Required Documents For Title & Registration Of A Motor Vehicle In PA
- tunlar
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Title, ID, and Insurance: Many consumers seem to think that's all you need to title and register a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania.
The reality is a bit more involved.
Most vehicles have a Title - or MCO/MSO - and this document is needed to transfer ownership. Depending on the state it's coming from, or if it's a new purchase, the document may require the buyer and seller signatures to be notarized. Depending on the state, a transferable registration card may be considered proof of ownership.
If there's a finance company, or if it's a leased vehicle, you will need to request the original title to be released to our office. We can assist with that process, but we have no control over how long it will take them to release the title.
When you're ready to buy a vehicle, it's best to call and find out exactly what you'll need to Title and Register in Pennsylvania. Did the seller ever obtain a duplicate title? If so, that voids the original title and they'll need to provide you with the correct ownership document.
Always get a completed bill of sale and include the date, buyer & seller details, full vehicle details, including the VIN, purchase price, mileage, any notations, and signatures.
Yes, you'll need valid ID, and proof of insurance that lists your name. In some cases, it doesn't need to list that specific vehicle, just that you have insurance. However, certain transactions will require proof of insurance for the specific vehicle that you're registering.
The Purchase Price of a vehicle is critical, and where the vehicle is coming from. You, AND the seller, may need to both sign a Fair Market Value form, that's required by PENNDOT for certain transactions. A Gift Form may be required, and must be signed by all parties to the transaction. The Seller may need to provide you with proof that sales tax was paid when they purchased the vehicle.
Death Procedure Forms may be required if one or more owners are deceased. You will need to provide an original death certificate, MV-39, or short certificate, and in some cases, both. Other heirs may need to sign the MV-39 form, and this may take time for you to obtain all of the signatures that are required.
Power of Attorney Forms may be required when a party to the transaction is incapacitated, or unable to be present. We will need to see the original P.O.A document, and it may need to be submitted with the transaction.
A VIN & Weight Verification Form may be required for out-of-state vehicles coming into PA, or to determine the unladen, gross vehicle, and combination weights for certain vehicle types.
Pictures. Certain transactions will require pictures of your vehicle and the VIN plate. We can assist with printing pictures, or we can take the pictures with your vehicle present. There will be an additional fee for those services.
Additional Forms and Documents may be needed, but we won't know until we have a discussion on what your're buying, where it's coming from, what documents you were given, and what the state of PA requires based on your situation.
Quite often, we receive calls asking for a price on how much it will cost to title and register a vehicle. While we can provide a general estimate for our services and most fees, we won't know the total until you are present and we determine exactly what is needed to complete your transaction. What is the purchase price? How many owners? Is it a death procedure, gift, etc. That would be like calling the grocery store to find out how much your shopping trip will cost - without knowing what your shopping list is. While many transactions are very similiar, they are not cookie cutter design, and your specific work may not match the next customer. We always try to be helpful and provide a general cost range with the understanding that it's just an estimate.
Ready to get started? Call Tunlar Agency to get a list of exactly what's needed so you'll be prepared to Title and Register your vehicle in PA, without potential delays.
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