MV-44 is New York's form for reporting a vehicle sale or transfer

MV-44 is the official New York State Department of Motor Vehicles form you use to report that you have sold, given away, or transferred ownership of a vehicle. You file it with the DMV to remove yourself from liability once the new owner takes possession. The form protects you from being held responsible for traffic violations, accidents, or parking tickets that happen after you no longer own the car.

New York law requires you to submit this form within 10 days of the sale or transfer. If you do not file it and the new owner gets a ticket or is in an accident, you can still be contacted and held liable. The form is free and can be filed online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office.

You do not need an MV-44 if you are trading in a vehicle to a dealer — the dealer handles the paperwork. You also do not need it if the vehicle is being junked or scrapped, since those businesses file their own paperwork with the DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • MV-44 removes your legal responsibility for a vehicle once you sell or transfer it to someone else.
  • You must file it within 10 days of the sale in New York State, or you remain liable for violations and accidents involving that vehicle.
  • The form is filed online through the DMV website, by mail to the address on the form, or in person at any DMV office.
  • You need the vehicle's VIN, the new owner's name and address, and the date of sale to complete the form.

How to file MV-44 online or by mail

The fastest way to file is through the New York DMV website. Go to dmv.ny.gov, find the MV-44 form in the online services section, and submit it directly. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN), the new owner's full name and address, and the date the sale took place. Online filing is when ready and you receive a confirmation number right away.

If you prefer to mail the form, read it from the DMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it to the address printed on the form. Mailed forms take two to three weeks to process. Keep a copy for your records.

You can also walk into any DMV office and file the form in person. Bring your driver's license, the vehicle's registration, and information about the new owner. Processing is usually the same day if you file in person.

What information you need to complete the form

Before you start, gather the vehicle's VIN (found on the registration or dashboard), the date you sold or transferred the vehicle, and the new owner's full name and mailing address. If you do not have the new owner's address, you can leave that section blank and the DMV will still process the form, though it may take longer.

You will also need your own driver's license number and signature. If someone else is filing on your behalf, they will need a signed power of attorney from you. The DMV form itself includes a power of attorney section you can use.

What happens after you file MV-44

Once the DMV receives and processes your MV-44, your name is removed from the vehicle's registration. You will no longer receive bills for registration renewal, and you are no longer liable for violations or accidents involving that car. The new owner becomes the registered owner and is responsible for all future obligations.

If you filed online or in person, the process is usually complete within a few days. If you mailed the form, allow two to three weeks. You can check the status of your filing on the DMV website using your confirmation number.

If the new owner does not register the vehicle in their name within a reasonable time, you may still receive notices. If that happens, file a second MV-44 or contact the DMV directly to confirm the transfer was processed.

When you do not need MV-44

Dealer trades do not require an MV-44. When you trade in a vehicle at a car dealership, the dealer is responsible for filing all transfer paperwork with the DMV. You should still ask for written confirmation that the trade was completed, but you do not need to file anything yourself.

If you are donating a vehicle to a charity or nonprofit, the organization typically handles the paperwork. Confirm with them before you hand over the keys. If you are scrapping or junking the vehicle, the junkyard or scrap facility files the necessary paperwork, not you.

If the vehicle is being repossessed, the lender handles the transfer. You do not file an MV-44 in that case either.

Common reasons MV-44 gets delayed or rejected

The most common reason for delay is incomplete information. If you leave out the new owner's address or provide an incorrect VIN, the DMV will take longer to process the form or may ask you to resubmit it. Double-check all numbers and spelling before you file.

Another reason is filing too late. If you wait more than 10 days after the sale, the DMV may flag the form as late. While you can still file it, you lose the liability protection for the period between the sale and the filing date. File as soon as possible after the sale closes.

If you file the form but the new owner never registers the vehicle, you may continue to receive notices from the DMV. In that case, contact the DMV directly and provide proof of the sale (like a bill of sale) to show you no longer own it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I sell a car privately and the buyer never registers it?

You are still protected once you file the MV-44. The form removes your name from the registration and liability. If the new owner does not register the vehicle and gets a ticket, you can show the DMV your filed MV-44 as proof you transferred ownership. Keep a copy of your confirmation number.

Do I need a bill of sale to file MV-44?

No, the MV-44 itself is the official transfer document in New York. However, having a bill of sale signed by both you and the buyer is a good idea for your own records and proof of the transaction date. It is not required by the DMV to process the form.

Can I file MV-44 if I lost the vehicle's registration?

Yes. You can file using the VIN alone if you do not have the registration in front of you. The VIN is the key piece of information the DMV needs to identify the vehicle. If you do not know the VIN, you can look it up on your insurance documents or contact your previous insurance company.

What if I sold the car to a family member?

File the MV-44 the same way you would for any other sale. Include the family member's name and address. The form works the same regardless of who the new owner is. You are removed from liability once the form is processed.

How long does it take to get a confirmation that MV-44 was processed?

Online and in-person filings are confirmed when ready or within a few days. Mailed forms take two to three weeks. You can check the status anytime on the DMV website using your confirmation number if you filed online.