A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)—sometimes called a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)—is an official document issued by the manufacturer of a brand-new vehicle. The manufacturer’s statement of origin is used to title a vehicle for the very first time, before it has ever been registered or sold to a retail owner.
What Is a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)?
A manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO) is a document created by the vehicle’s manufacturer that certifies where and how a vehicle was produced. It acts as the vehicle’s birth certificate before a title exists.
The terms MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin) and MCO (Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin) are commonly used interchangeably and refer to the same document.
An MSO typically includes:
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Manufacturer name
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
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Year, make, and model
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Country of manufacture
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Authorized manufacturer signature
While most commonly associated with cars and motorcycles, manufacturer’s statements of origin are also issued for trailers, boats, aircraft, and off-road vehicles.
Why Is a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin Needed?
A manufacturer’s statement of origin is required to:
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Title a brand-new vehicle for the first time
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Register a vehicle that has never been titled
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Import a vehicle into the United States
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Title a newly constructed or assembled vehicle
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Establish ownership before a title exists
Without an MSO, many state DMVs will not issue a title, which means the vehicle cannot be registered or legally driven on public roads.
In most retail purchases, the dealership submits the manufacturer’s statement of origin directly to the DMV on your behalf. However, in certain cases—such as private purchases, imports, or specialty vehicles—you may need to handle the MSO yourself.
When Do You Need an MSO?
You will need to obtain an MSO in situations like the following:
- Your state requires it when you register a new car for the first time
- You import a car that has never been registered in the United States
- You register a car for the first time
- You build a new vehicle and need to get its first registration
If you’re working with a dealership in such situations, they will usually handle the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) for you. An MSO is issued when a new vehicle is purchased. It is necessary to register the vehicle for the first time and obtain the vehicle’s initial title from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Since federal law does not mandate MSOs, the rules and requirements vary by state—some states require them, while others do not. You can contact the DMV in your state to determine whether an MSO is necessary for obtaining your vehicle’s first title and registration.
If you didn’t get the MSO from the dealer or lost it, you must get a duplicate to proceed with the registration. The Department of Revenue or the Department of Motor Vehicles might not issue the title without it.
How Do You Get an MSO?
When you buy a new car, be sure to request the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) from the dealership before you leave. They should have it readily available, and obtaining a copy should not be a problem. If you purchase the vehicle from out of state, you may need to put in a little extra effort, as they will typically have to send the MSO to you by mail or fax.
If you plan to import a new vehicle or construct a motor vehicle on your own, you must also have an MSO. To do this, you’ll want to consult the resources of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, otherwise known as AAMVA.
It is against the law to create an MSO certificate yourself, even for a car you built, so make sure you contact the AAMVA for help with this process.
Differences Between Vehicle Title, Registration, and MSO
A title certificate proves vehicle ownership, such as a car or motorcycle, and is transferred upon sale. Registration allows you to operate the vehicle on public roads; however, you can title a vehicle without registering it but cannot drive it off your property.
In California, dealerships register new or used car purchases, while private sales require a visit to the DMV. Typically, the first buyer is the only one to receive the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), which aids in titling.
You can use the MSO to establish ownership for vehicle exports without a title, but it’s advisable to prepare all necessary paperwork in advance to speed up inspection.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Manufacturer’s Statements of Origin (MSO/MCO)
How do I get the MCO for my car?
A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) is issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer and is typically provided to the dealership when a brand-new vehicle is sold. In most cases, the dealership submits the MCO directly to the DMV to obtain the vehicle’s first title on your behalf.
If you purchased a new vehicle outside a traditional dealership, imported a vehicle, or never received the MCO, you may need to request it from the manufacturer or the selling dealer. When the MCO is missing or unavailable, Dirt Legal can help identify alternative titling solutions so registration isn’t delayed.
What is a manufacturing statement of origin?
A manufacturing statement of origin, more commonly called a manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO), is an official document issued by a vehicle’s manufacturer that certifies the vehicle has never been titled. It includes key details such as the VIN, year, make, model, and country of manufacture and is used to obtain the vehicle’s first title.
The terms manufacturing statement of origin, manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO), and manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO) all refer to the same document.
Is a manufacturer’s statement of origin the same as a title?
No. A manufacturer’s statement of origin is not the same as a title. An MSO is used before a title exists and proves that the vehicle is brand new and has never been registered. A title, on the other hand, is issued by the state DMV and proves legal ownership of the vehicle.
Once the MSO is submitted to the DMV, it is typically surrendered and replaced by a title.
What is the difference between an MCO and a title?
The key difference is purpose and timing. An MCO is issued by the manufacturer and is used only once—to obtain the vehicle’s first title. A title is issued by the state and serves as ongoing proof of ownership.
In simple terms:
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MCO/MSO: Proves a vehicle is new and untitled
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Title: Proves legal ownership after registration
If an MCO is lost, delayed, or never issued, the titling process can stall. In those cases, Dirt Legal assists with title recovery, VIN verification, and alternative registration paths to help keep things moving.
How Dirt Legal Helps With MSO and Titling Issues
For most vehicle owners, a manufacturer’s statement of origin is never something they think about. But when an MSO is missing, delayed, or unavailable, it can completely block the titling and registration process.
That’s where Dirt Legal comes in.
Dirt Legal simplifies complex MSO and DMV situations by handling the paperwork, state coordination, and compliance for you—so you don’t have to navigate the system alone.
Dirt Legal can help with:
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Titling vehicles when an MSO is missing, lost, or never issued
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Imported vehicle titling and registration
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VIN checks and title replacements
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Specialty, off-road, electric, and non-standard vehicles
For certain vehicles, pairing registration with LLC formation services can further streamline compliance, reduce friction, and help avoid unnecessary delays.
Fast turnaround times include:
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Montana license plates shipping in as little as 1 business day
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Vehicle titles typically issued within 2 weeks
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Same-day temporary tags so you can stay legally on the road
For a visual walkthrough, click here to watch a video explaining MSO and MCO documents in more detail.
To make things even easier, you can pair your registration with Dirt Legal’s LLC Formation Service and add Automatic Registration Renewal—eliminating DMV visits and keeping everything compliant year after year.
A manufacturer’s statement of origin is the foundation of a vehicle’s legal identity. Without it, titling and registration can quickly become confusing, delayed, or impossible—especially with imports, specialty vehicles, or non-standard builds.
Whether you’re missing an MSO, dealing with an import, or looking for a faster, simpler registration path, Dirt Legal provides end-to-end solutions—from VIN verification and title recovery to fast-tracked plates, temporary tags, and long-term registration support.
With same-day temp tags, Montana plates in as little as one day, and titles often issued within two weeks, Dirt Legal removes the guesswork and the wait—so you can focus on enjoying your vehicle, not fighting the DMV.
