Buying a vehicle is an exciting milestone, whether it’s your first car or upgrading to a newer model. For some though it can be an anxious experience due to all the paperwork that comes with it. But if you know what to expect and can prepare ahead of time with all the necessary documents you need, car shopping can be a little easier.
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
If you’re buying through a car dealership
If you choose to buy a vehicle from a dealership in Pennsylvania, you can expect the dealer to take care of handling the paperwork. From registration to doc fees, and more, your chosen dealership will do the legwork. Please note that if you’re financing the vehicle, be it a sedan, convertible, SUV, or other, the title or certificate of title will be mailed (in your name) to the lienholder or financial institution responsible for the car loan.
But if you choose to buy a car from a private seller, you’ll have to handle the paperwork yourself including the title transfer. Don’t worry though, eTags Pennsylvania is here to help you with the process with easy steps to follow whether you handle the transaction in person or online.
SEE ALSO: PENNSYLVANIA REGISTRATION RENEWAL
If you’re handing the transfer of ownership in person
Both you (the car buyer) and the car seller have to show up at notary public, a tag agency, or The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot DMV). In this case, the certificate of title will be mailed directly to you; the buyer.
If the vehicle you’re titling and registering is a 2008 or newer model weighing 8,500 pounds or less, and has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer, the vehicle has to be certified by Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). You can determine if the car or light truck you want to buy is compliant with PA’s Clean Vehicles Program here.
If you rather transfer car title online
To transfer the title from seller to buyer, you (the buyer) will need to fill out the Form MV-4ST “Vehicle Sales and use Tax return/ Application for Registration.” This form is only available from authorized PennDot agents such as eTags. You’ll also need:
• Current title from seller (notarized) or a Manufacturer’s certificate of origin
if there’s no title
• Proof of ID, such as a Pennsylvania driver’s license or valid PA ID
• Copy of current insurance ID card (if you’re also registering your vehicle)
• Title transfer payment fees
The vehicle seller has to complete Section A on the back of the PA certificate of title. Mileage should be noted and signed in the presence of a notary. The buyer (you) will need to sign the lower part of Section D. It’s in the front of the title and also to be signed in front of a notary. If the vehicle was financed and has been completely paid off, the lien holder must sign the title and provide a lien release letter.
16 comments
I have a motorcyle I’m selling for a friend who previously lived in Pennsylvania but now lives and has a license in California. Its a clean PA title. What steps do I have to take to transfer the title to a new owner after the sale?
If you’re selling to a buyer in CA, just sign it over to them, and they will have to apply for an out of state Title Transfer.
Both my title & registration needs an address change to PA
Hello there, at the moment we don’t operate in PA. Try a local DMV office.
I purchased a used vehicle from a dealership in Pennsylvania and I am a Maryland resident. The dealer did not give me the title, as it was still an Ohio title (who they purchased it from). I believe what they did was send this title to PENNDOT to have it titled in the dealer’s name? And then send me this PA title? Does this sound right? It has been over two months and I still do not have the title. I called PENNDOT and they just basically said they can’t help me and to talk to the dealer. Should the dealer have given me the Ohio title? They don’t have that now and I don’t know what to do. Maryland won’t title my vehicle without a title.
Hello there, so there are many variables in this question. But the dealership should clear up any confusion about what you’ve paid for and when you should receive it. Here are some questions to ask:
When the title work was completed, will I be the new owner?
Should I expect my title in the mail from Penndot or is it coming to the dealership?
May I have an update on the status of this as I am not able to register the vehicle in Maryland until I get the title.Please also be advised, it is not uncommon for PennDOT to take upwards of 6-8 weeks to issue titles after a transfer. It could still be on the way!
I live in PA and my daughter lives in Utah with her car that has everything in my name. I want to give her the car. How do I go about transferring the title and registration to her? No option for her to come here or me there.
To transfer the title and registration to your daughter, you will need to complete a title transfer from Pennsylvania to Utah. Unfortunately, eTags does not provide out of state title transfers in Utah. You’ll need to contact the Utah DMV to complete this transaction.
Hi! I’m buying a car from a relative. We’re both located in PA, but the inspection on the car has expired. What is the process for registering the car, transferring the title and getting it inspected. I’m a little confused about the correct order of things.
If you’re buying from relative and you both live in PA, you and the relative can go to a notary to have the title signed by you both. You must have a PA ID/driver license. Since the car inspection stickers has expired, you will need to register the car first, and take or Tow it to the the nearest inspection station. The car MUST BE registered FIRST. Once you notarized the Title and have insurance on the vehicle, eTags can assist you with Transferring the Title and Registration online. You can go to this link and select PA as your state:
https://www.etags.com/app/us?utm_source=blog_question&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=question&utm_id=blog_question
I bought a 2002 Acura in ny and the seller handed me the title. Does the seller have to be in the notary in order to transfer the title to my name?
Hi there, no you can do it with etags online.. no notary needed, as as long as both seller and buyer sign in correct place. You can go to https://www.etags.com/app/ny?utm_source=blog_question
I am in Florida with a vehicle that is technically registered/titled in my parents name in Pennsylvania. We are trying to figure out what are options are for transferring the title to my name and registering it here in Florida.
Is is possible to accomplish this without me and the car going to Pennsylvania? Or my parents having to travel to Florida? Is eTags a good option for this?
Hey there, yes you can transfer the title from your parents and register in FL. You don’t need to go to PA. You can use etags at https://www.etags.com/app/fl#utm_source=blog_question. Should you need the FL title shipped to somewhere else, we can do that too.
I bought a car from Michigan and shipped it to LA it’s a 1981 coupe. I don’t have a license yet. It’s been two months since I had the car here and received the title. Can I transfer the car without a title. Also does it need to be smog tested before I bring the paperwork to the dmv?
In order to register any title in the state of PA, you must apply for a Temp Driver’s License in the state of PA first. You can not transfer the car WITHOUT the title any time. No you don’t need an Emission before you register the vehicle, but a vehicle newly registered in Pennsylvania must be emissions and safety inspected within ten (10) days of the registration date. At the time eTags DOES NOT transfer Out-Of-State title, but you can take the title to any Auto Tag Company to be Transferred and Registered.