Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)

A Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) is issued by the manufacturer certifying ownership of a new vehicle before its first retail sale. The MSO is transferred to the dealer at delivery and submitted to the state DMV to obtain the first title in the buyer's name.

Dealers must handle MSOs carefully as they are the legal origin document for a new vehicle's title chain. An MSO that is lost, damaged, or improperly assigned creates title complications that can delay or prevent the first registration. Title clerks should have a clear intake and tracking process for all MSOs.