Pennsylvania Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Pennsylvania costs $72 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,020 in total, with $900 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Pennsylvania title fees
These are the title-related fees in Pennsylvania's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $72 |
|---|---|
| Lien recording | $36 |
| Plate transfer | $11 |
- Per lien, added to the $72 title fee
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Pennsylvania
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Pennsylvania car tax calculator:
| Title | $72 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $900 |
| Registration (1 year) (if you register it now) | $48 |
| Estimated total | $1,020 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Pennsylvania charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plate transfer $11.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Bona fide gift (MV-13ST) | Sales tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state gift without reciprocal proof | Use tax on fair market value |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance / estate | Sales tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Pennsylvania
| Name change (marriage/divorce) | No tax; title fee only if a new title is requested; no registration |
|---|---|
| New resident who owned vehicle 6+ months before moving | Sales tax $0 |
| New resident who owned vehicle under 6 months | Pennsylvania tax minus tax paid elsewhere |
| Dealer doc fee | Not part of the taxable base |
How Pennsylvania works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - same-time trade-in - Clean Vehicle Credit
- Tax = taxable base x combined rate (doc fee is not taxable)
- Title = $72 (+ $36 per lien recorded)
- Registration = $48 per year (+ local use fee) + EV/PHEV road user charge
- Total = tax + title + registration + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Pennsylvania: www.pa.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Pennsylvania?
The title fee is $72. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,020.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Pennsylvania?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Pennsylvania charges about $900. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Plate transfer: $11.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Pennsylvania?
Bona fide gift (MV-13ST): Sales tax $0. Out-of-state gift without reciprocal proof: Use tax on fair market value.
What happens to a car title after a death in Pennsylvania?
Inheritance / estate: Sales tax $0.