Vehicle Registration and Title Services
To register a vehicle for the first time, complete Form MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 346KB).
You will need:
- Proof of ownership, such as a title or transferable registration in your name, or one that has been properly signed over to you.
- Proof of insurance in the registrant's name.
- The appropriate New York State tax form, available from the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office.
- A driver's license or six points of identification from Form ID-82, Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title (PDF)(PDF, 129KB).
If the registrant and owner are different people, a driver's license or six points of identification must be provided for both.
For a casual sale involving a vehicle manufactured within the past seven years, the seller must complete and sign the appropriate section of Form DTF-802, Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift (PDF)(PDF, 176KB). The current page states that failure to do so may result in an audit by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
To register a snowmobile for the first time, complete Form MV-82SN, Snowmobile Registration Application (PDF)(PDF, 157KB).
You will need:
If you are a member of a snowmobile club, bring the current club voucher. The registrant's name and address must match the information on the registration documents.
You may renew a registration in person using your New York State photo document. You may also bring your registration renewal reminder or complete Form MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 346KB).
If your name has changed because of marriage, divorce or another legal reason, bring your original title and legal documentation supporting the name change.
The current page states that registration renewals are processed the same day they are received by the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office.
Renew by Mail
Mail your registration renewal to:
Genesee County Clerk
Motor Vehicle
PO Box 379
Batavia, NY 14021
Use the DMV Drop Box
The drop box is located on Court Street between Main Street and Ellicott Street, east of County Building #1.
Make checks payable to:
Genesee County Clerk
If a vehicle is brought into New York State without a change in ownership, acceptable proof of ownership may include:
- 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 vehicle authority.
- 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 out-of-state motor vehicle agency, or a non-negotiable Memorandum of Title.
- A statement from the lienholder identifying the owner and the vehicle's year, make and vehicle identification number (VIN). The statement must be on the lienholder's letterhead and state that the lienholder holds the original title and is aware that the title copy will be used to register the vehicle in New York State. The letter must be unconditional.
- 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.
- A letter from the owner stating that the owner is aware the title copy will be used to register the vehicle in New York State.
A New York State title will not be issued until the original out-of-state title is submitted.
You will receive a non-transferable New York State registration receipt and sticker. The current page states that a transferable registration for most 1972 and older vehicles, or a New York State Certificate of Title for most 1973 and newer vehicles, will not be issued until the out-of-state title is submitted to New York State.
When you receive the original title from the lienholder, send it to:
NYS DMV Title Bureau
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
To replace a lost registration, visit the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office with your New York State photo document. In some cases, staff may be able to complete the transaction without requiring a paper form.
You may also complete Form MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 346KB). Bring your current plate number.
If one or both plates are lost, obtain Form MV-78B, Report of Lost, Missing or Stolen Registration Items, from a local police agency. If the loss resulted from a crime, the current page states that an MV-78B or a letter from a police agency is required.
The registrant must present a driver's license or six points of identification from Form ID-82, Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title (PDF)(PDF, 129KB).
To transfer plates to another vehicle, bring:
- Proof of ownership, such as a title or transferable registration in your name or one properly signed over to you.
- Proof of insurance in the registrant's name.
- The appropriate New York State tax form.
- A driver's license or six points of identification from Form ID-82, Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title (PDF)(PDF, 129KB).
- The current registration stub or plate number for the registration you want to transfer.
For a casual sale involving a vehicle manufactured within the past seven years, the seller must complete and sign the appropriate section of Form DTF-802, Statement of Transaction - Sale or Gift (PDF)(PDF, 176KB).
If the registrant is not the vehicle owner, the owner must complete Section 3 of Form MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 346KB). A driver's license or six points of identification must be provided for both the registrant and owner.
To make a change to your registration, complete Form MV-82, Vehicle Registration/Title Application (PDF)(PDF, 346KB).
Bring:
If the registrant is a corporation, proof of the corporation must also be provided.
If a title has already been issued in your name, you may apply for a duplicate title by completing Form MV-902, Application for Duplicate Title (PDF)(PDF, 248KB).
The applicant must present a driver's license or six points of identification from Form ID-82, Proofs of Identity for Registration and Title (PDF)(PDF, 129KB).
If the owner is deceased, the estate may complete the paperwork. Documents that may be required include a death certificate, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. The current page states that a copy of the will is not acceptable.
The duplicate title fee is $20.
If you acquired a vehicle that you do not plan to register but need a title showing you as the owner, complete Form MV-82TON, Application for Title (PDF)(PDF, 193KB).
You must also complete the appropriate New York State sales tax form, available from the Motor Vehicle Office.
The current page states that the receipt will show the amount of tax collected, a $50 title fee and a $5 lien fee when applicable. It also states that a title may take approximately two to three months to arrive.
The current page states that acceptable proof must be a New York State insurance card, including FS-20, FS-75, FS-76 or FS-77, with the required insurance-company code and barcode.
The insurance card:
- May be a copy or fax if the barcode and other information are clear.
- Must show the same name as the registrant's application and proof of name.
- Must show the correct vehicle year, make, vehicle identification number (VIN) and effective date.
- Must not contain alterations.
- Must have an effective date no more than six months before the vehicle registration date, according to the current page.
You may have your insurance card faxed directly to the office at 585-344-8521.
The Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office can assist with motorcycle, snowmobile, boat, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and trailer registrations.
Custom license plates may be ordered at the Genesee County Motor Vehicle Office or directly through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
For information about custom plates, contact the Custom Plate Unit at 1-518-402-4838.