New York Consolidated Laws, Vehicle and Traffic Law - VAT § 2117. When commissioner to issue new certificate

(a) The commissioner, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall check the identifying number of the vehicle against the appropriate records of vehicles required to be maintained, issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and mail it to the owner.

(b) The commissioner, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall check the identifying number of the vehicle against the appropriate records of vehicles required to be maintained, issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and mail it to the owner.  If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to the commissioner, he shall demand it from the holder thereof.

(c) The commissioner may require that any vehicle for which an application for a certificate of title is made be inspected in a manner prescribed by him for conformity to the description given in the application before he issues a certificate of title.