MV-901C Form – The MV-901C form is the official New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) document titled Instructions and Requirements for Filing New York State Garageperson’s Liens. It provides detailed guidance for garage owners, repair shops, towing companies, and storage facilities on how to foreclose a garageperson’s lien under New York Lien Law Sections 184, 201, and 202.
This form is not the lien application itself but a comprehensive instruction sheet that explains the exact documentation needed to legally sell a vehicle (or boat) at public auction to recover unpaid repair, towing, or storage charges. The latest version is MV-901C (2/26), revised in February 2026, making it the most current resource available directly from the NY DMV.
You can download the full MV-901C PDF here: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv901c.pdf.
Why Garagepersons Need the MV-901C Form
New York law allows “garagepersons” — businesses engaged in repairing, towing, or storing motor vehicles or boats — to place a lien on a vehicle when customers fail to pay for services. The MV-901C outlines the mandatory steps to foreclose that lien and transfer clear title to a new buyer at auction.
Without following these exact requirements, the lien is invalid, and the purchaser cannot obtain a New York Certificate of Title. This makes the MV-901C essential for any New York garage, body shop, tow operator, or storage facility dealing with abandoned or unpaid vehicles.
Who Must Follow MV-901C Filing Requirements?
The MV-901C applies to any garageperson in New York who:
- Performed repairs, towing, or storage services on a motor vehicle or boat
- Has not been paid
- Wants to recover costs by selling the vehicle at public auction
This includes registered repair shops, towing companies, and storage facilities (both inside and outside New York City). Private individuals or unlicensed businesses generally cannot use these procedures.
Complete Step-by-Step Filing Requirements for New York Garageperson Liens
The MV-901C breaks the process into clear, mandatory steps. Here is the official sequence:
1. Verify Prior Owner and Lienholder Information
Contact the state where the vehicle was last registered or titled. Acceptable proof includes:
- New York Title Abstract (Form MV-904N) obtained via MV-15
- NYS DMV Record Search Service computer printout with signed affirmation
- Out-of-state DMV letterhead verification
- Certified “No Record Found” document if applicable
Vehicles with “NO HIT” records may require a DMV investigation and possible bond before title approval.
2. Prepare and Serve Notice of Lien and Sale (Form MV-901A)
Use the official MV-901A (or an exact duplicate). Serve it on the recorded owner and any known lienholder per Lien Law Section 201. Retain proof of service (certified mail or personal service) — this must be provided to the purchaser.
3. Advertise the Public Auction
Publish a notice in a local newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks (at least 7 days apart). The ad must include year, make, VIN/HIN, owner’s name, and sale details. The first publication must occur at least 10 days after serving MV-901A. The sale cannot happen until 15 days after the first ad. Provide the original newspaper clipping and Affidavit of Publication to the buyer.
4. Complete the Garageperson’s Affirmation and Bill of Sale (Form MV-901B)
Use official MV-901B (or exact duplicate). This sworn statement confirms the sale details and must be signed by both the garageperson and the purchaser.
5. Provide Proof of Business and Claim
- Repairs: Copy of MV-61P (Official Business Certificate) showing the shop was registered at the time of service + itemized work order or estimate.
- Storage: Valid business license (Consumer Affairs license for NYC) or letterhead/billing statement.
- Towing: Additional documentation if towed at law enforcement request.
Unregistered repair shops cannot enforce liens.
How the Purchaser Obtains a Clear New York Title?
After the auction, the buyer must submit a complete package to the NY DMV Title Bureau in Albany to receive a Certificate of Title in their name. The MV-901C lists these 12 required items:
- Owner/lienholder verification
- MV-901A + proof of service
- Towing notices (if applicable)
- Original newspaper clipping
- Affidavit of Publication
- MV-901B
- VIN/HIN verification
- Proof of business and claim
- Statement of Acquisition
- Completed title application (MV-82TON or MV-82B)
- Sales tax clearance (FS-6T or MV-50)
- $50 title application fee
All documents must be mailed to:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Title Bureau, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with MV-901C
- Using incorrect or non-duplicate versions of MV-901A or MV-901B
- Failing to serve notice on all known lienholders
- Advertising less than 10 days after service or selling too soon
- Missing proof that the repair shop was DMV-registered
- Submitting copies without proper certification as “true copies”
- Forgetting the $50 title fee or sales tax clearance
Any error can result in denial of the purchaser’s title application and potential loss of the lien.
Related Forms You Will Need
- MV-901A – Notice of Lien and Sale
- MV-901B – Garageperson’s Affirmation and Bill of Sale
- MV-15 – Request for Certified DMV Records (for title abstract)
- MV-82TON / MV-82B – Title application forms
All are available free on the official NY DMV website.
Download the Official MV-901C PDF (Current Version)
Access the most up-to-date instructions directly from the source:
Download MV-901C PDF – Instructions and Requirements for Filing New York State Garageperson’s Liens
This official document is the only trusted source for current filing requirements as of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About MV-901C and Garageperson Liens
How long does the entire process take?
Typically 4–6 weeks from initial notice to auction, plus additional time for the buyer to receive title.
Can I file electronically?
No. All documents must be mailed to the Title Bureau in Albany.
Does MV-901C apply to boats?
Yes — the instructions explicitly cover boats as well as motor vehicles.
What if the vehicle has no title record?
A “NO HIT” requires extra DMV investigation and possibly a bond.
For the latest official guidance, always refer to the MV-901C PDF on the NY DMV website. Following these requirements ensures your garageperson lien is valid and the buyer receives clear title.