in 25 designated counties (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, South Central, and Northern regions); not specifically required to complete a private sale
- Safety inspection: annual safety inspection required for registered vehicles, but not required to complete a private sale; the buyer has 10 days after sale to obtain a valid inspection if the existing one has expired
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Step-by-Step Process for Pennsylvania
Step 1: Prepare Your Pennsylvania Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title: Must be in your name and free of liens
- Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID: Your name must match exactly what’s on the title
- Lien release documentation: Required if you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need a replacement before you can sell. To apply, complete Form MV-38O and mail to PennDOT with payment, or submit through an authorized PennDOT agent. The fee is $72.
If you don’t have a title:
Pennsylvania law makes one exception for salvage vehicles under 75 Pa.C.S. Sections 1162 and 1163 (transfer of salvage vehicle without title to a licensed salvor or scrap metal processor).
Services like Peddle and Wheelzy typically qualify under this exception.
Watch: Can You Sell a Car Without a Title in Pennsylvania?
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender holds the title if you’re still making payments. Here’s what to expect: lender mails paper title with lien released to owner once loan is satisfied; if lender participates in ELT program, request conversion to paper title before sale.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket at closing.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you changed your name after marriage or for another reason, bring documentation showing the name change to the signing.
Notarization required:
In Pennsylvania, the seller's signature on the title must be notarized or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent at a notary public, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer. Both you and the buyer must be present at the same time, and the agent verifies both parties’ IDs and witnesses the signing.
You can’t sign the title ahead of time and hand it to the buyer later. Both signatures must happen in the same session.
Electronic titles:
The ELT program exists for lienholders, but a paper title is normally needed for private sale; lender must convert e-title to paper title before sale. Contact your lender early in the process since this can take time.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like New Jersey and New York.
Pennsylvania’s rural areas have a strong market for trucks and SUVs, and the state’s proximity to major Northeast metros can bring in out-of-state buyers for well-priced vehicles. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
Best for Newer Cars
-
Offer amount 35% 5/5
-
Process ease 20% 5/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
-
Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
-
Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
Best for Older Cars
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
- Quote stays valid for 7 days
- Handles all the paperwork too
- Buys cars that are missing keys
- Pays cash or check at pickup
Best for Junk Cars
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
- Assists with replacement titles
- Buys cars stripped for parts
- Driver pays you before loading
- Quote often needs a phone call
Learn more:
Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
Learn more:
Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Pennsylvania Title Transfer
Both you and the buyer must go together to a notary public, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer that is an authorized PennDOT agent. You can’t mail the title or sign it separately. Both signatures must happen in the same place, at the same time, in front of the agent.
As the seller, you fill in the buyer’s full name and address, sign and print your name, and record the current odometer reading in Section A. The buyer completes and signs Section D on the front of the title. Use blue or black ink only. Do not use white-out or cross anything out. PennDOT treats corrections as defacement and will reject the title.
For odometer disclosure, no separate state form; odometer disclosure is built into the title's Section A for vehicles model year 2011 or newer, under 16,000 lbs, and self-propelled. The agent will confirm what applies if your vehicle is older or exempt.
The buyer also needs Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration) to complete their registration. This form is only available from authorized PennDOT agents. The agent at your signing location can usually provide it on the spot.
If the title says “and” between co-owners, both owners must sign as sellers. If it says “or,” either owner can sign alone. Make sure everyone required is present before scheduling the appointment.
The buyer has 20 days from sale date to submit the notarized title and MV-4ST packet to PennDOT and complete their registration. If they miss that deadline, they face late fees and possible citations if the vehicle is stopped while still titled in seller's name.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale is recommended for standard private car sales in Pennsylvania. It’s still smart protection for both parties.
Notarization is not required for the bill of sale. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes. Include the sale date, price, VIN, odometer reading, and both parties’ names and signatures.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Pennsylvania License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Pennsylvania, plates stay with the seller, not with the car.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car. They can’t drive legally on your old plates after the sale.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
Pennsylvania has no formal release of liability form. The notarized title transfer is what legally separates you from the vehicle. In Pennsylvania, No online filing is required. Return your license plates to the PennDOT Return Tag Unit by mail to provide notice the car is sold..
Keep a copy of the signed title, your bill of sale, and the buyer’s name and contact information. This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Pennsylvania Sale Checklist
Before the Sale
At the Sale
After the Sale
Pennsylvania DMV Resources
State Resources:
- PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services
- Find an Authorized PennDOT Agent Near You
- PennDOT Buying or Selling a Vehicle
Phone Support:
- PennDOT Customer Call Center: 717-412-5300
Pennsylvania Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $72 | Before sale |
| Plate transfer (optional) | $11 | After sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 20 days from sale date. If that deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the next business day applies.
Missing the deadline means late fees and possible citations if the vehicle is stopped while still titled in seller's name.
