New York Laws
Article 46 - Uniform Vehicle Certificate of Title Act
2110 - Registration Without Certificate of Title.

ยง 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.