Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Transfer Checklist
Pennsylvania is one of a small number of states that require notarization on every vehicle title transfer. The seller's and buyer's signatures on the title's assignment section, plus Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration), must be witnessed by a PennDOT-authorized notary public, messenger service, tag service, or licensed dealer. Most Pennsylvanians visit a notary or local tag service to complete the transfer in one stop. The buyer must complete the title transfer within 20 days of the date of sale; Pennsylvania charges 6% state sales tax (7% in Allegheny County, 8% in Philadelphia) on the purchase price.
Quick answer
Pennsylvania title transfers use Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration) and are processed at a PennDOT Driver License Center or authorized agent within 20 days of transfer. Pennsylvania sales tax generally applies on the purchase price — verify the current rate and any exemptions with PennDOT. Pennsylvania license plates generally stay with the seller.
Key facts
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Agency
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Process
- Title Transfer
- Notary required
- Yes
- Bill of sale
- Conditional
- Odometer disclosure
- Yes
- Filing deadline
- 20 days
- Last verified
- 2026-05-21
- Official source
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ↗
Key facts from official sources
Buyer must apply for title within 20 days of the transfer date.
PennDOT — Buying and Selling a Vehicle ↗Form MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration) is required for title transfers.
PennDOT — Form MV-4ST (PDF) ↗Pennsylvania generally does not require notarization for standard title transfers.
PennDOT — Buying and Selling a Vehicle ↗Seller retains their Pennsylvania license plates. Buyer typically obtains new plates.
PennDOT — Buying and Selling a Vehicle ↗Quick reference
Notary required?
✓YesBill of sale?
◆ConditionalOdometer disclosure?
✓YesInspection required?
◆Conditional⏱ Important Deadlines
- 20-day deadline: Buyer must apply for the title within 20 days of the date of saleOfficial source ↗
Seller Checklist
Items the seller typically needs to prepare or provide.
Buyer Checklist
Items the buyer typically needs to prepare or provide.
Required Forms
Fees
Title transfer fee
Standard PA title fee. Confirm current amount with PennDOT.
Sales/use tax
Collected on Form MV-4ST based on the purchase price. Family gift transfers using MV-13 are exempt.
Annual registration fee
Pennsylvania has a relatively low base registration fee. Special plates and additional services add cost.
Notary/tag service fee
Tag services and notaries charge a service fee for handling the title transfer paperwork. This is separate from PennDOT fees.
Special requirements
Pennsylvania requires notarization of the seller's and buyer's signatures on the title assignment AND on Form MV-4ST. This must be done by a PennDOT-authorized notary public, messenger service, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer.
Form MV-4ST serves as the primary tax/title document, so a separate bill of sale is not required by statute. A bill of sale is recommended to document the price, date, and odometer reading independently.
Required for vehicles less than 20 model-years old, completed on the title's assignment section and Form MV-4ST.
Pennsylvania requires annual safety inspection statewide and emissions inspection in 25 designated counties (mostly southeast and southwest PA metros). Newly registered vehicles must be inspected within 10 days of registration (sourceNeeded — confirm current rule).
Step-by-step process
- 1Confirm the seller is the titled owner of record on the front of the PA title.
- 2Check the title for liens — outstanding liens must be released before transfer.
- 3Both parties together visit a PennDOT-authorized notary public, messenger service, tag service, or licensed dealer.
- 4Seller signs the title assignment section in the notary's presence; notary witnesses and stamps.
- 5Both parties complete and sign Form MV-4ST in the notary's presence; notary witnesses and stamps.
- 6Seller removes Pennsylvania plates from the vehicle.
- 7Buyer obtains Pennsylvania auto insurance in their name.
- 8The notary/tag service submits the title application, MV-4ST, and payment to PennDOT on the buyer's behalf (most common workflow).
- 9PennDOT issues new registration card; the new title arrives by mail in approximately 4–6 weeks.
- 10Buyer completes annual safety inspection (and emissions inspection if in a covered county) within the required window.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Signing the title or MV-4ST before reaching a PennDOT-authorized notary — signatures must be made in the notary's presence, not in advance.
- ✗Going to PennDOT directly without notarized paperwork — PA title transfers require notarization before submission.
- ✗Forgetting that PA plates stay with the seller — driving the seller's plates is illegal.
- ✗Missing the 20-day deadline for title application.
- ✗Skipping MV-13 on a family gift — without it, sales tax applies even on gifts.
- ✗Wrong sales tax rate — buyers in Allegheny County (7%) and Philadelphia (8%) pay more than the 6% state rate.
- ✗Confusing 'tag service' with PennDOT — a tag service is an authorized private business that handles paperwork. PennDOT issues the title.
Official links
Source verification
This page covers 5 researched claims about Pennsylvania title transfer:
Directly cited from official sources
Inferred — confirm with agency before acting
Researched from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Requirements can change — always verify with the official agency before submitting documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Pennsylvania title transfer need to be notarized?
Yes. Pennsylvania is one of a small number of states that require notarization of every vehicle title transfer. The seller's and buyer's signatures on the title assignment and on Form MV-4ST must be witnessed by a PennDOT-authorized notary public, messenger service, tag service, or licensed dealer. Both parties typically need to be present at the same notary visit.
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Pennsylvania?
PennDOT's title fee is $58. On top of that, the buyer pays 6% sales tax statewide (7% in Allegheny County, 8% in Philadelphia) on the purchase price, plus the annual registration fee (~$39 for passenger vehicles) and a notary/tag service fee (typically $10–$50). Total out-of-pocket for a typical private-party transfer is several hundred dollars depending on price.
Can I do a Pennsylvania title transfer entirely online?
No. Pennsylvania requires in-person notarization for title transfers, so the transaction cannot be fully online. The notary or tag service can submit the paperwork to PennDOT on your behalf, which is the most common workflow.
What if I gift the car to a family member in Pennsylvania?
Family gift transfers between immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling) are exempt from sales tax. File Form MV-13 (Affidavit of Gift) along with MV-4ST and the title. The $58 title fee still applies, and the notarization requirement still applies.
I inherited a car in Pennsylvania — how do I transfer the title?
Use Form MV-39 (Notification of Assignment / Correction of Vehicle Title Upon Death of Owner). The form must be notarized along with supporting documents (death certificate, court order for probate, or letters testamentary). Submit MV-39 with the title to PennDOT or a tag service.
I moved to Pennsylvania from another state — what do I do?
New PA residents must title and register the vehicle within 20 days of establishing residency. Bring the out-of-state title, completed and notarized Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title), proof of PA insurance, photo ID, and payment for the title fee ($58), sales/use tax, and registration. Vehicle must also pass PA safety and (if applicable) emissions inspection.
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Last reviewed: 2026-05-21 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice