Certificate of Origin

Certificate of Origin

A manufacturer's Certificate of Origin is a legal document on safety paper issued by the vehicle's manufacturer certifying the vehicle's origin. This document contains the following information: 

•      A complete description of the vehicle: year, vehicle make, model name and/or number, body style, weight, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as shown on the serial plate affixed to the vehicle by the manufacturer 

•      Name and address of the purchasing party, usually a motor vehicle dealer

•      Additional assignment spaces on the reverse side of the Certificate of Origin allow for the continued transfer of ownership of the vehicle (from licensed dealer to licensed dealer or from a licensed dealer to a retail customer). The first retail customer must obtain a Title in his/her name before selling or transferring the ownership of the vehicle (when the vehicle requires a Title)

•      The Odometer Discloser section on the reverse side of the Certificate of Origin is required only for retail sale. It must be properly completed and signed by both the seller and the buyer

•      The bottom section of the reverse side of the Certificate of Origin must list the lienholder information whenever a customer takes out a loan to purchase the vehicle

•      The Certificate of Origin contains security features that deter counterfeiting or illegal reproduction. These security features make any alterations or erasures to any information visible to the naked eye

•      Certain Certificates of Origin must be certified for proper emission standards and contain a statement of low emissions compliance

This document (properly assigned showing a complete and correct chain of ownership) should accompany the RMV-1 Form when submitted to the Registry. This document is commonly referred to as the vehicle’s birth certificate. It is also called a statement of origin.

This document cannot be modified and the word “void” cannot be written on any part of it.