To register the car you are being gifted you will need to bring certain documents to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. These documents include:

1. Proof of ownership. Proof of ownership normally includes a bill of sale. The DMV does not provide a form for a bill of sale. The seller and the buyer complete the bill of sale. The NYS DMV notes that if the vehicle is transferred as a gift, indicate this on the bill of sale and indicate that the purchase price is $0. You must also indicate the vehicle is a gift on form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction {Sales Tax Form}). An acceptable bill of sale includes all of this information:

• the year and make of the vehicle, boat or ATV,
• the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the hull identification number (HIN),
• the date of the sale,
• the purchase price of the vehicle or the boat, and
• the names and signatures of the buyer and the seller.

2. Odometer and Damage Disclosure Statements. The previous owner must complete the statements on the back of the NYS title certificate for a vehicle that is eight model years old or newer.

3. A New York State Insurance Identification Card (FS-20). The Insurance Identification Card can be a copy or a fax, but the barcode must be readable by a DMV barcode reader. After you buy the vehicle, bring the proof of ownership to an insurance agent or broker authorized to do business in NYS, and get the card.

4. Proof of your identity and date of birth. The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website has a list of acceptable documents for proof of identity and date of birth.

5. Vehicle Registration / Title Application (Form MV-82).

6. Proof of sales tax payment, sales tax exemption, or purchase price.

Besides these documents remember to bring cash, a personal check, a credit card or a money order to pay the registration fees and sales tax at the DMV.

To get information on how the registration process works once you arrive at the DMV, check out the NYS DMV website which gives a detailed description.

To get a quote for the New York auto insurance that is required to register the gifted vehicle, click here.