If you purchased a vehicle at a sheriff or marshal auction, you might not have the title to that vehicle.  However, you can still apply for a New York State registration and a title certificate at a local DMV office.

You must bring one of the following documents to the DMV office:

• A copy of the posted notice of sale

     or

• A copy of the newspaper ad containing the vehicle year, make, and VIN and the name of the newspaper, and the date the ad was published

     or

• A statement from the Marshal or Sheriff that they complied with the law in regard to public notification or sale

You must bring all of the following documents to the DMV office:

• a completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF) (MV-82)
• the Marshal's (or Sheriff's) Bill of Sale, which must contain the following:
  • A description of the vehicle (year, make, and VIN)
  • The place, date, reason, and circumstances of the seizure
  • the name and address of the purchaser and the price paid
• if the vehicle was sold outside New York City
  • a statement that all interested parties (owner, lienholder(s), et al.) were notified of the sale
• if the vehicle was sold within New York City
  • a copy of the judgment or execution order giving the Marshal or Sheriff authority to sell the vehicle
  • a statement by the Marshal or Sheriff that they had notified or attempted to notify the owner and lienholder that the vehicle was being auctioned
• The current New York State Insurance ID card (auto liability insurance).

  • Your insurance company will:

    1) give you 2 barcoded original New York State Insurance ID cards (see sample insurance ID cards) or provide you with access to your digital electronic New York State Insurance ID Card

    2) send an electronic notice of insurance coverage to the DMV (your insurance agent or broker cannot file this notice)

    Your New York State Insurance ID cards and the electronic notice together verify your coverage. We need both.

    You must register your vehicle within 180 days of the effective date on your Insurance ID Card. Provide one copy or form of your Insurance ID Card with you. The DMV office will keep the paper card.  Keep the other paper card with the vehicle as your proof of insurance. Anyone operating your vehicle must be able to provide proof of insurance.

    Learn more about New York State Insurance Requirements.

• Your New York State driver license, permit, or non-driver ID that is current or expired less than 2 years. You must be at least 16 years old (except for ATV registrations and boat registrations). 
• Payment for fees and taxes or proof of an exemption 
• If you register for a business or organization, also bring proof of incorporation. See Instructions for Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF) (MV-82.1).

The fees depend on the vehicle weight and where you live. First-time registration fees normally include

• the sales tax
• a vehicle plate fee or registration transfer fee
• a title certificate fee
• (in most counties) a vehicle use tax
• either a 1 or 2 year registration fee, depending on the type of registration

Estimate the registration fees

Payment types

We accept

• cash
• most credit, pinless debit or prepaid cards (American Express, Discover Card/Novus, MasterCard, VISA)
• a personal check or a money order payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles"

You can split your payment between cash and check if you need.