Keep a copy of your signed title and the sale date as proof you completed your part.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Pennsylvania?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, the seller's signature on the title must be notarized or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent at a notary public, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer. Both you and the buyer must be present at the same time.
A regular notary who is not a PennDOT agent will not be enough. Confirm the location is authorized before you make an appointment.
When is a bill of sale required in Pennsylvania?
A bill of sale is recommended for a standard private car sale in Pennsylvania. The notarized title transfer covers the legal ownership change.
It’s still smart for your records. A bill of sale proves the sale price, date, and condition at the time of sale. Notarization is not required.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first. Your lender holds the title while a loan is active. Here’s what to expect: lender mails paper title with lien released to owner once loan is satisfied; if lender participates in ELT program, request conversion to paper title before sale.
For private sales, most sellers pay off the loan at closing using the buyer’s funds and get the lien release in real time. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket.
My car was inherited. What additional Pennsylvania forms do I need?
You’ll need Form MV-39 (Notification of Assignment/Correction of Vehicle Title Upon Death of Owner).
Required documents depend on the estate: If probated: certified copy of letters testamentary or letters of administration plus title; if not probated: Form MV-39 plus death certificate; surviving spouse co-owner or joint tenant with right of survivorship can transfer without title fee..
Contact an authorized PennDOT agent to confirm exactly which documents they’ll need for your situation.
Both my spouse and I are on the Pennsylvania title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on the word connecting your names on the title. If the title says “and” between both names, both owners must sign. If it says “or,” either owner can sign alone.
Check the front of your title carefully before scheduling the signing appointment. If both signatures are required, both co-owners must be present at the authorized PennDOT agent at the same time.
What if I make a mistake on the Pennsylvania title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. PennDOT treats any correction on the title as defacement and will reject it.
You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form MV-38O. The fee is $72. To apply, complete Form MV-38O and mail to PennDOT with payment, or submit through an authorized PennDOT agent.
Once you receive the clean duplicate, you can complete the sale.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Pennsylvania require anything special?
Your obligations as the seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. You still complete Section A, sign before an authorized PennDOT agent, and remove your plates.
The buyer may need a VIN inspection in their home state before registering the car there. That’s their responsibility, not yours.
Give them a copy of the bill of sale and any maintenance records to make their registration process easier.
Do Pennsylvania license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Pennsylvania license plates stay with the seller. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
The buyer gets brand new plates when they register the car in their name. They cannot legally drive on your plates after the sale is complete.
How do I sell a junk car in Pennsylvania?
Junk cars are treated differently than running cars in Pennsylvania.
Under 75 Pa.C.S. Sections 1162 and 1163 (transfer of salvage vehicle without title to a licensed salvor or scrap metal processor), you can transfer a salvage vehicle to a licensed buyer without a title.
If your car still runs, the standard rules apply: clear title, signing in front of an authorized PennDOT agent, plates removed before pickup.
Learn more: How to Sell a Junk Car in Pennsylvania?
Article Update History
All fees, forms, and PennDOT requirements in this guide reflect the latest information from Pennsylvania's official driver and vehicle services.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
Title Notarization Explanation
"the seller's signature on the title must be notarized or verified by an authorized PennDOT agent at a notary public, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer" Accessed May 10, 2026
"$72" Accessed May 10, 2026
Duplicate Title Application Form
"Form MV-38O" Accessed May 10, 2026
Buyer Registration Deadline After Sale
"20 days from sale date" Accessed May 10, 2026
Sell Without Title: Legal Authority
"75 Pa.C.S. Sections 1162 and 1163 (transfer of salvage vehicle without title to a licensed salvor or scrap metal processor)" Accessed May 10, 2026
"annual emissions inspection required for vehicle registration in 25 designated counties (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, South Central, and Northern regions); not specifically required to complete a private sale" Accessed May 10, 2026
Safety Inspection Conditions or Status
"annual safety inspection required for registered vehicles, but not required to complete a private sale; the buyer has 10 days after sale to obtain a valid inspection if the existing one has expired" Accessed May 10, 2026
How to Apply for a Replacement Title
"complete Form MV-38O and mail to PennDOT with payment, or submit through an authorized PennDOT agent" Accessed May 10, 2026
Separate Odometer Disclosure Form
"no separate state form; odometer disclosure is built into the title's Section A for vehicles model year 2011 or newer, under 16,000 lbs, and self-propelled" Accessed May 10, 2026
"PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services" Accessed May 10, 2026
Inherited Vehicle Title Transfer Form
"Form MV-39 (Notification of Assignment/Correction of Vehicle Title Upon Death of Owner)" Accessed May 10, 2026
Inherited Vehicle Form Requirements
"If probated: certified copy of letters testamentary or letters of administration plus title; if not probated: Form MV-39 plus death certificate; surviving spouse co-owner or joint tenant with right of survivorship can transfer without title fee." Accessed May 10, 2026