New York Title Support

How To Sign A New York Title

For any questions about how to sign a title for your specific donated vehicle, please contact the purchasing vendor which is usually the auto auction yard. Please note, the purchaser of your donated vehicle is not the charity. It will either be the vendor or Charitable Adult Rides & Services.

1. On the front of the title, there is space where vehicle information, including VIN, make, model, year, etc. are printed. On the front of the title at the bottom, there is space for information on lienholders, if applicable. New York provides up to four lienholder spaces, more than most other states.

2. On back of title, the odometer reading must be recorded. It should be certified by ticking the appropriate checkbox, if accurate, to indicate that the mileage may not be correct.

3. On back of title, a damage statement must also be completed. This can be found just below the odometer information, and must be completed before the buyer and seller sign off on the form.

4. Below the damage statement, the buyer and seller must both provide their printed name, address, signature and date of signature.

5. If this is a private sale or transfer, do not attempt to fill in Section 2. This is reserved for authorized dealers only.

Helpful Tips

New York imposes one of the strictest penalties for any falsification on a title: any falsified information whatsoever constitutes a misdemeanor, so take your time to fill out the title correctly.
The title is very clearly divided into sections, which are labeled in ordered steps. This should make the process of filling out the title very straightforward.

Haven't donated yet? We can help you find a fantastic New York nonprofit to donate to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When do I cancel my insurance?

A. Only cancel your vehicle's insurance AFTER your vehicle has been picked up and you have notified the state that you’ve donated your vehicle. If your state requires notification, please be aware that you should never cancel your insurance prior to reporting to the state you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. This is a general rule for States/Motor Vehicle Departments that require Notification be submitted or license plates returned.

Q: Who is considerd the purchaser of my vehicle donation? Is it the nonprofit or charity?

A. The purchaser of your donated vehicle is NOT the nonprofit or charity. It will either be the vendor or Charitable Adult Rides & Services, the vehicle donation program provider and partner of your nonprofit of choice.

Q. What is State Notification?

A. State notification releases the vehicle donor from liability over the vehicle, including registration fees and from having to keep the vehicle insured, after the vehicle is picked up. State notification is a way for the state to create a record that the owner is no longer in possession of the vehicle. The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state.

Q. Who is supposed to take care of the state notification process?

A. If state notification is required, only the donor and/or owner of the vehicle can complete this process. Please do not rely on the pick-up driver or vendor to report to the State/Motor Vehicle Department that you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. If you need support, please contact the vehicle donation support team at donorsupport@careasy.org or call 855-500-7433. We would be happy to assist you.

If you have additional questions, please visit our vehicle donation FAQS.

If you would like assistance with your vehicle donation, please contact us here.

For more information on vehicle release or general DMV questions, contact your local Motor Vehicle Division.