MV-38L is the Pennsylvania application that a lienholder files with PennDOT's Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get a duplicate title, record a lien, renew a lien, satisfy a lien, or change or correct lienholder information. One of seven request blocks at the top of the form tells PennDOT what you are asking for, and the blocks you check decide which sections you complete. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official form is published by PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, and you send it to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by mail.
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What is MV-38L?
Form MV-38L, Application for Duplicate Title or to Record, Renew, Remove a Lien, or to Correct Lien Information by Lienholder, is the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Motor Vehicles form a lienholder uses to obtain a duplicate title or to record, renew, satisfy or correct a lien on a vehicle's certificate of title.
The form has seven request blocks at the top:
- 1: Duplicate Title by Lienholder.
- 2: Record a Lien.
- 3: Renew a Lien.
- 4: Satisfy a Lien.
- 5: Change or Correction of Lienholder Name.
- 6: Lienholder's Change of Address Only, Replacement Title to Be Issued.
- 7: Lienholder's Change of Address Only, No Replacement Title to Be Issued.
The sections that follow are A (Vehicle and Lienholder Information), B (Reason for Duplicate Title), C (Change or Correction of Lienholder Name), D (Vehicle Owner Signature) and E (Lienholder Unsworn Declaration). Each block lists the sections it requires.
Depending on the request, the Bureau issues a new paper title or an update to an Electronic Lien and Title Program (ELT) record. Several options cannot be selected when the current title is ELT.
The form is not the one to use when a lienholder assigns or transfers its interest in the security agreement to another financial institution: the instructions say that Form MV-950, "Notification of Assignment of Secured Interest in a Vehicle," is used for that. Enrollment or changes in the electronic system are made on Form MV-37.
Who needs to file MV-38L?
Lienholders on a Pennsylvania vehicle title use Form MV-38L. The block you check depends on what you need:
- A lienholder that needs a duplicate title (block 1).
- A lienholder recording a first, second or third lien (block 2).
- A lienholder renewing a lien that has not yet expired (block 3).
- A lienholder whose lien has been paid off and who is satisfying it (block 4).
- A lienholder whose name has changed or was recorded incorrectly (block 5).
- A lienholder changing its address only, with or without a replacement title (blocks 6 and 7).
The vehicle owner does not complete the form, except that when a new lien is being recorded the owner, and a co-owner if applicable, must sign Section D. For a duplicate title the vehicle owner's signature is not required.
Exclusions printed on the form: blocks 1, 4, 6 and 7 cannot be selected if the current title is ELT, and a lienholder in the ELT system must release a lien electronically. A lienholder that is assigning its interest to another financial institution uses Form MV-950 instead. The authorized signer prints a name and title in Section E.
When to file MV-38L
File Form MV-38L when you need one of the seven actions on the form: a duplicate title, a new lien, a lien renewal, a lien satisfaction, a lienholder name change or correction, or an address change.
Renewals have a window. A lienholder may renew a lien for as many 3-year periods as necessary by filing within the 6 months immediately before it expires. You may not apply more than 6 months before the expiration date or after the lien has expired. If the lien has expired, it cannot be renewed; check block 2 and follow the instructions to record a lien.
If a paper title was issued and never received, no fee is required when the application is filed within 90 days of issuance.
A lien recorded on a title is valid for 30 years for a mobile home or emergency vehicle, 20 years for a motor home or recreational trailer, 8 years for truck tractors, recreational cargo trailers or trailers over 10,000 pounds, and 6 years for all other vehicles.
For a name change (block 5), Form MV-37 must be filed first.
Documents you need
- Current certificate of title: attach it for blocks 2, 4, 5 and 6; for block 5 only if the title is not ELT. If not attached, complete Section B.
- A defaced title: it must be attached when Defaced is checked in Section B.
- Photocopy of the Articles of Amendment, for block 5: it documents the merger, absorption, consolidation or other action that changed the lienholder's name.
- Form MV-37, "Application for Enrollment/Change in Electronic Lien and Title System": the lienholder files it before a name change (block 5) or an address change (block 7) so the PennDOT database is updated.
- Fee payment by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where a fee applies; do not send cash. Amounts are in Form MV-70S at www.pa.gov/dmv.
How to fill out MV-38L
Check the block for your request
At the top of the form, check the block or blocks that describe the request: 1 duplicate title, 2 record a lien, 3 renew a lien, 4 satisfy a lien, 5 name change or correction, 6 or 7 change of address only. The block tells you which sections to complete.
