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To transfer a vehicle title in Pennsylvania, you'll need the following:
The current title (also called the Certificate of Title) for the vehicle being transferred. If you’re the seller, you’ll need to sign over the title to the buyer.
You’ll need a valid government-issued ID (like a driver’s license) to verify your identity. If you are titling the vehicle in the name of a business a letter of authorization on business letterhead signed by another officer within the business (president, VP, treasurer and etc.) authorizing you sign on behalf of the business.
For motorized vehicles that are model year 2011 or newer, the odometer reading must be recorded on the title please have the current odometer written down or a picture of the current odometer reading available with your other documents. Trailers and mobile homes are exempt from this.
A Bill of Sale is not required by law vehicles currently titled in PA, but it's recommended to have a written record of the transaction. It should include the buyer and seller’s names, addresses, the sale price, date, and the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and signed and dated by the seller. If you purchased a vehicle out of state, it is required to have the bill of sale described above. This can be handwritten or on a pre-printed form readily available online just search Google.
For Antique (25 years old or older) or Classic (15 years to 24 years old) motorized vehicles you will need pictures of the vehicle, as well as an insurance ID card with the vehicle's VIN listed on it. To qualify for Antique or Classic registration the motor vehicle must not a reproduction thereof, which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformance with manufacturer specifications.
Pictures: one image of: front, rear, both sides, and one of the VIN. These pictures must be taken outside in good light and "straight on" for each one---not taken at an angle. These can be taken with a smart phone camera and sent to us (email or text) when you come in to finish your transaction. We provide a service to take and or print the photos in color to meet PA BMV requirements.
Valid proof of insurance is required for any motorized that you are registering and purchasing a registration plate for. The only items that may be used for proof of insurance prior to the issuance of a temporary registration plate or transfer of registration plate in Pennsylvania are the following:
1. An insurance identification card issued by an insurance carrier or by a self-insured. The Department of Transportation issues a certificate to self-insureds who are then authorized to produce an insurance I.D. card;
2. The declaration page of an insurance policy or a copy thereof;
3. A copy of a valid binder of insurance which contains all of the information required to appear on the I.D. card, excluding the policy number, and is signed by a licensed insurance agent or broker; or,
4. A valid copy of an application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan which contains all of the information required to appear on the I.D. card, excluding the policy number, and is signed by a licensed producer (insurance agent).
Key points for proof of insurance:
1. The proof of insurance ID Card or declaration page must be in the name of the individual titling the vehicle. This is also known as named insured or policy holder. If you are a "young adult" still on your parents insurance, your parent must be present with valid photo ID and must listed on the title as a co-owner. If you are a married couple please ensure both names are listed on the vehicle insurance ID card as named insured or policy holder--if this is not the case please obtain a new insurance ID card from your insurance agent or company before your appointment.
2. The vehicle insurance ID card can be sent from the insurance company to our email
3. The vehicle insurance ID card can be in an electronic format from your smart phone and sent to our email.
4. If you are titling and registering in the name of a business, the named insured or policy holder must be the business name listed on the insurance ID card.
5. A receipt for proof of payment, or an expired insurance ID card or declaration page are not accepted.
If there's a lien on the vehicle, you’ll need to provide a lien release from the lender to confirm that the loan has been paid off. A lien release may be signed on the front of the title and dated by a representative of the bank that held the lien. In some instances the seller would have received a separate lien release letter from their bank that held the lien. If this is the case you need that original lien release letter (with a wet signature from the signer and sometimes this signer's signature is notarized as well).
Trucks, Trailers, and Motorhomes titled and registered in PA are required to have both the GVWR (or loaded) weight and the Unladen (curb) weight at time of application for title and registration. This information can be found on the manufacturer's tag located on the driver's door jam of trucks or motorhomes. For trailers or campers the manufacturer's tag in on the driver's side of the unit towards the front of the trailer. Most times the unladen weight is not listed on manufacturer's tag, the GVWR is almost always listed. We will attempt to reach the manufacturer for this information or you may be required to get a weight slip for the trailer from a certified weighmaster. This includes boat trailers as well.
You may need to pay sales tax at the time of title transfer. This will be based on the sale price of the vehicle. The current PA sales tax rate is 6% (7% in Allegheny County and 8% in Philadelphia).
The agency and state fees combined for transferring a title in PA currently starts at $177.00 for a "title only transaction", but will be higher if the vehicle is being registered, either with regular registration or specialty (for instance antique or classic registration), or if financed the vehicle purchase you will need to record a lien. Your lienholder or bank will provide documentation to properly record your lien on the new title.
If you’re the buyer, you will need to make an appointment with us to officially complete the transfer and get your new title in your name. If you're the seller, make sure you provide all the correct documents to avoid any issues later on.
