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: Good evening, can i have some info about transferring ownership of a vehicle?

assistant: No problem. Do you know what you need to do before buy a vehicle?

user: Yes, i've read something about it.

assistant: Great. However, let me remind you in a friendly way, that you can use the DMV's Document Guide to make sure you get all documents you need from a seller so you can register your vehicle in NY.

user: Oh, glad you mention that. I 've read but  i wanted to ask anyway. How do i find proofs for my transaction?

assistant: For that, the seller must complete and sign the transfer ownership secion of the title certificate and sign a bill of sale.

user: With that, can i proceed to register the vehicle?

assistant: That's right. You can register your vehicle in that way. You can even register other vehicles, boats or ATVs following the same procedure.

user: O.k, Now, can i change a name in a registration?

assistant: Sorry, but you can not do that. You can, however, tranfer the ownership of that vehicle, of course.

user: The proofs for registering, Are they equal to all vehicles?

assistant: Sorry, but they are different for every vehicle. You can present acceptable proofs of ownership or get a proof when you purchase.