Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Lookup

Name Phone Number License Plate VIN
Name Phone Number License Plate VIN

How to Run a Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Lookup

A Pennsylvania vehicle title lookup is an easy online process that only takes a few minutes. First,  you will need the 17 digit vehicle identification number (VIN) number for the vehicle you want to research. The VIN number is unique to every vehicle sold in Pennsylvania, just like a social security number is to a person, that follows that vehicle throughout it’s life and can be used to track the history of the vehicle. Next, find a reputable vehicle record website on a any major search engine, then enter the entire 17 digits into the search field and search. Then once the search results populate, make sure that the make and model match the description of the vehicle you are researching. Just one digit changed on the 17-digit VIN can bring up results for a different vehicle, so this is an important step. Then, after you’ve verified the vehicle is correct, you will want to choose to get a vehicle history report which will include the Pennsylvania vehicle title information. This report will include a lot of important vehicle metrics, previous accidents, title status, recalls and many other important pieces of information to build an accurate picture of the health of a used car. Which many people are using to evaluate the value and risk of their used car purchase. It’s also a good way to uncover any issues that may not be disclosed by the seller.

What You Can Find on a Pennsylvania Vehicle Title

A Pennsylvania vehicle title lookup can provide a lot of valuable information about a vehicle, especially those looking to verify a used car they want to purchase. The following are some of the key features that are displayed on a PA vehicle title: 

  1. The 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 
  2. The Pennsylvania vehicle title number 
  3. Make and model of the vehicle 
  4. Year the vehicle was manufactured 
  5. PA vehicle owner information 
  6. Title issuing date as well as the expiration date 
  7. Mileage at the time of title transfer 
  8. Odometer verification, it will say if the odometer is accurate or not 
  9. Lienholder information if its bank owned or personally owned
  10. Title status, if it is clean, salvaged or junked 

To run a Pennsylvania car title search you will want to run a VIN check to obtain a vehicle history report which includes most of the important PA car title information needed to make an informed decision on purchasing a used car. Most people that inquire about a PA car title are looking to verify the status of a used car they want to buy, and if there any red-flags before making that purchase. If the title was salvaged because of previous flood or accident damage then it would greatly depreciate the value of that used car. Some sellers may not disclose everything about a used car to a potential buyer, so  it’s a”Buyer Beware” situation. This risk can be mitigated by verifying the PA title is clean and there are no discrepancies with the title information.

How to Replace a Lost Pennsylvania Vehicle Title 

It is a common request to replace a lost Pennsylvania vehicle title, the following are the simple steps you need to take to receive a duplicate title in the mail: 

  1. Go to the Pennsylvania DMV website and select Driver and Vehicle Services 
  2. Download and complete the Application for Replacement Title – Form MV-38O 
  3. Provide a driver’s license, ID card or Passport for ID verification 
  4. You may be required to provide your registration card or insurance card as well 
  5. Pay the required fee for processing and shipping costs. 
  6. Main in the required documents to the address on the form 
  7. Once your application is processed, a duplicate title will be mailed within a few weeks 

The request for a duplicate PA vehicle title can be expedited by visiting a PA DMV office in person. It is also important to note that if there is the vehicle is not paid off and is still bank owned, the lienholder is the only entity that can apply for a duplicate title. Additionally, if the car has been totaled or in a major accident, you may be required to submit additional paperwork, such as a salvage title before making your request for a duplicate title. 