Let me know if you need clarification or help with a specific part!
PA buyers will need the following:
title or MCO (new) proof of ownership - seller's signature needs notarized on all MCOs and titles. If you are buying out of state, please have the seller's signature notarized on all MCOs and out of state titles--if it shows notary blocks on the reassignment.
bill of sale---required for out of state purchases, and it doesn't hurt to have one for a PA titled ATV or snowmobile.
valid photo ID
picture of the VIN to verify it is correct - take this pic in a well lit environment so that it can be read easily.
If the ATV is titled in PA - the PA registration plate transfers to the PA buyer--this is backwards from a PennDOT titled vehicle.
*******PROOF OF INSURANCE*****NEW effective October 15, 2025 PA DCNR requires a valid proof of insurance ID card in the name of the buyer and has the VIN for the ATV or snowmobile clearly listed.
Cash check or debit for the sales tax, title and registration fees, and agency fees
If you have moved to PA from another state we can assist you with titling and registering your vehicles, boats, trailers, and much more. The following is needed to title and register an out of state vehicle:
Vehicles transferred as a gift are required to have a gift affidavit completed and signed by both the seller and the buyer. Vehicles that are transferred from an out of state title, the seller is required to provide proof that they paid sales tax when the vehicle was purchased. Vehicles transferred as a gift are subject to a review by the PA Department of Revenue and the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You as the receiver (or transferee) of a vehicle may be subject to suspension of your driving privilege and suspension of your vehicle registration. If it is determined that there was an actual sale of the vehicle. You will also be required to pay the sales tax and additional processing or state fees to make the necessary amendment of the purchase price.
The short answer is NO. We know no one wants to pay sales tax on their vehicle purchase, however this is part of the costs with owning, using and operating a vehicle. By signing all documents related to the purchase of a vehicle both buyer and seller are attesting that all specifics including the purchase price are true and correct. If it is determined post sale that an amendment needs to be submitted to the state agency, you will be responsible for the additional sales tax owed and additional processing fees or state fees to make this amendment. You can also subject to a driver' s license and or vehicle registration suspension for committing fraud involved with the sale of a vehicle. A wise person one said "The truth shall set you free!"
Normally an individual seller is not required to be present in PA to finish the PA title transfer for the buyer. You do want to make sure you have the following from the seller:
Clear title signed from the seller and the seller's signature is notarized if required in their jurisdiction or state. MCO's new purchases are required to have the seller's signature (dealer owner or dealer employee). If the MCO or title is not notarized the proof of ownership will have to be sent back to the dealer or seller to have their signature notarized--we can help with this.
Bill of Sale--please see What documents are required....for specific bill of sale requirements
Verify the VIN is correct on the seller's title or transferrable registration card and matches the VIN on the vehicle or trailer purchased. IMPORTANT: If there are any clerical errors on the out of state title or registration card the seller must obtain a corrected title or transferrable registration card from their home state before they can sell the vehicle or trailer to you.
If you are purchasing a vehicle from an out of state dealer, at the time of signing of documents in their finance office please let them know you are using our agency to complete the title transfer and obtain registration. Please give them our website and phone number so that we can ensure a smooth transfer for you as buyer. The out of state paper title is required to be in your hand or sent to our agency from the dealer to complete the transfer from an out of state dealer. If you financed your vehicle our agency offers a service to request the title from the lienholder to complete the transfer and get registration.
Some trailers or campers purchased out of state may not be required to have a title. These state are knows as non-title states for trailers or campers. PA BMV requires you to have the prior owner's registration card for the trailer or camper if this is the case. You will not be able to title or register the trailer or camper in PA without having the prior owner's registration card. If the seller does not have a registration card from their jurisdiction (state) they will need to apply for registration in that jurisdiction and provide that registration card to you along with a bill of sale for the trailer or camper.
The extra documentation needed to register a motorhome or motorcycle would be having a proof of insurance ID card with the specific VIN on it for the unit purchased. This means you would need to have that insurance ID card available at the time of transfer. PA law does not permit agents to accept a car insurance ID card for the purchase of a motorhome or motorcycle.
If you already own a motorcycle and have a valid insurance ID card for that unit, you can present that insurance card.
We accept cash, check, debit, and credit cards. The use of debit and credit cards will incur a non-cash convenience fee. For checks and debit or credit cards the owner of the checking account, debit or credit card must be present with valid photo ID in order to pay with those methods.
A notary public is a public official appointed by the state government to witness and certify the signing of legal documents.
Yes, Close Notary is insured for errors and omissions to protect our clients in case of any mistakes or errors during the notarization process.
Yes, Close Notary can perform remote notarization services for clients who are unable to come to our office. Please contact us for more information.
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