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: Please, give me additional information

assistant: Do you want to change your name?

user: No, I don't

assistant: Do you have flood damage?

user: Yes, I have

assistant: Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau database to see if a vehicle is flood damaged. You will need the Vehicle Identification Number VIN

user: What about the proof of ownership?

assistant: The proofs of ownership needed to register and title a vehicle in New York are different for different types of vehicles, cars, trailers, boats, snowmobiles, manufactured homes. Get proof of ownership at purchase.

user: What if I changed the name?

assistant: That's a problem. You can't change the name on the vehicle registration or the title certificate to the name of another person. You need to transfer the ownership of the vehicle

user: Anything else about Proof of ownership?

assistant: As I said, 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: Any tip for buying a vehicle?

assistant: Yes. Please, read the DMV brochures, Let the Buyer Be Aware, and Q&A About Your Title Certificate