New York — quick answer
In New York, a bill of sale is required for a private vehicle sale and notarization is not required. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is MV-912. Ownership is transferred through the New York DMV via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in New York?
Required. The buyer must give the DMV the original bill of sale (MV-912 or equivalent) as proof when titling and registering.
Seller signs the title over; the buyer submits the title, MV-912, and tax form to the DMV.
Does a New York bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. New York's own title does not require notarization. (A notarized transfer section is only needed for incoming titles from certain other states.)
Witness requirements
No. New York does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in New York
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title over; the buyer submits the title, MV-912, and tax form to the DMV.
- 3Register with the New York DMV.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Vehicle Bill of Sale (MV-912). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official New York DMV page.
Official New York sources
- New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — buying & selling a vehicle
- Vehicle Bill of Sale (MV-912)
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
New York bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to New York for each item type — the generator applies the New York notary and witness rules automatically:
New York bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in New York?
In New York, a separate bill of sale is required. The buyer must give the DMV the original bill of sale (MV-912 or equivalent) as proof when titling and registering.
Does a New York bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. New York's own title does not require notarization. (A notarized transfer section is only needed for incoming titles from certain other states.)
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in New York?
No. New York does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in New York?
Seller signs the title over; the buyer submits the title, MV-912, and tax form to the DMV. Titling and registration in New York are handled by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.