Transfer ownership 


Determine exactly what you need before you buy a vehicle 
Use DMV s Document Guide to make sure you get all documents you need from a seller so that you can register your vehicle in New York. Find your proofs [1 ] 

In general, when transferring ownership... 
The seller must either complete and sign the transfer ownership section of the title certificate , and sign a bill of sale [2] even if it is a gift provide other acceptable proofs [3] of ownership and transfer of ownership The buyer must sign the bill of sale [2] even if it is a gift pay sales tax [4]or have proof of an exemption register and title the vehicle or trailer [5] or snowmobile, boat, moped or ATV [6] or transfer a registration from another vehicle [7] they own to their new vehicle 

Proof of ownership 
The proofs of ownership needed to register and title a vehicle in New York are different for different types of vehicles for example, cars, trailers, boats, snowmobiles, manufactured homes. Acceptable proofs of ownership [3 ] Get proof of ownership at purchase [8 ] Deceased owner [9 ] Proof of ownership at purchase [8 ] Proof of ownership is not available [10 ] 

How to register 
See information for how to register a vehicle you bought or received as a gift. Register and title a vehicle or trailer [5 ] [ 6]Register a snowmobile, boat or ATV [6 ] Transfer a registration to another vehicle you own [7 ] How to register a newly purchased vehicle if you do not have the title [11 ] You must register the vehicle at a DMV office. You cannot do this over the phone, online, or by mail. 

Additional information 


Changing names 
You cannot change the name on the vehicle registration or the title certificate to the name of another person. You must transfer the ownership of the vehicle. 

Flood damage 
You can check the National Insurance Crime Bureau database [12] to see if a vehicle is flood damaged. You will need the Vehicle Identification Number VIN. 

Tips for buying a vehicle 
Read t

user: What will I need for ownership transfer at the time of purchase of my new vehicle? 

assistant: Are you wanting to register the new vehicle in the state of New York? 

user: Yes I am. 

assistant: You can use DMV's document guide to make sure you get all documents you need from a seller so that you can register your vehicle in New York. 

user: What must the seller do when transferring ownership to me? 

assistant: The seller must either complete and sign the transfer ownership section of the title certificate and sign a bill of sale or provide other acceptable proofs of ownership and transfer of ownership. 

user: Does the bill of sale need to be signed even if a vehicle is a gift? 

assistant: Yes, the bill of sale must be signed when transferring ownership even if a vehicle is a gift. 

user: Are proofs of ownership needed to register and title different types of vehicles different? 

assistant: Yes, the proofs of ownership needed to register and title a vehicle in New York are different for different types of vehicles for example cars, trailers, boats, snowmobiles, manufactured homes. 

user: How do I register a vehicle that I received as a gift? 

assistant: You cannot do that over the phone, online, or by mail.  Vehicles received as gifts must be registered at a DMV office. 

user: Does a snowmobile received as a gift need to be registered? 

assistant: It must be registered at a DMV office.  If it was a gift it cannot be registered over the phone, online or by mail.