A certificate of title is the official proof of vehicle ownership for a car, truck, motorcycle, motorhome, RV, and other motor vehicles. The title is used to transfer ownership from a vehicle seller to a new buyer.
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New York State doesn’t issue titles for any motor vehicle of model year 1972 or older, travel or utility trailer that weighs less than 1,000 pounds, or limited used motorcycle including a moped.
If you’ve had your vehicle for quite some time now, there’s a possibility that you lost the original certificate of title…maybe due to a recent move or other circumstance. Or maybe you still have it, but it’s damaged due to recent flooding. It could also have been stolen leaving you with no proof of ownership or the ease to sell your vehicle when you want. Whatever the reason is, New Yorkers can apply for a title replacement also called a duplicate title.
Continue reading below for all the ways to replace your lost/damaged/stolen title, including at a local NY DMV office, online, and by mail. Plus, learn all about the benefits of using eTags online for your duplicate title.
Duplicate title at the DMV office
To get a New York replacement title, you must complete an application for duplicate title form called MV-902 and show proof of identity such as NY driver’s license or U.S. passport. Due to COVID-19, you may have to contact your local DMV office to check if you need an appointment before heading there.
It’s important to note that you won’t get your duplicate title right away while you’re waiting at the NY DMV. Title certificates are printed in Albany and sent to the owner by mail.
Title Replacement online via eTags
You can also apply for a New York duplicate title online by visiting eTags. It’s quick and easy, and built for mobile, with just a few clicks online to process your transaction. With over 300,000 reviews and 4.7 rating out of 5 for customer satisfaction, you can’t go wrong. Plus, you can expect:
• Text messages and email updates about your duplicate title
• A dedicated title specialist to help with questions and concerns
• Multiple payment options including credit cards and PayPal Credit for pay-over-time option
• Easy upload for all documents via your own account page fo secure transactions
• Contactless processing for extra safety precautions, no social distance or face masks
• NY title replacement shipped to any address, even out of sate
NY duplicate title by DMV mail
If you rather not go into a local DMV office, you can send them all the documents by mail when applying for your title replacement. Send in the completed application for duplicate title, proof of identity such as a copy of your driver’s license, and a personal check payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
Send all information to the Title Bureau NYC DMV, PO Box 2750, Albany NY 12220
Duplicate title via DMV online, with exceptions:
The New York DMV also has an online platform to process title replacements, but there are exceptions to its usage. For example, the DMV requires you to be the owner of the vehicle as well as have a current address on file with them. The vehicle also has to be titled and registered in NYC and you can’t make any changes that are listed on the title.
You CAN’T get a duplicate title with the NY DMV, if the title itself was processed within 15 days. Also, you can’t get a title replacement if the title certificate is:
• A duplicate title certificate requesting lien removal
• An original or amended title
• In the name of a deceased owner or ordered through POA
NY DMV disadvantage: An online transaction with the DMV can only be cancelled on the same day it was ordered.
The address issue with the DMV
It’s important to note that if you order your duplicate title with the DMV, they can only ship your title replacement to the address they have on your title record. For example if you’ve moved since you bought the car in question, your current address won’t match the title records.
In that case, if the registration of that vehicle is in your name, you can first change your address with the DMV online, then apply for your duplicate title. Even with a USPS forward mailing address, there’s no guarantee that your DMV title replacement will be sent to new address.
If you have any questions regarding New York duplicate titles, don’t hesitate to send us your concerns in the comment section.
44 comments
Hi I recently bought a car and signed the title but lost it. I do have the lien release in my possession. But the owner no longer lives at the address and I have no way to contact him to get a new title. What do I do
The NY DMV does not offer an option to find or contact a (previous) owner of a vehicle nor will they process the transfer and new registation without the title. You must find a way to reach the seller/previous owner or look into the “bonded title” process and confirm what NY DMV would accepted as it relates to bonded titles. Best of luck
my father passed away several years ago and mom is selling the car but cant find the title which is in his name .She has the car registration in her name. I have to believe that the title is in her name too but she says not. She is also at a different address . How do we transfer the car and title to the new owner?
