A vehicle title or certificate of title is proof of ownership; for cars, motorhomes and RVs, motorcycles, trucks, and other types of vehicles. Every state has its own rules and fees about transferring that ownership to someone else, when you’re looking to buy or sell a vehicle.
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New York State doesn’t issue titles for boats either model year 1986 or older, or less than 14 feet long. The transferrable registration is the ownership document for these vehicles.
The title lists owner information and vehicle details such as make and model as well as VIN number. It also lists any “lienholders” — those from whom the vehicle owner borrowed money to purchase the vehicle.
New York States issues titles (MV-999) for motor vehicle model year 1973 and newer, but not titles for vehicles from 1972 and older, travel or utility trailers weighing less than 1,000 lbs or limited use motorcycle like a moped.
If you’re the vehicle seller, and you have the original NY title
When you first bought your vehicle, and registered it, you applied for a certificate of title with the NY DMV by using a Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82) for proof of ownership.
If now you’d like to sell you vehicle, then you have to complete and sign the transfer ownership section of that title certificate as well as a bill of sale (even if it’s a gift). That’s form MV-912. You also have to record the buyer’s name.
The NY DMV doesn’t accept certified copies of the title. If the original title was lost or stolen, or if you have satisfied a lien on the title then you have to order a replacement title
Please note that if it’s an out-of-state original certificate of title and not a NY one, the transfer section must be notarized if the proof of ownership is a Certificate of Title from Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Kentucky Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wyoming, or Puerto Rico.
Are you gifting the vehicle, instead of selling it?
If the vehicle is being gifted, you the seller, has to sign Section 6 on Page 2 of a Statement of Transaction-Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, Trailer, ATV, Vessel, or Snowmobile.
If you’re not the original owner of the vehicle, but have the title
If you’re the seller, but the title was transferred to you by another person (another private seller), then you can’t use it in your next transfer of ownership…to your new buyer. In this case, you have to apply for a title certificate only in order to transfer ownership to next person.
If your car, truck, or motorcycle is older than 10 years old, then you need to complete the Odometer disclosure Statement when you sell. You’ll find in the back of the certificate of title.
The Damage Disclosure Statement for all vehicles, no matter how old, has to be completed too
If you’re the vehicle buyer, make sure all info is 100% accurate on title
For a used vehicle bought from a private seller, your proof of ownership is the certificate of title (MV-999) or a transferable registration for 1972 vehicles or older models. Make sure the seller completes all the info needed, and you, the buyer, sign the title.
SEE ALSO: HOW TO GET A DUPLICATE TITLE OR TITLE REPLACEMENT IN NY
As mentioned above, the seller will complete the Statement of Transaction document, listing the purchase price which will determine the vehicle’s sales tax.
When you register the vehicle you just bought so you can drive it around legally, you’ll have to pay the sales tax. If that Statement of Transaction form wasn’t filled out properly, taxes will be based on the current fair market value.
The seller will have to remove their license plate and their windshield registration sticker before turning over the car to you; the buyer
tTransfer ownership of a vehicle online with eTags
No need for New York DMV, as eTags vehicle services are available in New York to CA, FL, MD, and PA locations. Drivers transferring titles will have a dedicated title specialist to help them navigate the process. All you’ll have to do is upload a few documents and check your status by email for any pending details we may need. You can do it all from your cellphone, with no face masks or social distancing required.
14 comments
I want to sell a car registered in NYS to someone who lives in another state. What do I have to do as the seller? I am a resident of NYS.
You only need to complete and sign the title in the required seller sections on the title. It is the buyers responsibility to get all other documents together to be able to title and register in their state of residence. Since some states required a Bill of Sale either signed by the seller, notarized, or both, it would be the buyer’s responsibility to assure that they obtain that (from you) in order for them to be able to register the vehicle in their state. Lastly, even if the buyer will not need a bill of sale, it can be useful to have two completed such that each party has one. For your purposes, the bill of sale would be useful to have in case the buyer never completes the transfer in/to their state and the vehicle is flagged with infractions or other issues that you would not want to continue to be associated with you/your record. Best of luck.
I recently purchased a boat trailer in Illinois and I want to register and title it in my name in NY . What paperwork do I need I have a filled out DTF 802. A bill of Sale signed by buyer and seller as well as the Illinois title.
Hello, yes you can title and register the boat trailer through eTags online. You’ll need the title and driver’s license or 6 points’ worth of ID which you can choose from the following list. Our website will produce Form mv82, plus you’ll have access to a title and registration specialist should you have any questions.
I’m selling my 1982 boat and trailer to someone in NY. Both the boat and trailer have PA titles. Where can I take the paperwork to get notarized and do I need all of the seller’s information before I can get it notarized?
Thanks
Hey there, eTags doesnt handle boat titles in NY. Bur you can get it notarized anywhere.
Hello, I am buying a vehicle in New York State that was titled in Pennsylvania. The seller now lives in upstate NY. How does the notary process work for vehicle title transfer. Can we both have a New York State Notary notarize the Title or does it have to be done by a Pennsylvania notary office?
Hello there, can you pls resend your question with where you’d like to title and register your vehicle?
Can I (a PA resident) sell my car to a New York resident, and use your services to transfer the title? or will i need to go to a notary?
Yes, the New York resident you are planning to sell your car to can use our service to transfer the title and register the vehicle. Since you are a PA resident, we assume the title for your car is a PA title. If that is the case, make sure you complete the “seller” section on the back of the title and have it notarized. The person you are selling the car to will also have to to complete the section on the bottom front and the “purchaser” section on the back and have both sections notarized.
IN NEW YORK STATE. CAN I TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF A 2019 CAR TO MY SON BY SIGNING THE CURRENT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE TO HIM WITHOUT THE USE OF THE CAR TITLE PAPER?
This article from NY state DMV should help: https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-vehicle-more-one-owner-or-registrant#footnote1_ua2qubb
what do i do with the old plates that i just took off the trailer i sold? Does DMV have a area for returned plates, stand on the crazy line and turn them in? or with the COVID mess are they even open?
https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/how-surrender-return-or-turn-your-plates-dmv