Stolen vehicles 
If your vehicle is stolen , report it to the police and your auto insurance company as soon as possible. The police will enter the information into national and state auto theft computer records. The theft will be noted on your vehicle title record to help prevent someone from selling the vehicle or applying for a title. 

How can I report stolen plates? 
Ask the police to complete a' Report of Lost or Stolen Motor Vehicle Items' form MV-78B for your stolen plates. The form is different from the stolen vehicle report , and it's available only from police agencies, not from DMV. Make a copy of the MV-78B report for your records, and bring the original form to a DMV office to surrender your registration. For further information , see Report or Replace Lost or Stolen Plates [1]. 

Do I need a duplicate (replacement) title? 
If your vehicle is not recovered , you may have to transfer ownership to your insurance company using your title certificate. If you have lost your title certificate , you must apply for a duplicate title. See Replace a Title Certificate [2] for more information. A duplicate title issued when a vehicle is stolen is marked to show the vehicle is stolen and that the duplicate title is valid for insurance transfer only. If your vehicle is recovered before you transfer the " insurance transfer only " title to your insurance company , make sure the police have cancelled the stolen vehicle alarm. Then send the title to the Title Bureau along with a letter explaining that your vehicle was recovered, and DMV will issue a regular title. The address for the Title Bureau is Title BureauNYS DMVPO Box 2750Albany , NY 12220 - 0750 

What if my title was not yet issued? 
If the vehicle was stolen before you were able to apply for registration and title in your name , you must first apply for a title in your name in order to transfer ownership to your insurance company. Obtain a letter from the insurance company on their letterhead stating that p

user: What should I do if my vehicle is recovered?

assistant: If your vehicle is recovered, make sure to notify the police so they can cancel the stolen vehicle alarm and list the recovery on your title.

user: Will my title be revised?

assistant: Yes, your title will be revised to show that your vehicle was recovered.

user: If my vehicle and plates are recovered before I file a MV-78B form, is my registration still active?

assistant: Yes, your registration will still be active as long as you make sure to cancel the stolen vehicle alarm.

user: Would I need to apply for new plates?

assistant: You would need to apply for new plates if your vehicle was recovered after you filed form MV-78B.

user: What should I do if my plates are missing?

assistant: In the case of missing plates, you would need to bring your copy of form MV-78B to a DMV office to apply for new plates and reinstatement of your registration.

user: Who should I contact if my recovered vehicle was damaged or totaled? 

assistant: You would need to contact your auto insurance company.

user: If my plates were recovered after I filled out a form, will I have to surrender my old plates?

assistant: Yes, the old plates will have to be surrendered and you will have to register for new ones.

user: When should I not apply for plates?

assistant: You should not apply for new plates until after you cancel the police alarm for a stolen vehicle.