What is a title? 
A Certificate of Title MV-999 is the official proof of ownership for a car, truck, motorcycle, motorboat, travel or utility trailer weighing 1,000 pounds or more, or manufactured home mobile home. The title certificate is used to transfer ownership from one person to another. The title also lists any " lienholders " those from whom the owner borrowed money to purchase the vehicle or manufactured home. It is wise to keep your title certificate in a safe place. Don't keep it in the car or carry it with you. 

Which vehicles must be titled? 
New York State issues a Certificate of Title MV-999 for : most motor vehicles of model year 1973 or newer ; motorboats, model year 1987 or newer, that are 14 feet or longer ; and , manufactured homes , model year 1995 , or newer , that are 8 feet or more in width, or 40 feet or more in length, or cover at least 320 square feet when erected on site. New York State does not issue a title certificate for any motor vehicle of model year 1972 or older, travel or utility trailer that weighs less than 1,000 pounds, or limited used motorcycle including a moped. 

What's the difference between a title and a registration? 
For most owners , a title certificate proves ownership of a car, truck, motorcycle, motorboat, or manufactured home. The title is used to transfer it to another owner. A registration allows a driver to operate a motor vehicle on a public road, or a motorboat on a public waterway. Manufactured homes are not registered. A transferable registration is issued for a 1972 or older motor vehicle, or a 1986 or older motorboat. The transferable portion proves ownership, and is used to sell or give ownership to another person. The registration portion allows the vehicle to be operated on a public road, or a motorboat on a public waterway. 

How do I obtain a title? 
Most often , you automatically apply for a when you first register your motor vehicle or motorboat. Use the form Vehicle Registration / Title Applica

user: II;m thinking about buying a car that is being sold as a branded vehicle and I need to know what that means.

assistant: A vehicle branding is a written notice that a vehicle previously did not conform to its warranty, had been rebuilt following damage in excess of 75% of it's retail value at the time of loss, originally entered New York State under a branded out-of-state title, had not been manufactured to U.S. standards, has been reconstructed or is not equipped with a tamper-resistant odometer.

assistant: Does the vehicle have a title with any notation that you do not understand?

user: No, I understand it now.

user: What happens if the vehicle has been damaged and will cost more than 75% of the retail value to fix?

assistant: In that case, the vehicle could not be registered and it must undergo a salvage vehicle examination by the DMV.

user: Can I take the plates from my other vehicle and put them on the new one, until I get plates for it?

assistant: No, sorry. Legally, you would not be able to drive your new vehicle until you get license plates and registration for that vehicle.

user: What if the vehicle is only a couple years old?

assistant: Before you buy, make sure that the seller has completed the appropriate damage disclosure statement. This statement would show whether or not the vehicle's new title should be branded, "Rebuilt Salvage".

user: Where do I find the damage disclosure statement?

assistant: It's found on the backside of the vehicle's title.