PA Vehicle Title Transfers: Getting the Title Notarized, Then Finishing at the Tag Service

The short answer

In Pennsylvania, the seller's signature on the back of the title has to be notarized. A mobile notary can come to you and witness those signatures. After that, the buyer takes the notarized title to a tag service (a PennDOT-authorized agent) or a dealer. They file the title application, collect the sales tax and fees, and handle the new title and the plates or registration. (Source: PennDOT's Buying or Selling Your Vehicle in Pennsylvania fact sheet.)

An earlier version of this article said a standard PA title transfer doesn't need notarization. That was wrong, and I've corrected it.

How a private-sale transfer works in PA

1. Don't sign the title yet. Sign it in front of the notary. Signing ahead of time, or crossing things out, can void the title.
2. Get the signatures notarized. Every owner listed on the title signs in front of the notary with valid photo ID. If a co-owner can't be there, they need a power of attorney (see below).
3. The buyer takes the notarized title to a tag service or dealer. They complete the title application and pay the title, registration and sales-tax amounts. The office can tell you the current totals, and whether the buyer needs to bring anything else.
4. The tag service submits it to PennDOT and handles plates or a registration transfer. Keep your receipts and copies.

What to have ready for the notary

• The original Pennsylvania title (no copies), unsigned
• Valid, unexpired photo ID for every person signing
• The sale price, date and current odometer reading
• Lien release, if the title still shows a lender

It's worth calling the tag service you'll use first to ask what the buyer should bring to finish the transfer, like proof of insurance and payment.

When an owner can't be there: power of attorney (Form MV-1849)

If an owner can't sign because they're in the hospital, in a care facility, out of state or deployed, they can give someone else authority to sign for them with PennDOT's vehicle power of attorney, Form MV-1849. The owner's signature on the power of attorney has to be notarized, and I can do that at the bedside or at home.

• Ask the tag service what they need to see with the power of attorney. Offices vary on details.
• The owner needs valid photo ID and has to be able to understand and sign the document.
• Don't sign the power of attorney before the notary arrives.

Bill of sale: optional, but a good record

Pennsylvania doesn't require a bill of sale for a titled vehicle, but a signed and notarized one is a clean record of the price, date, VIN and "as-is" terms. That helps if there's ever a dispute, and it's useful for trailers, boats or parts sales that don't go through the title process. Include the buyer and seller names and addresses, the vehicle year, make, model and VIN, the sale price and date, and the odometer reading.

Out-of-state titles and gifts

Out-of-state titles follow the rules of the state that issued the title. Some states require the seller's signature to be notarized and some don't, so check that state's DMV instructions before bringing it to a PA tag service.

Family transfers and gifts can qualify for a sales-tax exemption. The tag service handles that paperwork, so ask them which exemption form applies to your situation.