FAQ

Your Guide to Notary Services for Vehicle and Non Non-Vehicle Related Documents: Frequently Asked Questions

At Universal Tag Services, we know that handling vehicle paperwork can be confusing—especially when dealing with title transfers, registration renewals, and PennDOT regulations. That’s why we’ve created this helpful FAQ section to answer your most common questions. Whether you're buying or selling a car, transferring a title, replacing a lost plate, or just trying to renew your registration, this guide will help you get it done quickly and correctly.

  • What do I need to notarize a vehicle and non vehicle related documents.

    For notary, we only need the form, and your current driver’s license or ID.

  • My registration has expired already or is about to expire. How can I renew my vehicle registration?

    We can renew it on the spot for you. We need your current insurance card, the current mileage, an old registration card/the renewal application and your drivers’ license.

  • What should I do if my license plate fell off or was lost?

    In most situations, we will be able to reissue the plate on the spot. All owners must be present with photo ID/DL and an old registration card.

    Form: Application for Duplicate Registration Card or Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Defaced Registration Plate

  • My plate is damaged or peeling—can I get a new one?

    If you have Form MV46 filled out by police officer or inspection mechanic and then mail the form directly to PennDOT, the state will send you a new plate and registration card for free. This generally takes about 3 weeks so, if you chose to go this route, make a copy of the form once you have the verifying signature just in case you are stopped while you wait for the replacement plate.

    Form: MV-46

  • What proof of Id is accepted for title work?

    PennDOT will only accept Pennsylvania state issued driver's licenses, photo identification cards, photo exempt drivers licenses, photo exempt identification cards, and valid military ID cards.

  • Can I use a permit to apply for title and registration?

    NO. PennDOT will only accept state issued drivers licenses, photo identification cards, photo exempt drivers licenses, photo exempt identification cards, and valid military ID cards.

  • What can I use to show proof of insurance?

    PennDOT will only accept the following: A valid insurance identification card issued by the insurance company, The declarations Pages of the insurance Policy(must have all pages included), A valid binder of insurance that is signed by an agent of the insurance company, or A valid copy of an application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan(Only for motorhomes). 

  • Can I use a Power of Attorney to transfer a vehicle title?

    Yes, -If any parties are using General/Durable Power of Attorney, we will need to make a Copy of the FULL DOCUMENT. If any parties are using a LIMITED Power of Attorney, we cannot use a copy, we must have the ORIGINAL! If you are using a power of attorney for a buyer, we will also need a copy of the front and back of the principal’s drivers’ license or photo ID.

  • How do I transfer a title when buying from a private seller in PA?

    All buyers and sellers must be present with valid photo ID/drivers’ licenses, proof of insurance in the buyers’ name, the title, and the current mileage. We will fill out all necessary paperwork, and in most cases, you will receive your registration the same day, and your new title in the mail in approximately 2 weeks.

  • I am Donating/Selling my vehicle to a company who will pick up vehicle, what do I do with the title?

    The title must be assigned to the company receiving the vehicle, and the sellers’ signature must be notarized. Everybody who is listed on the title will need to be present with valid ID/DL, along with the name and address of the company the car will be going to.

  • How do I transfer out-of-state plates if I’m new to PA?

    The first thing you must do is switch your driver's license and insurance coverage to PA. After you have both, you can bring them along with the title, the mileage, and a picture of the VIN directly from the vehicle. We will also need proof that you have owned the vehicle for longer than 6 months. In most cases, your old registration card will suffice for this.

    You will have 10 days from the day the registration is issued to have the PA Safety and/or Emissions Inspections.

    **Trucks, trailers, Motorhomes coming in from Out of State need weight information verified! Pic of tag on vehicle or MV41 filled out by inspection mechanic*

    Form: MV-41

  • What do I do if there is a lien against my vehicle, and I need to transfer the title to Pa?

    We have a form that we can fill out and send to your lender to have them mail the title directly to us. As soon as we receive the title, we will call you and then you can come in with your driver's license, proof of insurance coverage, a picture of the VIN directly from the vehicle, and the current mileage. We will be able to issue the new plate and registration while you are in the office, and the title will go directly to the lender. You will have 10 days from the day the registration is issued to have the vehicle inspected in PA.

  • I bought a car out of state; how do I transfer the title?

    There are generally 3 different options in this case.

    1. The first is that you purchased the car, and the sellers have the title in hand to give you. The sellers will have to assign the title to you, and have their signatures notarized if needed. You can then bring the title into our office along with a bill of sale, your driver's license, current proof of insurance, the mileage, and a picture of the VIN directly from the vehicle.
    2. The second scenario is that you purchased a vehicle from a dealership that is contracted with an agency that is a PennDOT approved Agent. These dealerships will generally have you fill out all necessary paperwork when you pick up the vehicle, and they will take care of the rest of the titling/registration from there. In this case you should receive the plate and registration card directly from the Dealership after they process your paperwork.
    3. The third option is that you purchased the vehicle from an out of state dealership and the vehicle is financed. Most of the time, in this case, the dealerships will want to know who they can send the title to that is local to you. If you have the title work sent to us, we will call you as soon as we receive the title, and then all buyers can come in with valid driver's licenses, current proof of insurance, the mileage, and a picture of the VIN directly from the vehicle. Once the title work is processed, we will be able to give you the plate and registration card and the title will go directly to the lender.