If your mom was also on the title she can request a duplicate title
I’m a senior citizen and I Purchased a manufactured home in New York that requires a DMV Title. The original title was signed at the closing and I have a COPY only of the title. In Between applying and submitting the application, the $125 and the original title to DMV in Albany, Covid hit and everything came to a standstill and the new title was never applied for. AND now the original title that is needed to get a new title has gone missing. I Have contacted the previous owner and politely told him the situation and ask for his help and he stated he would obtain the duplicate if compensated but abruptly changed his mind and now refuses to help resolve this issue. I would compensate him for the $20 duplicate title fee but not several thousands of dollars. What can I do to get a new title? I Have all the paperwork from the closing and the copy of the title. My attorney says the previous owner cannot be compel to obtain a duplicate title and without a title in my name I will never be able to sell my manufactured home.
Correct, to get a duplicate title also called a title replacement, it’s the seller that has to request it. They then assign it to buyer which will in turn apply for a title transfer and registration.
Hey I brought car and have title but it is folded and wrinkles you can see my name when it was signed over and person that sign it over name sign but u can’t see one letter on the vin can I replace title at dmv and wait for it through mail
Hey there, you can order a title replacement online. It’s also called a duplicate title. Just select New York as the state, and Replace Lost or Damaged Title to get started.
Hi I purchased a vehicle and don’t have the title on hand. The owner signed it over to me with also all dmv documents but I didn’t get a chance to register it because I lost the title.What option do I have ?
Hi there! Your best bet will be to contact the seller and have them apply for a duplicate title. They can easily do this on our website here. The title will be shipped directly from the state in about 2-4 weeks. I hope this helps!
I inadvertently threw out my vehicle’s title. The address on the title is my old address but mail is currently being forwarded via USPS. In an effort to get the replacement title quickly—and avoid a lengthy address change process—can I order the replacement online and expect it to be forwarded to new address? Please advise-thanks.
Hello! Thank you for your comment. If you place an order with eTags, you’re able to request your title be shipped to a different address by providing it when placing your order. Visit our website and place an order today!
Hello my son purchased a car from a friend but the title was in his grandmothers name and the grandson signed it by mistake . My son is already paying insurance on it so we are trying to get a new one as quickly as possible. Does anyone know which way I could do that? Thanks !
Hello, the grandmother would need to order a duplicate title (also called a title replacement) and sign it over to the buyer. You can get a NY duplicate title online with etags.
Our DMV address on NY DMV.gov and on the drivers license is listed as a P.O. Box (since we live out of state now). Is this a reason why we can’t get it the title? We have expedite ordered it several times. We even did the mail forwarding for previous addresses.
How do we know what address is listed “on file” or on the “title?”
I haven’t seen an option on the dmv website that can help us. Can someone please guide us as to the website we need to go to in order to fix this?
Greatly appreciated. It’s been a long headache.
You can try calling the title bureau directly at 518-486-4714 to see what’s on file. With eTags online you could have asked us to ship directly to where you are, but the DMV works differently.You can also see if a mv902 form will help since you can change address on that.
I moved out of New York state and now trying to register my car in another state. But I lost the title during the moving process and only have a copy. How can I seeorder a title if I don’t have access to the address that is on file at the nydmv?
You can order a title replacement online with etags, just let us know where you want the title shipped.
I bought an enclosed trailer in new york when I lived there I now live in ohio so I need a copy of the title which I cannot find but do have all the info from a reregistration on that trailer what do I need to do thanks
Hello, so look if your registration says transferrable. If so, that is technically the title. If not, you’ll need a duplicate title also called title replacement from ny. You can get one with eTags online.
My mom passed away and left me her car. I plan to give the car away to a family member.
I don’t have the title of the car.
How can I get another tittle?
The car is in New York but I am in Florida.
