How to Transfer a Car Title in New York: 2026 Step-by-Step
New York title transfers happen at NYS DMV offices (or by mail to the central office in Albany). The structural quirk: the bill of sale and release of liability are combined into a single document — Form MV-912 — which both parties sign at the meet-up. Sales tax is collected from the buyer at the DMV based on the bill-of-sale price.
This page is the step-by-step for both seller and buyer.
TL;DR — New York title transfer
- Seller: signs the title; both parties sign Form MV-912 (combined bill of sale + release of liability)
- Buyer: takes signed title + MV-912 + DTF-802 (sales tax form) to NYS DMV within 30 days
- Sales tax: state + local; NYC is 8.875%; upstate ranges 7–8.875%
- Title fee: $50
- Plates: removed by the seller in NY; surrender or transfer to another vehicle within 30 days
What the seller does
Step 1: Sign the title
The New York title has a "Transfer by Owner" section on the back. Fill in:
- Seller's signature (must match the printed name on the front)
- Date of sale
- Odometer reading at sale date
- Buyer's name and address
- Sale price
In ink. No corrections — if you make a mistake, write "VOID" across the line and start over.
Step 2: Complete Form MV-912 (Bill of Sale + Release of Liability)
Form MV-912 is the New York-specific combined form:
- Top half: bill of sale (vehicle info, price, date, both signatures)
- Bottom half: release of liability (the seller's notification to the DMV that the car was transferred)
Both parties sign. Both keep an original. The seller files (or hands to the buyer to file) the MV-912 with the DMV.
Download Form MV-912 at dmv.ny.gov.
Step 3: Remove the plates
In New York, plates stay with the seller. Remove the plates immediately at the meet-up. The buyer cannot drive away with your plates.
You can:
- Transfer the plates to a different vehicle you own (within 30 days)
- Surrender the plates at any DMV office; required if you don't transfer
- Throw away seriously damaged plates only after surrendering at DMV
If you don't surrender or transfer plates within a reasonable time, the DMV may suspend your registration for the missing plates.
Step 4: Notify the DMV (combined into MV-912)
The MV-912's release-of-liability section is the seller's notification. It can be filed in person at any DMV office, by mail to Albany, or sometimes electronically via the dmv.ny.gov portal.
Do this within 30 days of the sale. Without it, you remain on the registration.
Step 5: Hand over the documents
To the buyer at the meet-up:
- Signed title
- Signed Form MV-912 (bill of sale + release of liability)
- Form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction — Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle), partially filled by you
- Owner's manual, both keys, service records
Keep for your records: photo of signed title, signed copy of MV-912, signed DTF-802, photo of the buyer's driver's license.
What the buyer does
Step 1: Visit any NYS DMV office within 30 days
Late transfers incur penalties. Penalties escalate based on lateness; severe lateness can incur registration penalties.
Step 2: Bring the documents
- Signed title (from the seller)
- Signed Form MV-912 (from the seller; both parties signed)
- Completed Form DTF-802 (sales tax form; both parties partially signed)
- Your driver's license
- Proof of insurance (NY requires liability insurance)
- Original or certified copy of any required forms (e.g., for out-of-state titles, vehicle history reports)
Step 3: Pay the fees
- Title fee: $50
- Sales tax: state + local (computed on DTF-802). NYC: 8.875%. Westchester: 8.375%. Long Island (Nassau/Suffolk): 8.625%. Upstate ranges 7–8.875%.
- Registration fee: varies by car weight; typically $30–$140 for two-year registration
- Plate fee: $25 (new plates)
- Vehicle use tax (NYC only): $400 if you live in NYC; payable at registration
Step 4: Get plates and registration
NY plates issued at the DMV. The new title arrives by mail in 90 days (slower than most states).
You can drive on the temporary registration in the interim.
NYC vs. upstate differences
The DMV process is the same statewide, but:
- NYC sales tax (8.875%) is among the highest in the US for vehicles
- NYC vehicle use tax of $400 is unique — payable at registration if you live in any of the 5 boroughs
- NYC residents often process at the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island DMV; appointments highly recommended (otherwise expect 2+ hour wait)
- Upstate has shorter wait times and more office locations
Form DTF-802 details
Form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction) is the sales tax computation form. The buyer fills in their information and computes the sales tax. The form is submitted to the DMV at title transfer.