    *In all 3 of these instances, you will have 10 days from the day the registration is issued to have the PA Safety and/or Emissions Inspections. *
    **Trucks, trailers, Motorhomes coming in from Out of State will  need to have the weight information verified. We will need a picture of the sticker located on the driver's side door of the vehicle or MV41 form filled out by the inspection mechanic.**

  • What is a VIN Verification?

    All vehicles coming in from out of state must have this completed by either a notary public or a certified inspection agency. This is when an agent fills out a form verifying what the VIN number of the vehicle is and compares it to the title to make sure everything matches appropriately.

  • I was gifted a vehicle with an out of state title, how do I transfer it to PA?

    There are 2 different scenarios that could potentially happen in this case. We either have to prove that sales tax was originally paid on the vehicle, or you will have to put a purchase price on the car and pay your own sales tax on that price. We will have to know which state the vehicle is coming from to know whether or not the sales tax is reciprocal with Pennsylvania or not, which will then decide which path is the best choice.

    If the state is tax reciprocal with Pa, The sellers will have to have to sign off the title as sellers, and have their signatures notarized if applicable. The sellers will also have to sign a PA Gift Affidavit- MV-13ST and provide you with proof that they paid sales tax when the vehicle was originally purchased

    If the state is not sales tax reciprocal, unfortunately the vehicle is unable to be gifted, and sales tax must be collected at the time of the title transfer. A bill of sale must accompany the title. 

    States that are not tax reciprocal are: Alaska, Delaware, Washington DC, Iowa, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

    In BOTH cases, once the seller's part is completed, the buyer can bring in the above documents,   your current PA drivers’ license, current proof of PA insurance coverage, the mileage, and a picture of the VIN directly from the vehicle.

    Form: MV-13ST (5-03).qxd

  • I am selling a vehicle to an out of state resident, and they want to drive the vehicle home. Do I let them take my plate?

    We generally do not suggest this. You are still the legal owner of the vehicle until the title is transferred in the new state, so if anything were to happen, you are still liable for the vehicle no matter who is driving it.

    We would suggest that the buyers buy an INTRANSIT plate. This is a 60-day temporary plate that shows the vehicle was purchased in PA but will be taken out of this state. As part of this process, we will assign the title to the buyers and notarize your signature as the seller. Intransit plates must be processed electronically, so PennDOT is notified that the vehicle is sold to somebody out of state.

    The buyers will need to bring their drivers’ license, their current proof of insurance coverage, and the current mileage. The sellers will need to bring the title, and their current driver's license or ID card.

  • What documents are required to transfer a title after the owner has passed away?

    In this case, whoever is listed as the informant/executor will have to sign on behalf of the deceased. We will need an original death certificate (or short certificate), a copy of the will if applicable, the title, the mileage and valid ID/DL. The buyers will need valid ID, current insurance. PennDOT requires us to keep the original death/short certificate to be sent in with the title work.

    Form: MV39

  • Do motorcycles require special insurance?

    Motorcycle insurance policies have different coverages than a normal vehicle policy. If you are wanting a motorcycle registration, we need to see proof of a current motorcycle policy. If this is not something you currently have, you can apply online through many different insurance providers.

  • I want to register my vehicle as Antique/Classic, what will I need?

    We will need the title, your current driver's license, a VIN SPECIFIC insurance card (Must be for this vehicle) and 5 pictures of the vehicle (Front, Back, Drivers side, Passenger side, & VIN). Photos cannot be taken from an angle and must have all windows up. These applications must be submitted to PennDOT for processing and take roughly 2-4 weeks.

    Form: Application for Permanent Antique, Classic or Collectible Registration Plate

  • How do I update the name on my title and registration?

    The title does not have to be changed if customers don’t want it to be, however, the registration DOES need to be updated. Additionally, if there is a valid lien on your vehicle there is no physical title, only an electronic record. If you fill out form MV41sideA and mail it directly to PennDOT, they will update the record free of charge and a new registration will be mailed to you in approximately 3 weeks.

    If you have your title and want it changed, we need the title, your updated driver's license, and proof of your name change (copy of marriage cert/divorce decree/court order).

    Form: Application for Correction or Change of Name

  • I Lost title my title, how do I get a new one?

    Form MV38-O. Duplicate titles generally take about 3 weeks but will come directly to you in the mail via USPS.

    Form: MV-38O

  • My title was being held by the lienholder, but I paid off the loan, when will I get the title?

    When the lien is paid off, the bank will notify PennDOT which will automatically generate a paper title that will be mailed to the address on file. This generally takes 2-4 weeks depending on the bank. Once the seller has received the title, we can then transfer to the buyers IF APPLICABLE.

  • My address on title doesn’t match my mailing address, is this going to be an issue?

    If you have the physical title in hand, the address is unimportant. You do have to update the Registration, and that can be done online at https://www.dot4e.penndot.gov/vehicle_services/vrlogin.jsp#top?20250114123527947=20250114123527947

  • Do buyers and sellers have to be present at the same time?

    Not necessarily. It is easiest if all parties can show up but that’s not always feasible. The sellers can have their part taken care of at a local notary and give/mail the title to the buyers. The buyers can then come in with valid drivers’ license, insurance, and any necessary supporting documentation to finish the transaction.

  • Websites for Customer’s:

    PennDOT Form Search: www.pa.gov