I am a notary public. Can I notarize motor vehicle paperwork?

Yes, you can. The notarial act required most often on motor vehicle forms is the verification on oath or affirmation. For example, the statements that must be notarized to transfer the title of a vehicle from one individual to another and to apply for a new title are both verifications. The customer must appear in person, be properly identified, swear or affirm that the statement he or she is signing is true, and sign the statement in your presence.

You cannot, however, transfer registration from one vehicle to another or issue temporary registration cards or plates. So, even if you notarized the verification on oath or affirmation transferring the title of a vehicle from one individual to another, the new owner could not operate the vehicle until he or she registered the vehicle. The new owner would need the services of a card agent or full agent, authorized under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), to complete the transaction.

What’s the difference between a card agent and a full agent?

A card agent is an individual who is authorized under contract with PennDOT to transfer an existing registration from one vehicle to another. A card agent must be a notary.

A full agent is an individual who is authorized under contract with PennDOT to transfer existing registrations and to issue temporary registration plates. A full agent may be a notary. If the full agent is not a notary, he or she must have a notary employed during business hours.

Can I work for a card agent or full agent and do the motor vehicle paperwork?

Card agents cannot employ notaries to do their motor vehicle paperwork. PennDOT regulations require card agents themselves to be commissioned notaries public.

A full agent must either be a notary or have a notary available during business hours. To work for a full agent, you must be authorized to act under the terms of the full agent’s contract. The full agent must submit form MV-73B – Messenger and/or Agent Service Employee Report for PennDOT to add your name to the contract. You also need a criminal background check and must take a PennDOT-approved motor vehicle training course that is appropriate for your level of experience.

How much can I charge for motor vehicle work?

As a notary, you may charge only the approved fee for the notarization. The fee for a verification on oath or affirmation is $5.

You may charge a clerical fee for assisting your customer with obtaining, completing, copying or mailing PennDOT forms. Any clerical fee should be discussed with your customer in advance, and agreed to, before any work is done. You should also give your customer an itemized receipt.

PennDOT fees are listed on Form MV-70S – Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees. The agent must collect these fees from the customer and submit them with the motor vehicle paperwork in the allotted time. Card agents and full agents must submit paperwork and fees within 20 days of the transaction.

Where can I get PennDOT forms?

For motor vehicle and driver licensing forms, go to PennDOT’s Web site, https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx, and click the “Forms and Publications” link on the home page.

Note: You cannot download secure multi-part Forms MV-1, MV-4ST and MV-120 from PennDOT’s Web site. These forms cannot be distributed to the public. Only authorized agents who have contracts with PennDOT can order these forms.