What Is a New York Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A New York vehicle bill of sale is a legal document that may prove a motor vehicle was sold or given as a gift. It records the transfer details, including the buyer, seller, purchase price, vehicle information, and date of sale.
This form is important because it does more than just confirm the sale. A bill of sale also reduces the seller’s liability after the transfer. The New York DMV accepts any bill of sale as long as it includes the required information.
Legal Templates offers a free New York vehicle bill of sale template. You can customize it to document your vehicle sale and ensure it meets NY DMV requirements.
When Do You Need a Vehicle Bill of Sale in New York?
In New York, you may use a motor vehicle bill of sale whenever you sell a car or give it away as a gift. It may prove that ownership of the vehicle has officially changed.
For a gifted vehicle, the bill of sale must show the purchase price as “$0”. This shows no money was exchanged and helps the DMV confirm the transfer.
A bill of sale is equally important for buyers. The DMV may ask for it as proof of ownership when registering the vehicle, which must be done within 180 days of getting insurance. Without a bill of sale, the DMV may reject the transfer.
DMV Requirements in New York
Along with your NY motor vehicle bill of sale, the DMV may ask for proof of insurance, a completed registration/ title application (Form MV-82), and sometimes a Statement of Transaction (Form DT-802).
Does a New York Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Have to Be Notarized?
While a vehicle bill of sale does not need notarization in New York, it can be helpful as extra proof that both parties agreed to the terms of the sale. This can help prevent disputes later. However, the document is still valid if it includes all the required details.
One situation that may require notarization is if the vehicle has an out-of-state title. The New York DMV requires the title transfer section to be notarized if the title was issued in the following states (per New York DMV, Acceptable Proofs of Ownership):
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Puerto Rico
Sample New York Vehicle Bill of Sale
View a sample New York vehicle bill of sale template to understand the details required to transfer a motor vehicle in NYC or anywhere in the state. Use our free template to customize your bill of sale form and download it in PDF or Word format.
