PA owners- title question
Thread Starter
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
PA owners- title question
I may be buying a car in PA on Sat. Does PA use titles for cars over a certain age? I bought one in CT only to find out they did not have titles for old cars and I had to verify this. Any surprises for me?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
I can't be 100% sure about all situations, but FWIW a friend of mine bought an unrestored, sitting 49 Ford pickup a few years ago that WAS titled. Truck resided in PA its whole life.
Just across the border in NY, vehicles built in 73 or earlier just had a transferable registration card and were never issued titles.
Just across the border in NY, vehicles built in 73 or earlier just had a transferable registration card and were never issued titles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
All the cars I have purchased out of PA came with a PA title. This includes 2-1973's and 2-1967's and 1-1966. My last purchase of 1-1973was completed in early 2009. So, unless something has changed the car in question should have a title if, the owner has it registered / titled in PA.
Just a question....Can the owner scan and send you a copy of the title?
Stay in tune....
Just a question....Can the owner scan and send you a copy of the title?
Stay in tune....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
FWIW: I bought a 62 in PA about 2-3 years ago. With title as mentioned. Note that although the Title was signed off by the prior owner it was required to be Notarized which I did not see at the time. New York State DMV would not accept it.
Don't know if that is still the case but that was my experience. I got it straigtened out with no problems but it was a stomach pit moment.
Don't know if that is still the case but that was my experience. I got it straigtened out with no problems but it was a stomach pit moment.
Thread Starter
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Interesting point. Wonder what happens when you buy on a Sunday? Ill have to look at the title closely thanks.
Deal is on life support right now anyway.
Deal is on life support right now anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
Just sold my 75 to a guy from MD, Title must be notarized, buyer does not need be present, BUT-------------must have the buyers name and address when notarized. I was told in PA it is illegal to sign a title (called an open Title) and have it laying around. You must put buyer's name and address on it, or go together to a license agency and do the transfer. YOU CAN NOT SIGN A TITLE IN PA AND HAND IT TO THE BUYER==MUST BE NOTARIZED AND A BILL OF SALE DONE TO THE BUYER WITH THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS ON TITLE
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Just sold my 75 to a guy from MD, Title must be notarized, buyer does not need be present, BUT-------------must have the buyers name and address when notarized. I was told in PA it is illegal to sign a title (called an open Title) and have it laying around. You must put buyer's name and address on it, or go together to a license agency and do the transfer. YOU CAN NOT SIGN A TITLE IN PA AND HAND IT TO THE BUYER==MUST BE NOTARIZED AND A BILL OF SALE DONE TO THE BUYER WITH THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS ON TITLE
Just find a notary (plenty around, they're also called " Messenger Services"
) Takes less than 5 minutes. Paid $5 for notarization of a title back in April when I sold a motorcycle.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
Depending on where you get it registered, I always have the seller fill out a state form bill of sale and get a photocopy of his DL. It sounds like alot, but I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it, and not have it. Some states, (like Florida and Louisiana) actually require a copy of the seller's DL.
Yes, PA is strict. If you have a signed title with no notary stamp on it, YOU DON'T HAVE A TITLE AT ALL.
Yes, PA is strict. If you have a signed title with no notary stamp on it, YOU DON'T HAVE A TITLE AT ALL.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Pa. has titles for everything and they are very strict, but since you are taking it out of state it would be your state that you have to be concerned about. Personally I wouldn't ever buy a car in Pa. without a title that was properly signed in the presence of a notary because most notarys won't touch it if it is just signed out and not notarized.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Depending on where you get it registered, I always have the seller fill out a state form bill of sale and get a photocopy of his DL. It sounds like alot, but I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it, and not have it. Some states, (like Florida and Louisiana) actually require a copy of the seller's DL.
Yes, PA is strict. If you have a signed title with no notary stamp on it, YOU DON'T HAVE A TITLE AT ALL.
Yes, PA is strict. If you have a signed title with no notary stamp on it, YOU DON'T HAVE A TITLE AT ALL.
Florida doesn't require a notary stamp even if the old title has a place for it. They just require a bill of sale for tax purposes and a signed title.
I didn't get a bill of sale with the last car and wrote my own stating who I bought it from and signed my own name to it.
Is that easy or what.
