N.Y. VAT. LAW § 2110 : NY Code - Section 2110: Registration without certificate of title

Search N.Y. VAT. LAW § 2110 : NY Code - Section 2110: Registration without certificate of title

If the commissioner
  is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no
  undisclosed  security interests in it, the commissioner may register the
  vehicle but shall withold issuance of a certificate of title  until  the
  applicant  presents  documents  reasonably  sufficient  to  satisfy  the
  commissioner as to the applicant's ownership of  the  vehicle  and  that
  there are no undisclosed security interests in it.