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Do I Need a Notary To Sell My Car? Expert Advice

Discover hassle-free car selling in Pennsylvania. Get instant cash, environmentally-friendly disposal, and support local businesses. Learn more now.
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
04/23/2023 · 7 min read
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Selling your car can be a hassle, especially when it comes to dealing with paperwork and regulations. You may also ask yourself; do i need a notary to sell my car? Selling your car to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor in Pennsylvania can be a convenient and straightforward solution to your numerous questions.

In this blog post, we answer whether you need a notary to sell your car as well as the benefits of selling to a licensed cash car buyer or junkyard. Read on to discover how you can sell your car hassle-free and get paid quickly and fairly.

Variations of the State of Pennsylvania Notary Seal

Do I Need a Notary To Sell My Car?

Pennsylvania laws require sellers to notarize their signature on the vehicle’s title as part of a private sale process. However, car sellers do not need to notarize their car title or bill of sale when selling to a junkyard.

If selling privately, you must understand the important guidelines for notarizing your vehicle title or bill of sale.

If in another state outside Pennsylvania, it is important to confirm your state’s laws regarding vehicle sales and notary. The notary requirement varies from state to state, but is an important condition to prove ownership in states where they are required.

How to Notarize Your Car Title for Private Sale

Notarizing your car title or bill of sale is an important step to take, especially to prove ownership and legality of the sale. However, knowing your notarization options can help you navigate the process a lot smoother.

If you do not wish to go through the stress of notarizing your documents, selling to a junkyard like CashForCars.io can save you the stress and hassles. We can pick up your vehicle at your earliest convenience, pay in cash, and tow it away free of cost.

But if you’ve decided to forge ahead with the private sale, your notarization options are;

Walk-In Notary

This is the traditional notary option where you have to schedule a time and date with your signers to visit a notary public at their office. The process involves paying a fee to have your documents physically notarized.

One of the biggest setbacks of this notary option is that it cannot be done spontaneously. Sellers usually have to schedule a date and time in advance, even when such timing may not be convenient. The entire process may also involve commute or travel time and stress with the potential for delays.

**Traveling & Mobile Notary **

A traveling or mobile notary brings the notary public and their services to you at a fee. This service is usually more expensive but more convenient compared to the walk-in notary. The service charge for a mobile notary will often include the notary public’s expenses for time, logistics, and travel.

Similar to the walk-in notary, a mobile notary may sometimes be inflexible, as you are at the mercy of the traveling notary and their open appointment slots.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Remote Online Notarization takes the hassles and inconveniences away from walk-in and mobile notary services. This service can be completed at your convenience, whether you are at home behind your desktop computer or on the go using your smartphone.

Remote Online Notarization is quickly becoming the go-to option for many vehicle sellers due to the convenience, ease, and elimination of travel time and stress.

Who Should Be Present For Walk-In Notarization?

Many people opting for walk-in or traditional notarization often show up only to find that they need witnesses or the buyer to complete the process. To avoid this shocker and further inconvenience, you should find out about your state’s specific requirement for document notarization and transfer.

Pennsylvania law requires the buyer or customer to be present before the notary public when the notarial act is being executed. This means that you may be unsuccessful with notarizing your car’s title or bill of sale if the buyer or customer is absent.

What Paperwork Do I Need to Sell My Car to a Junkyard?

One of the most significant benefits of selling your vehicle to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor in Pennsylvania is the streamlined paperwork process. According to Title 75 § 1162 and § 1163 of Pennsylvania statutes, when transferring a vehicle or a salvage vehicle to a vehicle salvage dealer or a scrap metal processor, the certificate of title or salvage certificate is exempt from the requirements of notarization and verification by a corporate officer. This means that you don’t need a notarized title to sell your vehicle to a licensed salvage facility or a scrap metal processor, making the process more straightforward and hassle-free.

The reason why vehicle salvage dealers and scrap metal processors aren’t required to get the title notarized is that the vehicle will be salvaged, processed for metal, and disposed of responsibly.

In the CashForCars.io network, you’ll find both licensed salvage facilities and scrap metal processors in Pennsylvania as potential buyers for your vehicle. Some of these buyers might still require a notary and will handle the transaction under a dealer’s license, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations.

**What Paperwork Do I Need to Sell My Car to a Private Buyer? **

Unlike the straightforward and streamlined process of selling to a junkyard or salvage dealer, selling to a private buyer requires some documents. The important documents your potential buyer will request include your vehicle’s title, maintenance records, bill of sale, owner’s manual, and warranty documents.

Private car buyers are often stricter with the requirements of the sale. They want to ensure they are buying a legitimate and functional vehicle and will go the extra mile to ensure the vehicle is thoroughly inspected before completing the process. On the other hand, junkyards and scrap car buyers like CashForCars.io have less strict requirements and can often purchase inoperable cars.

Aerial View of Vehicles Ready to Be Processed For Metal

Why Sell My Junk Car To A Junkyard?

Environmentally Friendly Disposal

Selling your vehicle to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor ensures that it will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. These facilities are knowledgeable about proper recycling techniques, ensuring that hazardous materials are handled appropriately and that reusable parts are salvaged for future use. This environmentally responsible approach helps reduce landfill waste and conserve resources.

Instant Financial Benefits

Licensed salvage facilities and scrap metal processors often pay cash for vehicles, even if they are in poor condition or no longer running. This means you can receive instant financial compensation for your old car, which you can use towards purchasing a new vehicle or for other expenses. Additionally, by selling your vehicle to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor, you may avoid potential costs associated with trying to sell your car privately, such as advertising or making costly repairs.

Ease & Convenience

Selling your vehicle to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor is a convenient option, as they typically offer towing services to pick up your car from your location. This eliminates the need to coordinate transportation for a non-running vehicle or to arrange for a tow truck independently, saving you time and effort.

Support Local Businesses

By choosing a local licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor in Pennsylvania, you are supporting local businesses that contribute to the state’s economy. In turn, this helps create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the community.

Selling your vehicle to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor in Pennsylvania offers several advantages, including a simplified paperwork process, environmentally friendly disposal, financial benefits, convenience, and supporting local businesses. If you have an old or damaged car that you need to dispose of, consider selling it to a licensed salvage facility or scrap metal processor in Pennsylvania for a hassle-free and rewarding experience. The CashForCars.io network provides a variety of potential buyers, ensuring that you find the right option for your needs.

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