Q. How Do I Obtain A Title?

A. Most often, you automatically apply for a Certificate of Title when you first register your motor vehicle or motorboat. Use the form Vehicle Registration/Title Application (MV-82), available at any motor vehicle office, by request from a DMV Call Center or by download from the DMV internet site. You must pay the registration and license plate fees, any appropriate sales tax, and a $50.00 fee for a title certificate. The same process is followed by a dealership that handles your registration and title application. The dealership will issue you a temporary registration.

You will receive your permanent registration, and license plates if requested, when the Department of Motor Vehicles accepts your application. However, New York State title certificates are not issued over the counter. State law requires the DMV to mail a title certificate to the owner, after carefully examining and verifying the proof of ownership submitted with the application. As a result, the title application process may take several weeks to complete.

If you do not receive your title certificate by mail within 90 days after you apply, contact a DMV Call Center. Your registration receipt can help verify your vehicle's plate number, make, year and vehicle identification number (VIN).

When you receive your title, check to see whether the information it contains about your vehicle is correct and agrees with the information on the vehicle registration document. If the title is incorrect, contact the DMV Call Center and ask about obtaining an amended title. If both the registration and title are incorrect, bring them to a motor vehicle office.