Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin / Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.

[This is a companion page to Vehicle Registration in California. (Read this article first; it is much shorter.)]

[Should you seriously ever start investigating the question of who really owns your vehicle (hint: it's probably NOT you. Something seems to have happened during the 1930's whereby Title {Ownership} to a thing, which consists of both Legal and Equitable Title {Ownership} existing in one-and-the-same person, somehow got split so that one person can hold the Legal Title and another can hold the Equitable Title. While you may have equitable title (user [useage]) of your vehicle, you probably have no idea who has the legal Title to it.), you will eventually want to locate the Documents of Title evidencing the legal ownership of your vehicle.
[My basic premise is that an essential part of that legal Title, under either the former Uniform Negotiable Instruments Act or the current Uniform Commercial Code, is the original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin together with a Bill of Sale.]

As an exemplar, the State of Idaho has established, by administrative regulations, the format and content of a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin to be issued by a manufacturer doing business in Idaho. Idaho went to a lot of trouble to establish an easily-recognized and negotiable document. [Read subsections 200 and 201.]

The average man-in-the-street is likely to think: "So what's the big deal? I mean, I get to use my vehicle so long as I keep paying the registration fees every year, right?"

Well, yes, but if your vehicle were really YOUR private property, both in Equity and at Law, why should you want or need to register your private property at all? And why would you need to pay fees (rent) on your own private property?

And since you are supposedly "required" (California Vehicle Code, Sec. 4000) to register it, probably it's not really your vehicle at all.

It seems to me that CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES (by issuing a "Certificate of Title") appears to claim to be adopting a fiduciary/trustee relationship to me and to the legal owner of my vehicle; and to KNOW who the legal owner IS.

So, who IS the legal owner of the vehicle or; whose vehicle is it, anyway?

If, or when, someone from your State's licensing agency for motor vehicles tells you there is no such thing as a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, here is a brief selection of information from the Internet to disprove that statement. [This is merely an illustrative list and is NOT intended to be exhaustive.]
[My emphasis is indicated in boldface.]

Here is what a real-world Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin for a Vehicle looks like.

Notice that, pretty consistently, according to these states having registration information on the Internet, to "Register"/"Title" the vehicle (apply for and get that particular State's "Certificate of Title") you have to surrender (relinquish, transfer, yield, or give up, but NEVER for Just Compensation for a Constitutional 'taking' of private property for a 'public' purpose) the Manufacturer's Certificate/Statement of Origin to that State.

If I were a reasonable Man, of sound mind, and not under some delusion, why would I want to surrender ownership of my private property to anyone?

That I would voluntarily do so, implies that there might be something wrong with either my mind/education or with the people I am dealing with.

From one online Legal Dictionary:

surrender

To give up, return, or yield.

The word surrender presupposes the possession or ownership of the thing that is to be returned or given up. It indicates a transfer of title as well as possession, but it does not express or in any way suggest the transaction of a sale and delivery. Instead, it involves yielding or delivering in response to a demand. A surrender may be compelled or it may be voluntary.
. . .
West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc.

From the State of Georgia:

Definitions:

*A manufacturer's certificate of origin is a legal document issued by the vehicle's manufacturer certifying the vehicle's origin.

This document, properly assigned to the applicant showing a complete & correct chain of ownership, must accompany the first retail customer’s title application. This document is commonly referred to as the vehicle’s birth certificate, or manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO). For certificates of origin to be acceptable in this state, they must be printed on security paper and contain security features that deter illegal reproduction and make alterations visible to the naked eye.

From the State of Alabama:

What documents will I need to make application for Alabama certificate of title?

An applicant for Alabama certificate of title must surrender the following documents to the designated agent in order to complete an application for Alabama certificate of title: (a) the outstanding manufacturer's certificate of origin or certificate of title that is either in the applicant's name or assigned to the applicant and any documents which support the transfer of the vehicle to the applicant; (b) if the vehicle is currently registered in a jurisdiction which does not title such vehicles, the applicant must surrender the outstanding registration documents which substantiate ownership of the vehicle. Additional documentation may be required if it cannot be determined whether the vehicle meets federal and state safety, emmissions and anti-theft standards.

From the State of Illinois:

VEHICLE TITLES DIVISION
What do I need to apply for a certificate of title for my vehicle?
You need a title application, $13 title fee, applicable tax form, and a surrendered title or manufacturer's certificate of origin signed to you by the seller. Other supporting documents may be required by this Office.

From the State of Indiana:

IC 9-17 Chapter 8. Manufacturers,Converter Manufacturers, and Dealers; Manufacturers' Certificates of Origin

Context
Title 9
Article 17
Chapter 8. Manufacturers, Converter Manufacturers, and Dealers; Manufacturers' Certificates of Origin
Section 9-17-8-1 A manufacturer, converter manufacturer, dealer, or other person may not sell or otherwise dispose of a new motor vehicle to another person, to be used by the other person for purposes of display or resale, without delivering to the other person a manufacturer's certificate of origin under this chapter that indicates the assignments of the certificate of origin necessary to show the ownership of the title to a person who purchases the motor vehicle. ...
Section 9-17-8-2 A person may not purchase or acquire a new motor vehicle without obtaining from the seller of the motor vehicle a valid manufacturer's certificate of origin.

