UPDATE: Goodwill Car Donations is currently accepting vehicle donations. Call 866-233-8586 to schedule an unattended FREE pickup. To learn what actions we are taking to ensure you are protected when you donate a vehicle to Goodwill Car Donations, please click here.

Donating your vehicle in New York starts with signing your title correctly. This guide walks you through the steps to print and sign your name, explains what to do if more than one person is listed on the title, and shares tips to prevent common mistakes. You’ll also learn which pens to use, what actions could void your title, and where to find official state resources. Following these steps will make your car donation or sale simple and worryfree.

How To Sign Your New York Title

The person (or persons)* listed on the front of the title must follow these steps, unless otherwise noted:

Print your name (or names)* on the title where it says “Hand Printed Name(s) by Seller(s)”.
Sign your name (or names)* on the title where it says “ Signature(s) of All Seller(s)”.

To help with your donation, we have showcased the various New York vehicle titles below as well as annotated on each title where to print and sign your name. To enlarge an image, simply click on the image. Questions? Give one of our friendly Title Clerks a call at (866) 233-8586.

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-1-86-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-1-86-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-2-81-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-7-72-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-7-72-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-7-79-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-7-79-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-84 | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-89-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-89-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-90-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-90-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-92-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-MV-999-8-92-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-1-15-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-1-15-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-4-08-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-4-08-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-7-03-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-7-03-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-7-96-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-7-96-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-10-01-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-10-01-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-10-01-Reverse-2 | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-11-96-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-11-96-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-11-99-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-11-99-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-12-94-Front | Goodwill Car Donations

This is a Sample of NY-Certificate-of-Title-Used-BY-Boats-And-Vehicles-MV-999-12-94-Reverse | Goodwill Car Donations

Note: Actual title designs may vary slightly from the images shown above.

Official New York Government Links & Contact Info

Here are helpful links to make handling your vehicle title easier. You can find your local county title office, get details about your vehicle, learn what to do with unclaimed or abandoned vehicles, get answers to common title questions, and access all the forms you need to complete your title process.

Contact the New York Department of Motor Vehicles: 1-800-662-1220
Contact the New York Department of Motor Vehicles: – Title Division: 1-518-486-4714

New York Vehicle Titles: How To For Multiple Owners

If there is more than one owner listed on the title, one or both must sign it depending on how the names appear. See the below chart for details.

Remember, the name used to sign the title must match the name shown on the title exactly. Therefore, always remember to print/sign your name exactly as it is shown on the title.

John Doe OR Jane Doe	If “OR” is present between the names, only one of the owners must sign the title.
John Doe AND/OR Jane Doe	If “AND/OR” is present between the names, both owners must sign the title.
John Doe AND Jane Doe	If “AND” is present between the names, both owners must sign the title.
John Doe Jane Doe	If there is nothing present between the names, both owners must sign the title.

If there is nothing present between the names, both owners must sign the title.

Please take note to adhere to the below instructions so as not to void your title.

Do not use markers or pencils. Only blue or black pen are allowed.
Do not cross out or strikethrough any text or writing.
Do not use white-out or similar substances.
Do not rip, tear, or tape the title.
Do not doodle on the title.

Still Have Questions? Find Your Answer Below!

What are common mistakes when filling out a vehicle title?

Common errors include using the wrong pen color, crossing out information, signing in the wrong spot, or not matching the printed name exactly. Any of these can make the title invalid, which could delay your pickup truck or SUV donation.

What if the title is lost or damaged before signing?

You must request a duplicate title from the New York DMV before you can donate or transfer the vehicle. This applies to any automobile, from a sedan to a sports car or van.

How do you transfer titles for vehicles owned by businesses or trusts?

A business representative or trustee listed on the title must sign using their printed name and title (for example: John Smith, Owner). If you’re unsure, contact the DMV or Goodwill Car Donations for guidance.

How long do you have to transfer the title after selling or donating a vehicle?

New York recommends transferring the title as soon as possible to avoid liability. For donations, this is handled quickly when you schedule your free pickup in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, or Syracuse.

Have more questions or need help with your title?
Contact Goodwill Car Donations today at (866) 233-8586 or through our online form. We’re here to make your vehicle donation smooth, simple, and stress-free.

Last Updated: August 6th, 2025