If the seller has a title certificate that was transferred to the seller by the previous owner, and the title certificate displays the name of the previous owner, the seller must get a title certificate that displays the name of the seller. Use the Application for Title Only (PDF) [1] (MV-82TON) form. Follow the instructions carefully.
Do not use the MV-82TON form to
If the seller cannot get a title certificate that displays their name, they can contact the DMV [2] to get more information.
If the NY State transferable registration is lost, the current owner can apply for a duplicate registration document at a DMV office. Use the Application for Registration or Title (PDF) [3] (MV-82) and the instructions for Registering/Titling a Vehicle in New York State (PDF) [4] (MV-82.1). The current owner
If the NY State transferable registration is lost and the DMV cannot issue a duplicate, the current owner can apply for Certification of NY State Registration for Transfer of Non-Titled Vehicle (Form MV-353). The DMV must verify that the vehicle was registered to the current owner. The current owner must provide proof of identity (see proofs of identity [7]). There is a fee $10 for form MV-353. The current owner can use form MV-353 and a bill of sale [8].
If the DMV cannot issue a transferable registration or form MV-353 the registration applicant must show other evidence of ownership. For example, the applicant can show an old registration, an original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, or an original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. If the proof is not available, the applicant can use the MV-51B for proof of ownership.
If the seller did not register the vehicle, the boat, the ATV or the snowmobile, they can give the buyer
If there are other previous owners, the seller must also give the buyer proofs of all previous transfers of ownership. The seller must also give the buyer a bill of sale.
Before you purchase a vehicle, boat, or snowmobile that is non-titled, make sure that you will receive the acceptable proofs of ownership. If you cannot get any of these proofs, you must
or
If you do not receive proof of ownership and the US Postal Service returns your certified letter, bring all of these items to a DMV office
If your proof of ownership for a non-titled vehicle, boat, or snowmobile is not a NY State transferable registration, the local DMV office will issue a non-transferable registration. You can use the vehicle, boat or snowmobile with a non-transferable registration, but you cannot transfer your ownership to another person.
The DMV Title Services Bureau will examine your proofs and will mail to you either a transferable registration, or a letter that explains why the DMV cannot issue a transferable registration.