PennDOT Form MV-37: PA Electronic Lien & Title Enrollment – Pennsylvania’s Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program modernizes vehicle title management by replacing paper titles with secure electronic records. Financial institutions and lienholders use PennDOT Form MV-37 to enroll in or make changes to this mandatory system. This guide explains everything U.S. lienholders, banks, credit unions, and finance companies need to know about Form MV-37, including how to download it, complete the application, and participate successfully.
What Is PennDOT Form MV-37?
Form MV-37 is the official “Application for Enrollment/Change in Electronic Lien and Title System” issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Lienholders use this form to:
- Enroll for the first time in Pennsylvania’s ELT Program
- Change their ELT service provider
- Update the financial institution’s name or address
- Request removal from the ELT Program
The form is required for all lienholders who are normally engaged in the business of financing vehicles and want to appear as a lienholder on Pennsylvania vehicle titles.
Official Download Link: Download PennDOT Form MV-37 (PDF)
Overview of Pennsylvania’s Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program
Pennsylvania became the first state in the nation to mandate electronic lien and title participation. Under Act 113 of 2006 (amending Section 1151.1 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code), full implementation of the mandatory ELT Program took effect on July 10, 2008.
In the ELT system, PennDOT maintains the electronic title record and lien notation. Lienholders no longer receive or store paper titles. Instead, they receive electronic notifications of lien perfection and perform lien maintenance transactions electronically through an approved service provider.
Paper titles are issued only when a lien is released or when a paper title is specifically needed for assignment or transfer of ownership.
For official program details, visit the PennDOT Electronic Lien and Title Program page.
Who Must Enroll Using Form MV-37?
Section 1151.1 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requires enrollment by all lienholders except:
- Individual persons
- Lienholders not normally engaged in the business or practice of financing vehicles
This includes banks, credit unions, finance companies, and dealers who finance vehicles and wish to be recorded as lienholders on Pennsylvania titles. Out-of-state lienholders who finance vehicles titled in Pennsylvania for Pennsylvania residents must also participate.
Lenders who finance vehicles but never request to be listed as a lienholder on the title are exempt. However, once a lender chooses to appear as a lienholder, enrollment becomes mandatory.
Benefits of Participating in the ELT Program
Lienholders who enroll through Form MV-37 gain significant operational advantages:
- Next-day electronic notification of lien perfection (no waiting for mailed paper titles)
- Faster verification of title and owner information
- Elimination of paper title storage, handling, and mailing costs
- Reduced staff time spent filing and maintaining physical titles
- Cost savings on replacing lost titles
- Help desk support from the contracted ELT service provider
- Ability to perform electronic lien maintenance transactions
- Improved customer service through timely release of unencumbered titles
These benefits are detailed in PennDOT’s official ELT Program Fact Sheet.
How to Enroll or Make Changes with Form MV-37?
Follow these official steps to complete the enrollment or change process:
- Download Form MV-37 from the official PennDOT website: MV-37 PDF Download.
- Contract with an approved ELT Service Provider. The list of approved providers appears on Form MV-37 itself. Providers handle electronic data transmission between the lienholder and PennDOT.
- Complete Sections A and B of Form MV-37 (Action Requested and Lienholder Information). Provide either a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or ABA Routing Number for initial enrollment.
- Forward the form to your selected service provider. The provider completes Section C and submits the application directly to PennDOT.
- PennDOT reviews the application, assigns a Financial Institution Number (FIN), and activates the account.
Important: Only the approved service provider may submit the completed Form MV-37 to PennDOT. Lienholders do not mail the form themselves for enrollment.
Financial Institution Number (FIN)
Once approved, PennDOT assigns an 11-digit Financial Institution Number (FIN). This number is based on the FEIN or ABA Routing Number provided on Form MV-37.
The FIN must be given to vehicle owners, dealers, and titling agents so it can be entered on title applications. Accurate entry of the FIN ensures the title is issued electronically to the correct lienholder.
Available ELT Transactions After Enrollment
After successful enrollment via Form MV-37, lienholders can perform the following electronic transactions (as listed on the form):
- Verify Lien
- Reject Lien
- Reject Changed Vehicle Data
- Change Owner Address
- Change Owner Address and Release Lien
- Release Lien
- Release Lien to an Approved Third Party (dealer or insurance company)
- Convert ELT to Paper Title
- Convert Existing Paper Title to ELT
- Update Lienholder Address (requires prior submission of Form MV-37 for the address change)
Making Changes After Enrollment
Use Form MV-37 whenever you need to:
- Change your ELT service provider
- Update the financial institution’s legal name
- Change the mailing address on record with PennDOT
- Request removal from the ELT Program
For address changes, submit Form MV-37 first. Only after PennDOT updates the database can you perform the electronic “Update Lienholder Address” transaction on existing ELT records.
Additional Resources from PennDOT
- Mandatory Electronic Lien and Titling Program FAQs
- Pennsylvania’s Electronic Lien and Title Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Official ELT Program Overview
- List of Participating Financial Institutions (available on the PennDOT ELT page)
Frequently Asked Questions About Form MV-37
Is there a fee to enroll with Form MV-37?
PennDOT does not charge an enrollment fee for Form MV-37. Costs are limited to those charged by the chosen ELT service provider for their software, training, and data transmission services.
How long does enrollment take?
Processing time depends on the service provider and PennDOT’s review. Working closely with an approved provider helps ensure timely activation.
Can I still receive paper titles after enrolling?
No. Enrolled lienholders receive electronic notifications only. A paper title with the lien intact can be requested later via the “Convert ELT to Paper Title” transaction when a legitimate business need exists.
What if I finance only a few vehicles per year?
Volume does not create an exemption. If you are in the business of financing vehicles and want to be recorded as a lienholder, you must enroll.
Conclusion
PennDOT Form MV-37 is the essential first step for any financial institution or lienholder seeking to participate in Pennsylvania’s Electronic Lien and Title System. By completing this application and partnering with an approved service provider, lienholders gain faster processing, lower costs, and greater efficiency while complying with state law.