Lost Car Title in Pennsylvania: How to Get a Duplicate Title

How do I get a duplicate title in Pennsylvania?

If you own the vehicle and any lien on it has been satisfied, you complete Form MV-38O and mail it to PennDOT at the address printed on the form, with a check or money order for the fee payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The standard route is by mail, so do not count on a same-day duplicate. If you are in a hurry, send us your case on WhatsApp and we will tell you exactly what to send.

The title number you may need is not hard to find: PennDOT says the plate number, title number and VIN are shown on your registration card and on your renewal notice. For anything the form does not make clear, PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services line is 717-412-5300.

Who can request a duplicate title?

PennDOT lists three kinds of applicants, each with its own form:

• The owner (lien satisfied): Form MV-38O.
• A lienholder such as a bank: Form MV-38L.
• A registered dealer: Form MV-38D.

The owner form is signed by the applicant or an authorized signer, and by a co-applicant if there is one. It asks for the owner's Pennsylvania driver's license or photo ID number, or a business ID number for a company, plus a date of birth. Someone who is not the owner, a lienholder or a dealer is not on PennDOT's list, so do not assume a buyer or friend can request it for you.

The MV-38O is not notarized. It carries an unsworn declaration, and signing false information is punishable under 18 Pa.C.S. 4904. The seller's signature when you later sell the car is a different matter: that one does need a notary or agent. See selling a car in Pennsylvania.

How much does a duplicate title cost and how long does it take?

PennDOT's Schedule of Fees (Form MV-70S, revised April 2026) lists “Duplicate Certificate of Title (lost, destroyed, etc.)” at $72.00. Fees can change, so check the current MV-70S on pa.gov before you mail anything. Pay by check or money order only.

There are fee exceptions. The MV-38O instructions say no fee is required if the title never arrived and you file within 90 days of its issue date. PennDOT's electronic lien FAQ also says no fee applies when the record shows an electronic release and the owner has not received the title ten or more days after it.

Timing: the application goes by mail, so plan ahead if you are selling, and call PennDOT at 717-412-5300 for the current processing time. One rule is firm: PennDOT cannot issue a duplicate within 10 days after a title was processed or an electronic lien was released.

What if my title is stolen, damaged or defaced?

Form MV-38O has a separate box for each situation: lost or destroyed, stolen, defaced, never received, lien satisfied on the attached title, and address change. For a defaced title, attach the damaged title to the form.

PennDOT's Defaced Titles fact sheet says erasures, white-out, correction tape, struck-through mileage and altered lien information are unacceptable, and so are folds, tears or staple holes that make the vehicle description or odometer unreadable. In those cases the owner has to apply for a duplicate.

Once PennDOT processes the duplicate, the previous title becomes void. If you find the old one later, do not try to use it. If your title was stolen, report the theft to the police as well, so there is a record.

What if a bank or lender holds my title?

While you owe money, the lender holds the title, often electronically through PennDOT's Electronic Lien and Title program, and you cannot take possession of it until the lien is satisfied.

After payoff, the lender releases the lien electronically and PennDOT prints and mails a paper title to the owner the next business day. If it never arrives, you have options:

• Ask the lender to complete Section D of Form MV-38O, or attach the original Pennsylvania title showing the lien as satisfied.
• PennDOT's electronic lien FAQ says an owner can also bring Form MV-38O, or a notarized lien release on the lender's letterhead, to PennDOT's counter service with proper ID. A fee applies unless the exception above is met.
• Ask the lender to confirm the lien release date and your correct mailing address, since the paper title is mailed to the address on record.

A title with a lien still on it is issued to the lienholder, not the owner, so do not expect a paper copy while the loan is open.

What if the owner died or cannot be reached?

The owner died: PennDOT's Vehicle Transfer after Death of Owner fact sheet explains who can retitle the car. A surviving co-owner with right of survivorship does not need to assign the title and applies with Form MV-39, an original death certificate and insurance information if the car is registered. Otherwise the executor or administrator assigns the title with the Register of Wills' Short Form Certificate and Form MV-4ST, and different rules apply if there is no will. If the title is also missing, contact PennDOT or the Register of Wills before you file anything.

The owner cannot be reached: PennDOT lists only owners, lienholders and dealers as applicants. A buyer is not on that list, so call PennDOT about your case before you pay anyone.

What should I NOT do with a lost title?

• Do not buy a car without the title. PennDOT lists accepted proof of ownership as a manufacturer's certificate or statement of origin, a Pennsylvania title, an out-of-state title, a Certificate of Salvage or a court order. A registration card or a handwritten receipt is not on that list. See buying a used car in Pennsylvania.
• Do not sign for someone else or sign a form with false information.
• Do not fix a damaged title with white-out or correction tape. Apply for a duplicate instead.
• Do not send cash. Use a check or money order.
• Do not use an old version of the form. Download the current one from PennDOT.

If your title came from another state, Form MV-38O does not apply. Ask that state's motor vehicle agency, and if you are moving here, see moving to Pennsylvania: transfer an out-of-state title.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a duplicate title in Pennsylvania?

The owner completes PennDOT Form MV-38O, signs it and mails it with a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the address on the form.

How much is a duplicate title in PA?

PennDOT's fee schedule MV-70S (revised April 2026) lists $72.00 for a duplicate certificate of title. Check the current schedule before paying, because fees can change.

Does a duplicate title application have to be notarized?

No. Form MV-38O uses an unsworn declaration that the owner signs, with no notary required.

How long does a duplicate title take?

Call PennDOT at 717-412-5300 for the current processing time. The application goes by mail, so apply early if you plan to sell.

Can I get a duplicate title if I still have a loan?

The owner form is for titles with no lien or a satisfied lien. While the loan is active the lender holds the title, so work through the lender.

Can I sell a car if I lost the title?

No. You need the duplicate first, then you can sign it over in front of a notary or agent. United Business Center is an authorized PennDOT agent with a notary public, so you can sign at our store and we handle the title transfer. See our guide to selling a car in Pennsylvania.

What happens to the old title if I find it after getting a duplicate?

PennDOT says that once it processes the duplicate, the previous title becomes void, so do not use the old one.