PennDOT Form MV-162: Unclaimed Registration Application – If you are a bonded messenger service operating in Pennsylvania, Form MV-162 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is the official document used to request certain unclaimed vehicle-related products. This form allows authorized messengers to apply for an unclaimed registration card, registration plate, certificate of title, or certificate of salvage when those items appear as unclaimed on the vehicle record.
Note that the current official version of the form (MV-162, revised 5-25) is designated strictly for bonded messenger use only. Vehicle owners and the general public cannot use this form. The product must already be listed as unclaimed in PennDOT’s records. Owner signature and notarization are not required.
Official Download: Download PennDOT Form MV-162 (PDF)
What Is PennDOT Form MV-162?
Form MV-162 is an application issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within PennDOT. It enables bonded messenger services to retrieve specific unclaimed items associated with a vehicle record. These items include:
- Unclaimed Registration Card
- Unclaimed Registration Plate
- Unclaimed Certificate of Title (by Owner or Lienholder)
- Unclaimed Certificate of Salvage
Earlier versions of the form also referenced weight class stickers. The current official form (dated 5-25) focuses on the four items listed above. Always use the most recent version available on the official Pennsylvania government website.
According to the form itself, titles requested through this process are mailed directly to the vehicle owner or lienholder. The messenger service handles the application submission.
Who Can Use Form MV-162?
This form is restricted to Bonded Messenger Services authorized by PennDOT. Regular vehicle owners, dealerships without messenger authorization, or the general public cannot submit MV-162.
Bonded messengers act as intermediaries who process vehicle transactions on behalf of customers and deliver documents to and from PennDOT. They must maintain the required surety bond and operate under PennDOT’s Messenger Services Agreement and applicable regulations in Title 67 of the Pennsylvania Code.
If the product is not already marked as unclaimed on the vehicle record, the application will not be processed.
Key Requirements for Submitting MV-162
Before completing the form, confirm the following:
- You are an authorized bonded messenger service with a valid messenger number.
- The registration card, plate, title, or salvage certificate is listed as unclaimed in PennDOT’s vehicle records.
- No vehicle owner signature or notarization is needed.
- Accurate vehicle identification details are available (VIN, title number, registration plate number when applicable).
The completed form is mailed to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1101 S. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293
Attn: Messenger Services
For general inquiries, visit www.pa.gov/dmv or call 717-412-5300 (TTY: 711).
How to Complete PennDOT Form MV-162?
The form is divided into clear sections. Fill it out carefully using the most current information from the vehicle record.
Section A – Vehicle Information
Provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Title Number, and Registration Plate Number (if applicable).
Section B – Vehicle Owner Information
Enter the owner’s last name or full business name, first name, middle name, co-applicant details (if any), PA Driver’s License or Photo ID number, date of birth, and complete street address. A P.O. Box alone is not acceptable.
Section C – Lienholder Information
If a lienholder exists, list the lienholder’s name, FIN (if applicable), and complete address.
At the bottom of the form, enter your Messenger Number and the Submittal Date.
Check the appropriate box for the unclaimed product you are requesting:
- Unclaimed Registration Card
- Unclaimed Certificate of Title by Owner or Lienholder
- Unclaimed Certificate of Salvage
- Unclaimed Registration Plate
Important Notes About Titles and Other Products
When requesting an unclaimed certificate of title, PennDOT mails the title directly to the recorded owner or lienholder. The messenger does not receive the physical title in most cases.
Registration cards and plates requested through this process follow PennDOT’s standard handling for unclaimed items. Always verify the current status of the vehicle record before submission to avoid delays or rejection.
Related Forms and Alternatives for Vehicle Owners
Form MV-162 is not for individual vehicle owners. If you are a Pennsylvania resident seeking a replacement or duplicate product, use the appropriate public form instead:
- Form MV-44 – Application for Duplicate Registration Card or Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Defaced Registration Plate
- Form MV-50 – Application for Replacement of Never Received Product (available free online in many cases within certain time limits)
- Online duplicate registration card options through the official PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website
These alternatives are available to the public and do not require a bonded messenger.
Where to Find Official Information and Updates?
Always download Form MV-162 and related documents directly from official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania sources to ensure you have the current version:
- Official MV-162 PDF Download
- PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services
- PennDOT Forms and Publications section on the official pa.gov website
Form revision dates can change. The version referenced here is MV-162 (5-25). Check the official site periodically for updates.
Contact PennDOT for Assistance
For questions about messenger services or vehicle records:
- Phone: 717-412-5300 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, excluding holidays)
- TTY: Dial 711
- Website: www.pa.gov/dmv
- Mailing address for messenger-related submissions: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 1101 S. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293, Attn: Messenger Services
Bonded messenger services should also refer to their Messenger Services Agreement and any internal PennDOT guidance provided to authorized agents.
Summary
PennDOT Form MV-162 provides a streamlined process for bonded messenger services in Pennsylvania to obtain unclaimed registration cards, registration plates, certificates of title, or certificates of salvage. The form is restricted to authorized messengers, requires no owner signature or notarization, and can only be used when the item is already marked unclaimed on the vehicle record.