In the state of New York, when purchasing a vehicle through a private sale, you will need to have a Bill of Sale, also known as Form MV-912. It acts as legal proof of the sale and lists details about the vehicle and the sale and is needed when registering and titling a vehicle. It can also be used as proof should there be any issues with the vehicle. For example, if the new owner has an accident, the seller can prove that they were not in the ownership of the vehicle at that time.
Free Forms
Other Requirements
For this form to be legal, both the buyer and the seller must sign it. It also needs to be notarized.
For vehicles that weigh less than 16,000 pounds or are less than ten years old, you will need to have an up-to-date Form MV-103 or Odometer Disclosure form.
If you are having someone else register and title the vehicle for you, they will need to complete a Vehicle Power of Attorney (Form MV-03.1)
If the vehicle has been purchased from a dealership, they will need to give you Form MV-50 (Retail Certificate of Sale). For vehicles sold in a private sale, you will need Form MV-99 (Certificate of Title, which the seller must complete and give to the buyer.
How to Create a New York Vehicle Bill of Sale
New York’s DMV has its own bill of sale that you can download (MV-912). You can also create your own document, which requires the following details:
- Date of sale
- The full legal names of both the seller and the buyer
- Details about the vehicle, which must include the VIN, year, make, and model
- The amount that the vehicle was purchased for
- Specific conditions, if applicable, such as partial payments
- The full legal address of both the buyer and the seller
- Signatures of both the buyer and the seller
- Notarization by a licensed notary
Registering a Vehicle in New York
In the state of New York, to legally drive a vehicle on public roads, you are required to get the vehicle registered and titled first. Registration must be made within 180 days of the date of sale and/or the effective date stated on their vehicle insurance policy. Registration must be renewed annually for as long as you own and operate the vehicle.
Where to register a vehicle in New York?
Following are different means to register your vehicle in New York:
Online and In-person
For first-time vehicle registration, some New York Counties will allow you to register online. For in-person registration, you will need to make an appointment with your local DMV office. Renewal of vehicle registration can be done online.
By mail
You may also renew your registration by mail. When your registration is getting close to its expiry date, you will be sent a renewal notice (Form MV-3). You can fill this out and return it, with payment made out to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” for the appropriate amount.
If you have not been sent Form MV-3, you may download Form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration and Title Application) and sent that in with payment. The address to send to is:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Utica Processing Center, P.O. Box 359, Utica, NY 13503
The DMV accepts payment via cash, personal checks, money orders, and most pre-paid cards and debit cards (VISA, American Express, MasterCard, Novus/Discover card). Payments can be divided between a check and cash.
Documentation Required to Register a Vehicle in New York
When registering your vehicle, you will need to have the following:
- Current and valid driver’s license
- Completed, signed, and notarized Bill of Sale for New York (Form MV-912)
- Completed Form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application)
- Completed Form MV-103 (Odometer Disclosure)
- Vehicle Certificate of Title. If the original was lost, you may apply for a replacement title (Form 902)
- Form DTF-802 (Sales Tax Form) This will be needed to calculate tax fees and is used when a vehicle has been given as a gift.
- Funds to cover Registration Fees
- Vehicle Proof of Insurance with a recognized New York insurance provider. Be sure that your policy has the minimum requirements
- Form MV-931 (Vehicle Power of Attorney). This form will be needed if someone else is registering and titling the vehicle for you.
- Cover of $10,000 for damage of property (per incident)
- Cover of $25,000 for bodily injury (per person)
- Cover of $50,000 for death (per person, per incident)
- Cover of $50,000 for bodily injury (for two or more individuals)
- Cover of $100,000 for death (two or more individuals)
Registration Fees
The amount that you will pay when registering a vehicle will depend on what area you reside in and how much the vehicle weighs. When calculating registration fees for first-time registrations, the fees will usually include:
- Sales tax
- Fee for tile certificate
- Registration/Vehicle plate transfer fee
- Vehicle use tax (for most NY Counties)
- Registration fees for either one or two years
You can go to the DMV website to get an estimate for the fees.
Vehicle Inspections and Emissions Testing
Before you can register your vehicle, you will need to have a vehicle inspection dome. This needs to be done annually and can be done at any DMV-licensed inspection station. You can review the inspection requirements on the NY DMV website.
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