PA Form MV-38O: Duplicate Title Application
Lost your title? This is the form that replaces it. Download it and mail it to PennDOT, or bring your ID to us and skip the form entirely.
Unlike most title forms, the MV-38O is a public download from PennDOT. You can mail it in yourself, or come to any of our offices and we process the duplicate electronically the same day.
Official MV-38O form from PennDOT (PDF)When You Need the MV-38O
- Your title is lost or destroyed
- Your title was stolen
- Your title is damaged or defaced (the defaced title must be attached to the application)
- You never received your title in the mail
- A lien was satisfied and you want a clean title issued
Two Ways to Replace a Lost PA Title
The do-it-yourself route: download the MV-38O from PennDOT, complete it, and mail it with a check or money order to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Harrisburg (the form says do not send cash). Then wait for the new title to arrive.
The same-day route: bring your photo ID to any of our six offices. We process duplicate title applications electronically, so the application is submitted before you leave. Our duplicate title service page covers the details.
What It Costs
The PennDOT duplicate title fee is $72. One exception, straight from the form's instructions: if your title was lost in the mail and you apply within 90 days of the date it was issued, PennDOT charges no fee.
Rules Worth Knowing Before You File
These come from the MV-38O instructions themselves:
The application does not need to be notarized. You self-certify your signature under penalty of perjury.
PennDOT requires a 10-day wait after a title is processed, or after an electronic lien release, before it can issue a duplicate. If your lien was just paid off, build in that window.
Once your duplicate is processed, the old title becomes void. If the original turns up later in a drawer, it is no longer a valid document.
If the vehicle had a loan, lien handling matters. An active lien on record means the lienholder completes the satisfaction section (Section D), or you attach the original title showing the lien satisfied.
Filing From Out of State
If you are applying with an out-of-state address, PennDOT wants proof you are you: a copy of your out-of-state driver's license plus a piece of mail, bank statement, or similar record matching the name and address where the title will be sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a duplicate PA title the same day?
In our offices, yes. We submit MV-38O applications electronically while you wait, instead of the mail-in route. Bring your current photo ID.
How much does a duplicate title cost in PA?
$72, per PennDOT's current fee schedule. If your title was lost in the mail and you apply within 90 days of the issue date, PennDOT waives the fee.
Does the MV-38O need to be notarized?
No. The current form uses a self-certified declaration, so no notary is required for the duplicate title application itself.
What if there is still a lien on my title?
If PennDOT's records show an active lien, the lienholder completes the satisfaction of lien section on the form, or you attach the original title showing the lien was satisfied. Recently paid off? PennDOT also requires a 10-day wait after an electronic lien release before issuing a duplicate.
What happens to my old title after I get a duplicate?
It becomes void the moment the duplicate is processed. If you find the original later, do not use it for a sale; the duplicate is the only valid title.
Skip the Paperwork
Bring your documents to any of our six offices in Berks, Montgomery, and Bucks County. We complete the MV-38O and process it electronically while you wait.
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