Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Lookup
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:
- The 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- The Pennsylvania vehicle title number
- Make and model of the vehicle
- Year the vehicle was manufactured
- PA vehicle owner information
- Title issuing date as well as the expiration date
- Mileage at the time of title transfer
- Odometer verification, it will say if the odometer is accurate or not
- Lienholder information if its bank owned or personally owned
- 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:
- Go to the Pennsylvania DMV website and select Driver and Vehicle Services
- Download and complete the Application for Replacement Title – Form MV-38O
- Provide a driver’s license, ID card or Passport for ID verification
- You may be required to provide your registration card or insurance card as well
- Pay the required fee for processing and shipping costs.
- Main in the required documents to the address on the form
- 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.
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:
- Total registered vehicles for 2022 were over 10.7 million
- Passenger cars registered in PA were over 7.3 million
- There were 2.7 million trucks and SUV registered this year
- Motorcycle registrations were at 400,000
- Trailers, including travel trailer registrations in PA were 1 million in 2022
- Buses came in at 11,000 registered vehicles
- Top selling brand in the state for 2022 was Ford
- 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.
State Vehicle Title Lookup
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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 titleCan 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.Before Comments
Comments
Leave Reply - See responses below:
Responses to “Pennsylvania Vehicle Title Lookup”
Last Updated: 2022-12-22
Please be advised that the information accessed through SearchQuarry.com searches may not always be accurate or current, as we neither generate nor authenticate the data provided via our service. The reliability and precision of information are primarily contingent upon diverse public sources from which data is compiled. By utilizing SearchQuarry.com, you acknowledge your acceptance of the terms delineated in the SearchQuarry.com terms of service and our privacy policies. Information acquired via SearchQuarry.com must not be utilized for unlawful purposes such as stalking or harassing individuals, or scrutinizing public figures or celebrities. Individuals who contravene these directives may be subject to both civil and criminal legal proceedings and sanctions. It is explicitly stated that SearchQuarry.com does not function as a "consumer reporting agency" as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), and therefore, does not furnish "consumer reports" pursuant to the FCRA. SearchQuarry.com strictly prohibits the utilization of information garnered from search results (a) for discriminatory practices against any consumer; (b) for assessing a consumer's eligibility for personal credit, insurance, employment, housing, or government licenses or benefits; or (c) in any other manner that may impact a consumer's economic or financial status or standing.
Copyright © 2025 SearchQuarry.com. All Rights Reserved.
HOW DO I FIND OUT WHOSE NAME IS ON THE PA TITLE
I bought a vehicle from a person in NJ – I moved to Oregon- the person I bought it from had given me the signed title, but it all got stollen when I moved. It was never registered to me – I have since tried contacting the person with no avail, I have the title number how do I get a duplicate title or how do I register it in Oregon- it still says titled in PA ..
Avian, you will want to talk to someone at the Oregon Department of Transportation directly to inquire about transferring the PA car title into your name. They will most likely have a procedure on how to go about doing this. If you run into difficulties, you can reach out to the PA – DMV and let them know about your situation. There is most likely a precedence for your situation.
I purchased a car from someone in PA who moved out of the state. I live in NJ and made a mistake signing the PA title when trying to register and title in NJ. The NJ DMV whited out my signature and it’s now a voided fitle! I can’t get in touch with original owner to get a duplicate cause they moved somewhere I don’t know. Can you help me?
Pamela, the NJ DMV should not have whited out your signature, that is not standard procedure. You should talk to the NJ DMV directly to inquire how to go about transferring the PA car title into your name with your current situation. If you have the bill of sale that will help but in your situation you will need to discuss this with the DMV directly.
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?!
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.
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
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.
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
Scott, you’ll need to reach out to the PA DMV directly to inquire about requesting copies of your motorcycle titles
I had a debt cancellation on my vehicle loan thru a bank. How can I get the title for the car?
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
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!
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
paid my car off title sent but never received lost in mail
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
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 ?
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
where is my motorcycle title, has it been mailed to me yet?
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
I bought two new scooters, and all of the paperwork for both were processed at the same time. I have received the title for one of the scooters, but still not the second, and ten days have passed. Is there a way to determine what is happening with the title of the second scooter?
Karen, do these scooters have a 17 digit VIN associated with them? We can only lookup Pennsylvania vehicle information if you have this information
I actually figured out who to call this morning. I did give the person with whom I spoke the VIN and she told me that the second scooter was started processing yesterday, 8-17-21. The date that we completed the paperwork was mid June. I think it seems odd that the paperwork for both, submitted at the same time, were processed months apart. I asked about it and she said that it isn’t odd. Hmm. What do you think? Many thanks.
Karen
Can I find a car I sold in 1975 but I don’t have a VIN NUMBER. If I gave you my name and address can it be RESEARCHED to track my car down?
Daniel, you will need either the VIN or the license plate number to lookup any vehicle related information
I am looking for my 1966 Mustang that I sold in 1975. I don’t have the vehicle VIN NUMBER but if I give my name and address can it be searched and located? If it is still on the road or even laying somewhere in a yard or whatever, I want to buy it back for personal reasons. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT CAN BE TRACED AND FOUND IF STILL AROUND. Thank you!
Can i get my actual 7 digit title number from running this search? This site does not state clearly if it contains the title number with the search or not. Thank you!
Jake, our Pennsylvania car title searches do not include the car title numbers. Some vehicle record information may be limited to PA privacy laws
I work at a NYS dealership, we took a vehicle in on trade with a PA title and paid off the lien. We had to eventually go for a duplicate title and I’m just wondering roughly how long it would take to receive duplicate title. Also is there anyway to look up the status of a PA title and when it was issued? Thanks!
With delays from Covid19 it may take several weeks to obtain a PA vehicle title by mail
Good Afternoon, I need a replacement car title from PA. I live in NJ the person who sold the car to me was the father’s -son who left the car to him and sold me the car father since passed away the title is in the father’s name, however, I took the title to the DMV in NJ where I live and sign my name in the wrong place at DMV , now they told me I need a replacement title because of it what should I do please advise Thank you
I need a duplicate title to our manufactured home. This home was built in 1997 in Shippensville, PA and is a Colony Manufactured home. It was sold by Midwest Mobile Home Sales in Minerva, Ohio. I have only our names and address to search by. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Terrence, we only have Pennsylvania vehicle related records for motorized vehicles that are registered with the Pennsylvania DMV. You might consider contacting the DMV by phone to inquire about your manufactured home
Lost registration and title to car. Have been unable to find this info. It is my friends car. He is ill, so I am trying to help him.
Leanne, you will need to contact the Pennsylvania DMV directly about your request to obtain a duplicate PA car title. You can go to their website and fill out form VM-38L and mail it in with the relevant processing fee and a duplicate PA car title will be mailed to you in a few weeks after processing
Looking for my title history
Kenneth, did you try using our Pennsylvania car title check? You will need the 17 digit VIN to run this search, if results are found you have the option to purchase one of our PA vehicle history reports
Trying to find the title history for my antique 1953 porsche 356 with vin sf6279pa and antique license plate 022f. Can you help me? Thanks
Jerauld, thank you for reaching out about our Pennsylvania vehicle title lookup blog. Unfortunately we do not have vehicle history resources for vintage or antique vehicles. Our PA vehicle title resources are for vehicles manufactured in the last 30 years. You will need a 17 digit VIN number for our system to respond. That being said, you might want to try reaching out to the Pennsylvania DMV directly.