Pennsylvania Vehicle Title

When To Run a Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Check

A Pennsylvania vehicle history report will also give you the PA vehicle title information you are looking for. The idea behind running a report like this is to verify a used vehicle before purchasing it. A vehicle history report can offer you accident information, limited owner information, safety issues, recalls and a full breakdown of all the major vehicle information you want to know about that used vehicle you are interested in purchasing. It will give a solid objective picture of the true value of the vehicle. Then with all that information you can take that and run the Blue Book Value for that used car, truck, motorcycle or SUV. The cost of a vehicle history report is fairly cheap and can save you a lot of issues if you know the whole truth of that Pennsylvania vehicle you want to buy.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration Statistics

The most commonly registered and sold vehicle in Pennsylvania is the passenger car. This far outweighed all other classes of vehicles combined in 2022, according to the PA DMV registration report. Here is a breakdown of the most popular vehicles by class that were registered in 2022:

  1. Total registered vehicles for 2022 were over 10.7 million
  2. Passenger cars registered in PA were over 7.3 million
  3. There were 2.7 million trucks and SUV registered this year
  4. Motorcycle registrations were at 400,000
  5. Trailers, including travel trailer registrations in PA were 1 million in 2022
  6. Buses came in at 11,000 registered vehicles
  7. Top selling brand in the state for 2022 was Ford
  8. Top selling vehicle make and model for 2022 was the Ford F-150

These statistics change quite a bit from year to year but the overall numbers of registered vehicles in Pennsylvania, by class, stay pretty static. Meaning that the ratio of passenger cars to trucks and SUVs has stayed about the same for the last several years. The overall number of PA vehicle titles and registrations have gone up over the last decade. According to the PennDOT, the number of registered vehicles has gone up significantly since 2010, when there were 9.7 million registered vehicles. As of 2022 there are over 10.7 million registered vehicles. The number of passenger cars, trucks and SUVs have all seen an increase in ownership and vehicle titles issued by the state. 

Car Owner Search

State Vehicle Title Lookup


Pennsylvania Vehicle Title FAQs

How do I find my Pennsylvania vehicle title number

Your PA vehicle title number will be on the physical title itself. You can look at the top of the title document to find the title number, owner's name, address, title status, odometer reading and a release of liability form at the bottom of the title

Can you have 2 names on a Pennsylvania vehicle title?

Yes, 2 people can be listed on the title. It is called holding a title as joint tenants and is commonly used in case one of the owners passes away then the other person listed on the title will be the sole owner. Both parties will need to sign the title document if the vehicle is sold.

How to apply for an abandoned vehicle title in Pennsylvania

Download the form MV-38A from the PennDOT directly. Fill out the form and bring it into an office in person in case there are any discrepancies. You may also need to fill out and sign an affidavit to sign the abandoned PA title over to yourself. The transfer fees will be determined by the DOT once all the requirements are fulfilled.

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Responses to “Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Lookup

  1. squarryadministrator says:

    Mark, we are happy to help in any way we can but we are uncertain of how we can help exactly. If you have paid off your vehicle and need the Pennsylvania car title transferred into your name there is another process you need to take. Please advise and we are happy to do some research for you.

  2. Mark Hooper says:

    I don’t have the money to afford a new physical title at the moment n I’m junking my vehicle. I need the title verification number in order to get more money for my car. How do I go about this?!

  3. squarryadministrator says:

    Steven, you are correct that since this is a classic/vintage PA vehicle with fewer than 17 digits in the VIN, it will be challenging to look up the PA car title information. This is mostly because many older vehicles did not get digitally transferred into modern electronic databases. Your best option would be to hire a private investigator, or find someone that deals with vintage vehicles.

  4. steven Matula says:

    How do I find a 1967 Dodge Charger I used to own when I was 16, I have an old title and registration from the eighty’s when we got Classic Car Tags on it. I sold the car in the early 2000’s when times were tough; I would like to know if it might be for sale by contacting the current owner about purchasing the car, I owned from 1981 until 2006 or 7. I have tried asking a cop to search for it, as well as tried myself, the problem being, it does not have 17-digit Vin. I do however have the title number from 1981 when it was titled. Thank you for any help, Steven Matula

  5. squarryadministrator says:

    Scott, you’ll need to reach out to the PA DMV directly to inquire about requesting copies of your motorcycle titles

  6. Scott MOSCHETTE says:

    i do do not know what it the vin numbers are on the motorcycles they can’t be found they were just bought last year and i can’t get the one bike insured till i have the vin and i want to sell the other one but i will need that title also if you can you can email them to me, thanks

  7. squarryadministrator says:

    James, you will want to reach out to the Pennsylvania motor vehicle department directly to inquire about the lien holder release, which is your bank, and the title being transferred into your name

  8. James says:

    I had a debt cancellation on my vehicle loan thru a bank. How can I get the title for the car?

