Motor Vehicle Office

Registration/Title

First Time Registration of Vehicle / Snowmobile

To register a vehicle for the first time you will need to complete a Registration/Title Application. Form MV82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application).

You will need to bring proof of ownership, which is a title or a transferable registration in your name. A title or transferable registration that has been signed over to you is also acceptable. You will need proof of insurance in the registrant's name. You will need to complete an appropriate New York State Tax Form, obtainable at the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office. The registrant is required to present a driver's license or 6 points of identification from form ID-82 (Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title).  A driver's license or 6 points of identification must be presented for both the registrant and the owner. The seller must complete and sign a portion of the New York State tax form DTF802 (Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift on a casual sale for a vehicle that has been manufactured within the past 7 years. Failure to do this will result in an audit with the New York State tax department.

To register a snowmobile for the first time you will need to complete a Registration Application. Form MV-82SN (Snowmobile Registration Application).

You will need to provide proof of ownership which is a Manufacturer Certificate of Ownership (MCO) or a transferable registration.  The MCO or transferable registration will need to be signed over to you and you must provide a bill of sale also.  You must also complete the New York State tax form DTF802 (Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift  and provide delivery and storage information on the form.  If you are a member of a snowmobile club you must also give us the current club voucher and all the information must match for the registrant ( name and address). 

Renewal of Registration

To renew your registration, just come into the office with your NYS photo document and we can do it paperless!  Or, you can bring in the registration renewal reminder or complete form MV82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application). If you have changed your name due to marriage/divorce, you will also need to bring in to the Motor Vehicle Office your original title and legal papers giving you the right to change your name. When renewals are processed in person or mailed to our Genesee County office, 12.7% of the monies collected is retained by the County. If you renew by mail through Utica, 100% of the monies goes to New York State and your processing time is approximately 4 weeks. Our office processes your renewal the same day we receive it. If you are processing by mail, please forward your registration renewal to: 

Genesee County Clerk
Motor Vehicle
PO Box 379
Batavia New York 14021

or

Use our Drop Box 
Located on Court Street between Main St. & Ellicott St. 
East of County Building #1
Make checks payable to:
Genesee County Clerk

drop box

Vehicles Titled Out-of-State

Acceptable Proofs of Ownership: If a vehicle is being brought into New York State without a change in ownership:

  1. An original out-of-state title or, if the vehicle was not required to be titled in the state where it was last registered, a transferable registration or certified copy of the registration from the out-of-state Motor Vehicles authority.
  2. If the title is held by an out-of-state lienholder:
    • A copy of the title in the owner's name, certified by the lienholder or the out-of-state motor vehicle agency, or a Memorandum of Title **(non-negotiable) and
    • The lienholder's statement identifying the owner and the vehicle's year, make and VIN. The statement must be on the lienholder's letterhead and must state that the lienholder holds the original title and is aware that the title copy will be used to register the vehicle in NYS. The letter must be unconditional (that is, the lienholder cannot ask that we notify him/her once the vehicle is registered, etc.
  3. If the title is held by an out-of-state leasing company:
    • A certified copy of the out-of-state title (in the leasing company's name) and
    • A letter from the owner stating that the owner is aware that the copy of the title will be used to register the vehicle in NYS.

**A New York State title will not be issued in this case.

You will be given a non-transferable New York State Registration Receipt and sticker. We will not issue you a transferable registration (for 1972 and older model year vehicles) or a New York State Certificate of Title (for most 1973 and new vehicles) until the out-of-state title is submitted to New York State.

When you get the actual title from the lienholder forward it to the DMV Title Bureau so they can issue a New York State Title to you.

NYS DMV-Title Bureau
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany New York 12228

Replacing Lost Registration Items

To replace a lost registration, just stop in to our office with your NYS photo document and you might not even have to fill out a form!  Or you can complete the Registration/Title Application form MV82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application. Be sure to have the current plate number to your vehicle. If one plate is lost, bring in the remaining plate. If both plates are lost, you must obtain form MV-78B (report of lost, missing, or stolen plates) available from our local police station. If the loss is a result of a crime, a MV-78B or a letter from a police agency is required. The registrant must present a license or 6 points of identification refer to form ID-82 (Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title).

Transferring License Plates to a Different Vehicle

You will need to bring proof of ownership, which is a title or transferable registration in your name. A title or transferable registration that has been signed over to you is also acceptable. You will need proof of insurance in the registrant's name. You will need to complete an appropriate New York State Tax Form, obtainable at the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office. The registrant is required to present a driver's license or 6 points of identification from form ID-82 (Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title. The seller must complete and sign a portion of the New York State tax form DTF802 (Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift) on a casual sale for a vehicle that has been manufactured within the past 7 years. Failure to do this will result in an audit with the New York State tax department. Bring the current registration stub or the plate number of the registration you wish to transfer. If the registrant is not the owner of the vehicle, have the owner complete section 3 of the MV82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application). A driver's license or 6 points of identification must be presented for both the registrant and the owner. Refer to form ID-82 (Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title).

Making a Change on Your Registration

To make a change on your registration, complete the Application for Registration/Title form MV82 (Vehicle Registration/Title Application). Bring the current registration certificate or the current plate number. Bring the title if the vehicle is 1973 or newer. You will need proof of the change to be made. The registrant must present either a driver's license or 6 points of identification from form ID-82 (Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title). If the registrant is a corporation proof of corporation will need to be presented.

Applying for a Duplicate Title

If a title has already been issued with your name on the front of it, you may apply for a duplicate title. Complete form MV902 Application for Duplicate Title)  the Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title. The applicant must present a driver's license or 6 points of identification from form ID-82 (Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title). If the owner is deceased, the paperwork can be completed by the estate. The following items may be needed: Death Certificate, Letters of Testamentary or Letters of Administration. A copy of the will is not acceptable. The fee for a duplicate title is $20.

Obtaining a Title Only

If you have acquired a vehicle, which you do not wish to register, but you need a title that shows your name on the front as owner, you must complete the Application for Registration/Title form MV82ton (Application for Title). You need to complete the appropriate New York State Sales Tax Form, obtainable at the Motor Vehicle Office. You will receive a receipt, which will show the amount of tax collected as well as the $50 title fee and $5 lien fee (when applicable). You can expect to receive a title in approximately 2 to 3 months.

Insurance Card Information

A card must be a New York State Insurance Card, FS20, FS-75, 76, 77. A three-digit code representing the insurance company must be on the card and it must include a barcode. The card can be a copy or a fax if the barcode and other information is clear. The card must have the same name (individual, DBA, Partnership, Corp or LLC) as the registrant's application and proof of name. The correct year, make and vehicle ID number and effective date must be on the card. The effective date of the insurance coverage cannot be more than 45 days prior to the date of the vehicle registration. There can be no alterations on the card. You may have your insurance card faxed directly to our office at 585-344-8521.

Other Registrations

The Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office can assist with Motorcycle, Snowmobile, Boat, ATV and Trailer Registrations.

Personal and Custom Plates

Custom license plates may be ordered at the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office or directly from the State Department of Motor Vehicles. You can get information and order plates by calling the Custom Plate Unit at 1-518-402-4838.