Form MV-51B at a glance
What it is: Statement of Ownership for Non-Titled Vehicles, Boats, Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles.
Who signs: Sign name in full on the Signature line and enter the Date. If registering for a corporation, give your title.
When a transferable registration is not available, this form may be used to establish ownership for a vehicle which is not required by law to be titled (for example, an all-terrain vehicle or limited use motorcycle); or as a substitute for lost proof of ownership for the purpose of registering or transferring ownership of a non-titled vehicle (including an historical vehicle), boat, snowmobile or ATV that is not required by law to be titled.
What to bring and attach to Form MV-51B
To REGISTER a non-titled vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV, you must bring the following documents to any Motor Vehicles office: a completed form MV-51B*; a Bill of Sale or completed “Certification of Sale or Transfer for 1972 or Older Vehicles or Any Other Non-Titled Vehicles” (MV-51)*; verification of the VIN, HIN or SVIN (a tracing or photograph of the VIN, HIN or SVIN, or a signed statement from police officer); a completed “Vehicle Registration/Title Application” (MV-82); proof of name and date of birth (see form ID-82, “Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title”); and an insurance ID card, if required. * If the non-titled vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV was in your possession for less than one year, and it was never registered by the former owner, or the former owner lost the registration and cannot obtain a duplicate, the former owner must complete the MV-51B and MV-51/Bill of Sale.
To TRANSFER a non-titled vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV, the former owner must give the following documents to the new owner: a completed form MV-51B; and a Bill of Sale or a completed “Certification of Sale or Transfer for 1972 or Older Vehicles or Any Other Non-Titled Vehicles” (MV-51).
A filled-in Form MV-51B example: registering an ATV
How to fill out Form MV-51B, box by box
Check one of the following that describes the reason you are completing this form
Check one of the following that describes the reason you are completing this form. I am registering this non-titled vehicle (which is not an historical, classical or exhibition vehicle) in my name. I am registering an historical vehicle in my name. I am registering a non-titled boat in my name. I am registering a snowmobile in my name. I am registering an ATV in my name. I am transferring this vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV to:
If you are transferring this vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV to a new owner, enter the Name of New Owner and the Address.
Complete the items below that apply to this non-titled property
Enter the Year of last registration and the Previous license plate number (if any), or check here if never registered.
Enter the Year, Make and Model, Body Type, Cylinders/Type of Power, Color and Unladen Weight/ Max Gross Weight.
Enter the Vehicle Identification No. (VIN), the Hull Identification No. (HIN) or the Snowmobile Vehicle Identification No. (SVIN).
Certification for registration statement
Please read and sign the following certification for registration statement: By signing you certify that you are the owner(s) of the non-titled property. Print Name(s).
This property has been in my possession since Month/Day/Year.
It was acquired from the Name of Former Owner and the Address of Former Owner.
The proof of ownership is unavailable because:
This statement is made for the purpose of obtaining a registration for the non-titled property and is subject to approval of the DMV office manager. Additional proof of ownership may be required.
Sign name in full on the Signature line and enter the Date. If registering for a corporation, give your title.
False statements are punishable under Section 210.45 of the Penal Law.
More rules for Form MV-51B
Form MV-51B cannot be used for abandoned vehicles; contact your local police department.
Acceptance of this form as proof of ownership is at the discretion of the DMV.
If it is acceptable for registration purposes, you will be allowed to register the vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV, and DMV will issue a non-transferable registration document to you.
Title Bureau staff will make the final determination as to whether or not proof of ownership will be accepted, and whether or not DMV will issue a transferable registration to you.
Sources
[1] Form MV-51B (1/25), Statement of Ownership for Non-Titled Vehicles, Boats, Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).
