Title to a car is the official record and proof of ownership of the car. Transferring the title to a car is necessary when a seller sells the car to a buyer—or when divorcing spouses are transferring the title from both spouses to one spouse. Your state’s department of motor vehicles will usually make the forms necessary to transfer the title/change vehicle ownership available on its website—with some additional information to guide you through the process.
In New York, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees the transfer of vehicle titles. When a vehicle is sold, the seller must sign the title over to the buyer, and the buyer must then take the signed title to the DMV to complete the transfer of ownership. The process involves filling out the appropriate forms, which are available on the New York DMV website, and may include a bill of sale, the vehicle title with the seller's signature, an odometer disclosure statement, and payment of applicable fees. In the case of a divorce, the process to transfer the title from joint ownership to a single spouse will typically involve similar documentation, potentially along with a divorce decree or settlement agreement that specifies the terms of the transfer. It's important to follow the specific instructions provided by the New York DMV to ensure the transfer is legally valid and properly recorded.