Enter vehicle and owner details
In Section A, enter the Title Number, Vehicle Identification Number and the Owner Name as shown on the original title.
Enter lienholder information
In Section A, enter the Lienholder's Name on Record, mark Yes or No for enrollment in the ELT program and give the Financial Institution Number, which is required for ELT.
Complete the lienholder address
Enter the street address, city, state and ZIP code if you are recording a lien or if the address differs from the one on the original title.
Mark lienholder position and action
Check 1st, 2nd or 3rd Lienholder, then Record, Renew, Delete – Lien Satisfied or Correction – Lien Recorded in Error. For block 4, enter the date the lien was satisfied in the space provided.
Give the reason for a duplicate
In Section B, check Lost/Destroyed, Stolen, Defaced or Never Received, when your block requires it. Skip Section B if the lien is an ELT; for Never Received, give the correct mailing address in Section A.
Complete the name change section
For block 5 only, enter the New or Correct Lienholder Name in Section C, answer the ELT question, give the Financial Institution Number and mark the reason for the change or correction.
Get the owner's signature for new liens
For a new lien (block 2), have the vehicle owner, and a co-owner if applicable, sign and date Section D. Leave it blank for other requests.
Complete the lienholder declaration
In Section E, enter the day, month, year and the county or other location, state and country where you sign. Add the printed name, signature and title of the authorized signer.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the blocks, sections and attachments match your request, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package and mail it as described under How to submit.
How to submit MV-38L
You submit Form MV-38L by mail to PennDOT; the form names no other channel.
- By mail: PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68593, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593.
Include the current title when the instructions for your block require it, and any other attachment listed for the block you checked. Many requests carry a fee: the form says to review the instructions before submitting and points to Form MV-70S, "Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees," at www.pa.gov/dmv for the amounts. Do not send cash; make the check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Block 7 requires no fee.
Questions go to PennDOT at 717-412-5300 (TTY callers dial 711). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the request blocks at the top unchecked; the instructions say to always check the block that shows the nature of your request.
- Selecting block 1, 4, 6 or 7 when the current title is ELT; these options cannot be selected for an ELT lien.
- Trying to renew a lien more than 6 months before it expires, or after it has expired; an expired lien must be recorded again under block 2.
- Recording a new lien without the vehicle owner's signature in Section D.
- Sending a lien recording, satisfaction or renewal without the lienholder's self-certified signature in Section E where required; block 7 does not require self-certification.
- Filing a name change (block 5) before filing Form MV-37, or without a photocopy of the Articles of Amendment.
- Releasing the existing lien on the face of the attached title when changing the lienholder name; the instructions say it should not be released.
- Omitting the date the lien was satisfied in Section A when satisfying a lien (block 4).
- Sending cash, or a check payable to someone other than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form MV-38L used for?
MV-38L is PennDOT's application for a lienholder to get a duplicate title, record a lien, renew a lien, satisfy a lien, change or correct the lienholder's name, or change the lienholder's address. You check the block for your request at the top of the form.
Who can file MV-38L, the vehicle owner or the lienholder?
The lienholder files it. The owner signs only in Section D, and only when a new lien is being recorded; a co-owner signs too if applicable. For a duplicate title by lienholder, the vehicle owner's signature is not required.
Can I renew a lien after it expires?
No. A lien renewal cannot be processed once the lien has expired. The lienholder may check block 2 and follow the instructions to record a lien instead. Renewals can be filed only within the 6 months before expiration, in 3-year periods.
How long is a lien valid in Pennsylvania?
It depends on the vehicle: 30 years for a mobile home or emergency vehicle, 20 years for a motor home or recreational trailer, 8 years for truck tractors, recreational cargo trailers or trailers over 10,000 pounds, and 6 years for all other vehicles.
Is there a fee to file MV-38L?
Often yes. Blocks 1 through 6 list a title fee, lien fee or both, and block 7 requires no fee. Amounts are in Form MV-70S at www.pa.gov/dmv. Pay by check or money order to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; do not send cash.
Where do I mail Form MV-38L?
Mail it to PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68593, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8593. The form names no other submission channel. For questions, call 717-412-5300; TTY callers dial 711.
Can I use MV-38L if the lien is in the ELT program?
Only for some requests. Blocks 1, 4, 6 and 7 cannot be selected if the current title is ELT, and an ELT lien must be released electronically. Recording and renewing a lien and name changes can be used, and Section B is skipped for ELT.
Can I fill out MV-38L online?
You can fill out the MV-38L PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of PennDOT and does not file or send the form; you mail it to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles yourself.
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