Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO): What Is It and How to Get One

New cars require a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), before they can be registered at the DMV. Here's how to get one.
Written by Liliana Pina
background
A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) is a document issued when a vehicle is new that provides you with important information about the vehicle and its origin. If you bought your car new, you’ll likely need an MCO before you can register it at the DMV.
  • The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, also known as the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MCO), is an important document that certifies a vehicle is brand new. 
  • You may need an MCO to complete your new
    motor vehicle registration
    and pick up license plates at the DMV.

What is a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)?

A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), also commonly referred to as a Manufacturer’s Certificate or Origin (MCO), is an important car ownership document issued after a
new vehicle purchase
that provides relevant information about the vehicle itself. In other words, it certifies the origin of your vehicle.
Similar to a certificate of title, an MSO or MCO will tell you:
No matter where or when you are purchasing a new car, this certification is necessary before moving forward with many essential processes, like registering your vehicle for the first time.

Why do you need a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin?

Many states require a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin to register your new car at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in combination with other documents, such as a bill of sale and your car title. The MCO can only be created by the licensed manufacturer or dealer.

How to get a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)

The best time to ask your car dealership for a copy of your Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin is before you leave the initial sale. This ensures that you have the proper documentation to
begin registering your car
as soon as possible and have some essential information that allows you to use it properly.
If you're out of state, it may be in your best interest to have your Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin mailed to you so that you don’t lose it while traveling.
Once you receive the document, put it in a safe and easily accessible location in case you ever need to reference it in the future.
If you're having trouble with obtaining your Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, you can contact the
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)
with any questions or problems.
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