Pennsylvania car — quick answer
In Pennsylvania, a car bill of sale is not required and notarization of the title transfer is required. The state form used for titled vehicles is MV-4ST. Titling and registration are handled by the PennDOT.
Is a car bill of sale required in Pennsylvania?
Not required. There is no standalone state bill of sale; the notarized title assignment and Form MV-4ST (completed through an authorized agent) govern the transfer.
Seller signs the title before a notary/agent; the transfer is processed through an authorized PennDOT agent (messenger/notary/tag service).
Does a Pennsylvania car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Required. Pennsylvania is a title-notary state: the seller's signature on the title assignment must be notarized or completed before an authorized PennDOT agent.
Because Pennsylvania requires notarization for the title transfer, do not sign the title until you are in front of a notary.
What to include on a Pennsylvania car bill of sale
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to transfer a car in Pennsylvania
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Sign the title before a notary, as Pennsylvania requires.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title before a notary/agent; the transfer is processed through an authorized PennDOT agent (messenger/notary/tag service).
- 3Register with the PennDOT.
The buyer titles and registers the car, bringing Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return / Application for Registration. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the PennDOT before you sign. Not legal advice.
Pennsylvania Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a car bill of sale required in Pennsylvania?
A bill of sale is not required in Pennsylvania. There is no standalone state bill of sale; the notarized title assignment and Form MV-4ST (completed through an authorized agent) govern the transfer.
Does a Pennsylvania car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Yes. Pennsylvania is a title-notary state: the seller's signature on the title assignment must be notarized or completed before an authorized PennDOT agent.
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.