Two things are needed for most successful vehicle sales or transfers: proof of sale and proof of ownership. Proof of sale is the document used to document who sold and purchased the vehicle, when the vehicle was sold, and how much was paid for it. Proof of ownership includes the vehicle title or other proofs approved by the DMV.

In general, when transferring ownership...

The seller must either

• complete and sign the transfer ownership section of the title certificate, and
• sign a Vehicle Bill of Sale (PDF) (MV-912) (even if it is a gift)
  or
• provide other acceptable proofs of ownership and transfer of ownership
   

The buyer must

• sign the Vehicle Bill of Sale (PDF) (MV-912) (even if it is a gift)

After transferring ownership of a vehicle, the new owner must register and title the vehicle at their local DMV office. They will also need to pay sales tax or have proof of an exemption.

Vehicles Purchased from a Dealer

A DMV-licensed automobile dealer must have acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle before they can sell that vehicle to you. Most New York State automobile dealers send the application for your vehicle registration and title certificate to the DMV. The dealer can charge a fee of $175 for this service.

The proof of sale for a vehicle from a dealer is the Retail Certificate of Sale (MV-50) ("Dealer's Bill of Sale"). Out-of-state dealers use a different bill of sale form.

Vehicles Purchased in a Private Sale

To transfer a vehicle from a seller to a buyer in a private sale, you can use the Vehicle Bill of Sale (PDF) (MV-912).

An acceptable bill of sale includes all of this information

• the year and make of the vehicle, boat, snowmobile, or ATV
• vehicle identification number (VIN) or the hull identification number (HIN)
• date of the sale
• purchase price
• names and signatures of the buyer and the seller

The buyer and seller can make photocopies of the bill of sale to keep in their records. The new owner must give the original bill of sale to the DMV along with the other required proofs of ownership when they title and register the vehicle.

Gifted Vehicle

You cannot change the name on the vehicle registration or the title certificate to the name of another person. You must transfer ownership of the vehicle. If the vehicle is transferred as a gift, indicate this on the bill of sale and indicate that the purchase price is '$0.' You must also indicate the vehicle is a gift on a Statement of Transaction (Sales Tax Form) (PDF) (DTF-802).

Note: Regardless of presenting a bill of sale, the seller or donor MUST also complete Section 6, on page 2, of the DTF-802 if:

• the motor vehicle is a gift or is sold below fair market value to a person other than a spouse, parent, child, stepparent, or stepchild;
  or
• the trailer, ATV, boat, boat/trailer combination, or snowmobile is a gift or is sold below fair market value

During most vehicle sales the transfer section on the back of the title will be completed by both the buyer and the seller. New vehicles from a dealership are issued a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). Under some circumstances, some vehicles may not have a title. For these vehicles, see acceptable proofs of ownership. 

If you are selling a vehicle in a private sale and do not have the title, see what to do when the proof of ownership is unavailable.

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.

Determine if a Car was Flooded or Stolen

To check if the vehicle you are about to purchase is flood damaged or was stolen, go to the National Insurance Crime Bureau database and enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 

Tips for Buying a Vehicle

Read the DMV brochures, Let the Buyer Be Aware, and information About Your Title Certificate.