Three scenarios on DTF-802:
- Standard private sale: tax based on sale price (or fair market if sale price is materially below market)
- Gift between qualifying family members: exempt from sales tax (must be documented)
- Sale below fair market value to non-family: tax based on fair market value, not sale price
Underreporting the sale price doesn't reduce the buyer's tax — DTF-802 is cross-checked against fair-market value tables.
State-specific gotchas
Plate removal and surrender
NY DMV is strict about plate accountability. Don't leave plates on the car the buyer takes; don't fail to surrender if you're not transferring. Suspended registration for missing plates is a common but avoidable problem.
90-day title processing
The new title arrives by mail in roughly 90 days — much slower than California's 4–8 weeks or Florida's near-instant e-Title. The buyer drives on the temporary registration in the meantime.
Family transfer documentation
Spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, and stepchild qualify for sales tax exemption on a vehicle transfer. Document the relationship on Form DTF-802.
Out-of-state buyer
If selling to a non-NY buyer, the buyer takes the signed title and MV-912 to their own state's DMV. NY sales tax doesn't apply if the car is being titled in another state. The buyer should bring proof of out-of-state residency.
Salvage and rebuilt titles
NY brands titles for salvage and rebuilt. Salvage titles can be retitled as "Reconstructed" after the car is rebuilt and inspected; rebuilt is the brand carried forward. Disclose in listing and on the bill of sale.
NYC vehicle use tax
The $400 NYC use tax catches some buyers off guard. Budget for it if you live in NYC. Non-NYC residents don't pay it.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to remove plates. NY plates stay with the seller. Remove at the meet-up; surrender or transfer within 30 days.
Not filing MV-912 release of liability. Without it, you remain on the registration. Buyer's tickets come back to you.
Pre-signing MV-912 or the title. Sign at the meet-up, in front of the buyer.
Underreporting on DTF-802. Cross-checked against fair-market value tables; buyer's tax bill comes back at the higher amount.
Missing the 30-day buyer deadline. Penalties escalate; registration may be denied for severely late transfers.
Selling out-of-state without confirming the buyer's state's requirements. Buyer's home state's titling rules apply at registration; some states require additional NY-side paperwork (vehicle history, lien release, etc.).
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to transfer a car title in New York?
The buyer has 30 days from the sale date. Late transfers incur penalties; severe lateness can result in registration denial.
Where do I transfer a car title in New York?
At any NYS DMV office. NYC residents: appointments at dmv.ny.gov are strongly recommended (walk-in waits often exceed 2 hours).
What's the sales tax on a private car sale in New York?
State + local sales tax. NYC: 8.875%. Westchester: 8.375%. Long Island: 8.625%. Upstate: 7–8.875% depending on county. NYC residents also pay an additional $400 NYC vehicle use tax.
What's Form MV-912?
The combined Bill of Sale and Release of Liability form. Both parties sign at the meet-up; both keep an original. The seller's signature on MV-912 also serves as the release of liability filing.
What's Form DTF-802?
The Statement of Transaction — Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle. The sales tax computation form filed at title transfer. The buyer fills in price and tax; cross-checked against fair-market value tables.
Do I need to remove my plates when I sell my car in New York?
Yes, immediately at the meet-up. New York plates stay with the seller and must be transferred to another vehicle or surrendered to the DMV within 30 days.
Can I sell my car if I lost the title in New York?
Apply for a duplicate at the DMV using Form MV-902 (Application for Duplicate Title). $20 fee. The duplicate arrives in 1–4 weeks.
What if I sell my car to a family member in New York?
Family transfers (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, stepchild) are exempt from sales tax. Document the relationship on Form DTF-802.
Does New York require notarization for the title or bill of sale?
No. Neither the title nor MV-912 requires notarization in New York.
How long does the new title take to arrive in New York?
Approximately 90 days. The buyer drives on the temporary registration in the meantime.
Ready to sell in New York?
Generate a NY-formatted listing in about ten minutes. We handle the description, photos, and multi-platform export; you handle MV-912 and the plate surrender.