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How do I replace a lost title certificate?

You can apply for a duplicate title certificate online, at a DMV office or by mail.

You must be the current owner of the vehicle to apply for a duplicate title certificate. Your name must appear as the owner on the DMV records unless your name changed, the owner is deceased or the applicant has Power of Attorney.  See form MV-902 (Application for Duplicate Title) for instructions.

You cannot apply for a NYS title certificate if the vehicle is registered or titled in another state.

The DMV will normally send a title certificate by US Postal Service first class mail. If you order a duplicate title certificate online, you can order express mail delivery for an additional fee.

You cannot receive a title certificate at a DMV office, and the DMV cannot send a title certificate to any person except the owner.

You must apply by mail for a duplicate title certificate for a manufactured home with a change of name of the owner.  You cannot apply at a DMV office.

How to apply for a duplicate title certificate:

At the DMV web site — You can order a duplicate title certificate online for a vehicle or a boat if:

You cannot order a duplicate title certificate online if:

By mail or at a DMV office – To apply for a duplicate title certificate by mail or at a DMV office, download and complete form MV-902 (Application for Duplicate Title). Make sure that you provide proof of identity and pay the fee of $20.

To send the application by regular mail, mail your application to the address listed on the top of form MV-902.  To send the application by express mail service, mail the application to: Duplicate Title Certificates, NYSDMV, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228. Use the Title Service Bureau phone number, (518) 486-4714, on your express mail bill.

Delivery by Express Mail – When you apply for a duplicate title certificate online, you can select delivery of your duplicate title by an express mail service and pay an express mail service fee.

When will I receive the duplicate title certificate?

The method that you use to order the duplicate title certificate determines the processing time and delivery date of the certificate. The following list indicates the normal amount of time that you must wait to receive a duplicate title certificate. There is no guarantee that your title certificate will arrive within the time indicated.

Online – The duplicate title certificate arrives in five to seven business days.

At a DMV office – The duplicate title certificate arrives in five to seven business days.

By mail – The duplicate title certificate arrives in six to eight weeks.

Proof of Ownership

You are required to provide acceptable proof of ownership when you apply for a registration or title certificate. If you do not have acceptable proof of ownership, it will be difficult or impossible to get a registration or title certificate in your name. Read the important information about proof of ownership.

How to Remove a Lienholder from a Title Certificate

How do I get a title certificate that does not list a lien?

When you get a loan for a vehicle, the loan company normally gets a lien against the title certificate. The loan company becomes a lienholder, and the name and the address of the lienholder are listed on the certificate and the DMV records.

To remove a lien, you must pay the loan and get proof from the lienholder that the lien is satisfied. You must send the original title certificate and the proof to the DMV Title Services Bureau, or apply at a DMV office. There are two acceptable proofs that you can provide:

The lienholder can send you form MV-901 (Notice of Recorded Lien). An authorized officer of the lienholder must sign the form and indicate that the lien is satisfied.

The lienholder can prepare a letter. The lienholder must print the letter on the official letterhead of the loan company, and an authorized officer must sign the letter. The letter must identify the vehicle and indicate that the lien is satisfied. If the lienholder is a person and not a loan company, the letter must be notarized.

There is a fee of $20 to remove a lien from a NYS title certificate.

Send your current title certificate, the original proof that the lien was satisfied, and a check or money order for $20 payable to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles" to the address below.  The DMV does not accept a photocopy of the proof that the lien was satisfied. In approximately 60 to 90 days, the DMV sends you in the mail a title certificate that does not list the lien.  The title certificate must be mailed to you; a DMV office cannot give you the title certificate.

Lien Release
NYSDMV Title Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228-0331

Can I transfer a title certificate that has a lien listed?

You can transfer the title certificate and give the new owner the original proof that any lien listed on the title certificate was satisfied. Keep a copy of the proof for your records. When the new owner applies for a registration and title certificate, DMV receives the title certificate and the proof that the lien is satisfied. When the DMV processes the title certificate of the new owner, the lien is removed. If the new owner does not provide the original proof that the lien is satisfied, the lienholder is listed on the title certificate of the new owner.

What if the lienholder has my title certificate?

In many other states, the lienholder keeps the title certificate until the lien is satisfied. The lienholder sends the title certificate to the owner when the lien is satisfied. If your vehicle is registered in NYS and you receive the out-of-state title certificate from the lienholder, send the title certificate to the Title Services Bureau at the address shown above. The NYSDMV will send you a NYS title certificate. There is no fee because you paid the title certificate fee when you registered your vehicle in NYS.

What if my title certificate is lost and I need to remove a lien?

