anyone know about car title transfers?

[Tri-Z Pilot]

I am going to be sellin my car tomorrow (PA title), and was wondering if I can just sign the title and hand it over with a bill of sale, or do I have to take the person to the notary to transfer ownership of title? the person taking the car is from NY if that matters.

[Mosh]

Go to a notary....Have them notorize it as you sign it over.

If it isnt documented you signed it over, then the liability of the vehicle will be on your hands.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

got ya thats what I was lookin for.
Thanks!

[firehart]

It differs from state to state, If you have a question call your local DMV.

[SYKO]

Ive never notorized a title I just signed and went on my way

[phreakboy]

In PA if you are selling a vehicle to an out of state party that you do not need to go and have it notarized and most will not allow it unless the other party is there to sign off on it too. If they notarize a title with just the sellers signature it is considered an open PA title which technically is illegal for them to do and they can get in a lot of trouble with the state and possibly loose their license. In the same turn a lot of people as buyers do not want to sign off right away because it can cause problems in their state if they have to go to a notary. I believe that NY does not require the use of a notary for title transfers which would mean they he could put his signature on it and be fine but if they do require a notary then he would have to wait to sign it till he was in front of them.

Your best bet is to sign the title and write up two bill of sales and then have the bill of sales notarized with both of your signatures, that way if will cover you and you will not be liable and will not leave them in a situation where they can not transfer the title. You will also just have to sign off on the title with a notary present.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

so wait, what exactly are you saying? dont worry about gettin the title notarized? i would rather not have to go to the notary, but if thats what need be, i guess a bill of sale isnt proof enough?

[phreakboy]

Well as I said if you go to the notary and sign your name they will not let the title leave their possesion unless the buyer signs it also which may cause problems in their state. Are they planning on driving the car back or just trailering it back if they are driving it then yes you will need to deal with the notary and transit tags if they are just towing it then just sign the title without a notary and do up a bill of sale one copy for you and one for them and make sure both has each of your signatures on it. If you are really worried then just have the bill of sale notarized otherwise you will be fine without.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

yeah the car is gonna be on a trailer. do we both need to be present if i get the bill of sale notarized? and where exactly do i sign the title?

[phreakboy]

Yes you would both have to sign in front of the notary, as for signing of the title you need to sign on the back in section A on the right hand side you will see a Big blue arrow. Sign your name exactly as it is on the front of the title, if it has a middle name or initial than you need to have that in your signature. This is done on the line that says "signature of seller" and then two lines below that you need to PRINT your name just the way it is on the front of the title. However do not sign off on the title until the deal is done that way they dont back out and leave you with a signed title that you would then have to reapply for a dup title from the state in order to sell again.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

cool, i think that about covers it. you work for the dmv or something phreak?

[phreakboy]

no, but I have done tons of things with title transfer being how many car I personally buy and sell, and one of the business my old boss had was a car dealership and I did tons with paperwork and notary transfers and all sorts of fun stuff. So I have definitely had my fair share of pen dot and DMV paperwork.