  9. squarryadministrator says:

    Katherine, you should be able to obtain a copy of your PA vehicle title from the DMV however you can also try the Department of Transportation, either way you can do this online

  10. Kathleen Roberto says:

    Hi, I financed my SUV through Ally. It was paid off this past July 7th. I received a letter from Ally dated July 26th stating that because my title is an electronic title, Ally has submitted a request to the state in order to release their secured interest in my vehicle and that my local motor vehicle department will issue & mail me a clear title. It is almost 2 months & I have not received my title. My VIN # ja4ap3au4gz024854—2016 Mits. Outlander.
    When I renewed my driver’s license a few weeks ago at my local DMV, I asked about getting my title. I was told they didn’t handle titles.
    Where do I go from here? Please HELP!

  11. squarryadministrator says:

    Barbara, in this case, you should visit the PA motor vehicle website and apply for a duplicate PA car title through them. They will be able to mail you a duplicate PA vehicle title for a small fee

  12. Barbara Alston says:

    I need to request a copy of my Vehicle Title I am in Florida and cannot visit the PA DMV directly.
    What should I do to obtain a certified copy of my Vehicle Title ?

  13. squarryadministrator says:

    How To Get a Replacement Vehicle Title in Pennsylvania

    You can visit the Pennsylvania DMV directly and request a duplicate title for your vehicle title by filling out PA Motor Vehicle Form MV-380. There will be a nominal fee for a new title to be mailed to you. Your new PA vehicle title will be mailed to the address listed on the original PA vehicle title

  14. Karen Payne says:

    paid my car off title sent but never received lost in mail

  15. Barry A Wood says:

    I’m trying to find out the status of my title application. The Vin# is 1A9HS74A23A329116. I had sold this bike to a friend in NH which he received a title for. He did some work on the bike but, couldn’t handle the operation of the bike do to the amount of pot holes in NH. I bought the bike back from him and have applied for a title here in PA it’s been quite a while since I applied. The warm weather is here and I’m looking forward riding it.
    Please provide me with any information you can find. If you need any more information please contact me. Thank You for your help.

  16. squarryadministrator says:

    Elanor, here is a link to the Pennsylvania DMV website where you can complete the appropriate form to obtain your PA car title history

    PA DMV Forms

  17. Eleanor Stanford says:

    Good Afternoon,
    I’m looking specifically for a PA DMV *form* which I can use to obtain a complete Title History on my automobile. WOuld you kindly reply to the email below with the attached form. I would greatly appreciate it.
    E Stanford

  18. John Reeves says:

    Looking to find salvage ? history of my present owned vehicle which has a possible salvage history from state of PA dating back to 8/01/1997. Is this history available ???? The vehicle in question is a 1966 Corvette Vin # 194376#######. And where would and who would I contact ?Thank You J.W.R.

  19. Karen Marciano says:

    I am trying to find out if my son’s duplicate title has been issued and mailed. It was supposed to be mailed to Brooklyn, NY and hasn’t arrived yet. All I get is places to pay for info on the car. It’s a 2004 Subaru Outback, Owner:Sebastian Marciano, Plate # LLT9287. Duplicate requested Sept 2021. Any help appreciated.

  20. squarryadministrator says:

    Search the status of your Pennsylvania motorcycle title

    Contact your local Pennsylvania DMV and request an update of the status of your PA motorcycle title. You will need your 17 digit VIN as well as your driver’s license information to verify your identity. You can call the Pennsylvania DMV directly at 717-412-5300

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Last Updated: 2022-12-22

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