Last Updated 28th of July, 2010

What are the PA title transfer requirements for buying used cars? Pennsylvania

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PA Title Requirements for Buying Used Cars

Titling a used car in Pennsylvania requires gathering the required documents and following a certain set of steps.

Required Documentation to Transfer a Title


Official forms are required to title used cars in Pennsylvania. The first form that you need to transfer the car title in your name is Form MV-4ST.

Contact a licensed auto dealer or authorized PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) agent to complete Form MV-4ST. The form is not available at the PennDOT website.

Documents required to finish transferring car titles in PA are:

  • Your PA photo drivers license.
  • Your auto insurance card (make sure the card includes the insurance policy number and expiration date).
  • A document that proves you are a PA resident (i.e. recent utility bill).

Steps to Complete a Title Transfer


To transfer the title into your name and complete the buy car process, you and the seller must complete the following steps:

  1. Seller fills in his or her name and address in Section A on the back of the title.
  2. You (the buyer) must write your name and address on the back of the title as well.
  3. Include the name of the bank or financing institution in Section D on the front of the title.
  4. Write in the finance institution’s Financial Institution Number in Section D.
  5. Both you and the seller sign the title.
  6. Pay the $22.50 title issuance fee to PennDOT.
  7. Within 10 days of purchasing the used car, visit an authorized PennDOT inspection station to have the vehicle inspected.
  8. Contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to register the vehicle in PA.
All motor vehicles in PA are required to have adequate insurance coverage. PennDOT will mail you a title certificate if the vehicle is paid off. Titles are sent to financing institutions or lien holders until used cars are paid off.

Also, although it’s not a required step, you should consider purchasing a vehicle history report (VHR) before you finalize the purchase. A VHR will give you the complete vehicle history of the used car or truck you’re considering, which will help you feel more confident in your purchase.

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