Form MV-38L at a glance
What it is: Form MV-38L is the Application for Duplicate Title or to Record, Renew, Remove a Lien, or to Correct Lien Information by Lienholder.
Who signs: Vehicle Owner Signature is required only when a new lien is being recorded. Sign on the Signature of Lienholder/Authorized Signer line.
Where and when to file: Mail to: PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68593, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593.
A filled-in Form MV-38L example: a credit union records a lien
How to fill out Form MV-38L, box by box
The top section, what you are applying for
To assure proper processing, always check the appropriate block(s) in the top section to indicate the nature of your request.
Check 1. Duplicate Title by Lienholder and complete Sections A, B and E.
Check 2. Record a Lien and complete Sections A, B (if title is not attached or is defaced), D and E.
In addition, when an existing lien is not satisfied on the current certificate of title and a lien is being added, the lienholder information listed in Section A will be added to the title as a second lien.
A new title or ELT update will be issued to the first lienholder.
Check 3. Renew a Lien and complete Sections A, B (if current title is not ELT, and is not attached or is defaced) and E.
Check 4. Satisfy a Lien and complete Sections A, B (if title is not attached or is defaced) and E.
Check 5. Change or Correction of Lienholder Name and complete Sections A, B (if current title is not ELT, and is not attached or is defaced), C, and E.
Check 6. Lienholder's Change of Address Only, Replacement Title to Be Issued and complete Sections A, B (if title is not attached or is defaced), and E.
Check 7. Lienholder's Change of Address Only, No Replacement Title to Be Issued and complete Sections A and E.
Options 1, 4, 6 and 7 cannot be selected if current title is ELT, or if lien is ELT.
A Vehicle and lienholder information
Enter the Title Number, the Vehicle Identification Number and the Owner Name (as shown on original title).
Enter the Lienholder's Name on Record and the Financial Institution Number (Required for ELT).
Mark Yes or No for Is lienholder enrolled in ELT Program?
Complete the Street Address, City, State and Zip Code if recording a lien or if address differs from lienholder address listed on original title.
Check Appropriate Block: 1st Lienholder, 2nd Lienholder or 3rd Lienholder.
If Blocks 2, 3 and/or 4 are checked, to ensure that the lienholder's interest is properly documented with PennDOT, check the appropriate blocks in Section A.
Check one of Record, Renew, Delete - Lien Satisfied with its Date, or Correction - Lien Recorded in Error.
The date the lien was satisfied must be listed in the space provided in Section A.
B Reason for duplicate title
Section B does not need completed if lien is an ELT.
Appropriate Block Must Be Checked: Lost/ Destroyed, Stolen, Defaced (Defaced title must be attached) or Never Received (Provide the correct mailing address in Section A).
C Change or correction of lienholder name
Enter the New or Correct Lienholder Name.
Enter the Financial Institution Number (Required for ELT) and mark Yes or No for Is lienholder enrolled in ELT program?
Enter the Reason for Change of Lienholder's Name or the Reason for Correction of Lienholder Name.
D Vehicle owner signature
Vehicle Owner Signature is required only when a new lien is being recorded.
Sign on the Signature of Vehicle Owner line, sign on the Signature of Vehicle Co-Owner line if applicable, and enter the Date.
E Lienholder unsworn declaration
Fill in the Signed on the day of line, with the County or Other Location, and State, and the Country.
Sign on the Signature of Lienholder/Authorized Signer line.
Enter the Printed Name of Lienholder/Authorized Signer and the Title of Authorized Signer.
By signing, you declare under penalty of perjury under the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that this application is true and correct, and that application was made for the product or that the items as indicated were never received in the mail.
Any statement made on or pursuant to this application is subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification), which include criminal prosecution and a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which may be up to two years [18 Pa.C.S. 4904(a)], or one year [18 Pa.C.S. 4904(b)].
In addition to any other penalty, a person convicted under this section shall be sentenced to pay a fine of at least $1,000 [18 Pa.C.S. 4904(d)] (checked October 26, 2026).
More rules for Form MV-38L
For a complete listing of motor vehicle fees, refer to Form MV-70S, Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees, found at www.pa.gov/dmv.
Do not send cash. Make check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Block by block
Block 1 is checked
If Block 1 is checked, a title fee and self-certification are required.
If a paper title was issued and was never received, no fee is required if this application is filed within 90 days of issuance.
For verification purposes, list current mailing address in Section A.
Vehicle owner's signature is not required.
Block 2, to record a lien, is checked
If Block 2 is checked, a lien and title fee are required as well as a self-certification.
If application is to record a second or third lien, the fee is required for each lien.
When a lien is recorded, a new title is issued, either as a paper title or an Electronic Lien and Title Program (ELT).
Current title must be attached. If title is not attached, complete Section B.
If recording a new lien, the lienholder's signature must be self-certified in Section E.
In addition, the signature of the vehicle owner is required in Section D.
Block 3, to renew a lien, is checked
If Block 3 is checked, a lien fee (If no new title is requested, or if current title is ELT) and self-certification is required.
A lien fee and title fee (If new title is requested and current title is not ELT) and self-certification is required.
If renewing a lien, the lienholder's signature is required to be self-certified in Section E.
A lienholder may renew a lien for as many 3 year periods as may be necessary, by filing this application within the 6 months immediately preceding its expiration.
A lienholder may not apply for renewal of a lien more than 6 months before the lien expiration date, or after the lien has expired.
If the current lien is expired, a lien renewal cannot be processed; the lienholder may check block 2 and follow instructions to record a lien.
Block 4 is checked
If Block 4 is checked, a title fee (For issuance of a new title) and self-certification is required.
Current title must be attached. Complete Section B if title is not attached.
If title is ELT, lienholder is required to release the lien electronically.
New title will be issued. The lienholder's signature is required to be self-certified in Section E.
Block 5, a change of lienholder's name, is checked
If Block 5 is checked, a title fee and self-certification is required.
Lienholder must file Form MV-37, Application for Enrollment/Change in Electronic Lien and Title System, for the change of name in the PennDOT database prior to selecting this option.
Current title must be attached unless ELT.
If title is not ELT and is not attached, complete Section B.
New title will be issued, either a paper title or an ELT.
Attach a photocopy of the Articles of Amendment documenting merger, absorption, consolidation or other action causing change of lienholder's name.
The existing lien should not be released on the face of the attached title.
Form MV-950, Notification of Assignment of Secured Interest in a Vehicle, must be used when a lienholder assigns or transfers their right, title and interest for a vehicle in the security agreement to another financial institution.
Block 6 is checked
If Block 6 is checked, a title fee and self-certification is required.
Current title must be attached. If the title is not attached, complete Section B. New title to be issued.
Block 7 is checked
If Block 7 is checked, self-certification is not required, and the lienholder's signature is required in Section E.
Lienholder must file Form MV-37, Application for Enrollment/Change in Electronic Lien and Title System, for the change of address in the PennDOT database, then process the address change electronically.
No fee required.
Common questions about Form MV-38L
Where do I file it?
Mail to: PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68593, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593.
Where to get help with Form MV-38L
Visit www.pa.gov/dmv or call 717-412-5300.
TTY callers, please dial 711.
Sources
[1] Form MV-38L (3-25), Application for Duplicate Title or to Record, Renew, Remove a Lien, or to Correct Lien Information by Lienholder, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the Official source link on this page).
