Can I Surrender My NY Plates by Mail?

Car Insurance & Finance
1

I’m looking to surrender my vehicle’s license plates in New York, but I would prefer to do it by mail if possible.

What I Need to Know

  • Is it allowed?
    Can I actually surrender my plates without going to the DMV in person? I’d love to avoid a trip if there’s a way to handle this online or via mail.

  • Documents Required
    Are there specific forms I need to fill out? If so, where do I find those?

  • Mailing Instructions
    Once I have everything in order, what’s the mailing address? Also, do I need to include anything extra, like proof of cancellation or the registration itself?

Timeline & Confirmation

How long does it typically take for the DMV to process this by mail? Will I receive any confirmation that the plates have been surrendered?

I appreciate any advice or firsthand experiences from others who have gone through this process. Thanks!

7 Likes
2

You can indeed surrender your NY plates by mail! First, you need to fill out the Application for Cleanup of Registration Records (Form MV-15).

8 Likes
3

Does that form have to be printed out and mailed, or can it be submitted electronically? It feels like so much paper these days!

4 Likes
4

You have to mail the completed Form MV-15 along with the plates to the address provided on the form. Make sure to include a note stating why you’re surrendering them!

5

Also, remember there are no fees to surrender the plates. Just ensure everything is packaged securely for mailing.

6

What if I don’t have the plates anymore? Can I still remove my registration?

7

If you don’t have the plates, you can still surrender your registration. Just explain your situation in your MV-15 form.

6 Likes
8

Make sure to send everything via certified mail for tracking! You don’t want to deal with any issues down the line.

9

Great tip! Cost a bit more, but worth the peace of mind.

2 Likes
10

And don’t forget to cut the plates in half before you send them off. It’s a NY requirement!

11

Why do we need to cut them? Seems like a hassle. Can’t they just take our word for it?

12

It’s all about security and preventing misuse of plates! But yeah, it feels like a bit much sometimes.

13

Totally agree! But hey, at least we’re not in a line at the DMV, right?

14

Haha, true! I’d take this process over sitting at the DMV any day. Any tips on how to write that note about why I’m surrendering them?

15

Just keep it simple. Explain the reason (like selling the car or moving out of state) and include your contact info in case they need more details.

16

Got it! Thanks for all the help, everyone. This feels more manageable now.

8 Likes
17

I recently surrendered my NY plates by mail, and it was surprisingly easy! I filled out the forms online and sent everything off. It took about two weeks for them to process it.

18

That’s good to hear! I sent mine in, but I didn’t track it, and I’m nervous about it getting lost. Did you send it certified mail?

19

I didn’t use certified mail, just regular, and it worked fine! I did include a tracking number, which was helpful for peace of mind. Honestly, I was worried initially but it went smoothly.

20

So relieved to read that! I have a tendency to overthink these things. Any tips on how to fill out the forms accurately?