How to Title a Private Car Sale in Pennsylvania

Step by step

1. 1

   Meet the seller at an authorized PennDOT agent

   Most notaries, tag services, and dealers are authorized agents. The seller’s signature on a Pennsylvania title must be notarized or verified, so the seller signs in front of the agent.

2. 2

   Complete the title together

   The seller lists your name and address, discloses the odometer reading, and signs and prints their name. You sign and print your name and complete Section D on the front of the title, including the lien information if the car is financed.

3. 3

   Pay the sales tax and fees

   Sales tax is 6% of the purchase price or the car’s current market value (7% for Allegheny County residents, 8% for City of Philadelphia residents). The agent collects it with the title fee ($72), any lien fee ($36 per lien), and registration ($48 a year for a passenger car).

   Agents may add their own service fee, which varies by agent.

4. 4

   Get a plate

   The seller removes their plate and keeps it. The agent can transfer a plate from another of your vehicles, or issue a temporary registration valid for 90 days if you have no plate to transfer.

   You need proof of Pennsylvania insurance, such as an insurance ID card or declaration page, before a temporary plate or plate transfer.

5. 5

   Let the agent file within 20 days

   The agent must submit the completed application and documents to PennDOT within 20 days of the sale.

6. 6

   Inspect within 10 days

   A used vehicle must be inspected within 10 days of the sale unless it already displays a valid inspection sticker. Some counties also require an annual emissions inspection.