NY.gov Portal State Agency Listing

Read This Summary First!

First... Read the instructions on this page.
 
Use these instructions to apply for an original NYS registration and title certificate by mail while you are not in NYS.
Next... Get the forms.
 
Download form MV-82, form MV-82.1, form DTF-802, form DTF-803, form DTF-804, and form MV-900. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader®. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader®, get the instructions.
Then... Estimate the fee.
 
Use the information below to estimate the amount of your fee.
Last... Complete the forms. Mail the forms, fee and proofs of identity.
 
Mail your application to any DMV local office. Include a personal check or money order for the fee and the photocopies of your proofs of identity.

Read These Instructions Carefully

Print this page of instructions and read them carefully. Also read these instructions:

You must send the following documents with your application:

  • Proof of ownership: Determine the proof of ownership that is required. The proof of ownership that you send must be the original documents. Read the instructions on how to register your out-of-state vehicle for an explanation.
  • NYS Insurance Identification Card: Make sure that you have an original and valid NYS insurance ID card. The card must have the same name as the registration. An insurance card from another state, other insurance documents, or a photocopy of a NYS Insurance Identification card are not acceptable.  The proof of insurance must be presented within 45 days of the effective date of the insurance coverage.
  • Proof of Identity: Original proofs of identity are required if you apply in person, but photocopies are acceptable if you apply by mail.
  • Payment for fees: Write a personal check payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles" for payment of taxes and fees. Leave the amount blank. Read the information about fees on this page.

You can have your registration items sent to an address that is different from the address on your registration document. Include a separate note and clearly print the alternate address. Do not write the alternate address on form MV-82. If you put this address on form MV-82, DMV prints the alternate address on your registration document and registration record.

The DMV sends the title certificate to the mailing address on form MV-82. The DMV cannot send the title certificate to another address. Give the DMV a maximum of 90 days to process your title certificate.

If another person brings your application to the office, that person must follow the requirements for a second party registration application.

If there is a lien on your vehicle, the lienholder must file the lien with the DMV. The lienholder can file the lien electronically or use form MV-900 or form MV-900A. The lienholder must pay a fee of $5 to file the lien. Only the lienholder can pay this fee. You can send the form and payment from the lienholder with your application, or the lienholder can send the form and payment for the fee to the address shown below. Do not send your application to this address:

NYSDMV Title Services Bureau
PO BOX 2750-ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0700

Note:  Do not use this address to mail your registration and title application.  Mail that application to any DMV local Office.

To remove a lien that appears on the title certificate of the previous owner, you must send with your application an original letter signed by the lienholder that states that the lien was satisfied.

Download the Forms

Download and print these forms. Adobe Acrobat Reader® is required.

  • Form MV-82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application)
  • Form MV-82.1 (Instructions)
  • Form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, Trailer, ATV, Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile)
  • Form DTF-803 (Claim for Sales Tax Exemption - Title/Registration Motor Vehicle, Trailer, ATV, Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile)
  • Form DTF-804 (Claim for Credit of Sales Tax Paid to Another State for Motor Vehicle, ATV, Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile)
  • Form MV-900 (Notice of Lien) - This form is required when there is a lien on the vehicle.

Estimate Your Fee

The DMV cannot calculate the total amount of your registration fees until your transaction is complete. Read the information about registration fees to estimate the total amount of your fees. The amount of sales tax and vehicle use tax depends on your locality. You can see the current sales tax rates by jurisdiction external link at the Department of Taxation and Finance web site. Make your personal check payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles", but leave the amount blank.

The tear strip receipt included with your registration documents shows the total amount of your fee. The amount that you paid is not the amount shown in the box that reads, "Annual Charge".

Mail the Forms, Fee, and Proofs

Make sure you that you include all the required documents before you mail your application. Do not send these instructions with your application. The DMV returns your application if it is not complete and accurate.

Send your application by express mail, certified mail, or registered mail. The DMV is not responsible for lost or stolen documents. To receive delivery of your registration items by express mail, you must enclose a pre-paid, pre-addressed express mail package with your application. Make sure that the express mail package can contain vehicle plates.

Mail your application to any DMV Local Office.

Allow six weeks for your registration items to arrive by mail. The delivery time is longer if you apply from outside the United States. Allow the DMV 90 days to process your title certificate.

If your application is complete, the DMV sends you a 10-day inspection extension sticker, your registration documents and your vehicle plates.

If the vehicle is not in NYS, wait for the vehicle to enter NYS before you use the 10-day inspection extension sticker (VS-1077). Mark the box on the sticker that indicates the vehicle has entered NYS, and write in the date when the vehicle first entered NYS. You have a maximum of 10 days after that date to get your vehicle inspected in NYS. Read more information about vehicle safety and inspections.