If your NYS title certificate is lost, learn how to replace a lost title certificate. Send form MV-902 and the original proof that indicates that the lien is satisfied to the address above, or bring them to a DMV office. The DMV processes a duplicate title certificate that does not list the lien and mails the certificate to you. The fee is $20. If you request that the DMV remove a lien when you apply for a duplicate title certificate, you can apply by mail or at a DMV office.

How to Apply for a Title Certificate Only

How do I apply for a title certificate only, and not for a registration or vehicle plates?

Use form MV-82TON (Application for Title Only). Follow the instructions carefully. Do not use MV-82TON to apply for both a vehicle registration and a title certificate at the same time. Do not use form MV-82TON to replace a lost title certificate.

See how to apply for both a vehicle registration and a title certificate at the same time. See how to replace a lost title certificate.

What to Do if a Vehicle Owner Dies

How do I transfer the ownership and the registration of a vehicle when the owner dies?

Transfer made by the surviving spouse or a member of the immediate family:

There is no need to transfer the vehicle immediately. By law, a member of the immediate family of the deceased owner can use the vehicle until the registration or insurance expires.

According to the law, the ownership of one vehicle that has a value of $25,000 or less automatically transfers to the surviving spouse. When the ownership transfers to the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse must pay a fee of $50.00 for a title certificate and receives credit for the time that remains on the vehicle registration. The surviving spouse can use the vehicle plates that were issued to the deceased owner.

The ownership of one vehicle that has a value of $25,000 or less transfers to surviving children under the age of 21 if there is no surviving spouse or the spouse is disqualified. The spouse or the legal guardian of one of the children must sign the title certificate. When the spouse or the guardian signs the title certificate, they must indicate the relationship to the deceased owner. A spouse writes the word "spouse" under the signature. A guardian writes "guardian of", and the name and the relationship of the child to the deceased owner (for example, "Charles Edwards, guardian of John Smith, son").

To transfer ownership of the vehicle to another person, the spouse or guardian must complete form MV 349.1 (Affidavit for Transfer of Motor Vehicle). The form must be notarized. The spouse or guardian also gives the new owner a photocopy of the death certificate or certification of death. The DMV accepts a photocopy of the death certificate or certification of death. When the new owner applies for a vehicle registration or a title certificate, they must provide form MV-349.1 and the copy of the death certificate or certification of death.

Transfer made by the Executor or Administrator of the Estate:

If there is more than one vehicle or there is one vehicle that has a value of more than $25,000, the vehicle or vehicles become part of the estate. You cannot use form MV-349 or form MV-349.1 to transfer the ownership. The Executor or Administrator of the estate must transfer the ownership. Contact the Surrogate Court of the county where the surviving spouse resides to apply for Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration or a Voluntary Administrator's Affidavit.

If there is no surviving spouse or surviving child under the age of 21, the Administrator or Executor must sign the title certificate.

Under the signature of the Executor or Administrator, write:  Executor (or Administrator) of the Estate of, and then enter the name of the deceased owner.  For example:  "Executor of the Estate of Mary Ann Smith".

To apply for a registration and title certificate, the new owner must provide the following to the DMV:

The new owner of a vehicle that was transferred in the settlement of the estate must complete form DTF-803 to apply for a sales tax exemption. If the vehicle was purchased from an estate, use form DTF-802.

When there is no will, no estate, no surviving spouse and no surviving child under the age of 21:

The next of kin transfers the ownership and signs the title certificate and must complete form MV-349 (Transfer of Vehicle Registered in Name of Deceased Person). The form must be notarized. The next of kin must also give the new owner a copy of the death certificate or certification of death (a photocopy is acceptable).

Other requirements:

If the title certificate is lost, use the instructions to apply for a duplicate title certificate in the name of the owner who died. Use the duplicate title certificate to transfer ownership.

Complete the title certificate carefully. The DMV cannot accept a title certificate when the information on the title certificate was changed or erased.

Salvage Vehicle Disclosure

What must I do when I sell a rebuilt salvage vehicle?

A person or dealer who sells a rebuilt salvage vehicle that is eight model years or newer must provide the new owner with a disclosure statement. The disclosure statement is located on the back of NYS title certificates. If you fail to disclose the salvage history of a vehicle, you can pay a maximum fine of $2000, and any additional penalties described in the NYS Penal Law. Get complete information about salvage branding regulations.

If you must register or get a title certificate for a rebuilt salvage vehicle, read the information about salvage vehicle examinations.

For more information about the topic of title certificates and vehicle ownership, read the DMV brochures, Let the Buyer Be Aware, and Q & A About Your Title Certificate of Title.

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