From the State of Kansas:

HOUSE BILL No. 2203

An Act relating to motor vehicles; concerning the filing of notice of security interest; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-135 and repealing the existing section.
Section 1. K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 8-135 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-135 (a). ...
(b) If the acquired vehicle is a new vehicle such person also must carry the assigned certificate of title or manufacturer's statement of origin when operating the acquired vehicle, except that a dealer may operate such vehicle by displaying such dealer's dealer license plate.

From the State of Maine:

How do I register a passenger vehicle in the State of Maine?

At the time of first registration, you must submit an application for title for a vehicle that is model year 1984 or newer. If you purchase the vehicle from a Maine auto dealer, the dealer will furnish the new owner with the blue copy of the title application, which must be presented at the time of first registration. If not purchased from a Maine auto dealer, a title application must be completed by the new owner and submitted with the prior certificate of title or manufacturer's certificate of origin, properly transferred to the new owner. If the title is held by an out-of-state lienholder, you will be given a form to request that the out-of-state title be sent to Maine. The Maine lien certificate will be sent to the out-of-state lienholder. If you have any questions regarding titles, please call (207) 287-9000.

From the State of Maryland:

NEW VEHICLES

Purchased in Maryland

1. A Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin and Dealer Reassignment(s) (if applicable) for the vehicle must accompany the title application.
2. A separate Certified MVA Bill of Sale form (see form VR-181), or the Dealer's Invoice is required if Maryland Dealers Certification on the title application is not completed.

From the State of New York:

If the vehicle is new, not registered or titled, and was purchased from an out-of-state dealer, provide the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) and the dealer's bill of sale.

From the State of Ohio:

Purchases From Licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers (one of the following documents is needed)

Bill of Sale or purchase agreement for a new, used or leased motor vehicle from the dealer which has the dealer's licensed name pre-printed or handwritten on the document;
Security Agreement (loan documents) or lease agreement (with power-of-attorney)from the lending or leasing institution which has financed the vehicle;
M.S.O.(Manufacturer's Statement of Origin);
A properly Assigned Title. (seller's signature must be notarized);
An Ohio title that indicates that sales tax has not been paid. (Permanent plates may not be issued in this situation);

From the State of Texas:

Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code (& Lemon Law)

Art. 4413(36). Motor Vehicle Commission Code.
Text of subd. (26) as added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 345, Sec. 1
(26) "Manufacturer's statement of origin" means a certificate on a form prescribed by the Department showing the original transfer of a new motor vehicle from the manufacturer to the original purchaser.
Text of subd. (26) as added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 357, Sec. 2.

From the State of Utah:

41-3-409. Certificate of title -- Brand -- Reporting requirements.

A manufacturer, its agent, or a dealer who accepts the return of a nonconforming vehicle, shall:
(1) immediately upon receipt, cause the words "MANUFACTURER BUYBACK NONCONFORMING VEHICLE" to be clearly and conspicuously stamped on the face of the original certificate of title, the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, or other evidence of ownership; and
(2) within ten days of receipt of the certificate of title, Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, or other evidence of ownership, submit a copy of the face of that stamped document to the Motor Vehicle Division of the Tax Commission.

From the State of West Virginia:

If you purchase a new vehicle, one that has never been titled in any state, the dealer must provide you with a manufacturer's certificate or statement of origin. This document comes from the manufacturer and is provided to the dealer. When the vehicle is sold the dealer completes the reassignment of this document, which is what you will need to title your new vehicle. Whether you purchase the vehicle from a West Virginia dealer or an out-of-state dealer this document is required in order to title the new vehicle. In West Virginia if the new vehicle is to have a lien recorded, the West Virginia dealer is required to collect all of the fees required and forward the fees along with the paperwork to the division. If the vehicle is purchased from an out-of-state dealer, the application must be accompanied by an invoice reflecting the purchase price. West Virginia dealers can certify the price by using the certification on the bottom of our title application (DMV-1-TR), if this is not completed, a dealer invoice is required. Fees required to title a new vehicle include a $10 title fee, 5% tax on purchase price, $5 lien fee (if applicable) and the standard registration fee is $30, if transferring a valid West Virginia plate the transfer fee is $5.50 instead of the $30 fee. If a trade-in is involved, the 5% tax would be based on the purchase price minus the trade-in (trade-in must be titled in West Virginia and in the applicant's name to receive credit, REBATES are taxable).

Some states also recognize manufacturer's statements of origin for vessels.

From State of Washington:

RCW 88.02.130 Class A title certificates. After June 30, 1985, a class A certificate shall be issued in the following circumstances:
(1) Upon application for a certificate of title to a new vessel never before titled and sold by an in-state or out-of-state dealer or manufacturer. The application must be accompanied by a manufacturer's statement of origin or other document or documents certifying the first conveyance of said vessel after its manufacture. The manufacturer's statement of origin or other similar document or documents shall reflect the model year, make, and hull identification number of the vessel.
END

Vehicle Registration in California.

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