How to transfer a car title in New York
For private sellers and buyers in New York. A dealer trade-in follows the dealer's own process.
To transfer a car title in New York, the seller fills in and signs the Transfer by Owner section on the back of the title, completes the damage and odometer disclosures, signs a bill of sale and takes off the plates. The buyer files the Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82) at a DMV office and pays the sales tax there.
What do the buyer and seller each do in New York?
Seller
- Fill in the Transfer by Owner section on the back of the title and sign it. No cross-outs or changes.
- Complete the damage disclosure and, for a 2011 or newer model up to twenty model years old, the odometer disclosure.
- Sign a bill of sale (DMV's Vehicle Bill of Sale, MV-912), even for a gift.
- Fill in the seller's section of the sales tax form, Statement of Transaction (DTF-802).
- Take off your plates and registration sticker, and turn the plates in unless you move them to another car.
Buyer
- Check that the VIN on the title matches the car and that nothing on the title is altered.
- Get the original lien release if a lender is listed on the title.
- Sign the bill of sale too, even for a gift.
- Register and title the car at a DMV office and pay the sales tax there.
If you're not sure what you need, check with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles before you go: dmv.ny.gov
How do I sign over a car title in New York?
Step 1 · Seller
Fill in the Transfer by Owner section of the title.
Print your name and address, the buyer's name and address and the date, then sign. Don't cross out or change anything.
dmv.ny.gov checkedStep 2 · Seller
Complete the odometer and damage disclosures.
The damage disclosure is needed for every car. The odometer disclosure is needed for a 2011 or newer model up to twenty model years old.
dmv.ny.gov checkedStep 3 · Seller
Sign a bill of sale.
You can use DMV's Vehicle Bill of Sale (MV-912). Sign one even if the car is a gift.
MV-912 · Vehicle Bill of Saledmv.ny.gov checkedStep 4 · Seller
Fill in your part of the sales tax form.
Complete the seller's section of the Statement of Transaction (DTF-802), so the buyer pays tax on the real price.
dmv.ny.gov checkedStep 5 · Seller
Take off your plates and sticker.
Do it before the sale. Turn the plates in at a DMV office unless you move them to another car.
dmv.ny.gov checked
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles asks for a bill of sale when a car is sold. dmv.ny.gov checked
New York bill of saleHow do I put a car title in my name in New York?
Step 1 · Buyer
Check the title before you pay.
Compare the VIN on the title with the car, and don't accept a title with anything altered or crossed out.
dmv.ny.gov checkedStep 2 · Buyer
Sign the bill of sale and get the sales tax form.
Both of you complete the Statement of Transaction (DTF-802). DMV uses it to work out the sales tax.
dmv.ny.gov checkedStep 3 · Buyer
Register and title the car at a DMV office.
Use the Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82). You pay the sales tax there, and the title comes by mail.
MV-82 · Vehicle Registration/Title Applicationdmv.ny.gov checked
After DMV processes your papers, it issues the new title in the new owner's name. See Processing in the At a glance box for how long that takes.
New York guides
How much does a title transfer cost in New York?
| Fee | Amount | Who pays | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title certificate fee | $50 | Buyer | dmv.ny.gov Checked |
| Sales tax (and any county use tax) | Worked out and collected by DMV when you register, using the price on DTF-802 | Buyer | dmv.ny.gov Checked |
| Total of required fees, before tax | $50 |
Fees can change. Check the official page before you pay. Tax depends on the price and on who is buying. The tax rules are on the site of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Special cases
- Giving a car as a giftNot confirmed yet Gift steps for New York are being checked.
- Lost titleUse the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title (MV-902).
- The owner diedThe steps depend on the estate and who the title names.
There is a lien on the title
If a lender is listed on the front of the title, the seller must give you the original lien release before you buy. dmv.ny.gov checked
Common questions
Does a New York car sale need a bill of sale?
Yes. The buyer gives the original bill of sale to DMV when titling the car, and both sign one even for a gift.
dmv.ny.gov checked
How much is the title fee in New York?
$50 for the title certificate, plus registration fees and sales tax.
dmv.ny.gov checked
Does the seller keep the license plates?
Yes. Take the plates and the registration sticker off before the sale, and turn the plates in unless you move them to another car.
dmv.ny.gov checked
How long does a New York title take to arrive?
Several weeks. Titles are not issued over the counter, so DMV mails the title to the new owner.
dmv.ny.gov checked
Sources for this page
About this page
This page summarizes official New York sources in plain English. Car Title Steps is not a government website, is not connected to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and does not file or prepare forms. Confirm each step with the agency before you sign, pay or mail anything. Found a mistake? Email mr@marcelruettgers.com.