Title to a car is the official record and proof of ownership of the car. Transferring the title to a car is necessary when a seller sells the car to a buyer—or when divorcing spouses are transferring the title from both spouses to one spouse. Your state’s department of motor vehicles will usually make the forms necessary to transfer the title/change vehicle ownership available on its website—with some additional information to guide you through the process.
In Pennsylvania, the title of a car is a legal document that establishes the owner of the vehicle. When a car is sold, the title must be transferred from the seller to the buyer to show change of ownership. This process is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). To transfer a title, the seller and buyer must complete the back of the title with the required information, including the odometer reading, sale date, and price. Both parties must sign the title, and the buyer must take the signed title to a PennDOT-authorized agent to complete the transfer. If the vehicle is being transferred due to a divorce, the process may vary slightly, and additional documentation, such as a divorce decree, may be required. PennDOT provides forms and detailed instructions for title transfers on its website, which can guide individuals through the process.