Can this be handled online or do I need to travel to New York?
if the title is a new york title, you can check out form MV 102 section 4 for details. You don’t need to travel, you can get a duplicate title online with eTag
Hi,
I want to apply for duplicate title from NY DMV, but problem i have is that i have moved to California, and DMV in California took my NY title which i had, when i went in to register mycar, and when i am trying to request the duplicate title online it says that zip code doesn’t match. I have updated the address, couple of days ago, but still it gives me the same message that zip code entered doesn’t match the zip code on file.
Could you please help me with it, so that i can request for duplicate title, as i have to sell my car before end of the year, as we are moving out from USA.
Regards,
Sourabh
Hey there , please resubmit your question and clarify your first sentence. Not sure if you are in NY or CA and where you need the dup title from
Hi. My wife had a california title that she used to register the car in NYS DMV. It appears that the california title was not in the envelope after she got home. 1. Did ny dmv take the title to reissue as a NY title as she registered in ny? 2. If lost do we need to get a duplicate title from california dmv? Ty.
When applying for a title transfer, you provide the original title and the DMV converts it to a NY title. The DMV will keep the old title when they reissue a new one. Your NY title will be delivered by the NY DMV.
am I able to title in the state of Illinois a pre 1972 motorcycle purchased without title in the state of New York?
Without the original title for the motorcycle, you are not able to register the vehicle. You will need to apply for a duplicate title prior to registering the vehicle. You can complete a duplicate title service at eTags
We bought a truck from my father but he cannot find the title. He does not live at the same address that was on that title. How does he get a new title for the truck sent to his current address?
To do this online with etags, go to https://www.etags.com/app/us?utm_source=blog_question select NY, then choose Replace Lost or Damaged Title
Put preferred shipping address on the 902, thats the form you’ll be automatically filing out with us, online
Do you have to pay for a copy of your title and if so how much does it cost?
Hi there, yes to get a title replacement in New York will cost you. With eTags online, cost is about $120. There’s no waiting in line at DMV or appointment needed. You can go to https://www.etags.com/app/ny/title/replacement?utm_source=blog_question and start the process
What to do when I have missed placed or lost my title to my car and need the title to sale the vehicle or trade it in for another one?
Hi there, you can get a duplicate title which is also called a title replacement. You can do it online at
https://www.etags.com/app/ny?utm_source=blog_question
Select Replace My New York Title and follow the prompts. Customer support is there too help too!
I registered a motorcycle online. I sent all the forms including a picture of the title signed by the previous owner(seller) and myself(buyer). I received my registration and plates. They also attached a letter stating that if I don’t send the title (which is in the previous owners name) I will not be able to transfer or sell the vehicle. The problem is the title was stolen from my gym locker. How will I be able to get a title under my name? The previous owner tried to request a duplicate title but since the motorcycle is already registered under my name, the DMV system doesn’t let the transaction process. How can I get the title under my name without the previous owners title?
The DMV generally doesn’t register a vehicle without title in hand. It’s best to talk directly to your local DMV branch
I bought a car that I had leased from gmfinance but they have not sent me title after numerous request since November 2020. What can I do?
We don’t know your exact situation, but typically the title would have had to be released once lease was paid off and then sent to dmv as a title only transaction. If done through a dealership, they would have processed through the dmv. Try contacting GM Finance to see what’s the hold up.
Can i register a car with a duplicate tittle
If your name is listed as a registered owner on the duplicate title, then you can submit an order to register the vehicle in Florida by visiting https://www.etags.com/app/fl?utm_source=blog_question We will require an image of your driver’s license, the original title and proof of Florida liability insurance.
I went to Pulaski dmv and put paper work in to register a truck and I put it in drop box the title was not in my name yet but they say title wasn’t in there is there any way i can file for lost titu
eTags is a private online company, if you dealt with the DMV, perhaps you can get more info directly from them.
CAN YOU RECEIVE A DUPLICATE TITLE IF YOUR REGISTRATION IS NOT CURRENT?
You should be able to, since the title is about ownerships while registration is about being legally allowed to drive it on public roads.