Paperwork When Buying a Car in New York

Use this guide to learn more information about the paperwork required by New York's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to title and register your vehicle following a purchase.

Paperwork for New York Car Buyers

To transfer ownership after you buy a car in New York, you'll need to receive certain documents from the seller. That documentation varies depending on whether you buy from a dealership or a private seller.

Dealership Purchases

When you buy a car at a dealership, the dealer typically provides the DMV with all the necessary paperwork.

If you end up needing to transfer ownership of the vehicle yourself, make sure you obtain the following from the sales rep:

  • The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), if the vehicle is brand new/has never been titled in NY.
  • The current title, if the vehicle is used/pre-owned and has been titled before.
  • A dealer's invoice, to function as proof of sale and fees paid.

Private Vehicle Purchases

When you purchase a car through a private seller, you'll need to obtain certain documents from the seller so you can title and register the vehicle yourself. These include:

  • A signed and completed vehicle title, to include:
    • An odometer disclosure, if the vehicle is  20 years old or newer.
    • A damage disclosure.
  • A signed Bill of Sale (Form MV-912) listing the vehicle's:
    • Make and model year.
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
    • Sale date.
    • Purchase price.
  • A completed Statement of Transaction (Form DTF-802).
    • Though the completion of this form is a requirement for the buyer in order to pay sales tax to the DMV, it must be signed by the seller.

If the seller lost the title or if it is in unusable condition, they'll need to apply for a new one BEFORE THE SALE, either on the NY DMV's website or by completing an Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV-902).

NY Vehicle Registration Paperwork

Once you've received the appropriate paperwork from the seller, bring all documents to your local DMV office and submit them, along with the following:

  • A completed:
  • Proof of NY car insurance.
  • Lease or lienholder paperwork, if applicable.
  • Payment for the fees due, including:
    • Title fee: $50.
    • Plate fees: $25.
    • Registration fees: Vary according to vehicle weight.

For full details on registering your new car in New York, visit our guide to car registration.

Forms

MV-82
Vehicle Registration/Title Application
Application for NY title (original or replacement), registration (original, renewal, duplicate, or corrected), OR plate transfers.
DTF-802
Statement of Transaction
Submit this form to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance if a vehicle was sold OR gifted without collecting sales tax.
DTF-803
Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption - Title/Registration
Use this form if you have grounds for exemption from sales and use taxes on a vehicle you're titling/registering.
MV-902
Application for a Duplicate Title
Use this form to request a duplicate AND/OR corrected vehicle title from the NY Department of Motor Vehicles.
MV-912
Vehicle Bill of Sale
Use this form as a receipt/record when buying or selling a vehicle in New York.
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