Form MV-44 – Application for Duplicate Registration Card, Replacement of Registration Plate, or Weight Class Sticker is used when a customer needs a duplicate registration card or when one or more registration items
(that is, license plate, registration card, or weight class sticker) have been lost, stolen, never received in the mail, or destroyed.

Completing Form MV-44

Begin by checking the proper block at the top of the form to indicate how the form is being used:

• Application for duplicate registration card(s). The fee is $6.
• Replacement of registration plate or weight class sticker. The plate fee is $11. There is no fee for the replacement of a weight class sticker.
• Replace an illegible registration plate. There is no fee for replacement of a standard issue registration plate.

Complete the sections as described below.

Section A - Applicant and Vehicle Information as Listed on Current Registration Card

Information in this section identifies the applicant and the vehicle. This section may also be used to report a change of address.

The title number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), registration plate number and registration expiration date must match the information on the vehicle’s original registration card.

The owner (and any co-owner) must include his or her full name and driver license number. If the vehicle is owned by a company, the driver license number field is left blank.

Complete the new street address, city, state and zip code fields in the Owner’s Change of Address section only if the applicant is reporting a change of address.

Section B – Application for Duplicate Registration Card(s) or Replacement of (Check appropriate blocks)

In Section B, the applicant specifies the materials to be replaced and the reason for the replacement.

Check off the box(es) indicating which registration materials are being requested. Then, check off the box indicating the reason for the replacement. If the replacement is not due to loss, theft, defacement, or loss in the mail (that is, the material was never received in the mail), check the box marked Other and write the reason in the space provided.

Note: If the material to be replaced was issued and never received in the mail and application for replacement is made within 90 days of original issuance, there is no fee. Section E must be completed and notarized in order to receive free issuance.

An applicant requesting a replacement registration plate or weight class sticker will receive one registration card. Additional registration cards may be ordered in Section B. Additional cards issued in conjunction with the replacement of a registration plate are $2 each. Additional cards issued in conjunction with the replacement of a weight class sticker are $6 each.

Section C – Authorization to Replace an Illegible Registration Plate

If the owner wishes to replace an illegible standard issue plate, a police officer must complete Section C to certify that the plate is illegible and may be replaced free of charge. The officer must specify the registration plate number, year and make of the vehicle and provide his or her signature, badge number, department name, telephone number and the date.

Section D – Applicant(s) Signature

Note: If the applicant is applying for a replacement registration plate, or if the applicant is entitled to free replacement because the original registration material was lost in the mail and the application for replacement
is being made within 90 days of original issuance, skip Section D and complete Section E.

In Section D, the applicant certifies that information provided on the form is true and correct. The applicant and any co-applicant must sign and date the form and provide a contact telephone number. PennDOT will use the telephone number only if there is a problem with the form.

Section E – Application for a Replacement Registration Plate

Notarization is required only if the applicant is requesting a replacement registration plate or a free replacement of a previously issued product that was not received within a 90 day period from the date of issuance.

In Section E, the applicant and any co-applicant must sign the form in the presence of a notary, stating that the application is made for a registration plate or that registration materials were never received due to loss in the mail.

If the vehicle is owned by a company or corporation, a letter on company letterhead is required to authorize the person who signs in Section E to pick up the replacement registration plate. The agent must keep a copy of this letter on file for three years.

Appropriate fees should be included with the MV-44 in the form of a check or money order made payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Renewing Registration

An owner may renew the vehicle registration at the same time he or she applies for a replacement standard issue registration plate. Complete Form MV-140 – Request for Registration or Form MV-105 – Pennsylvania Registration Renewal Application and return it with Form MV-44. The fee is $11 for the replacement plate, the normal registration fee for the vehicle (for example, $37 for a passenger car), and $2 if an additional registration card is required. (At all other times, a replacement or duplicate registration card costs $6.)